July 2006 Newsletter

Lone Mountain Animal Hospital
July 2006 Newsletter

Basic Rabbit Care
Before you purchase a rabbit as your new pet addition make sure you research their special health needs. Not only do rabbits require a lifelong commitment (6-12 years), but they also need regular veterinary care. All rabbits should be spayed or neutered. This should be done by 4-5 months of age to decrease behavioral or aggression problems, to ease litter box training, and to prevent reproductive cancers. Veterinary exams every 6-12 months are important in detecting illness.

Rabbit teeth continually grow and wear with regular use. However, the teeth can overgrow, become painful, and stop a rabbit from eating. Overgrown teeth must be trimmed or in severe cases, require extraction. Digestive problems such as diarrhea or gastric stasis are all too common in rabbits and are often due to improperly fed bunnies. A diet solely of pellets is a fiber deficient diet and will lead to these digestive problems. All bunnies should be fed free choice timothy hay, small amounts of greens, and only minimal amount of pellets per day (1/8-1/2 cup per day). Rabbits are very susceptible to heat stroke and do not tolerate temperatures over 82 degrees. Rabbits are best housed indoors due to our extreme high temperatures in Las Vegas.

For further information on your bunny's health call the office at 645-3116.

Pet of the Month
Say hello to "Bubby" a 30 year-old box turtle who wins our recognition as Lone Mountain's August 2006 Pet of the Month. "Bubby" has been a dear reptile patient at LMAH. He lives an amazing, pampered life.check out his bio on our website www.lmah.net.

When to Call the Vet
Do you ever look at your pet and just ponder why he/she isn't acting like normal? Do you think that you are over-reacting, or might he/she really be sick? Unsure pet owners might fret over whether or not they should call their vet. The saying "Better being safe than sorry" certainly holds true in veterinary medicine since our pets cannot speak. And, the risk of ignoring our pet's signs of illness can hold dire consequences.

Some of the most important clues in detecting illness are best noted by pet owners at home. Knowing your pets daily behaviors are very important in catching any early signs of illness. Be sure you can answer regarding your pet's vaccination status, diet amount and brand, as well as his/her daily activity. Call your veterinarian if you detect any of the following problems:

Any gastrointestinal changes (vomiting/diarrhea/constipation)
Any changes in urine habits (decreased/excessive/accidents).
Any change in water intake (increased/decreased)
Any alteration in pet's mobility or activity level (limping, weak, lethargic, hyperactive)
Any abnormal social changes (hiding, aggression, decreased family interaction)

Veterinary medicine is no doubt made more challenging by the fact that our patients cannot tell us what is wrong with them. Pet owners provide important clues that can greatly aid in achieving an accurate diagnosis and treatment for our animal patients whether they are a dog, cat, reptile, or rodent!