What About Cats’ Teeth?
Do they ever get bad breath from not brushing their teeth? Well, Dr. Kim certainly doesn’t have time to brush my teeth, and it is not an intimacy that I’m inclined to permit. Anyway, I do a perfectly good job of cleaning the inside parts of my teeth with my tongue, and I chew on […]
Cats ‘n’ Cars Don’t Mix
‘Dilbert’ has always had a problem with his lower jaw. As a well-bred Persian, his lower jaw stuck out beyond his nose by a little bit. This gave him a rather endearing pugnacious look. However, this together with his long, dense coat meant that he was a ‘high maintenance’ cat – very regular and thorough […]
Why Does My Cat…?
Cats communicate with each other and with us in many different ways. Have you ever wondered what your cat is trying to tell you? Or why your cat twitches in its sleep? Do cats see in colour and are they actually smarter than us? Here are the answers to some of those puzzling pussycat phenomena! […]
Cats ‘n’ Fleas Don’t Mix
“…the flea, though he kill none, he does all the harm he can;” John Donne (1572-1631). This may have been the case even a few years ago, but recently I have seen quite a few cats with severe (even fatal) illnesses and all initiated by fleas. The culprit of our annual plague is, in fact, […]
The Tales of Three Thirsty Old Cats
Obtaining a urine sample Cats are not always very amenable to providing test material, and each cat used a different technique. Some cats always urinate on the way to the vet, so careful pre-cleaning of the cage and clever plastic placement will often supply a sufficient sample for Urine Dipstick and Specific Gravity tests (though […]
Feeding Your Pet Rabbit
Rabbits are herbivores and require a varied, balanced diet. They have a specialised digestive tract that allows them to digest the large amount of fibre that is required in their diet. What should rabbits eat? The majority of commercially available rabbit foods are actually inappropriate for pet rabbits – they are too concentrated in carbohydrates […]
Paterson’s Curse Poisoning In Horses
Paterson’s Curse (Echium plantagineum), also known as Salvation Jane or Riverina Bluebell, is a plant that is extremely toxic to horses. It contains compounds known as pyrolizidine alkaloids, the metabolites of which cause cell death in organs throughout the body, most commonly the liver. The kidneys and lungs may also be affected. Paterson’s Curse is […]
Taking Care of Your Bird’s Beak and Nails
Most birds are naturally very active during the day and would normally encounter a huge variety of perching textures and perch sizes in their wild environment. This, along with ordinary preening and grooming, wears the toenails down and helps maintain consistent length and health of the toenails. In captivity, the bird typically has perches of the […]
Keeping Eastern Long-necked Turtles in Captivity
The most common turtle kept in Australia is the Eastern Long-necked Turtle. While they are often very small when purchased, they may live for up to 40 years and grow to the size of a dinner plate.
Moulting in Caged Birds
It’s moulting time, there are lots of lost feathers in your flights and everything looks a little shabby for a while… is it that big a deal?
Fighting Felines and Abscess Answers
The midnight massacre begins… and usually right outside your window. It’s the neighbourhood cats getting into a brawl again. Whether your cat is a bully or a victim, the ensuing scabs and scars may be all you notice but sometimes more serious problems can arise. Cat bites transmit bacteria from the mouth under the skin, […]
Pet Care Tips for Cold Weather
When cold weather sets in, it is important to take extra care of your pets by helping them stay warm and safe throughout the winter months.