How To Recognize When Your Canary Bird Is Sick

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Respectively, the only person you should listen to about treatment is your vet. Veterinarians do not have all the answers, but at least they are trained to analyze and treat illnesses, and are aware of the full implications of treatments, which most others are not. This does not mean a few old remedies are not good standbys when all else fails. In most cases, modern science provides the best treatments for disease.

Recognizing Illness

If you determine that your bird is ill, it should be separated from other birds and be kept warm. You can fashion a temporary hospital cage by wrapping towels around a small cage and placing a light bulb at one end.

The bird can regulate the amount of heat it wants by moving closer or further from the light bulb. An infrared lamp or a heat lamp will work even better. Alternatively, you could put a canary in a box and put a heating pad under part of the box, again so the canary can move to a temperature that is comfortable for it.

Some of the symptoms of a sick bird are:

* lack of singing
* lower level of activity
* puffed up appearance
* sitting on the bottom of the cage
* crustiness around the eyes and mouth
* pumping tail
* open mouthed or labored breathing
* untidy appearance
* swellings
* messy vent area
* whole seeds passed in the droppings

Also, be sure the canary has access to food and water. If your canary is on the bottom of the cage, you should place bowls there for it. If it is perching, place seed near its location in the cage. When a bird is ill, offer its favorite treats, without worrying whether they are good for it or not. Does your canary relish canned corn, egg food or apples? Offer them now.

If your canary is hurt, you do not want it to do further damage to itself. Keep the bird in a semidark area, and keep activity around it to a minimum. Once your ill or hurt canary is comfortable, you can call your avian veterinarian for further advice. Be sure to supply as many details as possible. What has your canary been eating? How long has it acted like this? Did it fly into something or display other symptoms? Was another animal involved? All of these things are clues to a veterinarian on how to treat your bird to restore its health or to make it more comfortable.

An illness or accident may not occur during normal business hours. Do you know the policy of your veterinarian about emergencies? Do you know of an emergency clinic or an alternate veterinarian available in the off hours? This is information you should keep handy.

Be sure to get to know an avian veterinarian before you need one desperately, as in an emergency. Birds are very different from dogs and cats, and not all veterinarians have taken the time or attended additional courses in order to be versed in their care.

The best way to find an avian veterinarian in your area is to get a referral from a local bird owner. Contact someone in a bird club, ask a bird owner who is happy with his or her veterinarian or ask for a referral from a veterinarian who does not treat birds. You can also contact the Association of Avian Veterinarians or search their Web site for a listing of avian veterinarians. You will be most comfortable with your birds veterinarian if you schedule an initial WELL BIRD visit when you get your new canary. This means that you will take your bird in to see the veterinarian

What Happens at the Veterinarian?

If you expect something like a doctors visit or a trip to the vet with your dog or cat, you might have certain expectations. Things are different with birds. Birds are prey animals (unlike dogs, cats or people), and so they tend not to show symptoms of illness as obviously. An avian veterinarian relies on his or her knowledge of how you care for your canary, its weight over time and lab tests of blood and droppings to assess the health of your pet bird. A veterinarian sees many birds, and his or her visual assessment is an important indicator about the health of your canary. Your observations as the birds constant companion are also important. Is your canary behaving abnormally, or are things going along okay?

It will be in your best interest to answer your veterinarians questions. They allow a veterinarian to assess a birds condition much better and may lead to some suggestions for changes in care or routine. If you are visiting your veterinarian because your canary has eaten something that might endanger it, or because there has been an accident, give your veterinarian as much information as possible. Bring in a piece of what the canary ate, or a bottle listing the contents, if that is applicable. For an accident, be clear about the time it happened, your canaries reaction and subsequent symptoms.

Listen to what your veterinarian has to say. What kind of questions do you have for him or her? You should find out what services are available to you. What if you have an emergency outside of office hours? What if your veterinarian goes on vacation? Does your prospective veterinarian refer cases to another veterinarian or have an emergency hot line? What are payment terms? It is reassuring to know whether he or she is committed to ongoing education. Does he or she attend professional meetings or belong to the Association of Avian Veterinarians? Is he or she willing to consult with expert veterinarians if symptoms are puzzling?

Do not be surprised if your birds veterinarian frequently has new suggestions for you, or if new treatments or tests become available. The level of veterinarian care for bird health is growing at a rapid rate, and there are continually exciting new developments in avian health care.

