caring for an elderly dog
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caring for an elderly dog

When your dog doesn't seem interested in eating his food, do you know what to do? When your dog vomits often, could there be something serious wrong with him? If he struggles to get up the stairs, does he need to see a vet? Having never owned an older dog, I knew nothing about the things that can begin to go wrong when dogs age. I adopted this guy when my neighbor moved into a nursing home and had to learn a lot about how to care for an older dog. My blog is filled with the many things that I have learned over the last year through the help of my vet.

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caring for an elderly dog

Hamster Healing: When Does Your Hamster Need A Vet?

Lucy Grant

Hamsters are typically considered low maintenance pets that don't need to see a professional. Hamsters do not require immunizations or routine health check-ups, but sometimes they do need emergency care. Which situations might require your hamster to visit a vet? Here are a few. 

Broken Bones

Hamsters have small, fragile bones that can be easily broken due to falls or being handled in a rough manner. 

If your hamster is limping or doesn't seem to be able to move, it might have a broken leg. Carefully place your hamster in a small container lined with a towel or other soft surface and head to a veterinarian for small animals. 

In most cases, a veterinarian will prescribe pain medication and antibiotics to prevent infection. The vet may instruct you to separate the animal from other hamsters in a smaller cage that will be better for healing. 

Sometimes a vet may actually make a tiny splint or bandage for a hamster's broken bone. 

Lumps

If your hamster develops a mysterious lump or bump, it could be life threatening. Take your furry friend to a veterinarian for a diagnosis. You hamster could have an infection from a bite or scratch, or it could be a tumor. 

Your small animal vet will probably clean out an infected area and then prescribe an antibiotic. A tumor can potentially be surgically removed. 

Irritated Skin

You may notice your hamster scratching a specific spot, losing hair in one place or developing flaky or red patches on its skin. This can happen for a number of reasons, including ringworm, allergies and infection. 

Your veterinarian can diagnose the problem and provide medication and treatment as well as advice on how to keep the problem from occurring again. Your hamster might be reacting to irritating bedding or something else in its environment. 

Wet-Tail

This disease can happen in any small animal, but it is particularly common in hamsters. Wet-tail is often caused by stress and can occur when a sudden change is made to a hamster's environment, such as the loss of a hamster friend or a cage relocation. 

If your hamster is suffering from wet-tail, it will have smelly diarrhea and not be interested in food. It may also avoid activity. 

Wet-tail can be fatal to hamsters, so contact a vet if symptoms occur. Your small animal veterinarian may recommend an over the counter product or might prescribe medication. 

Hamsters may be small, but they sometimes need veterinary care just like other pets. Know the signs that your hamster is suffering, so you can keep your tiny companion healthy and strong. 


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