A Look At Some Symptoms Associated With Kitten Teething

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Like many other animals and humans too, kitten teething is a rough time when chewing and biting are more than natural reflexes: they actually become the main urge of your pet. The favorite objects to chew in such cases are wool made: it is not exactly known why cats favor fluffy stuff when they are teething, but it is a fact that they find relief from the gum soreness when they do so.

The first period of kitten teething starts when the animals are two or three weeks old, and just like in the case of humans, the incisors and the canines erupt first. The entire kitten teething period with the milk and the adult teeth included covers no more than seven months, which is an average teething age in the animal world.

Adult kitten teething usually occurs between the third and the sixth months of life; the period is pretty tense for the animals, so don’t be surprised to be bitten accidentally by your pet. A good way to alleviate the pressure in the gums is to give the cat something hard to chew on: a rubber or a plastic toy for instance. If one of your kids’ toys doesn’t do for the matter, you can always turn to special kitten teething toys.

There is a whole range of nasty symptoms that are frequently reported during the kitten teething period; the pet may experience difficulty to swallow or it may even refuse food. The best thing to do under the circumstances is to contact the vet immediately and also turn to a powder or a gel to apply on the gums of the animal in order to provide relief and comfort.

Homeopathic granules will soothe the animals and allow them to eat as comfortably as possible, not to mention that the objects in your house will be safe from chewing. We should further add that it is possible for the animal to have an altered behavior for the entire kitten teething period, but it will get back to normal as soon as the skin on the gums breaks.

You may also take advantage of the kitten teething period to train the pet for a good oral hygiene; many cats have to be taken to the vet in order to have their teeth cleaned. If, during the kitten teething period, you manage to get the animal used to brushing, there should be no problem to turn it into a habit. The pet will more easily accept the brush now since it alleviates the pressure in gums swollen because of the teeth eruption.

Safe Diwali Celebration For Pets

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Diwali is one of the most happening events in a year, this festival of light and joy is celebrated in a grandeurs way all over India. People are happy excited during this time and in this enjoyment they forget about taking care of their pets.

Now one may be wondering that what special care pets need during Diwali time? In India Diwali celebration is not just accompanied with light but also with sound. Due to this pets really get petrified and they desperately seek for some relief from this. The main reason behind this is the hearing capability of pets are more than that of humans, so what is loud sound for us, it is unbearable for them. It may so happen that pets can also develop a traumatic noise experience, thus read on these tips and know different ways by which you can protect your pet from such traumatic experience.

Keep your pet in one room which has less number of windows or close all windows. Do not push the pet into the room all of a sudden. Few days before that feed the pet in that room; spend some time with it there. Leave the pet with some food and water and try that at least someone must be there with it.

The pet may also choose a different location to hide, so wherever it prefers to hide allow it to do so create a comfortable corner in the room for the pet. Prepare a place where they can hide and make it comfortable with old clothes and a cushion. Make it such that the pet feels comfortable hiding there.

Make sure that you draw curtains of all rooms so that it does not feel any vibration, if required play a soft music, it must not be very loud just play it on a medium volume

One may also take some medicines from the vet to reduce the anxiety and fear of pets

Another safe Diwali tips for pets is to use some natural therapies are also beneficial for calming the pet. Lavender oil, bach flower extracts etc. are useful in making the pet stress free.

It is better to bring your pet in home before fire work starts, try to put large cotton ear balls in their ears so that they are not so disturbed by sound.

NEVER make your pet accustomed to the sound, some pet lovers try to do this with thinking that the pet will get used to the sound and will not be frightened anymore. Contrary to this the pet will become more aggressive and will be frightened more. Remember that on certain things humans and animals do not responds in the same manner.

DO NOT shout at the pet even if it does not listen to you, it will be more scared and will associate you with fear.

Follow these basic safety tips for pets during Diwali so that it stays happy during this festive season of light.

Pancreatitis In The Shih Tzu

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It is very important to feed your Shih Tzu a well-balanced diet of pet food and not table scraps. Pancreatitis is a severe inflammation of the pancreas that can result from feeding your Shih Tzu table scraps.

A Shih Tzu with pancreatitis may suddenly vomit, become dehydrated, be lethargic and have diarrhea. These symptoms are common to a lot of different canine diseases; therefore, the diagnosis of pancreatitis is very difficult for a vet to make. He will depend a lot upon a good history from the Shih Tzu owner.

High amounts of fat in the Shih Tzus diet, a high-fat meal or allowing your Shih Tzu to get into the garbage and consume leftover food may cause pancreatitis Pesticides. Some canine drugs can cause side effects of pancreatitis as well. There is a higher incidence of this disease in obese Shih Tzu.

