Lots of tips on petcare

Travelling Abroad With Pets ?

 

 

 

http://www.drive-alive.co.uk/pet-travel.html

Want A Rescue Animal ?

 

Try Here:

 

http://www.dogpages.co.uk

 

http://www.sheffieldretiredgreyhounds.co.uk

 

http://www.dogsey.com

 

http://www.westierescuescheme.org.uk/

 

http://www.thornberry-animal-sanctuary.org/

 

http://www.rainrescue.co.uk/

 

http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/search.asp?ContID=1617

Toxic Foods / Products

 

DOGS

Chocolate (theo bromine) We do get a lot of queries on how much chocolate if any is safe for a dog (although it would be safest to feed none as it is a poison to them) please take a look at the chart on this link.

Onions

Macademia nuts

Pear pips, the kernels of plums, peaches and apricots, apple core pips (contain cyanogenic glycosides resulting in cyanide posioning)

Potato peelings and green looking potatoes

Rhubarb leaves

Mouldy/spoiled foods

Alcohol

Yeast dough

Coffee grounds, beans & tea (caffeine)

Hops (used in home brewing)

Tomato leaves & stems (green parts)

Broccoli (in large amounts)

Raisins and grapes

Cigarettes, tobacco, cigars

 

Also think about anti freeze when it comes to that time of year, there's been a lot of cases of dogs licking up anti freeze that has leaked and being poisoned by it

 

RABBITS

 

iceberg lettuce is bad for rabbits, so give them romaine lettuce or any lettuce with dark green leaves.

 

And heres a little list of things I just found that are not good for rabbits:

"Amaranth, Arrowgrass, Bracken Fern, Bromweed, Buckeye, Burdock, Castor beans, Chinaberry, Chokecherry leaves or pits, Fireweed, Foxglove, Goldenrod, Hemlock (poison), Horehound, Jimson weed, Johnson grass, Larkspur, Laurel, Lima beans, Lupine, Mesquite, Milkweed, Miner's lettuce, Moldy bread or moldy anything, Oak (not oak leaves), Oleander, Pigweed, Poppy, Potato (leaves, sprouts, or peels), Rhubarb leaves, Soybeans or soybean vines, Spinach, Sweet clover, Tarweed, Tomato leaves"

 

CATS

 

Plants that are hazardous to cats:

 

House plants include:

Amaryllis

Aphelandra

Castor Oil Plant, see Ricinus

Christmas Cherry, see Solanum

Chrysanthemum, see Dendranthema

Codiaeum

Croton, see Codiaeum

Cyclamen

Dumb cane, see Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia *

Devil's Ivy, see Epipremnum aureum

Elephant's Ear, see Alocasia, Caladium

Epipremnum aureum

Ferns

Holly, see Ilex

Hypoestes phyllostachya

Hyacinthus

Ivy, see Hedera

Mistletoe, see Viscum

Nerium oleander

Oleander see Nerium

Ornithogalum

Poinsettia, see Euphorbia

Senecio

Star of Bethlehem, see Ornithogalum umbellatum

Umbrella Plant, see Schefflera

Zebra Plant, see Aphelandra

 

Garden Plants include:

Abrus precatorius

Aconitum *

Actaea

Aesculus

Agrostemma githago

Aleurites

Allium

Alocasia

Alstroemeria *

Anagallis

Anemone

Angel's Trumpets, see Brugmansia

Angel Wings, see Caladium

Apricot, see Prunus armeniaca

Aquilegia

Arisaema

Arum

Astragalus

Atropa

Avocado, see Persea americana

Azalea, see Rhododendron

Baneberry, see Actaea

Bird of Paradise, see Strelitzia

Black-eyed Susan, see Thunbergia

Bloodroot, see Sanguinaria

Box, see Buxus

Broom, see Cytisus

Brugmansia

Bryony

Buckthorn, see Rhamnus

Burning Bush, see Dictamnus

Buttercup, see Ranunculus

Buxus

Cherry Laurel see Prunus laurocerasus

Chincherinchee see Ornithogalum

Caesalpinia

Caladium

Caltha *

Catharanthus

Celastrus

Centaurea cyanus

Cestrum

Chrysanthemum see Dendranthema

Clematis

Colchicum

Columbine see Aquilegia

Conium

Convallaria majalis

Corncockle, see Agrostemma githago

Cornflower, see Centaurea cyanus

Cotoneaster

Crocus, see Colchicum

x Cupressocyparis leylandii *

Cyclamen

Cytisus

Daffodil, see Narcissus

Daphne *

Datura *

Delphinium

Delonix

Dendranthema *

Dicentra

Dictamnus

Digitalis

Echium *

Euonymus

Euphorbia *

Elder, see Sambucus

False acacia, see Robinia

Fems

Ficus

Flax see Linum

Frangula see Rhamnus

Fremontodendron *

Foxglove see Digitalis

Four o'clock: see Mirabilis jalapa

Galanthus

Gaultheria

Giant Hog Weed, see Heracleum mantegazzianum

Gloriosa superba

Glory Lily see Gloriosa

Hedera *

Helleborus *

Hemlock, see Conium

Henbane, see Hyoscyamus

Heracleum mantegazzianum

Hippeastrum

Holly, see Ilex

Horse-chestnut, see Aesculus

Hyacinthus

Hydrangea

Hyoscyamus

Impatiens

Ipomoea

Iris

Ivy, see Hedera

Ilex

Jasminum

Juniperus sabina

Kalmia

Laburnum

Lantana

Lathyrus

Larkspur, see Delphinium

Lilium

Lily of the Valley, see Convallaria

Linum

Ligustrum

Lobelia (except bedding Lobelia) *

Lords and Ladies (Cuckoo pint), see Arum

Lupinus

Lycopersicon *

Lysichiton

Madagascar periwinkle, see Catharanthus

Marigold, see Tagetes

Melia

Mirabilis jalapa

Monkswood, see Aconitum

Morning Glory, see Ipomoea

Narcissus

Nerium oleander

Nicotiana

Nightshade, deadly, see Atropa

Nightshade, woody, see Solanum

Oak, see Quercus

Onion, see Allium

Oxytropis

Paeonia

Papaver

Parthenocissus

Peach, see Prunus persica

Peony, see Paeonia

Pernettya

Persea americana

Philodendron

Physalis

Phytolacca *

Pokeweed, see Phytolacca

Poppy, see Papaver

Polygonatum

Primula obconica *

Privet see Ligustrum

Prunus armeniaca

Prunus laurocerasus

Prunus persica

Quercus

Rhamus (including R.frangula)

Rhododendron

Rhus *

Ricinus

Robinia

Rosary pea, see Abrus precatorius

Rubber plant, see Ficus

Rudbeckia

Rue, see Ruta

Ruta

Sambucus

Sanguinaria

Schefflera *

Scilla

Skunk cabbage, see Lysichiton

Snowdrop, see Galanthus

Solandra

Solanum

Solomon's seal, see Polygonatum

Spindle Tree, see Euonymus

Spurge, see Euphorbia

Strelitzia

Sumach, see Rhus

Sweet pea, see Lathyrus

Tagetes

Tanacetum

Taxus

Tetradymia

Tobacco, see Nicotiana

Tomato, see Lycopersicon

Thornapple, see Datura

Thuja *

Tulipa *

Veratrum

Viscum

Wisteria

Yew

 

*Contact with these plants may be sufficient to cause skin irritation

 

And a litte more info courtesy of medusa:

A cat would have to eat several whole bulbs of certain plants (such as daffodils) to harm them

Plants such as aconitum can kill if they just dig through the roots and then wash themselves.

 

Flowers such as the Lily and Crysanthemum can kill a cat if it just brushes past a cut plant and then washes itself

Buying A Puppy ?

 

 

Before you even consider buying a puppy:

Have you questioned WHY you want a dog. Is it the right reason?

 

Have you researched the breed you like and is that breed suited to your lifestyle and can you meet all the breeds reuirements in full?

will you have to leave your dog alone for more than four hours?

 

Can you afford unexpected vet bills, which can run into thousands, or are you willing to have your dog insured to cover for this?

Can you commit to caring or your dog for the rest of his life from puppyhood till old age? This includes if you change/loose your job, have children or move house?

 

Have you checked any health problems the breed is prone to and found out what healthchecks the pup and/or his parents should have and acceptable results for these?

 

Finding a good breeder:

 

(Mainly aimed at those looking for a pedigree pup, but many of these points should also be applied to those with 'accidental' crossbreed litters)

 

Contact the kennel club and breed clubs for details of breeders of the dog you are looking for. Avoid if possible classified adverts for puppys, most reputable breeders sell by word of mouth and from their reputation.

 

Try to attend a dog show or two and ask the exibitors questions about the breed and availbility of pups.

If possible, try to visit and chat to the breeder BEFORE the pups arrive. If the breeder refuses, be suspicious. No good breeder objects to potential new owners visiting to ask questions and get to know the breed. Do the dogs look well cared for and are the surroundings clean?.

