Ask the Veterinarian!

[Sweetpea The Tigress]

EnviouSPoppeT

Do you know the history of the kitty before your sister got her?
She just might be a very skittish kitty... Bring the food to her and isolate her to a quiet place so she is not totally exposed on the open with her food.

She's been in my family since she was tiny, and she used to be bold and naughty. She was always doing funny things that would make us laugh. I moved in November, and since then, she's changed a lot. Even though she knows my cat Ben, as we all lived together, now she doesn't seem to like him anymore. I mean, she'll approach him in a friendly way with her tail in the air, then suddenly, she'll bop him on the head. And she hates Lily, whom she doesn't know.

I'll feed her seperately... I already got a second litter box, and she seems to be happier with that. Instead of sniffing around and getting in and out several times before she goes, she just gets in, sniffs, and goes.

Maybe she just needs peace and quiet to recover herself... instead of a loud baby and their new kitty, who kind of pestered her.

I want to bring her to be fixed on July 2nd or 3rd, but I think she's too skinny- I mean, I can still feel her ribs, hip bones, and the bones in her tail. Is it advisable to get her fixed right away?

[Oxymouse]

My hamster is close to dying. It's slow, only moves to eat and it barely runs. I can tell it's weak. What can I do to ease or lessen its suffering?

[Xana44]

Sweetpea The Tigress

EnviouSPoppeT

Do you know the history of the kitty before your sister got her?
She just might be a very skittish kitty... Bring the food to her and isolate her to a quiet place so she is not totally exposed on the open with her food.

She's been in my family since she was tiny, and she used to be bold and naughty. She was always doing funny things that would make us laugh. I moved in November, and since then, she's changed a lot. Even though she knows my cat Ben, as we all lived together, now she doesn't seem to like him anymore. I mean, she'll approach him in a friendly way with her tail in the air, then suddenly, she'll bop him on the head. And she hates Lily, whom she doesn't know.

I'll feed her seperately... I already got a second litter box, and she seems to be happier with that. Instead of sniffing around and getting in and out several times before she goes, she just gets in, sniffs, and goes.

Maybe she just needs peace and quiet to recover herself... instead of a loud baby and their new kitty, who kind of pestered her.

I want to bring her to be fixed on July 2nd or 3rd, but I think she's too skinny- I mean, I can still feel her ribs, hip bones, and the bones in her tail. Is it advisable to get her fixed right away?

Some cats seem to actually be wired a little off making them sensitive and high strung. Your girl may be one of these. In which case, it is important for her to have lots of places to hide and plenty of space. Be sure she has places up high that she can use. A cat up high is more confident than one hiding low. So an elevated safe sleeping spot would be good. It sounds like she has had a lot of changes and stress recently.

You will have to talk to your vet about the spaying issue to see what he or she is comfortable with. I am a bit of two minds about it myself. I hate to do a surgery on an animal if they are not in the best condition, but on the other hand, spaying her may help to calm her down and will help her put on weight. I would likely go ahead and do the surgery hoping that it would help.

Sorry about the delay in my reply, and thank you to everyone who added their advice. I have a hand injury which has kept me away from the computer and typing is painful. Thanks for the understanding.

[Xana44]

Oxy The Stupid Genius

My hamster is close to dying. It's slow, only moves to eat and it barely runs. I can tell it's weak. What can I do to ease or lessen its suffering?

If you really think that your hammie is suffering and close to death, the kind and brave thing to do is to take it to the vet for a euthanasia (put to sleep). If that is not financially reasonable for you, call your local shelter or humane society and see if they can help you.

If this is not the way you want to proceed, make sure your hammie is warm and comfortable in his or her bedding box and put the food and water close, so it has to move as little as possible to meet its needs. Clean the box/hide frequently as the hammie may be eliminating there and we don't want it to have to rest in its own waste. Unfortunately, I don't think there are a lot of pain medications that have been tested in hamsters, although you might as a vet about getting some Metacam, but the vet would have to see the patient before giving a medication.

I hope this can help you and I am truly sorry that your hammie is approaching the end. That is one of the downsides of these little guys. They are often better pets than they are given credit for, but they are only with us for a short time.

Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to help. I will keep you in my thoughts.

[Oxymouse]

Xana44

Oxy The Stupid Genius

My hamster is close to dying. It's slow, only moves to eat and it barely runs. I can tell it's weak. What can I do to ease or lessen its suffering?

If you really think that your hammie is suffering and close to death, the kind and brave thing to do is to take it to the vet for a euthanasia (put to sleep). If that is not financially reasonable for you, call your local shelter or humane society and see if they can help you.