In addition to lab tests, parasite control and patching up the occasional accident victim, your veterinarian probably offers other services. Your veterinarian can groom your canaries nails and may offer boarding services for when you will be out of town. Often, a veterinarians office becomes a central point of communication for the community. The office may be notified of lost and found birds, pet sitting services, behavioral consultants, bird club meetings, adoption services and community education projects or requests. You have a lot to gain and a lot to learn by visiting your bird veterinarian on a regular basis!

Vaccinations

We give our dogs and cats yearly vaccines against life threatening diseases. Most birds do not receive vaccines. There is a canary pox vaccine, but it may not be appropriate for your pet canary if it is not exposed to other birds. Ask your veterinarian if you are concerned about this.

Preventing Disease and Injury

There are a few basic things you can do to prevent canaries from having accidents and from contracting transmissible diseases. These things may still happen, but at least you have taken as many precautions as possible.

Cleanliness

When you keep birds, cleanliness cannot be stressed enough. Keeping their quarters clean prevents yeast, mold and bacterial infections. It promotes resistance to infection and good health. Cleanliness applies to food sources, bowls, daily cage cleaning, the occasional good cage scrubbing and offering your bird water in a clean cup. Soap and water, a vacuum, a broom and an air purifier are good aids to cleanliness. Disinfecting bowls occasionally with a 10 percent bleach solution is advisable.

Nutrition

Your canary needs a good diet, based on either a formulated diet or a seed based diet with supplements and vitamins. Eating right is the best way for it to ward off infection and avoid accidents. Be sure to offer some high protein foods during a canaries molt to help it grow in new feathers.

Cat Bites

If a cat should scratch or bite your canary, this is an emergency and an immediate trip to the veterinarian is advised. Cats have bacteria in their mouth that multiplies rapidly in a birds bloodstream, causing death in as little as twenty four hours. Your avian veterinarian will be able to administer antibiotics to save the birds life.

Because both dogs and cats are bird predators, supervise their time with a canary, or restrain or separate the two kinds of pets when a canary is out for free flight time.

Minimize Exposure to Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can transmit Canary pox to your canary. If you have outside accommodations for your birds, the aviary should be well screened. In your home, put screens on your windows and doors.

Wild Birds

Do not permit wild birds to enter your birds living area, if possible. Sparrows may transmit lice, mites or diseases to your canaries.

Windows, Mirrors, Doors

If your canary is flying happily around the house, be aware that it could try to fly through a window or into a mirror. Cover these when a bird is flying in the house. Also close doors carefully, in case your bird is tagging along behind you.

Fumes

Canaries are especially susceptible to fumes and smoke. A canary should not be exposed to car exhaust because of the carbon monoxide fumes. Keep canaries away from any chemical you may use. This includes chemicals used for cleaning, for home hair permanents and the fumes from newly laid carpeting as well. Some rug freshener powders and some scented candles are also dangerous. Fumes from a self cleaning oven can kill a bird. Take your bird to a pet sitter for a day if you decide to operate your ovens self cleaning feature. Especially lethal are overheated nonstick surfaces. If a nonstick pan is accidentally overheated, the fumes can kill household birds in minutes. If you overheat a nonstick pan, quickly ventilate the area and take your bird to see a veterinarian if it shows any signs of illness. Nonstick surfaces may also be on ironing boards, ironing board covers, stove drip pans and some bakeware.

Accidents

A common canary accident is getting fiber wound around its leg and foot. Avoid putting fiber into your canaries cage. Supply it with burlap for nests; get sisal, not fabric or rope toys for it. If fiber should get wound around your canaries leg, you may not be able to disentangle, tease off or cut the fiber. It is a job for your veterinarian.

Disease

Air Sac Mites

If your canary breathes with its mouth open, it may have mites infesting its trachea or further down in its respiratory system. Your avian veterinarian will be able to treat your bird.

Aspergillosis

This disease is caused by the fungus aspergillus. It is a widespread mold in our environment, often found in moldy, dusty or damp seed. It causes an infection of the lungs and air sacs, and is usually debilitating and fatal. Signs of aspergillosis are weight loss, vomiting and respiratory infection. Keeping your birds food fresh is a good way to prevent this disorder.

Canary Pox

Canary pox is a viral disease, characterized by blisters or crusts on the skin of a bird around its eyes or on its legs and feet. It can be fatal, but some birds recover. Limiting exposure to mosquitoes and quarantining new birds are good ways to prevent this disease.

External Parasites

Canaries can be infested by fleas, mites and lice. Lice usually live on a birds feathers. Air sac mites infect the respiratory tract of canaries, while red mites hide in wood and attack birds at night. This causes loss of blood, loss of sleep and can result in feather plucking.

