Health & Nutrition - PetShopTop

Electrical shock in rodents

Electrocution can result in serious injures due primarily to injury to nerve cells and the intense heat generated as the electricity passes through the body tissues. The most common source of electrical injury to pets is when they chew through electrical cords carrying low voltage household currents. Exposure to high voltage electrical current is uncommon and is usually fatal due to massive internal damage.

Common chinchilla illnesses

Chinchillas make great pets, but just like any animal they can become ill. It is important to ensure your chinchilla is healthy, so this article give your information and advice on some common chinchilla illnesses. This article only gives you an overview, so if you have any reason for concern, contact your vet immediately.

How to take care of your pregnant rabbit

If you have a female rabbit then you’ll need to know, how to take care of your rabbit, before, after and during her pregnancy. It is very important to be well aware of what is needed in order to ensure her health and the safe delivery of her babies.

Bronchopneumonia in rodents

Bronchopneumonia is an inflammation of the bronchi, which are the larger air passages conveying air to and within the lungs, and the lungs. Bronchopneumonia is usually related to a bacterial infection and may be caused by many different kinds.

Lameness in pet rodents

Any decrease in an animal's ability to bear weight on a limb or a decrease in the normal mobility and function of a limb can be considered lameness. Lameness can be extremely subtle or profound, affecting one limb or several limbs.

The menu for your guinea pig

Vitamin C is of utmost importance to guinea pigs, as they are unable to manufacture their own (much like humans). Without enough vitamin C in their diets, guinea pigs can become very ill with scurvy. The amount of vitamin C required varies somewhat depending on the reference source used, but most guinea pigs probably need about 10-30 mg/day. Pregnant, nursing, young and ill guinea pigs need more. If you feed a good selection of vegetables high in vitamin Calong with a good, fresh guinea pig pellet, you can probably meet the vitamin C needs of the average guinea pig.

Treating a runny nose in your pet rabbit

While a rabbit runny nose might seem to suggest he has come down with a cold like humans, the most likely cause is actually a bacterial infection of the upper respiratory system. The infection is sometimes called the snuffles.

Eye problems in chinchillas

Chinchillas have beautiful, dark eyes that compliment their big ears and tiny paws. These beautiful eyes are usually problem free but occasionally you may run into an issue with them and have to take them to see their vet.

Myxomatosis: questions and answers

The disease myxomatosis in rabbits is caused by a kind of pox virus. This virus was introduced to Australia from South America in the 1950s as a way of killing the wild rabbit population. The first signs seen are puffy swellings around the head and face. 'Sleepy eyes' are a classic sign along with swollen lips, tiny swellings on the inside of the ear and puffy swelling around the bottom and genitals. Within a day or so, these swellings can become so severe as to cause blindness.

Your pet hamster dental care

Not all exotics have problems with their teeth but hamster teeth can cause problems. Hamsters, like some other exotic pets, have the type of teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives. These teeth may periodically require tooth trims if your hamster doesn't wear them down himself.