Educational Articles
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Gentamicin + betamethasone valerate + clotrimazole (Otomax®) is a combination topical ear medication used to treat bacterial and/or yeast ear infections in dogs. It is also used off label to treat bacterial and/or yeast infections in cats, or for the topical treatment of superficial skin infections in both dogs and cats.
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If you are planning to add another dog to your family, take time to consider the personality, size, and sex of your current household dog. Introduce the dogs gradually, watching for subtle signs of fear or aggression. Supervise the dogs for as many weeks as needed to assure long term success.
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Head down. Eyes averted. Shoulders hunched. Tail thumping the floor. Body retreating. Your pet looks guilty, maybe even apologetic, right? WRONG! Your pet’s body posture and attitude do not indicate guilt or remorse but represent a response to your body posture and attitude.
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Height dominance in pet birds can be an issue with a poorly trained pet bird or dominant pet bird. Birds that are allowed on shoulders or top of cages can be aggressive and nippy if not trained to "Step-up" on command. Proper training and socialization are essential to allow birds to perch wherever they wish.
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When a beloved family member dies, the surviving people and pets mourn the loss. Dogs and cats rely on their social group for safety and emotional well being. Surviving pets experience the loss of a favored companion and a disruption of the social dynamic. They may also be distressed when they sense changes in the emotions and behavior of household people.
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Training a dog to understand human communications is easier when we consider how our tone and volume influence our message. Verbal commands will be interpreted differently by your dog depending on how they hear it. Just remember, it’s not just what you say….it’s how you say it.
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Tail wagging enhances a dog’s ability to communicate. Different positions, speeds, and even the direction of tail wagging mean different things. It is always important to observe and interpret the tail wag in conjunction with all the dog’s postures.
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Pet birds not raised with other birds typically bond to their owners and may not want to live with another new bird. If you feel your bird is lonely or bored, first consider providing more enrichment in the form of safe toys and entertainment. Teaching your bird how to forage is extremely beneficial for his/her overall well being. If you decide you want to introduce another bird into your household, be sure you are ready to take on the work of caring for more than one bird and be certain to introduce the new bird slowly. All new birds should be checked by a veterinarian before being introduced, and the new bird should be quarantined in a separate, isolated room within the house for 30-45 days. Some birds may never accept new birds in their territories. Consult your veterinarian if you are experiencing problems.
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Crate training is most used with dogs, but it can be useful for kittens and cats too. Crate training is useful in many situations, such as providing a safe place when home alone or unsupervised. Cats that are calm in their crates experience less distress when they need to travel, visit the veterinary hospital, or stay at a boarding facility. Starting while your cat is young makes training easier, but even adult cats can be trained to relax in a crate. If your cat shows signs of distress (e.g., prolonged vocalization, trying to escape, salivation, rapid continuous movement) while using the training methods provided in this handout, consult your veterinarian.
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Masturbation behavior in male parrots is a fairly common occurrence. The basis behind this activity is sexual stimulation or over productive male hormones. Veterinary attention will help with environmental changes and/or medications used to diminish or halt this behavior.