Pancreatitis can also lead to diabetes and loss of some liver function in your Shih Tzu. It is very important to introduce an easily digestible diet to avoid diarrhea.

Repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis or has signs of diabetes may be chronic pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis can appear suddenly, but doesnt last as long. There is little or no permanent damage to the organ. In chronic pancreatitis the pancreas undergoes permanent damage and possible loss of function.

Once a Shih Tzu is diagnosed with pancreatitis, the intestinal tract must be rested. All food and water is withheld from the dog for a period of time, usually 24 hours. If the Shih Tzu is dehydrated, intravenous fluids will have to be given. The Shih Tzu normally responds to treatment in a few days and can gradually be put back on food.

You need to avoid acute or chronic pancreatitis at all times with your Shih Tzu. Feed your Shih Tzu a well balanced commercially prepared diet to be certain your Shih Tzu is getting all the nutrition it needs.

The best choice of food for your Shih Tzu is a veterinarian formulated product inspired by nature and made using good science. Your Shih Tzu depends upon you to make the right choices when it comes to his or her health and happiness. Your Shih Tzu is a part of your family and you probably want the very best for him.

You might think all pet food manufacturers have your pets best interests in mind. This is not always the case. Current pet food regulations allow manufacturers to use ingredients that you would never give to your pet. You probably would be shocked to learn what some brands of pet food really contain.

For example, the use of by-products on the label of a dog food actually means feet, bones and intestines, etc.). You will often see listed on the dog food label, chemical preservatives (BHA and BHT), and grains that are often difficult to digest (corn, wheat, gluten and soy). These things are often used as a protein source instead of meat. These types of ingredients can also cause acute pancreatitis and possibly even chronic pancreatitis in your Shih Tzu.

Choose a dog food for your Shih Tzu that is made with the freshest, human-quality ingredients, which can give your Shih Tzu the best quality possible. This would be also a dry dog food that contains all natural chicken and top quality catfish with the best fresh fruit, vegetables and select farm foods. The dog food you choose for your Shih Tzu should contain no artificial flavors, colors, sugars, or chemical preservatives. Be sure to read the labels on the dog food before purchasing for your Shih Tzu.

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How To Recognize When Your Canary Bird Is Sick

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Respectively, the only person you should listen to about treatment is your vet. Veterinarians do not have all the answers, but at least they are trained to analyze and treat illnesses, and are aware of the full implications of treatments, which most others are not. This does not mean a few old remedies are not good standbys when all else fails. In most cases, modern science provides the best treatments for disease.

Recognizing Illness

If you determine that your bird is ill, it should be separated from other birds and be kept warm. You can fashion a temporary hospital cage by wrapping towels around a small cage and placing a light bulb at one end.

The bird can regulate the amount of heat it wants by moving closer or further from the light bulb. An infrared lamp or a heat lamp will work even better. Alternatively, you could put a canary in a box and put a heating pad under part of the box, again so the canary can move to a temperature that is comfortable for it.

Some of the symptoms of a sick bird are:

* lack of singing
* lower level of activity
* puffed up appearance
* sitting on the bottom of the cage
* crustiness around the eyes and mouth
* pumping tail
* open mouthed or labored breathing
* untidy appearance
* swellings
* messy vent area
* whole seeds passed in the droppings

Also, be sure the canary has access to food and water. If your canary is on the bottom of the cage, you should place bowls there for it. If it is perching, place seed near its location in the cage. When a bird is ill, offer its favorite treats, without worrying whether they are good for it or not. Does your canary relish canned corn, egg food or apples? Offer them now.

If your canary is hurt, you do not want it to do further damage to itself. Keep the bird in a semidark area, and keep activity around it to a minimum. Once your ill or hurt canary is comfortable, you can call your avian veterinarian for further advice. Be sure to supply as many details as possible. What has your canary been eating? How long has it acted like this? Did it fly into something or display other symptoms? Was another animal involved? All of these things are clues to a veterinarian on how to treat your bird to restore its health or to make it more comfortable.

An illness or accident may not occur during normal business hours. Do you know the policy of your veterinarian about emergencies? Do you know of an emergency clinic or an alternate veterinarian available in the off hours? This is information you should keep handy.

Be sure to get to know an avian veterinarian before you need one desperately, as in an emergency. Birds are very different from dogs and cats, and not all veterinarians have taken the time or attended additional courses in order to be versed in their care.

The best way to find an avian veterinarian in your area is to get a referral from a local bird owner. Contact someone in a bird club, ask a bird owner who is happy with his or her veterinarian or ask for a referral from a veterinarian who does not treat birds. You can also contact the Association of Avian Veterinarians or search their Web site for a listing of avian veterinarians. You will be most comfortable with your birds veterinarian if you schedule an initial WELL BIRD visit when you get your new canary. This means that you will take your bird in to see the veterinarian

What Happens at the Veterinarian?

