As far as eye problems go, cataracts in dogs are among the most common. Cataracts can affect any age or breed of dog and there are a wide range of types and causes of cataracts in dogs. Despite the relatively high prevalence of cataracts in dogs, there is still a lot to learn about the disease. Most cases of cataracts can be treated but only by surgery, which tends to be highly effective.
Cataracts occur when the arrangement of lens fibers and their capsules become disrupted resulting in poor vision. A dog’s lens is normally transparent but when cataracts appear they interfere with the passage of light through the eye leading to partial or total blindness. Cataracts in dogs look like opaque white spots on the lens of the eye, but can also resemble crushed ice.
Cataracts in dogs result from the malfunctioning of a particular eye system. Unlike most of a dog’s body, the lens of the eye is actually maintained in a dehydrated condition that is approximately two thirds water and one third proteins. Your dog’s eye contains a physiological system that attempts to keep this balance but when this system fails and excess water enters the lens along with excess insoluble protein. This biochemical imbalance ultimately results in the formation of cataracts.
Dogs can develop cataracts at any age and there are generally three types of cataracts. Congenital cataracts are present at birth; developmental cataracts arise early in life and are often associated with other illnesses like diabetes; and senile cataracts arise late in life. Furthermore, there are some breeds of dogs that can inherit cataracts. Afghan Hounds, Boston Terriers, Golden Retrievers, and Standard Poodles are just a few of the breeds that are predisposed to cataracts.
Treating cataracts in dogs is restricted to surgery. Your veterinarian will remove all or part of the affected lens to restore site. While this treatment is not always effective, it has shown a very good success rate for treating cataracts in dogs.
The first four weeks of a newborn kitten’s life are full of growth and development. Indeed, these initial weeks are fundamental with regards to your kitten’s personality and character as well as for other factors such as their health. Very young kittens are especially susceptible to health threats and they are also growing at an unbelievable rate. In most cases, two scenarios for kitten care may be played out. Your kittens may have a loving and attentive mother who feeds them and helps them to grow, or they may have been abandoned by their mother or be alone for some other reason. As a newborn kitten owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that the kitten gets all the care it needs to develop normally.
In recent years, ferrets have become an increasingly popular pet. They have been domesticated animals for somewhere around 2000 years and were first brought to North America as pets around 1700. Still, some regions do not recognize ferrets as domestic animals with regards to the law and keeping animals in captivity. Moreover, not all ferrets have been domesticated and the black footed ferret is often confused with its domestic cousin. Because ferrets are related to badgers, wolverines, otters, and weasels, some people think they will not make good pets, but this is simply not true. They are highly adaptive animals with a playfulness that makes them an excellent pet.
Like all other pets, snakes require the three basic elements of life: food, water, and shelter. However, there are some other elements of snake and reptile care that cannot be overlooked. From the temperature of their terrarium to veterinary care, snakes are decidedly different from the standard house pet. If you’re a first time snake owner, you need to take some time to learn about the specific needs of your species of snake, but this article will give a general overview of basic snake care.
If you’ve never owned a snake before, there are some guidelines you should follow for choosing your pet snake. While snakes can be very interesting pets, they are not ideal for every family. A tame snake that has experienced regular handling will make an excellent pet but you should have a good idea of what it takes to own a snake. Moreover, you should do a bit of research about the different types of pet snakes before you rush into buying a serious snake like a boa constrictor or python.
Maintaining the health and well being of your pet fish requires that you choose the correct fish food and that you feed them on a consistent schedule. Over feeding, under feeding, and malnutrition can have a very serious impact on the health of your pet fish. In many circumstances, a new fish owner may not even know what kind of food to give their fish. Always speak to the pet store clerk or a veterinarian about the best way to feed your fish as there is no common rule for every species. Nevertheless, here are some basic guidelines for feeding fish.
While most veterinarians have experience with a wide range of animals, they are not always going to be confident with every pet they come across. If you have a pet rabbit, you are tasked with finding an experienced rabbit veterinarian that will provide the best possible care for your beloved pet. Finding a veterinarian for your rabbit is much the same as finding a vet for any pet, but because rabbits are less common than dogs or cats, for example, it is somewhat more difficult to find a vet with experience.
Many rabbit owners feel that the rabbit pellets that are available at the local pet store are a sufficient diet for their pet rabbit. In fact, this is not the case. Fiber is an essential nutrient for rabbits, without which they will not have a properly functioning digestive system. As such, fresh hay and vegetables are a necessary part of a healthy rabbit diet. While rabbit pellets are a normal part of your rabbit’s diet, feeding your pet rabbit these pellets exclusively may lead to obesity and other digestive problems. Moreover, high fiber diets for rabbits can help ameliorate problems experienced with hair balls while stimulating intestinal functioning.
After spending enough time with your cat it is pretty easy to see them as miniature humans who prefer not to talk. Indeed, pet cats are our beloved friends, but unlike humans they have their own instincts and evolved behaviors. Felines have natural hunting instincts that make them considerably different from humans, dogs, and other mammals. Understanding cat behavior can help you to be a more patient and loving cat owner.