Last updated 5 days ago
Owning a horse is a significant commitment, and if you will soon be welcoming a horse onto your property, it is essential that you know how to properly care for him. Horses have many unique needs that other pets and farm animals do not. One of the most important aspects of care to learn about before you bring your horse home is horse nutrition. Consult your veterinarian for specific feeding guidelines and consider these basic points:
Provide a Diet High in Roughage
A horse’s diet should be based primarily on grass and hay. Look for a high-quality hay that is free of mold and dust, both of which can irritate your horse’s respiratory system. Try to ensure that your horse has enough time at pasture each day to forage for grass. If your horse will be in his stall for most of the day, ensure that a supply of fresh hay is kept in the stall for him to graze on.
Feed Minimal Amounts of Grain
You can supplement your horse’s roughage-based diet with horse grain. However, you should not provide your horse with one large meal of grain each day. Instead, feed your horse small amounts of grain at least twice a day, which will allow him to better digest the food.
Keep Plenty of Fresh Water Available
Allowing your horse to stay adequately hydrated is essential to his health. Make sure that your horse’s water is always fresh and clean. In the winter, it is important to check your horse’s water supply often to ensure that it is not frozen.
Remember Mineral Supplementation
Purchase a salt block and keep it in a location where your horse has free access to it. Salt blocks contain trace minerals, in addition to salt, which horses need to remain healthy. You may also choose to provide your horse with a salt-vitamin-mineral mix, which will provide higher amounts of minerals.
In addition to a proper diet, horses need regular veterinary care. To schedule an appointment for your horse, contact Quakertown Veterinary Clinic today at (267) 772-6401. We provide equine, companion animal, and farm animal care, and can provide emergency veterinary services in urgent cases. You can find out more about our services on our website.
Last updated 11 days ago
If you are getting ready to welcome a feathered friend into your family, one of the most important pieces of equipment you’ll need is a bird cage. Your bird’s cage will become its resting area, feeding area, and play area, so it’s essential that the cage provides the space and features your bird needs to thrive.
Check out this video to learn some great tips for selecting a bird cage. You’ll find out which aspects you’ll need to consider when choosing a cage. Some of these aspects include the size of your bird, the amount of space you have available for the cage, and how far apart the bars of the cage should be.
At Quakertown Veterinary Clinic, we provide veterinary care for a wide range of pets, including parrots and other birds. If you would like to schedule a checkup for your companion animal or farm animal, call us today at (267) 772-6401.
Last updated 17 days ago
Spring is here, and many people across the country are suffering from seasonal allergies. However, humans aren’t the only ones who can find themselves suffering from itchy eyes and skin rashes due to allergies—dogs and cats can both suffer from allergies, as well! If you suspect that your dog or cat is suffering from seasonal allergies, food allergies, or flea allergies, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian and check out the following tips:
Keep Track of Pollen Count
Hay fever, which is an allergic reaction caused by inhaling pollen or mold spores, is a common type of allergy in pets. If your pet suffers from patches of irritated skin, or “hot spots,” due to hay fever, keep her inside as much as possible on days when the pollen count is high. Consult your local weather service to find out how high the pollen count is on a given day.
Provide a Clean Home
Another common allergen for pets is dust. Vacuum your carpets and rugs often, sweep and mop hardwood and tile floors regularly, and wash your pet’s bed every few days to keep household dust at a minimum. You can also help prevent dust buildup and keep your pet comfortable by bathing her with a soothing pet shampoo.
Make Sure Your Pet Stays Flea-Free
Many pets develop allergy symptoms in response to flea bites. In fact, a single flea bite can cause itchiness for weeks in particularly sensitive dogs and cats. To help ensure that your pet is not bitten by fleas, maintain a monthly flea and tick preventative treatment schedule.
Adjust Your Pet’s Diet
If your pet suffers from food allergies, the best way to relieve her symptoms is to adjust her diet. You should consult your veterinarian to narrow down the possible ingredients that your pet is allergic to. Next, select a food that is free of those ingredients but still provides your pet with all of the nutrients she needs.
At Quakertown Veterinary Clinic, we are dedicated to helping pet owners keep their dogs, cats, and other companion animals healthy. We also provide veterinary care for horses and farm animals. For more information, call (267) 772-6401.
Last updated 25 days ago
At Quakertown Veterinary Clinic, we understand that your pet is part of your family, and we strive to provide the best possible care for your companion. We offer extensive diagnostic services, including our own in-house laboratory for quick results. Schedule an appointment today at (267) 772-6401 and ask us about our 24-hour emergency services. In the meantime, browse the links below to learn more about caring for your companion.
Bird owners often find that training their exotic parrots is a rewarding experience—but it does require quite a bit of patience. Get some tips on training your exotic bird at BirdChannel.com.
Dogs and other pets are prone to breathing problems from a variety of causes. Learn more about these issues at WebMD.
HorseChannel.com discusses the importance of regular vaccinations for your equine companion.
The Humane Society recommends talking to an avian veterinarian about your exotic bird’s needs and offers some other tips for new bird owners.
ASPCA offers an article on safeguarding your dog’s dental health. If you have trouble cleaning your dog’s teeth, consult a veterinarian for help.
Last updated 1 month ago
Training your parrot can be a fun and rewarding experience. It also allows your exotic bird to learn new tricks and is an opportunity to reduce undesirable or aggressive behaviors. However, training an exotic bird requires a great deal of patience. Here are a few tips to make your training sessions more productive:
Control the Environment
Your exotic bird can be easily distracted, so always train him or her in a quiet room that is free of distractions. If your parrot is frightened, leave his or her cage in the room to offer reassurance. Otherwise, put the cage in another room during your training sessions to prevent it from distracting the bird. If you plan to train with props, such as a stick for biting, leave the objects near the bird’s cage for a few days prior to training with them. This allows your exotic parrot to become accustomed to the items.
Limit the Training Time
Your exotic bird probably does not have a very long attention span, so keep your training sessions short. Instead of training with him or her for 20 minutes at a time, try 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening.
Offer Positive Reinforcement
Your exotic bird will respond well to positive reinforcement. Offer praise or a very small amount of food as a reward for each successful attempt. Some bird owners offer a special treat that they do not offer to the bird outside of training sessions. Always try to end each session with a successful attempt or a good try.
Ignore Undesirable Behavior
Never punish your exotic bird for undesirable or aggressive behavior. If your bird fails to carry out a command, simply ignore the behavior. If he or she begins to behave aggressively, wait until he or she settles down before you leave the area. This teaches your bird that aggressive behavior does not result in a desirable response.
Preventative care for all animals is critical for a long, healthy life. At Quakertown Veterinary Clinic, we’re happy to treat both exotic animals and more traditional companion animals. Call us today at (267) 772-6401 to schedule your parrot’s checkup.