If you expect something like a doctors visit or a trip to the vet with your dog or cat, you might have certain expectations. Things are different with birds. Birds are prey animals (unlike dogs, cats or people), and so they tend not to show symptoms of illness as obviously. An avian veterinarian relies on his or her knowledge of how you care for your canary, its weight over time and lab tests of blood and droppings to assess the health of your pet bird. A veterinarian sees many birds, and his or her visual assessment is an important indicator about the health of your canary. Your observations as the birds constant companion are also important. Is your canary behaving abnormally, or are things going along okay?

It will be in your best interest to answer your veterinarians questions. They allow a veterinarian to assess a birds condition much better and may lead to some suggestions for changes in care or routine. If you are visiting your veterinarian because your canary has eaten something that might endanger it, or because there has been an accident, give your veterinarian as much information as possible. Bring in a piece of what the canary ate, or a bottle listing the contents, if that is applicable. For an accident, be clear about the time it happened, your canaries reaction and subsequent symptoms.

Listen to what your veterinarian has to say. What kind of questions do you have for him or her? You should find out what services are available to you. What if you have an emergency outside of office hours? What if your veterinarian goes on vacation? Does your prospective veterinarian refer cases to another veterinarian or have an emergency hot line? What are payment terms? It is reassuring to know whether he or she is committed to ongoing education. Does he or she attend professional meetings or belong to the Association of Avian Veterinarians? Is he or she willing to consult with expert veterinarians if symptoms are puzzling?

Do not be surprised if your birds veterinarian frequently has new suggestions for you, or if new treatments or tests become available. The level of veterinarian care for bird health is growing at a rapid rate, and there are continually exciting new developments in avian health care.

In addition to lab tests, parasite control and patching up the occasional accident victim, your veterinarian probably offers other services. Your veterinarian can groom your canaries nails and may offer boarding services for when you will be out of town. Often, a veterinarians office becomes a central point of communication for the community. The office may be notified of lost and found birds, pet sitting services, behavioral consultants, bird club meetings, adoption services and community education projects or requests. You have a lot to gain and a lot to learn by visiting your bird veterinarian on a regular basis!

Vaccinations

We give our dogs and cats yearly vaccines against life threatening diseases. Most birds do not receive vaccines. There is a canary pox vaccine, but it may not be appropriate for your pet canary if it is not exposed to other birds. Ask your veterinarian if you are concerned about this.

Preventing Disease and Injury

There are a few basic things you can do to prevent canaries from having accidents and from contracting transmissible diseases. These things may still happen, but at least you have taken as many precautions as possible.

Cleanliness

When you keep birds, cleanliness cannot be stressed enough. Keeping their quarters clean prevents yeast, mold and bacterial infections. It promotes resistance to infection and good health. Cleanliness applies to food sources, bowls, daily cage cleaning, the occasional good cage scrubbing and offering your bird water in a clean cup. Soap and water, a vacuum, a broom and an air purifier are good aids to cleanliness. Disinfecting bowls occasionally with a 10 percent bleach solution is advisable.

Nutrition

Your canary needs a good diet, based on either a formulated diet or a seed based diet with supplements and vitamins. Eating right is the best way for it to ward off infection and avoid accidents. Be sure to offer some high protein foods during a canaries molt to help it grow in new feathers.

Cat Bites

If a cat should scratch or bite your canary, this is an emergency and an immediate trip to the veterinarian is advised. Cats have bacteria in their mouth that multiplies rapidly in a birds bloodstream, causing death in as little as twenty four hours. Your avian veterinarian will be able to administer antibiotics to save the birds life.

Because both dogs and cats are bird predators, supervise their time with a canary, or restrain or separate the two kinds of pets when a canary is out for free flight time.

Minimize Exposure to Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can transmit Canary pox to your canary. If you have outside accommodations for your birds, the aviary should be well screened. In your home, put screens on your windows and doors.

Wild Birds

Do not permit wild birds to enter your birds living area, if possible. Sparrows may transmit lice, mites or diseases to your canaries.

Windows, Mirrors, Doors

If your canary is flying happily around the house, be aware that it could try to fly through a window or into a mirror. Cover these when a bird is flying in the house. Also close doors carefully, in case your bird is tagging along behind you.

