Pocket Pets
Rats, mice and hamsters are extremely intelligent, friendly animals that can make great pets. They thrive on love and attention. As long as these companions are handled gently and given a safe place to retreat to, they are very adaptable animals and will easily learn to live in most households. Although they are often considered a children’s pet, they make excellent adult pets as well. The problem we hear most often with these little guys is that they just don't live long enough! In the right home, these small pets can be amazing additions to your family. At Companion Animal Wellness Center, Dr. Carmine Bausone, our exotic animal veterinarian and his staff, look forward to meeting your little companion and providing you with quality and compassionate care.
Husbandry issues such as poor diet, poor socialization, poor hygiene, lack of sleep, inappropriate toys, toxins and many other factors often cause illness in pocket pets. It is important that food and water are changed daily and that the stool production is monitored daily. Maintaining good husbandry habits can help alert you to the subtle signs of illness in your pet, which often begins with a change in appetite and stool production. Evaluating and changing the cage and litter box substrate daily allows you to notice any change in stool size, shape, consistency and odor. Because these little pets hide signs of illness, these daily habits will often make the difference in your pets health.
Common signs of illness include:
lack of appetite
weight loss
inactivity
decrease in stool production
diarrhea
change in body posture
fluffed appearance
eye discharge and crusting
red tears
nasal discharge and crusting
sneezing
difficulty breathing
drooling
long teeth
limping
hair loss
itching
crusty skin
lumps, bumps and masses
If any of these signs develop, please bring them in for evaluation.
Common rodent diseases include:
respiratory infections
pneumonia
external tumors
internal tumors
external parasites (mites)
internal parasites
GI bacterial infections
eye infections
seizures/neurologic problems
ringworm
heart disease
bladder infections
bladder stones
cheek pouch infections (hamsters)
slip tail (rats and mice)
For more information on rats, mice and hamsters visit:
MOUSE AND RAT CARE
HUSBANDRY OF PET RATS
WEE COMPANIONS RAT CARE GUIDE
RODENT HUSBANDRY AND CARE
HAMSTERS AS PETS
HUSBANDRY AND MEDICAL CARE OF PET HAMSTERS
If you would like to adopt a rodent in need please contact the San Diego non profit organization WEE COMPANIONS.
Chinchillas
Although chinchillas are lovely animals, they are not appropriate for all households. Good chinchilla owners must be able to provide them a significant amount of quiet, chew-safe space, out of cage exercise time, and a carefully balanced diet to ensure dental as well as gastrointestinal health. While chinchillas are reasonably hardy creatures, their health is dependent on good husbandry and nutrition. Husbandry issues such as poor diet, not enough dust baths, poor socialization, poor hygiene, lack of sleep, inappropriate toys, toxins and many other factors often cause illness in chinchillas. Just like in the care of rats, mice and hamsters, it is critically important that food and water are changed daily and that the stool production of your chinchilla is closely monitored. Evaluating and changing the cage or litter box substrate daily allows you to notice any change in stool size, shape, consistency and odor. Like other exotic animals, chinchillas hide signs of illness so adhering to good husbandry practices will help you determine if there is problem with your companion.
Common signs of illness include:
lack of appetite
weight loss
inactivity
decrease in stool production
diarrhea
change in body posture
fluffed appearance
eye discharge and crusting
nasal discharge and crusting
sneezing
difficulty breathing
drooling
long teeth
limping
hair loss
itching
crusty skin
lumps, bumps and masses
If any of these signs develop, please bring your pet in for an appointment.
Common chinchilla diseases include:
To find out more about chinchilla care enjoy the links below.
CHINCHILLA CARE
WEE COMPANIONS CHINCHILLA CARE GUIDE