PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

Hairless rats are among the most unique pets a person can have. They look like little alien lifeforms, feel like warm raw chicken when held, and are certain to start a conversation with any houseguest brave enough to inquire about the host’s strange-looking pet. But do hairless rats need special care compared to other rats? There are numerous myths about hairless rats, most of which make them sound like much more difficult and time-intensive pets than furred rats. In this post, we’ll get to the bottom of these myths and discover what special care hairless rats really need.

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Many dogs love water. It’s hard to resist letting a happy dog frolic in a creek or lake while out for a long walk, especially on a hot day. I’m sometimes tempted to jump in myself! But is it safe to let dogs play in and drink from creeks or lakes? Organisms like Giardia that thrive in water can make your dog ill. Certain algaes can be harmful, or even fatal, to dogs. In addition, mosquito larvae live in standing water, along with various other water-dwelling creatures that can be disease vectors.  So, should you let your dog play in creeks and lakes? That depends on you and your dog, and where you live.

Determining Local Water Safety

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I’ve always avoided topical flea and tick medications whenever possible. I’m just a little uncomfortable with the idea of putting something on my pet’s body that is so poisonous to fleas and ticks that it will continue to kill them for weeks at a time. It looks like I’m not just over-protective after all: the Environmental Protection Agency has launched a review of the safety of flea and tick topicals, which may even lead to the cancellation of some products.

For my household this is no big deal, since there are relatively few fleas in Colorado, but what should concerned pet parents who depend on topical products for flea and tick control do until the EPA decides which products are and are not safe? There are several alternatives available, with varying degrees of safety and effectiveness. But first, let’s look at: More →

Cryptorchidism in dogs is a condition that is congenital (present at birth) and results in one or both testicles failing to descend normally. This is a common condition that usually has no particular ill effects, provided the cryptorchid dog is neutered. If left intact, cryptorchid dogs may pass on the condition to male offspring, and will have a significantly heightened risk of testicular cancer.

How to Tell If Your Puppy Is a Cryptorchid

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Have you ever seen a news story about hundreds of animals rescued from a single person? Frequently, these horrifying stories come with graphic details of pets that starved to death or attacked each other because of overcrowding and lack of food or care. People who collect animals beyond their ability to care adequately for them are called “hoarders,” and they suffer from a poorly understood and complex mental health disorder known as animal hoarding.  Up to 250,000 animals are victims of hoarding each year.

What Defines an Animal Hoarder?

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As rats age, they may become either obese or thin. If your rat has a health problem, please consult your veterinarian about feeding and nutrition. However, if your rat is aging normally, you may be able to help it live a longer life by supplementing or changing its diet. Rats prone to obesity as they age can benefit from eating more low-calorie foods and being made to exert physical effort to get them, while rats that are losing weight may need supplementation with calorie-dense foods, or possibly even help with eating.

Obese Aging Rats

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Animal shelters are bursting at the seams with pets who have lost their homes due to the current recession. Whether it was an unexpected vet bill, routine expenses, or a non pet-related expense that was the last straw, dogs, cats, and other pets are losing their homes in throngs because their owners simply can’t afford to keep them. Not all owners relinquishing pets are bad or irresponsible people– many of them were excellent pet owners until suddenly their financial circumstances changed.

There’s no way to be absolutely sure that unforeseen circumstances won’t force the relinquishment of a pet, but you can take simple steps now to make sure you’ll have the best possible chance of providing a lifetime home for your pets. Save and plan now, and you won’t be taken by surprise later if your financial situation worsens or your pet has unexpected expenses. More →

There’s nothing like the bright red dot of a laser pointer racing across the floor or wall to get a cat’s attention. Many dogs also are fascinated  with and will chase laser pointer toys. Even fish often follow the red dot, at least until they get bored or something startles them. Some birds and small pets also show interest. But are laser pointer toys safe for your pets? Stories of retinal damage due to looking directly into a laser abound on the web and in “My cousin told me that her grandmother’s college roommate’s aunt’s dog’s sire was blinded by a laser pointer,” form.

The Real Risks of Using Laser Pointer Toys

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I live in Colorado, where we have, from time to time, experienced snow in July and 90-degree days in November. But if you can rely on one thing in Colorado, it’s that we’ll have a fairly hot summer. Many people shave their dogs during the summer, ostensibly to help them stay cool. However, depending upon your dog’s coat type, shaving might actually do more harm than good.  Should you shave your dog for the summer? That depends on the dog, the weather, and what you do with the dog.

When to Shave Your Dog

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Most rat owners will, at some point, own a pet rat with chronic respiratory disease. Rats are prone to infections caused by Mycoplasma pulmonis, a naturally occurring bacterium found in the lungs of nearly all rats. The only domestic rats free of these bacteria are laboratory rats specifically bred for that trait, which could immediately become lethally ill if exposed to other rats which do carry Mycoplasma bacteria. When rats do, as is fairly common, develop chronic respiratory disease, a medical device called a nebulizer can be helpful.

What is a Nebulizer/What is Nebulization?

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