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Pet Health Library

Preventive Care & Wellness

  • Cats are very strongly bonded to their environment and any change is likely to result in significant stress. If we consider the changes that we are enforcing on a cat when we take it to the vet, it is hardly surprising that many cats are very stressed by the time they arrive at the veterinary practice.

  • Raising an orphaned kitten can be a rewarding experience. However, kittens are very fragile, and raising them can be difficult, time consuming, and not always successful. Included are basic considerations and frequently asked questions in regards to hand rearing kittens.

  • Hand-rearing baby birds is often performed to produce a cuddly tame young bird. Unfortunately commonly used rearing techniques and the isolation experienced by single birds, may account for the many psychological problems that occur in these birds.

  • Hawthorn bioflavonoids preserve circulation to the heart. In dogs and cats, they have been shown to improve blood circulation to the ventricles of the heart specifically.

  • Orthomolecular (from 'ortho' meaning 'right') therapy is the prevention and treatment of disease by using nutritional supplements. The health of the patient as well as their diet, environment and other external factors are taken into account.

  • The first inclination of some people when feeding a home-prepared diet to their pet is to simply feed the animal leftovers of what they are eating. However, the nutritional needs of dogs, cats and humans differ.

  • Dogs are highly social animals that make wonderful pets. However, with the lifestyle and schedule of the majority of families, dogs must learn to spend a portion of the day at home alone, while their human family is away at school, work, shopping or recreational activities.

  • Due to their reputation as curious creatures and escape artists, ferrets should be housed in a cage which is securely closed and locked.

  • It is most convenient to house pet rodents in wire type 'bird-cages', although cages are available specifically for these pets. Wooden cages are not suitable as rodents love to chew and can really destroy their homes.

  • Many rabbits are housed outside in a hutch with ready access to a grass run. They must have a well-sheltered warm hutch during winter and a cool area during the summer months.