 

Does the breeder show their dogs, work them, or both?. If they do neither, be suspicious of their motives for breeding, particularly if they have multiple dogs. The only valid reason to breed is to improve the breed, as judged by parents or previous offspring who have been successful in the show ring or working curcuit.

Expect to be placed on a waiting list. All the best breeders have one.

 

Always buy a KENNEL CLUB registered pup. just because a pup is described as PEDIGREE and may come with a 5 generation pedigree, it does NOT mean he is KC registered. This is the best way to ensure your pup is a purebreed. You will not be permitted to show a non-registered dog in a pedigree show. Or work them at competative level for certain breeds. Nor will you ever be permitted to register any pups that should be bred from that dog.

Always see the mother with her pups. If you are not allowed to see mum, walk away. The father may not be there, but ask if he is available for viewing though he could be some distance away.

 

Always choose a breeder who undergoes the recomended healthchecks on their breeding dogs and/or pups.the most common here are Hip scoring and eye testing. Insist on seeing the results on either the parents and pups KC registration documents or the original British Vetrinary Association document the breeder is given by the vet. Make sure results are within acceptable rage according to current breed averages published by the kennel club.

Check the Breeders rehoming policy. Should you be unable to keep the puppy bought from them at any point in his life, a good breeder will either rehome them for you, or help you to rehome. Walk away if the breeder does not offer this. Good breeders are concerned for the welfare of a dog they have bred for the REST of his life, not just the first few weeks.

 

Check the breeders policies on vaccinations, worming, microchipping, healthchecks, insurance and DNA testing. Generally speaking, the more done, the better the breeder.

When collecting your puppy, make sure the breeder provides you with their contact details and is willing to be contacted should you need any advice.

 

Unless you know the breeder well, NEVER leave without the pups Kennel club Registration documents. "papers to follow" is a common scam and you my never see them. If papers have not arrived when you intend to collect, delay collection and do not be fobbed off with boarding charges. the breeder has had two months to apply for them, Its not your fault.

Ask the breeder about their buyers contract. If they don't have one, beware!. This is a two-way agreement between breeder and new owner to ensure the welfare of the dog. PLEASE read it carefully before signing and ensure the breeder signs it too, and save your copy. this is a LEGALLY BINDING document on which both owner and breeder may act.

 

If after doing and considering all this factors, you do not feel comfortable with the breeder, please follow your gut feeling and look elsewhere.

Above all, avoid puppy farms and backyard breeders.take time to find and wait for the right puppy, he will be worth it in the long run.

 

A polite note to new owners of KC registered dogs:

If you need to rehome your dog, check with the breeder on their rehome policy. Please do not just pass on or sell on the dog or you may end up with a breeched contract, an angry breeder and a court appearence. Good breeders take their dogs and their good name very seriously and will take whatever action is necessary to protect these.

 

If you decide you wish to breed from your Registered dog, please be aware most good breeders will have placed an endorsment on your dogs registration papers, which prevents you from registering any offspring produced from that dog with the kennel club. this can be revoked, but only by the breeder and usually requires you to meet criteria specified by them , normally regarding age, healthchecks etc. Please respect this as good breeders do not take kindly to unregistered pups being sold with the use of their own kennel name given as a parent. The time to request revokation is BEFORE breeding.

 

REMEMBER! A good breeder has everthing to offer, and NOTHING to hide

__________________

If you love rabbits you really must check these out for help, advice, welfare, rehoming, supplies and like minded people:

http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk

http://www.acrs.cjb.net

http://www.arba.net

http://www.bunnyheaven.com

http://www.rabbitnetwork.org

http://www.rabbit.org

http://www.spacerad.cpm/lara/rabbit.html

http://www.veterinarypartners.com

http://www.oxbowhay.com

http://www.therabbitcharity.freeserve.co.uk

http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/6989/main.html

http://www.rabbitweb.net

http://www.rainbowsbridge.com

Need To Worm Your Rabbitt - Look Here:

 

 

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?p=2442435

 

Not comon practice currently but it should be. Panacur Rabbit has just been remarketed by vets as a annual treatment against parasites in rabbits. It should now be offered alongside your routine vaccinations against Myxi and VHD. Heres why you should use it:

 

It is not common knowledge that rabbits suffer from the same worms and parasites as many other animals but they do and symptoms such as weightloss are often a common side effect. If your rabbit has not been wormed then symptoms such as this may be attributed to parasites when really the cause is something more serious such as maloclussion or kidney damage.

 

However the best reason to get your rabbit wormed is to protect against a parasite known as E.Cuniculi. It is estimated that 1 in 2 domestic rabbits are exposed to this infectious parasite during their lives. Many contract it from their mother at birth. EC can cause neurological damage and head tilt, blindness, weight loss and organ damage such as renal failure if left untreated. Ultimately this will end in death.

