Canine Respiratory Infection
As some of you may have heard there is an outbreak of a respiratory infection affecting dogs. This outbreak was first reported in New Hampshire last year and has now been documented in about 14 states across the US. As we reported before, the cause is unknown but what we do know is that affected dogs quickly become sick and tend to develop pneumonia. Most dogs will recover although some have died. The treatment is supportive in nature and may involve the need to hospitalize your pet. It may take weeks for your dog to recover.
If your dog develops a cough, runny nose, lethargy, decreased activity, decreased appetite or difficulty breathing you should call us immediately. If we are not open, please contact an emergency or urgent care center for guidance or treatment if needed.
Pets most at risk are those having contact with other dogs routinely, such as in a daycare or boarding situation, dog park and pet store exposure. We are recommending that anyone whose dogs routinely have contact with other dogs be more vigilant for early signs of illness. All dog owners should limit their dogs contacts to other dogs, particularly transient contact with dogs of unknown health status. Keep your dog away from sick dogs. Isolate your dog if they become sick. Make sure your dog’s vaccinations are current.
Thank you,
Dr. Teixeira and Dr. Rockwood
781-293-5184
People with limited living quarters may find that reptiles such as lizards or turtles fit perfectly into their lifestyles. Before deciding on a reptile, learn as much as possible about them and their needs. Poisonous snakes and certain reptiles should never be kept as pets. Ask your veterinarian about the suitability of a particular animal before you make your decision. There are many things to consider before committing to a reptile as a pet.
Finding out if a Pet is Legal Where You Live
Many areas have enacted laws pertaining to keeping reptiles. Some are general and some are quite specific; in many places any reptiles that are considered dangerous (venomous snakes, alligators, etc.) are illegal but some places are even more restrictive (for example, in some states all constricting snakes including ball pythons are illegal).
Salmonella Risks and Prevention
All reptile owners need to be informed about Salmonella infections. While the risks shouldn't keep most people from keeping reptiles since with the proper management the risks are minimal. Still, owners should be aware of the risks, and the US Centers for Disease Control recommends that certain risk groups should be careful about contact with reptiles and amphibians.
The Importance of Light and Heat
Many problems with keeping reptiles can be traced back to not providing the proper environmental conditions, particularly heat. Proper lighting is also important for many reptiles. The equipment to provide the proper heat and light to captive reptiles is often quite expensive, but is absolutely essential to keeping pet reptiles healthy. It is important to find out exactly what conditions your reptile needs and never cut corners when it comes to meeting those conditions!
Why Choose Captive Bred Reptiles
There are numerous reasons why you should pick a captive bred reptile if at all possible, as explained here.
How to Pick a Healthy Reptile
It is important to keep in mind that depending on where you get a reptile, it may be very stressed, dehydrated, and prone to illness. Here are some items to look for when buying your reptile to increase the chances of picking out a healthy pet reptile.
While there are many types of reptiles that could be good pets, here we cover a few you could consider.
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