Archive for March, 2011

The Easter Bunny: Must i Purchase a Rabbit For My Child?

March 24th, 2011

Many parents buy rabbits for his or her children at Easter, as a result of traditional association from the Easter Bunny and the fact that spring is originating up and people are spending additional time within their gardens. This gift may bring happiness for your child, no less than for some time, but have you any idea what you’re letting yourself in for? Assuming you worry about the rabbit’s happiness also, think about these questions before you purchase.

Can I afford to invest £200 to £300 over a decent hutch and attached exercise run?

The minimum RSPCA recommended hutch size for just one rabbit is 6ft x 2ft x 2ft and rabbits require a lot of exercise inside a large enclosed, predator proof run so that you can maintain a healthy bone structure. An alternative solution would be to keep the rabbit indoors free range like a house rabbit, for which you is only going to have to have a litter tray but you must rabbit proof your home by protecting all cables, plants etc and your furniture and carpets gets damaged.

Can one afford to achieve the rabbit neutered / spayed and vaccinated?

Neutering (males) costs approx. £60 to £70 and spaying (females) costs approx. £80 to £100. 85% of unspayed females will die from uterine cancer before the ages of 5. Vaccinations cost approx. £25 and must be done yearly for VHD and twice yearly for myxomatosis. VHD is widespread within the wild rabbit population, easily transmitted and results in death by bleeding from the mouth and bottom; the rabbit is at a lot pain it could scream or cry – something no child should have to witness.

Can I provide a lifetime of healthcare to a sick rabbit?

Probably the most common rabbit problem these days is dental disease, a disorder where the teeth are overgrown or have spikes to them which make the rabbit to stop eating. Dwarf and lop breeds will be more prone to this ailment genetically. A normal case of dental disease may involve teeth trimming under anaesthetic every Two to three months at a cost of approx. £100 per treatment. Rabbits can live for as much as 12 many pet insurance policies is not going to cover dental disease. Therefore, a rabbit could end up costing you loads of pounds.

To reduce the risk of dental disease, rabbits have to be fed a hay based diet to grind their teeth down simply small amounts of concentrate food (approx. 1 eggcup full daily) and a variety of more vegetables.

Can I ensure the rabbit isn’t struggling with loneliness?

Rabbits need almost constant companionship, within you or any other rabbit (not a guinea pig, they will bully this). Ideally they should be held in pairs of neutered male and spayed female as well as the easiest choice is to consider a bonded pair from a rescue centre. Lonely rabbits have problems with self mutilation, where they over groom themselves, pull fur out or pull on the bars on the hutch and damage their teeth. A single rabbit must be kept indoors for them to go wherever you go and bond with you.

Rabbits make wonderful, rewarding pets. They are highly social, playful, loving and entertaining to watch. However, this comes at a price – a huge commitment using their owners. It’s true that you can simply obtain a hutch and stick a rabbit inside it but what is the point? The rabbit is going to be suffering and you’re gaining no pleasure as a result as a pet. Rabbits can’t stand being acquired and held, they like to try out and explore at their very own pace, at ground level. No surprise children lose interest in their rabbits – the question is, will you care for the rabbit once they do?

How To Handle Nose Bleeding Within your Pet

March 24th, 2011

Nose bleeding or epistaxis in pets does happen occasionally. Dogs are more susceptible to nosebleeds than cats are.

The usual cause is some type of trauma for the nose, such as could be sustained in the vehicle accident or having a foreign object lodged within the nose. Sometimes rat poison, tumors, cancer, or an infectious disease will be the reason for the problem.

Lodged foreign objects should be removed by a vet, because it’s most probably that your pet will have to have an anesthetic or a tranquilizer to be able to hold the object removed.

If you notice the bleeding hasn’t stopped after 15 or Twenty minutes despite proper care, you need to bring your furry friend in your veterinarian, that will investigate the root cause of the issue and present the required health care.

Steps to cope with nose bleeding in your pet

1. Let your furry friend settle down in the restricted area.

If you realise that your pet has a nosebleed, it is best to keep him calm plus a smaller location that you can cleanup easily. Or else you will most likely be faced with drops of blood throughout the floor, carpets, walls or furniture.

2. Enhance blood clotting.

In case you are sure the bleeding from your nose is the result of a minor trauma, it is possible to help to enhance blood clotting by making use of flu cloth or a cold pack wrapped right into a small towel for the bridge from the nose. Do this for ten to thirty minutes several times throughout the day. This is particularly simple to do for dogs. Cats or smaller pets should be seen by a professional.

You have to be sure though, the reason for the thing is no more serious. In case your pet has been in an accident or hit hard by way of a foreign object, seek immediate veterinary attention.

3. Speed up clot formation.

To be able to accelerate the development of the blood clot you are able to hold an absorbent tissue or cloth on the bleeding nostril.

Know that you must not mask both nostrils simultaneously to be able to insure that your pet can still breathe. Avoid holding the nose upwards as the blood can flow back into the throat where it might go into the trachea (windpipe) and end up in the lungs.

Sometimes nose bleeding is really a symptom to have an underlying health problem or disease.

Canine Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial infection which is transmitted by ticks and amongst many other symptoms, nose bleeding may occur spontaneously.

Rat poison contains warfarin, a chemical that interferes with the blood clotting process by blocking coagulation factors.

Medications, such as NSAID (non-steroidal non-inflammatory) drugs can destroy blood platelets, this play a central role in the coagulation process.

Congenital diseases and defects, including von Willebrand disease and hemophilia may be root causes for spontaneous bleeding.

Some infectious fungi and bacteria, including Aspergillus spp, Rhinosporidium, and Cryptococcus will erode the nasal mucous membranes and cause severe bleeding.

Typically, if your pet has bumped its nose with an obstacle, you may want to attempt to stop the bleeding as stated above. However, if you see that bleeding occurs frequently and spontaneously or whether it seems difficult to stop it, your pet will be needing medical assistance and further diagnostic investigation.