Snakes and lizards are cold-blooded animals that are often kept as pets. Lizards and snakes are typically inexpensive to purchase, and are also hypoallergenic pets. However, the equipment needed to care for them in the long run can cost many times the amount needed to purchase them.

The first step in determining if you want a lizard or snake as a pet is to know how large they will grow when they get older. Lizards such as iguanas can grow as large as 5-6 feet in length as adults, and some snakes can grow as long as 10 feet. Ask yourself then, “am I ready to care for reptile pets?”

You have to take care of their body temperature because they are cold-blooded, meaning that their body temperature is dependent on the temperature of the outside environment. This will require that you purchase heat lamps to keep the temperature consistent.

Make sure to give specialized care. These reptiles, especially snakes and lizards, grow to large sizes. This means that their living quarters have to adjust as they grow older. Make sure you have enough space in your home to accommodate their increasing size. Reptiles may seem like a good choice initially for an apartment, but as they grow larger, they won’t be.

Be sure to keep yourself safe. There are reptiles that are not safe to handle. Things like venomous snakes are obviously off-limits, except for expert handlers.

Be very wary of contracting Salmonella. Many reptiles carry Salmonella, so you have to be very careful when handling reptiles to make sure you don’t infect yourself with this bacteria.

Contact TalkLocal today and let us help you find a veterinarian near you. A qualified veterinarian will be able to tell you how to properly care for your pets.

So, you have found a new, furry friend, but you need a place to put it! You can’t just go out and buy any old terrarium or kennel for a rabbit, however. You’ll need to find the right type of cage. Here are some tips when shopping around for cages for rabbits.

1)     Determine Location

If you plan to keep your rabbit in an apartment, you should choose a cage of an appropriate size. You should also consider how many rabbits you are keeping and where you will put the cage. If you are keeping more than one rabbit of different sexes, it is important to spray or neuter your pets. Will you put it indoors or outdoors? If you will put it outdoors, it needs to have a roof.

2)     Determine the Habitat

Many commercially available cages for rabbits are too small for rabbits. Many pet owners prefer to build their own, or use dog or cat pens to house their rabbits. You can opt to build a shelter for your pet using wood, or even build a small shed for your rabbit.

3)     Size Matters

The size of the cage matters. We can’t stress this enough. A cage that is too small will make for an unhappy pet. As a general rule, the rabbit should be able to move around comfortably in a cage, and should even be able to run around a bit inside the cage.

4)     The Size of the Mesh Matters, Too

The mesh of the cage matters, as well. A mesh that is too large, especially if you plan on breeding your rabbits, will allow the babies to fall out. So make sure the mesh is just the right size. Generally, the smaller the mesh, the better.

5)     Choose the Floor Material

Never use wire flooring, as this will hurt the feet of the rabbit. Instead, opt for solid flooring made of plastic or wood, and use bedding material as well. Rabbits are easily litter-trained.

Need Veterinary Help for Your Rabbit?

Still confused by cages for rabbits? Contact TalkLocal today for expert advice. We can help you find a veterinarian who will be able to give you advice on caring for your rabbit, and keeping it in good health.

Rodents

Mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, gerbils, and hamsters are all rodents. How to care for rodents is relatively simple. These rodents are inexpensive, and caring for them is inexpensive as well. Rodents are found easily in pet stores, but it is recommended that you buy from breeders instead of pet stores to avoid rodents that bite. Additionally, breeders will often have more color varieties that will suit your liking. Rodents are warm-blooded animals and are often fluffy. They are a popular favorites of children because they are usually tame and their temperaments are predictable.

Food

The most popular food for rodents is pellets that can be purchased in pet stores. Feed your rodents once a day and remove any uneaten food the next day. Supplement their diet with fresh food like carrots, cabbages, and other vegetables every day. Be careful not to overfeed them with vegetables, however, or else they may develop diarrhea.

Housing

Cages are the most popular housing available. However, make sure the cages have a solid bottom on which the rodents can stand, because all-wire housing will be painful on their legs. Houses that are too small will be inadequate, too. Aquariums are also a good choice. Place a wire lid over the aquarium for good ventilation.

Water

Make sure fresh water is always available. Water should be given in drip bottles with balls at the end. Change the water daily to make sure it is always fresh. Clean the water bottle at least once a week.

Bedding

Wood shavings are the preferable bedding for the rodents. These can be bought cheaply at pet stores. Change the bedding once every two weeks.

Need a Veterinarian’s Help?

Need help caring for your pet rodent, or worried that your furry friend may be ill? Contact TalkLocal today and let us help you locate a veterinarian near you!

