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Pet Health Library

Small Mammals + Preventive Care & Wellness

  • Rabbits make a good alternative to a dog or cat. They are usually not aggressive, don't have to be walked, and can be trained to use a litterbox or tray.

  • Small rodents (rats and mice) are very popular pets. Compared to dogs and cats, they have a shorter life-span (1-4 years depending upon the species).

  • Once the cause is identified, pain relief can be started. We are fortunate that there are a growing number of drugs that appear effective and safe enough for use in rabbits and rodents.

  • Should small mammals be neutered? Aside from birth control, there may be other issues at play.

  • Guinea pigs originated in South America but were probably introduced into Europe soon after the first Spanish explorers returned from that continent in the 1500s. Even though they came from a sub-tropical area these rodents proved to be hardy and adapted to temperate climates.

  • Mice are kept for many reasons, from being pets to prize show animals. They are not ideal pets in many ways but are easy to keep in captivity.

  • Rats are kept for many reasons from being pets to prize show animals. They are excellent pets, are easy to keep and you can develop good owner-pet relationships with them.

  • Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete system of medicine developed to prevent and treat disease. Its roots are in writings and practices which were developed over millennia.

  • Acupuncture is one of the oldest treatment methods in the world. It is also probably the most widely recognised form of so-called complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) which also includes homeopathy and herbal medicine.