 

Please have your rabbit wormed every year or, if you aquire a rabbit, along with its first vacaccinations and at anytime when you add a new rabbit to your family.

 

I have seen first hand how devastating the effects of this parasite can be, dont let your rabbit go through it!

Ferret

Symptoms and Possible Causes

 

Eyes

Bulging or swollen eyes Glaucoma

Runny or watery eyes Allergy, cold

Pus Conjunctivitis

Brown crusting Distemper

White spot or "disk" in eye/s Cataract

Blindness Cataract

 

Mouth

Pale gums

Anemia, low blood pressure

Red, sore or bleeding gums Tarter buildup; gingivitis

Bluish gray gums Lack of Oxygen

Blackened teeth Dead tooth

Dark or stained teeth Age, tetracycline as kit

Rash on chin and lips Distemper

Drooling Insulinoma seizure; poison

Clenched teeth Insulinoma seizure

Scratching at mouth Broken tooth, nausea

Vomiting Foreign body, ulcers, ECE; hairballs; poison

Vomiting blood Internal hemorrhage

Panting Heat stroke; severe pain; insulinoma seizure

 

Nose

Sore on Nose Infection

Runny nose, sneezing Runny nose, sneezing

Short, broken whiskers Poor nutrition, ill health

Dark pink or red Insulinoma seizure

Bright red Hypothermia (heat stroke)

 

Ears

Black inside Excessive dirt

Black inside, itching Mites

Yellow Hepatitis

Bad smell Excessive dirt; yeast-type infection

Growth Tumor; infected bite

Loss of hair on ears Another ferret chewing on them

Deafness Congenital, Wardenburg's Syndrome (panda pattern); infection

 

Paws

"Splayed" feet Housed on wire

Hair loss Age, adrenal disease

Dry pads Clay litter

Dark pink pads Insulinoma seizure

Bright red pads Hyperthermia (heat stroke)

Rough, thickened pads Distemper

Roughened, scratched pads Lost outside for significant period; housed outdoors/dirt/cement

Long quick Not regularly clipped

Nail torn out Caught on bedding; on cage wire

Curled toes Age, weak hindquarters

 

Legs

Limping Stepped on

Staggering Insulinoma; stroke; ear infection

Stiffness Arthritis; age; over-caged

Weakness in hindquarters Age; arthritis; low blood sugar; general illness

 

Tail

Kinked Previously broken; birth defect

Lump at end Chondromas

Black spots Blackheads

Hair loss Blackheads; age; adrenal disease

 

Fur & Skin

Dry Sleeping in litter; poor nutrition; age; general illness

Black spots Flea dirt

Fur falling out Seasonal coat change; poor nutrition; stress; flea allergy

Guard hair sparse Regrowth of coat

Thinning Age; unnatural light cycle; adrenal disease; in heat or rut

Pattern Loss: At base of tail Adrenal disease

Along side back Adrenal disease

Up back Adrenal disease

"Graying" Natural silvering pattern; age

Flaking skin Flea dermatitis; poor nutrition; allergies; over-shampooing

Yellowed Hepatitis

Reddened, rough skin Allergies; fleas; sunburn; bites from others

"Pinched" skin stays pinched Dehydration

Wart-like growths Skin tumors

Dark brown or black "moles" Ticks

"Puffy," inflamed areas Abscess

Sore slow to heal Diabetes; adrenal disease; cancer

 

Lungs

Coughing Cold, heart disease; lymphosarcoma

Wheezing Allergy; heart disease; pneumonia

Rapid breathing Heat stroke; pain

Difficult breathing Heart disease; pneumonia; lymphosarcoma; heartworm

 

Stomach/Spleen

Stomach distension Intestinal blockage; heart disease; poison; internal tumor

"Lopsided" abdomen Enlarged spleen

Hardened area along abdomen Enlarged spleen

Anorexia Stomach or mouth ulcers; ECE

 

Urination/Defacation

Male "dribbling" or crying Urinary tract blockage; bladder stones; kidney infection; adrenal disease

"Sand" in urine Bladder stones

Heavy urination &/or excessive thirst Diabetes; kidney infection

Inability to urinate Kidney failure; blockage

Inability to defecate Internal blockage

Diarrhea Dairy products; food allergies; stress; coccidia; camphobacter

Green diarrhea Upset stomach; stress; ECE

Dark, tarry stool Too many raisins; bleeding

Blood in stool Internal hemorrhage, cancer

Fabric or odd objects in stool Eating fabric or toys

Frequent, small stool Poor rectal muscles

Protrusion from anus Rectal prolapse

Draining area near anus Anal gland impaction

 