For the pet owner, there is nothing more stressful than a sick pet. Anyone who has owned pets can tell you all about the heartbreak of looking into the eyes of a pooch in pain, so if you’re thinking about giving human pain killers to your dog, let us assure you that you are not alone. Get the highest rated Dog Pain Relievers shipped overnight from Amazon starting at $5.68.

One of the most common questions asked of veterinarians is “What kind of pain medicine can I give my dog?” In fact, every day many pet owners simply reach into the medicine cabinet and give Fido a dose of whatever headache remedy they have on hand – but is that really a good idea? Unless you’re certain that the medicine you’re using will not hurt your dog, you may be doing more harm than good. Check out our top 10 list for dog pain medication.

Determine the Source of the Pain

The first order of business for any animal in pain is to determine why the animal is hurting. Has it eaten something it shouldn’t have? Is it injured? If you’re not sure, then you should get the doggie to the vet for an examination before giving the poor guy (or gal) any medicine at all. Does your dog usually display signs of pain when it’s cold or raining?  Have an older or overweight pet? The pain may be caused by arthritis. Consult your veterinarian if you think this may be the case. Your doctor may start your dog on a joint health regimen. Simply dosing up your pet without knowing exactly what’s wrong may relieve your pet’s pain, but you could be simply masking the symptoms of a serious issue that needs immediate medical attention.

Aspirin for Pets

So, here’s the answer to the question: “ What kind of pain medicine can I give my dog?” The only – and let us repeat that for emphasis – the only over-the-counter medication that is safe for your dog to take is plain old aspirin. Now, don’t get ahead of yourself and give the dog a full human dose. Aspirin is only good for short term use due to its potential side effects. You’ll want to use baby aspirin for your pets – one baby aspirin per 35 lbs. of body weight is the general rule. Get the highest rated Dog Pain Relievers shipped overnight from Amazon starting at $5.68.

Never, ever give a dog acetaminophen (or Tylenol, as it’s more commonly known) unless specifically instructed to do so by your vet. Acetaminophen has been known to be fatal to dogs and cats. Also to be avoided is ibuprofen, or Advil, as it can cause upset stomach and ulcers. Stick with baby aspirin if you must give your pet something, as it’s gentle and trusted. Here’s how to give your dog medicine.

Find a Vet!

If you have a cat or dog who isn’t feeling well, TalkLocal can help you find a vet in your local area who is ready to help you and your furry family member feel better. Our concierge service will connect you with local professionals, and is entirely free.

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Kennel cough is a common, incredibly contagious upper respiratory infection affecting dogs. It should be treated fast and effectively with help from a competent veterinarian to avoid further health risks. A persistent cough associated with a runny nose, frequent sneezing, a sudden lack of energy, and a suppressed appetite can indicate that your canine companion is suffering from this particular respiratory problem. Here are a few steps that you should follow in order to cure kennel cough in dogs and witness a fast, trouble-free recovery.

1. Spot and analyze all of the symptoms, to identify the nature of your dog’s problem 

Is your dog coughing and sneezing all the time? Do you think it is apathetic and less interested in food and tasty snacks? All of these signs could point in the same direction, suggesting that your puppy is affected by this common canine respiratory infection. When in doubt, eliminate all other options.

For instance, your dog might have an object (a stick or a bone fragment, for instance) stuck in its throat, which would obviously stop it from breathing normally. Open its mouth and take a look down its esophagus. If you don’t want to handle this matter on your own, it is advisable to call your trusted veterinarian as soon as you can.

2. Take your dog to the vet

In some cases, dog owners delay the treatment, thinking that kennel cough symptoms will actually vanish into thin air after a short period of time. In fact, kennel cough is not a problem that should be taken lightly, as it could generate several unwanted complications, including pneumonia. This is why it is extremely important to follow a suitable treatment plan based on effective antibiotics like Azithromycin, recommended by a competent veterinarian who can cure kennel cough once and for all.

3. Favor a fast recovery 

There are several tips, approved by your trusted vet, that you can start applying in order to witness favorable results in quick time. You can strengthen your dog’s immune system by offering it vitamin C tablets or powder dissolved in water or canine whole food supplements. You can also take your puppy inside the bathroom while you’re getting ready to enjoy a hot bath. Steam inhalation has numerous verified therapeutic benefits and can calm your dog’s cough naturally.

Find A Vet

Follow all of these simple steps to cure kennel cough fast and effectively. Rely on TalkLocal to find the best veterinarians operating in your area. We will connect you with the professionals who could help you protect the health of your dogs.