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Although small mammals are cute and tiny, they can be a big responsibility. If you’re interested in owning a chinchilla, ferret, hamster, hedgehogs, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, and other small mammals, it’s important to learn how to properly care for each of these furry creatures before bringing them home with you.
Consider what size, temperament, and activity level are right for your household so you can choose the option that best matches your lifestyle. Are you looking for an animal that will take kindly to being petted and interact with you? Rabbits or guinea pigs are pets that enjoy cuddling once they’re gotten used to you. Be sure to choose a small mammal that has what you’re looking for and you’ll love having it around. Check out the articles below to learn more about the general care of each of these animals.
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Thyroid Problems
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and consists of two lobes located on the front of a horse’s neck. This gland produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism and affect most of the body’s tissues.
When functioning normally, the thyroid is not visible, but certain diseases
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Physical Exam
Category:
Equine, Living With Your Pet, Providing Care
Your horse might look as healthy as, well, a horse, making you wonder whether he really needs an annual exam. However, if anything is wrong with your horse’s health, it’s always better to detect a problem earlier rather than later. Your equine veterinarian can also advise on preventive measures to
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Ringbone
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Orthopedics
Ringbone is a lameness condition that affects the pastern and coffin joints in horses. This is a degenerative disease that continues to worsen over time. The right treatment and ongoing management, though, can slow the progression of the condition.
Types of Ringbone
Ringbone causes an enlargement around
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Respiratory Conditions
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Horses are highly susceptible to a wide variety of respiratory conditions. These can be bacterial, viral or mechanical in nature, or they may be caused by allergies. Some are temporary; others are chronic. Some are serious while others are less serious. Upper airway problems are usually mechanical while
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Nutrition
Category:
Equine, Living With Your Pet, Providing Care
You can divide horse nutrition into six categories: carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. If you get the right feed for your horse, it might take care of the first five. Supplement the feed with plenty of water, and your horse should have all of its needs met. However, to be sure
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Metabolism
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Metabolism in horses — and in other animals — refers to all the body’s complicated processes that break down food, drink and drugs to provide nutrients and energy for living. Anabolic reactions generally happen soon after eating, to build structural parts of the body, such as muscles. Catabolic
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Limb Conditions
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Orthopedics
Several disorders can affect the hindlimbs, forelimbs or hooves of horses. Some of these can lead to lameness or changes in gait.
Hindlimb Conditions in Horses
Stringhalt is a condition that causes the horse to jerk or hop, with the hind legs pulled up high before taking the next step. This results
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Ligament and Tendon Injuries
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Orthopedics
Ligaments and tendons are important parts of the musculoskeletal system, which also includes the muscles and bones. Together, all these components provide support for the body and enable the horse to move and exercise.
Tendons are very tough bands of connective tissue that connect muscles to bone. Tendons
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Immunodeficiency Disorders
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Immunodeficiency disorders in horses are rare conditions that prevent the immune system from protecting the horse against viral, bacterial or other types of infections. These disorders can affect different parts of the horse’s immune system. They may be present at birth or develop later on in the horse’s
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Kidney and Liver Problems
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Horses are rarely prone to kidney or liver problems. Damage to both organs is much less common in horses than it is in cats or dogs. However, some aging horses do suffer from progressive and irreversible diseases of the liver or kidneys. Unfortunately, problems with these organs are seldom diagnosed
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Where Do You Look For a Horse?
Category:
Equine, Choosing Your Pet, Horses
A good place to buy a horse is the stable where you ride or plan to keep the horse. The stable owner has an interest in keeping you satisfied, and knowing your abilities and temperament he or she can suggest a suitable animal. Riding instructors are also good agents for locating a suitable horse since
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Horse Health
Category:
Equine, Living With Your Pet, Providing Care
Looking after a horse is a complicated and, at times, trying experience. Part of a well horse health program includes routine vaccination and deworming. In addition to caring for the inside, however, two simple ways to maintain horse health are regular grooming and equine massage.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations
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Hoof Health and Care
Category:
Equine, Living With Your Pet, Providing Care
Horse hooves are complex structures that tell you a lot about your horse’s health and wellbeing. They’re also susceptible to many problems. Here are a few hoof basics as well as some of the major hoof issues your horse faces.
Anatomy
If you look at the bottom of a horse’s hoof, you’ll see two
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Hives and Skin Allergies
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
The skin is the largest organ in the body and serves many important functions. In spite of its usefulness, a horse’s skin can also develop redness, itchiness or hives in response to various substances in the environment. These kinds of allergic reactions can be caused by things eaten, inhaled or touched
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Hernias
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Hernias
A hernia is a tear in the body wall of a horse that allows the internal organs to push through to a place where they don’t belong. There are several types of hernias. They can affect horses of any age or breed.
Horses may have a defect at birth (congenital) that increases the risk of a hernia,
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Headshaking
Category:
Equine, Pet Health, Chronic Conditions
Head shaking shows up in horses as uncontrollable shaking, jerking or flicking of the head, with no obvious physical irritation causing the condition. While some cases may be mild, head shaking can be severe enough to make a horse dangerous or unsuitable for riding.
Other symptoms that may occur alongside
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