Reproductive Organs

Bleeding penis Caught on something

Growth on penis Tumor

"Dragging" penis across things Territorial marking; adrenal disease

Swollen vulva In heat; leftover ovarian tissue; adrenal disease

Pus or discharge from vulva Infection; adrenal disease

 

Overall Body

Temperature over 103 Fever

Temperature under 95 Hypothermia; serious illness

Severe anemia Lengthy heat cycle; internal tumor; severely enlarged spleen

Limp upon awakening Baby sleep; low blood sugar; insulinoma

Comatose Insulinoma; stroke

Uncontrollable shivers/tremors Shock; poison

Convulsions Insulinoma seizure; epilepsy; poison; shock

Wasting Cancer; age; internal blockage; internal parasite

Enlarged lymph nodes Infection; cold/flu; lymphosarcoma

Blood sugar level under 80 Anorexia; insulinoma

 

Behavior

Fainting Insulinoma

Lethargy Anemia; low glucose; age; heart disease; illness

"Listing " to one side Ear infection; mites; stroke

Walking in circles Stroke

Excessive grooming Stress; adrenal disease

Biting when startled Blind; deaf

Biting other ferrets Blind; dominance issues

Hopping & leaping PLAYING!

BIRDS

POISONING

From a Teflon pan remove the bird to a well ventilated area contact vet imediatley.

 

Ingested a toxin such as a plant or a household cleaner.

If you believe your bird has ingested a toxin its important to have the name of the toxin the active ingredients how much was consumed when the ingestion occurred and any symptoms the bird is currently showing.Contact vet imediatley.

 

insect sprays, bathe the bird immediately and contact your vet

 

burns

 

Run cold water over the affected area for several minutes. Then dry the area gently with gauze and apply cold compresses. If the burn is severe take your bird immediately to your vet. Burns may cause a bird to go into shock and need prompt care. Typically, antibiotics will also be prescribed to prevent infection.

 

chill

 

This can be due to illness or injury or even shock.

If its due to environmental conditions such as drafts fix the problem or relocate the bird.

Provide a warm environment supply heat with a heat lamp or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. Take extreme care not to burn the bird. Keep the temperature about 85-90ºF.

 

broken blood feather

 

This will bleed a lot pack the broken shaft with styptic powder or flour.Apply pressure with a gauze .However this is easy to treat but would only advise doing so if you have ever done this before.Remove the feather completely by pulling the shaft out.Bleeding should now stop.

 

bleeding from tongue

 

This contains many blood vessels and if injured, may bleed profusely. vet attention immediately

 

minor wounds

 

If your bird has a small, superficial, and nonbleeding wound not caused by an animal, clean the wound with chlorhexidine Use tweezers to remove any dirt or feathers. apply small amount of antibiotic ointment.. Do not allow the bird to pick at it. In case of deeper cuts or wounds,consult vet as further treatment may be necessary.

 

cat or dog attack

 

Handle the bird quietly and calmly to avoid adding more stress. Keep the bird quiet and warm keep in a dark place exp cardboard box.If the wound is bleeding apply direct pressure with a gauze gently.If this fails diluted bottled wich hazel can be pored into the wound this will narrow blood vesles and slow down the bleeding. Transport the bird to your vet immediately.

Check for broken bones. If a wing is broken wrap both wings loosely to the body with gauze and then tape to prevent further injury from flapping the wing/wings. Do not tape tightly or the bird will not be able to breathe.

If theres a broken leg this is best left for a vet to deal with but a drinking straw or feather quill split all the way down the centre can make a ideal splint.

 

Twitching Tail

 

This can be a signe of many problems.Egg bound constipation other illness.

If egg bound then amediate action is required would recomend a vet unless you have revmoved eggs before that comes with dangers though of shell breaking and causing internal injuries.Keep bird warm apply olive oil sometimes help to pass egg.Same go,s for constipation.If its just due to being unwell could try again keeping bird warm heat works wonders add Cod Liver oil/Olive Oil/Castor Oil/Aniseed essance/or honey to seed.All the oils can also be given internaly for egg bound or constipation.

It can also mean the bird is in Labour unless you know other wise.

 

Eyes

 

Birds eye closed sticky could be due to a cold/conjunctavitus or other infection possible forign body or attack from other bird.Best always seak vets advise.If self treating simplest eye wash is honey diluted into a wash with hot water and cooled.Carbomber gel as a lubricant more serious infections Chloramhenicol drops.

Optrex eye wash also can be used.

 

 

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