http://www.critterology.com/main.rss All the latest pet and livestock articles from Critterology.com! en-us Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:12:30 MST http://www.critterology.com/top_dog_breeds_in_the_us_for_2007-228.html http://www.critterology.com/top_dog_breeds_in_the_us_for_2007-228.html Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:10:38 MST The most popular dog in the U.S. is actually the mixed-breed, sometimes known as designer dogs. http://www.critterology.com/holistic_flea_control_strategies-227.html http://www.critterology.com/holistic_flea_control_strategies-227.html Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:08:49 MST Did you know that vacuuming can be detrimental to the fleas in your pet's environment?  Cleaning the house may actually help you destroy pests.  Ohio State University has studied the effects of vacuuming on the most common flea plaguing pets, the cat flea.  Their study revealed that 96 percent of adult fleas and 100 % of younger fleas (pupae and larvae stages) were destroyed after passing through a vacuum cleaner. http://www.critterology.com/bufo_toads_poisonous_to_pets-226.html http://www.critterology.com/bufo_toads_poisonous_to_pets-226.html Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:04:08 MST Think toads are harmless? Do you think it’s alright if your dog or cat decides on a frog-leg snack? If you live in a warmer part of the world you might just want to rethink your position. Especially large or colorful frogs may be hazardous to the health of your pets. In fact, toads were responsible for the 8th most common way pets were poisoned during 2007 in the United States. http://www.critterology.com/cat_scratch_fever_or_cat_scratch_disease_csd-225.html http://www.critterology.com/cat_scratch_fever_or_cat_scratch_disease_csd-225.html Sun, 03 Aug 2008 18:56:24 MST Cat scratch fever or disease (CSD) is a bacterial infection caused by Bartonella henselae.   Bartonella are a group of gram-negative bacteria that parasitize erythrocytes   (red blood cells or RBCs) of the host and are transmitted by arthropods. Most people infected with cat scratch fever have been previously bitten or scratched by a cat. http://www.critterology.com/cheyletiellosis_or_walking_dandruff_in_the_cat-224.html http://www.critterology.com/cheyletiellosis_or_walking_dandruff_in_the_cat-224.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 06:56:07 MST Is your cat constantly scratching? Does he have scabby areas of hair loss? Does he have dandruff that you think may be moving? Then your cat could be suffering from cheyletiellosis. Cheyletiellosis is a dermatologic condition caused by a mite so large that it is sometimes visible to the naked eye. The mite infecting cats is called Cheyletiella blakei. http://www.critterology.com/pets_and_flea_prevention-223.html http://www.critterology.com/pets_and_flea_prevention-223.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 06:45:34 MST Adult fleas are wingless, blood-sucking, external parasites of warm-blooded animals. The cat flea is the most common in the Southeast. It has more than fifty hosts, including domestic cats, dogs, opossums, cattle, skunks, squirrels, and the house mouse. http://www.critterology.com/jiminy_crickets!_a_dehydrated_gecko-222.html http://www.critterology.com/jiminy_crickets!_a_dehydrated_gecko-222.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 06:36:21 MST It was already late in the day and appointments at the clinic were winding down.  The technician Debbie and I had just completed the evening treatments when the receptionist Rebecca burst forth through the swinging door to the treatment area:  “Hey doc, will you see a dehydrated gecko?” she asked.  “I have a client on the line who feels that they have a gecko emergency and would like you to see their pet this evening. http://www.critterology.com/top_dog_breeds_in_the_us_for_2007-221.html http://www.critterology.com/top_dog_breeds_in_the_us_for_2007-221.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 06:32:32 MST The most popular dog in the US is actually the mixed-breed, sometimes known as "designer dogs". Of the AKC registered breeds, the following were the most popular in 2007. 1) Labrador retriever, for the 17th consecutive year 2) Yorkshire terrier 3) German shepherd 4) Golden retriever 5) Beagle 6) Boxer 7) Dachshund 8) Poodle 9) Shih tzu 10) English Bulldog The English Bulldog makes its first appearance ever on the top 10 list. http://www.critterology.com/heat_stroke_in_dogs_cats_and_other_pets-220.html http://www.critterology.com/heat_stroke_in_dogs_cats_and_other_pets-220.html Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:14:40 MST Looking for a cool shady place with a cold drink to escape those warm summer temperatures? Maybe a dip in the pool or the lake will provide some relief. Some of us just hate to go outside the house during the middle of the day when we are fortunate enough to have an air-conditioner in those midsummer months. Just think of how bad it would be to have on a fur coat and have to pant to release excessive heat. http://www.critterology.com/noise_and_thunder_phobias_in_dogs-219.html http://www.critterology.com/noise_and_thunder_phobias_in_dogs-219.html Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:11:52 MST Are you planning a huge 4th of July party this year complete with all those fireworks? Maybe think twice before shooting off all those noisy firecrackers. Your 4-legged friends may have difficulty handling all the noise. In fact, fear of loud noise and thunder are some of the most commonly seen phobias in dogs. http://www.critterology.com/feline_play_aggression-218.html