Fumes

Canaries are especially susceptible to fumes and smoke. A canary should not be exposed to car exhaust because of the carbon monoxide fumes. Keep canaries away from any chemical you may use. This includes chemicals used for cleaning, for home hair permanents and the fumes from newly laid carpeting as well. Some rug freshener powders and some scented candles are also dangerous. Fumes from a self cleaning oven can kill a bird. Take your bird to a pet sitter for a day if you decide to operate your ovens self cleaning feature. Especially lethal are overheated nonstick surfaces. If a nonstick pan is accidentally overheated, the fumes can kill household birds in minutes. If you overheat a nonstick pan, quickly ventilate the area and take your bird to see a veterinarian if it shows any signs of illness. Nonstick surfaces may also be on ironing boards, ironing board covers, stove drip pans and some bakeware.

Accidents

A common canary accident is getting fiber wound around its leg and foot. Avoid putting fiber into your canaries cage. Supply it with burlap for nests; get sisal, not fabric or rope toys for it. If fiber should get wound around your canaries leg, you may not be able to disentangle, tease off or cut the fiber. It is a job for your veterinarian.

Disease

Air Sac Mites

If your canary breathes with its mouth open, it may have mites infesting its trachea or further down in its respiratory system. Your avian veterinarian will be able to treat your bird.

Aspergillosis

This disease is caused by the fungus aspergillus. It is a widespread mold in our environment, often found in moldy, dusty or damp seed. It causes an infection of the lungs and air sacs, and is usually debilitating and fatal. Signs of aspergillosis are weight loss, vomiting and respiratory infection. Keeping your birds food fresh is a good way to prevent this disorder.

Canary Pox

Canary pox is a viral disease, characterized by blisters or crusts on the skin of a bird around its eyes or on its legs and feet. It can be fatal, but some birds recover. Limiting exposure to mosquitoes and quarantining new birds are good ways to prevent this disease.

External Parasites

Canaries can be infested by fleas, mites and lice. Lice usually live on a birds feathers. Air sac mites infect the respiratory tract of canaries, while red mites hide in wood and attack birds at night. This causes loss of blood, loss of sleep and can result in feather plucking.

Feather Cysts

Feather cysts are cheesy lumps on a canaries wing, typically found in the large, loose feathered canaries. It is not known if feather cysts are a genetic or viral problem. Feather cysts usually do not appear until a canary is several years old, and they may continue to appear on a bird. Breeds prone to feather cysts include the Norwich, crested varieties, frilled birds and the dimorphic color bred canaries. Treatment varies from removal to draining.

Pets In The Classroom Program Enhances Curriculum

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Having a classroom pet fosters skills like responsibility, nurturing and teamwork. Children develop a sense of respect for living creatures and a connection to the natural world. But, a classroom pet also provides countless ways to enhance curriculum in creative ways. Teachers have told Pets in the Classroom that they are amazed at how their students” interactions with their classroom pet inspire learning and creativity across numerous disciplines. With a little brainstorming and student input, teachers can transform their students” enthusiasm for the classroom pet into enthusiasm for science, language arts, math and fine arts.

Science is probably the first subject that comes to mind when thinking of integrating your classroom pet into the curriculum. Students can use the basic principles of science to observe, measure and record information about the classroom pet. Students can measure the pet”s size and weight, track growth, and record behavior patterns. Learning units of measurement can be fun when the class guinea pig is measured in centimeters and inches, and weight converted from pounds to ounces. Research your pet”s natural habitat, adaptation and diet, as well as how your pet grows and develops. What features are unique to reptiles, amphibians or fish? How does a baby bird develop in the egg and what happens after it hatches? The possibilities are endless.

Taking your students on a trip to the library is a great way to spark an interest in reading. You”ll find a wide variety of books – fiction and non-fiction- based on your classroom pet for students to take home and share with their family. They”ll get an early start on doing research and have fun finding new stories of animals just like theirs. If you haven”t selected your classroom pet yet, researching the various possibilities makes a wonderful classroom project that all of the students can contribute to. A classroom pet research project incorporates several different valuable learning skills, such as working within a group, researching, analysis of data and coming to a conclusion, as well as writing and creative skills. Students can also enhance their presentation skills by presenting their project to the classroom.

Teachers find that students love to write about their new “friend”, the classroom pet. Harness your students” fascination with your pet by having them write their own stories about the pet. Have them tell how they”d spend a day out with their new friend, or write daily journal entries about its life in the classroom. Stories about your classroom pet can be compiled into a special book to be shared with family and other classrooms. Weekly vocabulary lists can include words that pertain to your pet.

Creativity can blossom through art as well. Students love to express their feelings for classroom pets through art. Try having them create an image with markers or crayons and another with paint. Experimenting with different materials is a great way to get your students familiar with art. Another great creative project is to have your students create collages of pictures and facts about their animal. This is a great way for them to express themselves while having fun incorporating information about their new friend.

These are just a few of the ways a classroom pet can enhance the curriculum and inspire learning through a child”s special bond with an animal.