Library
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Chinchillas are generally hardy animals but are susceptible to several unique health conditions; understanding them will help you care for your pet and manage potential health problems. This handout describes the most common conditions seen in pet chinchillas.
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Getting a new puppy is an exciting time and there is no perfect science to picking the perfect puppy. Have a brief look over them physically with their littermates as well as seeing how they interact together and with you. Be sure to take your puppy to a veterinarian as soon as possible to check for any health problems.
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Clonidine is a medication that is used off label to treat behavioral disorders in dogs, particularly anxiety- or phobia-related. It is often used as supplemental therapy in pets that do not respond to conventional therapies.
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As pets age, they may lose some of their cognitive abilities. As their physical health naturally changes, so does their behavior. Your veterinarian will use certain behavioral signs to identify cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). This handout discusses signs of CDS and how your can help your pet.
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Collars and harnesses can be used to contain dogs properly and can enhance the training process. Choosing the right collar or harness for a dog is important. Correct selection, fit, and use are crucial for any training tool's success.
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Compulsive disorders are repetitive behaviors that are repeated so frequently they interfere with a dog's daily routine. Some behaviors performed compulsively can cause physical injury. Compulsive disorders may reflect underlying behavioral illness, medical illness, or a combination. They are complex and often require life-long monitoring.
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Dogs and cats sometimes repeat behaviors such as licking, circling, or tail chasing in ways that seem out of context or difficult to stop. These behaviors can have physical or emotional causes, including pain, itchiness, frustration, fear, or anxiety. This handout explains the different types of repetitive behavior, how they are diagnosed, and how they may be treated.
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Cats were once considered solitary creatures. We now know that they are, in fact, social animals who benefit from interaction with their own and other species. However, not all cats are social with other cats. The personality of each cat must factor into the decision to introduce a new cat to your home.
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Eating feces, called coprophagia, is relatively common in dogs. While it is usually undesirable to owners, it can be a normal canine behavior. If your dog frequently ingests feces, you should screen for a possible medical cause before turning to prevention strategies in order to find appropriate treatments.
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A crate for a pet is like a crib, travel sleeper, or playpen for a small child. With gentle training, a crate becomes a safe area that can be associated with resting and sleeping. Cats that are calm in their crates experience less distress when they need to travel, visit the veterinary hospital, or recover from a medical procedure.