http://www.critterology.com/feline_play_aggression-218.html Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:09:53 MST Excessively rough and persistent play is called play aggression. Play aggression amongst cats may create a problem when a very vivacious cat pounces on a less playful cat making that cat fearful or aggressive. Inadequate or inappropriate early socialization may be a contributing factor in the development of play aggression. http://www.critterology.com/feline_predatory_aggression-217.html http://www.critterology.com/feline_predatory_aggression-217.html Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:09:11 MST Predatory aggression concerns the natural instinct of cats to hunt. Cats in a predatory response may stalk silently crouching or in a slow walk, often followed by a short run. Hunting skills don't necessarily need to be learned from their mother. http://www.critterology.com/congestive_heart_failure_in_the_dog-216.html http://www.critterology.com/congestive_heart_failure_in_the_dog-216.html Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:17:30 MST Is your dog sleeping more than usual? Is your small dog suddenly coughing, especially after that nap or following the least bit of exertion? Has your dog had problems with his dental health in the past? Then your pet could be suffering from congestive heart failure which is a leading cause of death in older, especially smaller breeds of dogs. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is traditionally defined as a functional failure of the left side of the heart and the activation of neurologic and hormonal mechanisms that result in pulmonary edema (accumulation of fluid in the lungs). The most common cause of CHF is mitral valve regurgitation secondary to valve degeneration (deterioration) from vegetative endocardiosis. http://www.critterology.com/feline_fearful_or_defensive_aggression-215.html http://www.critterology.com/feline_fearful_or_defensive_aggression-215.html Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:15:48 MST When threatened and afraid, any cat may become aggressive, especially when they cannot escape from the situation. Cats may become afraid of people when being reached for, cornered, or otherwise restrained. In general, the less stressed a feline is, the more tolerant it will be. http://www.critterology.com/cheyletiella_or_walking_dandruff_in_dogs-214.html http://www.critterology.com/cheyletiella_or_walking_dandruff_in_dogs-214.html Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:13:30 MST Is your dog scratching, does he have bad dandruff, is he rubbing his eyes or sneezing? Does that dandruff appear to be moving? Then Cheyletiella yasquri, a large mite that parasitizes dogs, could be the source of your problem. The Cheyletiella yasquri mite is so large that it may appear visible to the naked eye. Although primarily a parasite of dogs, Cheyletiella species are not host-specific and cross-infections with cats, rabbits, and foxes are not uncommon. http://www.critterology.com/feline_territorial_aggression-213.html http://www.critterology.com/feline_territorial_aggression-213.html Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:11:42 MST Territorial aggression involves displays intended to exclude a cat from a particular area and often occurs when a new cat is introduced into a household. Individual cats may vary in their tolerance of other cats in the home. The introduction of a new cat to the household is easier when at least one of them is a kitten or juvenile. http://www.critterology.com/feline_aggression_general-212.html http://www.critterology.com/feline_aggression_general-212.html Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:07:25 MST The second most commonly reported feline behavioral problem is that of aggression. It is estimated by behaviorists that aggression represents approximately 13% of their feline case load. The display of aggression in cats is influenced by the environment, heredity, and early experiences in the life of the cat. http://www.critterology.com/feline_maternal_aggression-211.html http://www.critterology.com/feline_maternal_aggression-211.html Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:47:35 MST Queens may show aggressive behavior to toms before delivery of kittens as well as while kittens are suckling and dependent. Infanticide (killing of kittens) has been observed in free-roaming farm cats and it is possible that queens treat toms as potential predators. Some queens, typically friendly to people, may be protective of their kittens in the presence of human intruders. http://www.critterology.com/feline_redirected_aggression-210.html http://www.critterology.com/feline_redirected_aggression-210.html Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:45:27 MST Redirected aggression occurs when an aroused cat in an aggressive state attacks a person or other animal that was not the original cause of the aggression. The original target has become inaccessible and the cat directs its attention to a new target or individual. An example would be where an outside cat visits the sliding glass doors to a home housing two additional cats. http://www.critterology.com/feline_biting_aggression_when_being_petted-209.html http://www.critterology.com/feline_biting_aggression_when_being_petted-209.html Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:43:30 MST One of the most frequent forms of cat aggression toward people is biting or scratching while being petted. This type of aggression often results from a mismatch between the owner's and pet's desire for physical contact. Warning signs may include twitching of the tail, restlessness, and “intention” bites where a cat moves as if to bite but doesn't.