If this is not the way you want to proceed, make sure your hammie is warm and comfortable in his or her bedding box and put the food and water close, so it has to move as little as possible to meet its needs. Clean the box/hide frequently as the hammie may be eliminating there and we don't want it to have to rest in its own waste. Unfortunately, I don't think there are a lot of pain medications that have been tested in hamsters, although you might as a vet about getting some Metacam, but the vet would have to see the patient before giving a medication.

I hope this can help you and I am truly sorry that your hammie is approaching the end. That is one of the downsides of these little guys. They are often better pets than they are given credit for, but they are only with us for a short time.

Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to help. I will keep you in my thoughts.

True. Thanks for the response; she's been alive for four years, and i hear, that is above the average lifespan of a hamster.

[Xana44]

Oxy The Stupid Genius

True. Thanks for the response; she's been alive for four years, and i hear, that is above the average lifespan of a hamster.

Heavens! You must be doing something right! Most Hamsters live only two years, three on the outside. Congatulations!

[Obliviously Obvious]

Woot!

My boyfriend might be staying in his house when his parents move, and they're planning on renting it out, he's planning on renting from them with some friends.

If this happens, when we know we have the spare cash, we're going to get a couple of ferrets - we already have the cage which is one of the most expensive parts so when we get them, we only need to get the litter box and some bedding and some food and food dishes and of course the ferrets...

my question is, before I buy them, should I find a breeder somewhere or should I go to the pet store?

The ferrets at the local pet store are already neutered and they only sell males... but I have a lot of problems when it comes to buying pets from a chain pet store. I worry about how much vet care the animal actually receives in the store and the mental/physical health of the pet.

Obviously I refuse to buy an animal if I haven't been given the opportunity to play with the animal and see how well they handle.

Unfortunately the only flaw with this is that Ferrets are nocturnal so during the day they won't be frolicking around and being playful.

Is there anything in specific I need to look for when choosing my ferret (and my boyfriend needs to look for in his)?

Should I go to a local breeder or the pet store?

Around what time do you think the ferrets would be awake and playing? That way if I choose to go to the pet store maybe they will already be awake and I can get a good since of the ferret's personality?

I cant wait >w< I cant decide on my name Gizmo or Gidget or Cooter or Momo >.>

[Xana44]

Ichigo Pie

I, sadly, don't know a lot about ferrets, but was under the impression that most ferrets in the US come from a few large breeding operations, which desex an descent the ferrets before homing them or selling them to the pet store chains.

Ferret breeders may be rare and difficult to find. And it maybe hard to find someone who will descent them, if so desired. But if you can find a breeder, the animal will likely be more socialized than the pet store ones.

I think ferrets can be active during the day, if "trained" to be so. Most of the ones I have seen were active during the day. They are very friendly and affectionate. But they get into EVERYTHING, so be sure your house is completely ferret-proofed before letting them out of their cages. They can be trained to walk on a leash as well.

Good luck with your new pets (when you get them!)

[AdmiralAdamaismyanti-drug]

We are currently looking at getting a puppy. One of m neighbor's huskies. She is a beautiful light golden with a darker brown stripe down her back. She is very good natured and active. But we live in an open area so we would have to keep her in the house. But, as soon as we can get her trained we were going to send her to live with my grandparents...mostly so my grandfather has something to boss around...even though it may not listen. How could we go about getting her to stay within the area of our home and not run off into the woods without chaining her up?

...I know, I have a lot of questions...I have a few pets...they seem to mix.

[Xana44]

AdmiralAdamaismyanti-drug

We are currently looking at getting a puppy. One of m neighbor's huskies. She is a beautiful light golden with a darker brown stripe down her back. She is very good natured and active. But we live in an open area so we would have to keep her in the house. But, as soon as we can get her trained we were going to send her to live with my grandparents...mostly so my grandfather has something to boss around...even though it may not listen. How could we go about getting her to stay within the area of our home and not run off into the woods without chaining her up?

...I know, I have a lot of questions...I have a few pets...they seem to mix.

This is a tough one, especially for a puppy. Ideally, installing an invisible fence would be the best option. If this is not an option for you, take the puppy out on a long lead. First, on a short leash, take the puppy to the designated area of the yard to do her business. Then allow her the length of the leash to play and explore. If she goes past the area you want her to stay in, recall her to you. When she comes to you, reward her. Alternately, or in addition, give her a correction, then praise her when she returns to correct area. Once she seems consistent on this on the long lead, try letting her off the lead. That is why it is very important to practice the recall. Some dogs get this, for some dogs, the thing on the other side of the "fence" is too appealing and they always go, because that is a self rewarding behavior. Sadly, huskies are not the most trainable dogs (this does not mean they are not intelligent, just that they are not necessarily motivated to please their owners above all else), so it is going to be a challenge. Good luck!