Feather Cysts

Feather cysts are cheesy lumps on a canaries wing, typically found in the large, loose feathered canaries. It is not known if feather cysts are a genetic or viral problem. Feather cysts usually do not appear until a canary is several years old, and they may continue to appear on a bird. Breeds prone to feather cysts include the Norwich, crested varieties, frilled birds and the dimorphic color bred canaries. Treatment varies from removal to draining.

Dog Bark Collar – Perfect Training Device For A Large Dog’s Barking Problems

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There can be definite solutions to dog with barking problems. The extender is named a no bark collar if you buy one and employ it upon your dog, the idea is the collar can prevent your pet dog from barking. A low volt shock, if you select the static collar type, is released whenever the collar’s device senses your pet dog barking – after some time, that dog will hate the static very much it’s not going to bark anymore. A static collar is just about the preferred and a lot of great ways to discipline your dog that has a barking problem; but fears about making use of them on dogs persists – these collars have been proved to harm pets, lumber is often shortage of conclusive proof behind claiming.

The standard premise is to redirect their way of thinking and as a consequence their behavior to a less aggressive state. The collars use Citronella spray at a refillable canister. Because this smell just isn’t normally encountered by your pet it happens to be unusual enough to distract them and interrupt even though it behavior.The spray is harmless on the pet along with the surrounding areas. It could be formulated for being stain free the item doesn’t wreck items it might just are in contact with. There was many studies on Anti-Bark no Bark collars as to their effectiveness to stopping the barking and training your pet to never bark when unnecessary.

Basically, you will discover three forms of anti-barking collars or devices. All deliver a correction which is triggered by barking and stops once the barking stops. However, they differ inside the model of correction delivered. Electronic collars deliver an electrostatic shock generally if the collar senses the throat vibrations that accompanies barking. Ultrasonic devices and collars respond that has a high-pitched tone which is triggered by vibration or sound. Citronella collars interact with the sound of the barking by releasing a puff of citronella while you’re watching pet’s face.

Ultrasonic Bark Control. This receiver uses noise to distract your pet dog from barking. The noise could very well be audible to your or as well as then your pet dog. Your dog’s bark triggers the collar to emit the noise thus, distracting him. The concept is actually the whistle in dog obedience school. Your puppy associates the noise to his barking all of which will avoid making noise himself that is why.

Has your pet dog visited it’s vet recently and been given a clean bill of health? If you’re not, you could possibly take into account that poor or failing health may just be the real cause of his constant barking. Consider having your dogs health checked before you can eliminate bad health as being a intent behind your dogs barking.Since you have determined the root cause of your dogs excessive barking behavior, you next require to consider whether utilizing an anti bark collar will be your easiest way in aiding he or she overcome this unwanted behavior. Please bear in mind when making use of a real device, typically that you are administering a punishment to your own dog, therefore, for obvious reasons, it would be unfair to make use of this device in a dog who’s barking could be because of stress and anxiety or fear by way of example.

Much more method the actual system of remote device. They work either that has a Citronella spray or even static electronic shock. One can use them in order that the owner can “train” the puppy specifically to stop barking at certain times. Just one bad thing is the owner must be there to work it. Coverage is about 600 feet.I favor the spray system for my Min Pins. These people were always barking for everything that happened or anyone who walked by. Now they know something will almost certainly happen if he or she do. That i used to exclusively use a water spray to look at was at their side but that did not benefit long. Plus, I got exhausted by chasing them.

A Look At Some Symptoms Associated With Kitten Teething

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Like many other animals and humans too, kitten teething is a rough time when chewing and biting are more than natural reflexes: they actually become the main urge of your pet. The favorite objects to chew in such cases are wool made: it is not exactly known why cats favor fluffy stuff when they are teething, but it is a fact that they find relief from the gum soreness when they do so.

The first period of kitten teething starts when the animals are two or three weeks old, and just like in the case of humans, the incisors and the canines erupt first. The entire kitten teething period with the milk and the adult teeth included covers no more than seven months, which is an average teething age in the animal world.

Adult kitten teething usually occurs between the third and the sixth months of life; the period is pretty tense for the animals, so don’t be surprised to be bitten accidentally by your pet. A good way to alleviate the pressure in the gums is to give the cat something hard to chew on: a rubber or a plastic toy for instance. If one of your kids’ toys doesn’t do for the matter, you can always turn to special kitten teething toys.

There is a whole range of nasty symptoms that are frequently reported during the kitten teething period; the pet may experience difficulty to swallow or it may even refuse food. The best thing to do under the circumstances is to contact the vet immediately and also turn to a powder or a gel to apply on the gums of the animal in order to provide relief and comfort.

