Pet Health Articles
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Chin acne in cats is a poorly understood disorder of follicular keratinization (the overproduction of keratin, a protein found in the outer layer of skin). This handout outlines potential causes, clinical signs, treatment, and prognosis of this condition.
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Chinchillas are generally hardy animals but can have several unique problems; understanding them will help you care for your pet and manage potential health problems.
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Chinchillas are native to the Andes Mountains in South America. In the wild, they primarily eat grass, hay, wild berries, nuts, roots, twigs, stems, and tree bark. Pet chinchillas require a high-fiber diet and grass should be the main component. This handout provides the information needed to feed your chinchilla a balanced and healthy diet.
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Your chinchilla's cage should allow them to move around a lot, as they are very active, agile, and acrobatic animals. This handout discusses best practices for maintaining a healthy chinchilla living environment.
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Chinchillas can make fun, enjoyable pets. They can live 15 to 20 years, so the family must plan for a long-term commitment. They require a cage with a wheel to run in to help them maintain their health and strength. Yearly veterinary examinations are highly advised as they are very good at hiding symptoms of illness.
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Playful, dedicated and eager to please, they'd make lousy guard dogs. They are calm, non-aggressive, and would rather hang out with their owners than run too far away in open areas.
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Chocolate is toxic to cats. While rarely fatal, chocolate ingestion can result in significant illness. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which cause clinical signs such as an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, agitation, tremors, and seizures. Signs of chocolate poisoning can take several hours to develop and can last for several days.
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Chocolate is toxic to dogs. While rarely fatal, chocolate ingestion can result in significant illness. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which cause clinical signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, panting or restlessness, and increased heart rate. Signs of chocolate poisoning can take several hours to develop and can last for several days.
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Choke is a relatively common condition that occurs when food or a foreign body blocks the horse's esophagus (gullet), which is the tube that takes food from the back of the mouth (pharynx) to the stomach.
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Before getting a reptile, research all aspects of reptile ownership, including the appropriate reptile for your lifestyle, how to provide it with a proper diet, suitable housing, and a healthy, stimulating environment. All reptiles need to be examined by a reptile-savvy veterinarian immediately after purchase or adoption , and then at least annually after that. These pets usually do not act sick until they are very sick and need immediate veterinary attention. Regular veterinary care, plus an informed, knowledgeable pet owner, greatly reduces the likelihood of illness and death in these pets.