Again, I would recommend "Good Owners, Great Dogs" by Brian Kilcommins if you can find it.

[AdmiralAdamaismyanti-drug]

Amazon! I need another book!

Thanks. She stays in the yard right now, but she is only five weeks, and has seven other siblings running around with her. I think that might be a reason she hasn't run off to explore yet, and she never goes far. I was just wondering in case we do get her and send her to my grandparents. They have no fence, and I don't want her to be stuck in a kennel, and not be able to run and play.

[Obliviously Obvious]

Im having a behavioral issue with my cat.

I try to be nice and pet her, and she attacks my hands...

I try to make loud noises to startle her so she associates the clawing/biting with a bad experience... but she still attacks me...

I've tried pushing her away from me and ignoring her, but when I push her away, she thinks I'm playing and continues her attacks...

I'm really tired of it ... she even does it when I'm asleep...

it happens EVERY TIME I reach to pet her and honestly, I'm about ready to find a new home for her because I cant deal with cuts all over my hands...

I've also tried the spray bottles with water, it didn't work

what do I do?

[Xana44]

~Ichigo_Pie~

Im having a behavioral issue with my cat.

I try to be nice and pet her, and she attacks my hands...

I try to make loud noises to startle her so she associates the clawing/biting with a bad experience... but she still attacks me...

I've tried pushing her away from me and ignoring her, but when I push her away, she thinks I'm playing and continues her attacks...

I'm really tired of it ... she even does it when I'm asleep...

it happens EVERY TIME I reach to pet her and honestly, I'm about ready to find a new home for her because I cant deal with cuts all over my hands...

I've also tried the spray bottles with water, it didn't work

what do I do?

She has inappropriate play aggression.

This can be difficult to treat. The main gist of the treatment has to be giving the cat other play outlets other than with your hands.

Play with her with pole toys and other games that do not directly involve your hands. If she is playing too rough with you, first give a cry like a wounded puppy. Then stand up and walk away if she continues.

Does she have another cat to play with? Having a buddy she can get those rough tendencies out with is helpful.

I will find some other references and post them later.

[Obliviously Obvious]

Xana44

~Ichigo_Pie~

Im having a behavioral issue with my cat.

I try to be nice and pet her, and she attacks my hands...

I try to make loud noises to startle her so she associates the clawing/biting with a bad experience... but she still attacks me...

I've tried pushing her away from me and ignoring her, but when I push her away, she thinks I'm playing and continues her attacks...

I'm really tired of it ... she even does it when I'm asleep...

it happens EVERY TIME I reach to pet her and honestly, I'm about ready to find a new home for her because I cant deal with cuts all over my hands...

I've also tried the spray bottles with water, it didn't work

what do I do?

She has inappropriate play aggression.

This can be difficult to treat. The main gist of the treatment has to be giving the cat other play outlets other than with your hands.

Play with her with pole toys and other games that do not directly involve your hands. If she is playing too rough with you, first give a cry like a wounded puppy. Then stand up and walk away if she continues.

Does she have another cat to play with? Having a buddy she can get those rough tendencies out with is helpful.

I will find some other references and post them later.

unfortunately, my parents said no more indoor pets for me and they kicked my dog outside until winter because of the flea outbreak we had - which is under control now thank goodness

I have a wand toy, but its really worn out... I'll go buy her another one... I also have a few bell balls for her... are there any other cheap toys that are good for her to play with?

[Xana44]

~Ichigo_Pie~

unfortunately, my parents said no more indoor pets for me and they kicked my dog outside until winter because of the flea outbreak we had - which is under control now thank goodness

I have a wand toy, but its really worn out... I'll go buy her another one... I also have a few bell balls for her... are there any other cheap toys that are good for her to play with?

Take a toilet paper roller. put a few kibbles of food (or treats) in it (or half her day's food). punch a few holes in it with pencil. Seal the ends with wax paper and tape. She can either play with it until the food falls out the holes or she can destroy it to get the food out.

Laser pointers are great. Flashlight in a pinch.

Piece of paper on the end of a string (only supervised).

Put herbs or catnip in a paper bag. Seal it with tape. Let her destroy it.

These things just let her get the aggression out on them rather than you.