4 minute read
ASK THE VET
QQ: Hi Doctor, my cockatiel has vomited twice in the last month. We haven’t changed the food we give her or anything else I can think of. Should I worry?
A: Cockatiels can sometimes regurgitate as a sign of affection, but vomiting is definitely something to be A& concerned about. The difference between the two is that vomiting is more of an aggressive process. The bird will shake its head from side to side and bits of the vomit may remain on the bird’s beak or chest. There are several causes of vomiting in cockatiels, including crop infections and liver or kidney disease. For this reason, I would advise that you take your cockatiel to an avian vet for an examination, so that the underlying cause can be treated. Q: Dear Doctor, I’m a bit frustrated as my new bunny won’t let me brush her. She squirms and tries to get away. She has thick fur that mats. Do you have any helpful tips to get her to sit still? A: Unfortunately, the only way to get her to sit still would be through time and patience. Before you start grooming her, sit calmly with her for a while. You can also offer treats while doing this. Some rabbits will be happy on your lap, but others may prefer to stay on the floor. Once she is calm, you can start by gently petting her. Then you can start brushing her for short periods of time. Rabbit skin can be quite sensitive, so use a soft brush, such as one with rubber bristles. Combs uncomfortable. If she starts to resist, don’t try and force her to stay still, rather let her go until she calms down again. With time, she should become more comfortable with you grooming her. With regards to heavily matted hair, avoid cutting the mat out as there is a good chance you could nick the skin. Rather invest in a rat-tailed comb (the one with the very thin handle) for this. The tail of the comb can be used to break the matted fur up into smaller bits that can be plucked and brushed out. This process may take time and several attempts, but there will be little risk of you injuring your rabbit’s skin. with fine teeth can sometimes tug at the fur, which is
Q: While growing up our pets ate from our table, and we hardly purchased commercial food brands. Now there are so many versions and life stages of food available. What is the difference, and should we rather purchase from a grocery store or a vet?
A: The reason there are so many versions of food available (even from one company) is because nutritional needs vary greatly amongst individuals. For example, a puppy will have different requirements than a fully grown dog. Similarly, a Boerboel puppy with its rapid growth rate would have different energy and mineral needs than a Dachshund. Home prepared diets are still quite popular amongst some pet owners, but they take time and can be imbalanced if you don’t know what you are doing. For this reason, I do normally recommend commercial diets to my clients.
When choosing which food to buy, there are a lot of factors to consider. Some owners can’t afford higher priced premium brands, but still want to feed decent food. Some pets have allergies to certain ingredients, or may refuse to eat some formulations based entirely on taste.
The best advice I can offer you is to stop at a local Vetshop and chat to one of the assistants on duty. They are trained to help you choose the food most suited to your pets’ needs based on their age, condition and lifestyle.
Q: Hi Doctor, my daughter got two guinea pigs this year. I have no idea how to interpret the noises they make. I understand a dog’s growl vs. his bark or a whimper, but this is new. Are there telling signs to say whether they are happy or upset?
A: While listening to the sounds a guinea pig is making can tell you a lot about how they are feeling, it’s also important to take note of the body language they are displaying. For example, a content guinea pig may make a purring type of noise and their posture will look calm and relaxed. Some guinea pigs may also make a soft, clucking sound (called chutting) when interacting with you.
High pitched, whistling noises (also known as wheeking) can be associated with excitement. Owners may notice this sound during feeding. If the guinea pig makes high pitched noises while running or hiding, then that may be a sign of pain or fear. Remember that if your guinea pig is running from you, the worst thing to do is to chase it. That will just worsen the sense of alarm.
If a guinea pig is feeling aggressive, they may hiss (like a cat) and chatter their teeth. They may also be standing with stiff legs and fluffing their fur out. Don’t try and pick them up while they are showing this behaviour; it may get you bitten.
ONLINE SHOPPING FOR ALL YOUR PET &VET SUPPLIES ONLINE SHOPPING FOR ALL YOUR PET &VET SUPPLIES
Dr Travis Gray
