Ferrets require less interaction than other animals and that is mostly due to the fact that they tend to sleep a lot more. When your ferret is awake, however, you should be devoting at least one hour per day to socializing and interacting with your pet. It’s also important that your ferret interact with as many members of the household as possible to really help them adjust and become a part of the family.

Some of the activities you can participate in with your pet ferret include:

• Playing – Ferrets are incredibly intelligent and playful animals. They love to engage with other ferrets, people and even other types of animals. Play activities for your ferret may include wrestling, playing with toys and hiding. Ferrets also love tubes and other small containers that they can explore in and climb through. Ask your Welland veterinarian for suggestions on toys and games for you to engage your ferret in playtime.

• Grooming – Most ferrets enjoy being groomed and bathed, and it can be a fantastic way for you both to bond. Check with your Welland veterinarian for proper bathing techniques and to be sure you’re using the right products.

• Snuggling – Ferrets like to be held and pet, and love to get affection from their owners. When you’re relaxing for the evening, watching television, invite your ferret into your lap for some attention and you’ll be rewarded with loyalty and unconditional love in return.

• Training – Many people don’t realize how intelligent ferrets can be. They can be taught to do everything from coming when their name is called to using a litterbox and doing tricks. Just remember, training can take time so be patient and stick with it. It’s a great way to bond, and your persistence will eventually pay off. Your Welland veterinarian can provide some guidance on training techniques.

Owning a ferret can be rewarding for everyone in the family, but before you take that plunge make sure you have the time and commitment it takes to keep your new pet happy and healthy. By applying these tips you will be able to enjoy ample quality time with your ferret and foster a lifelong bond.

Veterinary Chiropractic care uses non-invasive, manual techniques to help treat disorders related to the spine, pelvis, nervous system and joints of the animal.  Veterinary chiropractic helps to promote normal mobility of joints and to reduce pain and inflammation associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Animal Chiropractors perform very specific adjustments to joints and manipulate their associated soft tissue and muscles to help improve movement and return an animal to normal function.

Contact the Main West Animal Hospital today to schedule a chiropractic assessment for your pet, (905)735-7877

Myth #1: Shelter animals were abandoned because of something bad.

Truth: Many people mistakenly believe that the only reason an animal would be left at a shelter is because of bad behavior or illness. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, most shelter pets are perfectly healthy and well-behaved, and were given up simply because their owners couldn’t care for them anymore.

Myth #2: Shelter animals are more prone to illness or disease.

Truth: Sure, shelter pets can get sick, but so can those purchased from a pet store or breeder. Shelters typically work with local vets to ensure that their animals are well cared for and provided with routine wellness care and vaccinations to keep them safe and healthy.

Myth #3: With shelter animals, you don’t know what you’re getting.

Truth: To the contrary, as an experienced Welland veterinarian points out, shelters often know a great deal about the animals in their care, including how they are with children and other pets. This is much more information than you’d be able to get if you adopted from a breeder or pet store.

Myth #4: Shelters only have cats and dogs.

Truth: If you’re in the market to adopt an exotic pet, such as a ferret or bird, don’t write off the possibility of finding one at a shelter. Check with your Welland Veterinarian- he or she may be able to recommend a reputable shelter that offers a wide variety of animal companions for adoption.

Myth #5: Shelters aren’t the way to go, because it’s better to adopt animals that are younger.

Truth: While shelters provide temporary home to animals of all ages, it is true that most of the residents are older. That doesn’t mean that adopting from there isn’t a good option. In fact, adopting an older pet can have a lot of advantages, such as the fact that they’re likely already trained, have already been vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and are loving animals just looking for a forever home.

If you’re in the market to adopt a new animal companion, there are plenty of options. Your Welland veterinarian urges you to look past the myths and misconceptions and consider choosing a shelter pet. You won’t regret it!  To contact a local pet shelter in Welland follow the link www.wellandhumanesociety.org

The first question  that’s often asked when clients are looking for a spay neuter clinic is:  What is the cost of the surgery?  This is a very important question to ask.  It’s also important to realize that the cost of surgery often reflects what is included in the service.   Many pet owners would be surprised to learn that the experience that your pet goes through when they undergo surgery can be very different depending on which hospital performs the surgery.

Some important considerations to take into account when you are choosing a spay and neuter clinic include:

1. What type of facility is the procedure being performed in?  Is the hospital clean and organized? Do the staff communicate instructions with you effectively? Can you schedule surgery at a time that’s convenient for you? Will your pet be examined by a veterinarian prior to having surgery performed? Will you have an opportunity to speak with the veterinarian performing your pet’s surgery before surgery?  Do you personally know the veterinarian performing your pet’s surgery?

2.  Does the animal hospital advise that your pet has Pre-Anesthetic Blood Work before surgery? Performing this test ensures that your cat or dog has normal:  liver/ kidney function, blood sugar,protein and electrolyte levels? Checking blood values prior to anesthesia and surgery is standard practice in human medicine to ensure that the procedure is as safe as possible. This is as important for your pet because their safety should be your highest concern.

3.  Does your pet receive Intravenous (I.V.) fluids during their surgery?  I.V. fluids are incredibly important to help maintain blood pressure during surgery, maintain normal body temperature during anesthesia, allow for administration of I.V. medications during surgery and help speed the recovery process from anesthesia.  This is also a standard recommendation for both human and animal anesthetic/surgical procedures.

4. What type of care is your pet receiving when they are in surgery and during recovery?  Careful monitoring during surgery should include measuring your pets heart rate,respiratory rate, Blood pressure, Oxygen saturation levels, and Carbon Dioxide levels.  Specialized equipment and training is required to monitor your pet effectively during anesthetic.  Monitoring your pet is equally important after surgery to ensure they are comfortable and recovering safely. You should ensure that the spay and neuter clinic you choose doesn’t have such a high volume of patients that they can’t provide the individual care and attention that your pet deserves.

5.  What type of pain control will your pet receive for their surgical procedure?  The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association( www.canadianveterinarians.net )  guidelines recommend that dogs and cats receive pain medication before, during and after a spay or neuter surgery.  Your veterinarian should be providing you with pain medication to give at home for at least a couple of days after surgery to meet these minimum guidelines to keep your pet comfortable.  Many veterinarians provide additional pain control options including Laser Therapy to help reduce post surgical inflammation and discomfort.  Be sure to clearly understand how your veterinarian will keep your dog or cat comfortable before, during and after surgery.

6.  What happens if there are complications with my pet’s surgery at the spay and neuter clinic I choose?  Unfortunately complications can occur with any surgery, some are treated simply, others require significantly more care.  You should clearly understand what the process will be for you and your pet should post-surgical complications arise.  Will your pet be treated by the same veterinarian that performed the surgery? Will there be additional charges to have your pet checked after surgery?

These are just a sample of the questions should ask your veterinarian before you choose to have  your pet is spayed or neutered.  There can be significantly different levels of care your pet is provided when having surgery performed.  Take the time to make sure that you clearly understand what type of care you are paying for before you schedule an appointment to have your pet spayed or neutered.

At the Main West Animal Hospital we pride ourselves on providing the highest level of care to all our clients and their pets.  For more information on our spay and neuter surgery procedures contact us at (905) 735-7877  or visit our website at http://mainwestvet.com/welland-veterinary-services/surgery/ for an overview.