Hello. It’s Belinda. Last week I wrote about the smoke that blew under the door and into the house. The smell was really strong. The good news is we had some rain and were back to normal in a few days. I hope the air is clear for you too. Today is a quick blog. … Read more
Vet-Approved by Dr. Karyn Kanowski Ever wonder why your dog sticks their nose in another dog’s rump? This common canine greeting has left many pet parents shaking their heads in confusion or embarrassment, but it’s as normal in the dog world as a handshake or fist bump in ours. Dogs sniff butts to communicate information … Read more
If your dog often tilts their head, has tremors, walks in circles, paralyzes, or has seizures, they may be suffering from a neurological condition. The most common neurological issues in dogs are epilepsy, intervertebral disc disease, Wobbler syndrome, stroke, meningitis, and encephalitis. Not all neurological conditions have the same clinical signs. As a result, they … Read more
Owning a cat can be quite an experience at times. Sometimes their peculiar behaviors are easily explained. For example, we know that their natural hunting instincts make them great mouse catchers. Other times, we are perplexed and wonder why they are showing displeasure. Take water, for instance. Many cats hate water and avoid it at … Read more
Few of the exotic pet species that we see at The Veterinary Center require vaccinations, but ferrets are one of them. Ferrets are susceptible to rabies and canine distemper virus—two diseases that can be fatal if contracted, but which can be easily prevented with vaccines. Rabies is mainly transmitted through contact with saliva from infected … Read more
People are sometimes surprised by this question but, like other reptiles, turtles DO shed! While snakes regularly shed their entire skin in one piece, and lizards shed in large pieces, the shedding process looks a lot different in turtles given their unique anatomy. Turtle skin consists of small scales, which they do shed in small … Read more
By Dr. Laurie Hess When cold weather comes, especially in areas that experience significant climate changes as the seasons change, there are some steps all reptile owners should take to help ensure their pets stay happy and healthy throughout the winter. With a few minor differences, the concerns for snakes, lizards, turtles and tortoises remain … Read more
Parakeets are like colorful little comedians. They have bright feathers and are always happy. People love having them as pets. They do funny things every day. But one thing they do is extra special: they puff up their feathers! This might seem simple, but it’s actually pretty interesting. It’s like they have a secret message … Read more
An aviary of finches is one of the most visually rewarding displays in aviculture. This guide covers compatible species, aviary setup, seed versus live food, and the licensing differences between Zebra Finches and the endangered Gouldian. More
The Indian Ringneck is native to the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka (with the African subspecies found across sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile Valley). In its natural range it inhabits a remarkably broad spectrum of environments — open forest, woodland, farmland, urban parks, gardens and scrubland — and is one of the most adaptable and … Read more