Animal Care Center of Castle Pines Client Portal

Holidays With Exotic Pets

Happy Holidays! At this time of year, you'll find lots of articles and advice about holiday care and gifts for dogs and cats. But what about other pets? As your Marion, IA area veterinarian, I discuss spending the holidays with exotic pets in this article. Decorate Carefully If you like, you can add some decorations to your pet's habitat. You may be able to find a gift box or igloo that will make a good hide. Paper snowmen or snowflake chains are cute options for pets that like to chew, like bunnies and Guinea pigs. Just take care to only use safe objects. Avoid small and/or sharp objects, items with ropes and cords, and anything with glitter, tinsel, or pine needles (real or fake). Be Aware Of Stress Changes in schedule, temperature, and environments can all be very stressful for pets. If you're hosting an event, you may want to put your animal companion in a quiet back room for the night and let them sit out the festivities. Look for signs that your little buddy is feeling uneasy. These vary from pet to pet, but some common ones include trembling, hiding, and anorexia. Monitor Temperatures You may want to provide some extra bedding, especially for older pets. Many exotic pets--particularly reptiles--must be kept within specific temperature ranges. Keep an eye on that thermometer! We also recommend having a backup heat source, such as a small generator, in case of a power outage. Fill Their Stockings Don't forget to pick up something for your pet! Many exotic pets love things like toys and treats or comfy beds, tents, or hammocks. Reptiles probably won't be very impressed by toys, but may enjoy a bigger tank or a new hide. Take Some Pictures Exotic pets can take some really cute pictures! Put a tiny Santa hat on your chinchilla, or take a picture of your lizard sitting on a sleigh. Enjoy Some Quality Time The holidays are a great time to relax and unwind. Spend some time with your pet! You may find that relaxing with a good book or movie and your snake or lizard on your arm is a great way to spend a chilly winter night. Happy Holidays! Please reach out with any questions or concerns about your pet's health or care. As your Marion, IA area veterinarian. I am always happy to help!

Holiday Ferret Care

15 Nov, 2021

The holidays are approaching fast! If you have a ferret, you probably have already noticed that these guys are very mischievous. As your Marion, IA area veterinarian, I go over some concerns and tips for holiday ferret care below. Keep Your Pet Away From The Trees Trees are always a safety concern with pets. Ferrets are often drawn to shiny things, like tinsel and glitter. Unfortunately, these can choke or entangle pets, and can cause serious intestinal blockages if ingested. Ribbons, garlands, and light strings are also unsafe, as are fragile ornaments and ornament hooks. Tree needles and water are safety issues as well. We recommend getting a little dog fence or something similar to keep your tiny pal away from the tree. Guests If you're having company over, you'll need to be extra vigilant. If you're just hosting a dinner or get-together, you can probably just keep your ferret in their cage until everyone is gone. However, if people are staying overnight or longer, you'll need to let the little guy out for some playtime. Keep a close eye on your ferret, and ask guests to keep things like purses, keys, and jewelry in spots where your furry pal can't get them. Plants Many people like to get poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, ivy, and or/other seasonal plants as part of their décor. Unfortunately, many of the plants people associate with holidays are toxic to pets. Keep plants well out of reach of those tiny paws. Cords Lots of popular holiday decorations light up, sing, or make noise, which means they need to be plugged in. Electrical cords are always a danger to pets, but there's an extra concern around the holidays, just as there are often so many of them. Put that singing snowman in a spot your ferret can't reach! Use taste deterrents or protective coverings on anything your pet may be able to get to. Gifts Presents also are a concern. Wrapping paper, bows, and ribbons are definitely not things you want your tiny friend chewing or ingesting. Be careful with things like bubble wrap or packing peanuts. Celebration Who says ferrets can't get in on the fun? Get the little guy his own stocking to play in! You can also take some adorable seasonal photos of your ferret. Happy Holidays! Contact me, your Marion, IA area veterinarian, with any concerns about ferret care.

MBD In Bearded Dragons

01 Nov, 2021

Do you have a bearded dragon? If so, you may want to do some research on metabolic bone disease, or MBD. Also called nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism or fibrous osteodystrophy, MBD is a fairly common affliction in beardies, and one that is not only very painful for your pet, but can also be life-threatening. As your Marion, IA area veterinarian, I discuss MBD in bearded dragons below. Risks MBD can cause some very serious issues. Your pet's bones can become very soft, and fragile, and may break easily. MBD can also cause problems with the muscles, and prevent them from contracting easily. As the disease progresses, your lizard's body will start to metabolize tissue as it tries to repair the damage to bone structure. Dragons with MBD often end up with paralysis, and they may become very deformed and/or weak. Unfortunately, MBD can be fatal. Causes What causes MBD? There are a few common culprits. Nutritional deficiencies—specifically a lack of calcium and/or Vitamin D3—are at the top of the list. Too many phosphates and/or oxalates in the diet can also be the problem, as these things interfere with the way lizards process and metabolize calcium and vitamins. Poor lighting is another potential culprit, as reptiles need UVB lighting for their digestion. Warning Signs MBD does have some specific warning signs. These include swelling of the face, mouth and/or back legs, lethargy, and trembling limbs. In more severe cases, we may also see muscle twitching, general weakness, unusual postures, and deformities. Contact your veterinarian right away if you notice any of these things, or anything else that seems unusual. Fortunately, MBD can often be treated with a proper diet and lighting. However, it needs to be caught early on. Prevention Now for the good news. While MBD is one of the most common illnesses we see in beardies, it's also one of the most preventable. Simply making sure that your tiny dinosaur is eating a good nourishing diet, and ensuring that he has the proper lighting in his habitat, will usually be enough to ward off this painful and debilitating disease. Ask your veterinarian for specific care tips. Also, be sure to pay attention to your dragon. This will make it easier to spot anything unusual. Do you have questions about bearded dragon health or care? Contact me, your Marion, IA area veterinarian, today!

Animal Care Center of Castle Pines Client Portal

Source: https://www.animalcarehospital.org/

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