Homeopathic granules will soothe the animals and allow them to eat as comfortably as possible, not to mention that the objects in your house will be safe from chewing. We should further add that it is possible for the animal to have an altered behavior for the entire kitten teething period, but it will get back to normal as soon as the skin on the gums breaks.

You may also take advantage of the kitten teething period to train the pet for a good oral hygiene; many cats have to be taken to the vet in order to have their teeth cleaned. If, during the kitten teething period, you manage to get the animal used to brushing, there should be no problem to turn it into a habit. The pet will more easily accept the brush now since it alleviates the pressure in gums swollen because of the teeth eruption.

Online Pet Supplies And Pet Supply Stores

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Pet supplies, which might include pet food, pet medicines, vaccines, and pet accessories, are all available on the pet supply stores that are getting better and better than ever. The present boom in online marketing has propelled the quality of these pet supply stores. However, it is almost imperative that you shop around quite a bit before you take the decision to buy pet supplies, as there are many chances that you can come across some discount pet supply store. Cost on pet supplies can be easily reduced if you can check out the following things:

* You should check whether the pet supply stores allow the customers to bring their pets in the shop itself. This eliminates the need to go through the lengthy pet supply catalogues, and you can try the accessories, cages, food, flea controls, tick collars, vaccines, toys, and products that fit best to your pet, in real time.

* Some pet supply stores also like to give some discount pet supply options, or to provide some free service to your pets. This may include free shampoos or clipping the nails, etc., when you buy some of the regular products of those pet supply stores.

* When you prefer to buy pet supplies online, you have better chances of getting discount pet supply offers along with detailed pet supply catalogues. Whether you want to buy food items, medicines, products related to cleanliness of the pets, cages, accessories, or special products like Pet Supply Plus, you can always ask for discount pet supply. Some sellers also offer to provide pet supplies on a scheduled basis, which further opens the chances of discount pet supply.

* If you buy your pet supplies by screening the pet supply catalogue, make it sure that you know the exact details of the products. Suppose you are buying Pet Supply Plus, you must ensure that the pet supply stores provide you with an original product. Some unscrupulous stores might have it duplicated! It is also noticed that some stores do not follow the guidelines and practices that are imperative for running such stores. You should avoid buying pet supplies from such low quality pet supply stores.

Question about Quality of the products in pet supplies stores

Once you have checked how to shop for the best pet supplies, you come to the last but most important factor about pet suppliesquality. If you love your pets, you should consider their shopping as if you are doing it for yourself. Check almost every detail that you can fathom and ensure that the products are suitable to your pet’s health and life; and that you are getting the value for what you are paying.

It makes a good sense to check for customer’s references and testimonials. Pet supply catalogues and discount pet supply offers can often lead you astray with their appeal, but you must know what you are looking for! Also, you can choose to join some forums and message boards related to pet supplies that can provide you information and support about various products and pet supply stores. Remember, you must care for your pet like you care your own selfyou can’t afford to be unconcerned towards its needs! Visit http://www.petsupplyonlinestore.com for the ultimate in pet supplies.

Noise From The Chicken Coop – Are Chickens Noisy Pets

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If you are thinking of getting backyard chickens, you may have wondered whether or not these lovely creatures will make too much noise to be a backyard pet. You may be surprised how many people have chickens in their backyard without their neighbours even realising. Chickens should no/t be confined to a farm or rural area – they are a great addition to any backyard.

Who makes the most noise?

If you’re worried about waking up early every morning, together with your neighbors, due to the sounds coming from your chicken coop, be sure to exclude a rooster from your flock. Roosters naturally see the morning in with an enthusiastic crow but aren’t in fact necessary in your backyard. Many people are unaware that roosters aren’t necessary for egg production. So, if you are after some organic eggs for your breakfast table and a nice sleep-in in the morning, do not include a rooster in your backyard flock of chickens.

How much noise do chickens (hens) actually make?

Backyard chickens do make some noise, but nothing compared to roosters. The sound of a chicken is known as a cackle which is basically an excited little sound to announce to the world that the chicken has just laid an egg. This is quite a pleasant sound and is a nice little alarm for you to know when your fresh eggs have just been laid.

Apart from roosters crowing and hens getting excited after egg laying, these creatures really are very quiet. You will have many more neighbours complain about cats and dogs lurking the neighbourhood than you will about chickens in their chicken coop. Neighbors are usually also quite happy to look after your pets while you are away because they know that some eggs will be coming their way.