December 28, 2020
We wanted to provide an update regarding the ongoing RHDV2 issues that continue to be a serious concern for both wild and domestic rabbit populations in the United States.
Since our last update, we have had some new reported cases in California, Colorado, a few in Utah,and, most recently, the first reported case in Wyoming. Knowing that Colorado and California have been those simmering areas, we do now have a positive case in Kern County, California (Bakersfield), on the Northern end of where we've seen more of the cases. So that's certainly something that we want to be aware of.
While we've seen a decrease in the overall number of cases being reported, there's a couple of important factors that we want to keep in mind. We know that this is the time of year where overall virus transmission seems to diminish. Unfortunately, there is the belief when you look at the research and what the virus has done in other countries that, as we move into the winter time, and especially as we move into spring, it is common for case spread to increase. Let's hope that that's not necessarily going to be the case.
The second component to consider is that, in many of the seven states where the virus is now considered to be endemic, routine testing of wild rabbits is not taking place. This means that, while there may be a disease out there, we're not seeing as much testing being done. And, unfortunately, we know that that could potentially mean that there is more spread that's just not being reported. That being said, any domesticated case that is reported with a veterinarian or an owner should be communicated to your state veterinarian, and then they will complete that necessarily testing.
We were aware of existing travel restrictions in California and other states, but we're beginning to see some new travel restrictions, even in some states outside of where the virus is currently an issue. States where we are seeing new travel restrictions include Pennsylvania, Arkansas, and Missouri.
If you do need to travel with your rabbit, make sure that you work with your veterinarian not only to understand the legal requirements of that travel (such as health certificates and associated other regulatory responsibilities), but make sure you're aware of the potential risk of where you're traveling to.
As you’ve heard me say many times, the safest thing you can do for both you and your rabbits is to stay home and be safe. This isn't a time that we want to be out and about - not only for your rabbit, but for us as human beings in light of our ongoing issues with COVID. But, if you do have to travel, take those extra precautions to work with your veteran, make sure you have the right documentation that's associated with that travel.
I do want to end on a positive note. So much of this has been negative and talking about all the struggles that we've had with this virus, but there was a recent news article that came out that talked about almost 270 of the endangered California Central Valley Brush Rabbit population were actually trapped and vaccinated. This is a very unique population of a subspecies of the brush rabbit that, for a while, was actually believed to be extinct. Thanks to a sustained and ongoing recovery effort, they're now doing well in the wild, but obviously knowing the geography of where they live and where the virus at that was a potential huge risk.
It was very heartwarming and encouraging to see how multiple agencies came together, imported the vaccine, and vaccinated these rabbits, which will hopefully protect that very unique population. So, on that note, we want to wish everybody out there, happy holidays, and encourage you to continue to educate yourself. And, as we get more information, we'll share that with all of you.
December 28, 2020
No one likes the thought of facing an emergency situation, but as 2020 has proven, life can be unpredictable. For those of us fortunate enough to share our homes with small pets, it’s essential to be as prepared as possible to address injuries and illnesses, or, in the case of a disaster, evacuate the home quickly and safely. By assembling a complete emergency kit and keeping it in a convenient location, you can make sure your furry friend is on the road to recovery, or safety, as quickly as possible.
Emergencies can come in many forms. Broken toenails, gastrointestinal stasis, flooded basements, and hurricanes all represent real, potential emergencies, but all require different measures to ensure your furry friends’ comfort and safety. Because emergencies are naturally tense situations, the last thing you want to do is scramble to try and find something you need. Having an emergency kit that is prepped to handle numerous urgent scenarios is one of the best ways to maintain a sense of control in a scary situation and make sure you have everything you need close at hand.
It is important to remember this kit is not a replacement for veterinary care. While a well-stocked emergency kit may help prepare you for numerous scenarios, the items contained within will not replace the expertise of a qualified veterinarian. When serious illness or injury strikes, an emergency kit is best used to support your small pet as you arrange to take them to a trusted veterinarian for treatment as quickly as possible. A few symptoms that warrant an immediate trip to the vet include:
Keep your emergency kit (including carriers) as close to an exit as possible and ensure everyone in the family knows where it is. Many pet parents find a clearly marked backpack or duffle bag is the easiest way to keep important items together and makes the kit easy to carry if you ever need to leave in a rush. The list below outlines some essential items that can assist in numerous emergency situations, but you can always expand upon this list to meet the needs of your specific pets.
Assembling a complete emergency kit for your small pet may take a little time and forethought, but when emergencies arise, knowing you have everything you need to keep your little one safe and healthy is truly a peace of mind. While the items listed above are a great starting point, make time to speak with your veterinarian and add any items or products they suggest to best meet your pets’ specific needs. Though no pet parent ever wants to have to use their emergency kits, when the time comes, you’ll be happy it’s there.
Downloadable Daily Care Checklist for Your Small Pet
Curbside Veterinary Care for Small Mammals
...Read MoreDecember 16, 2020
Dedicated pet parents understand the importance of taking the best possible care of their furry family members. Unfortunately, the demanding schedules and frequent distractions that are such a common part of modern life can make it a challenge to keep track of your pet’s daily care routine. By creating a daily care checklist for your small pets, you can ensure your fur babies’ daily needs are met while also establishing a stress-limiting routine for all members of the household.
Maintaining a daily routine is a great way to:
Even if you already have an established daily routine, adding a pet care checklist is an easy way to provide a visual reminder to tasks that still need completed for the day and can help you track any trends that might otherwise go unnoticed. Although daily care checklists are recommended for all pet parents, they tend to be especially helpful for homes in which children or multiple individuals share in household pet care by making sure everyone in the home knows what tasks have been completed, and which are left to be done.
Though not all aspects of daily exotic companion mammal care are appropriate for young children, adding pet care responsibilities to a child’s daily routine can help them develop a sense of responsibility and allows them an opportunity to build a special, unique bond with their pets. The care and husbandry skills children learn throughout their formative years also help ensure they remain attentive, caring, and responsible pet parents for life, and will assist in developing basic time management skills and a sense of pride and independence. Anytime a child is helping care for a pet, it is important an adult ensures the tasks are completed safely and thoroughly, or (in the case of young children) under direct adult supervision.
The list below outlines the daily needs of most small pets, but it is important to remember that individual pet’s needs differ. Be sure to tailor your checklist and routine to best meet the specific needs of your furry friends.
Empty any remaining water left in the vessel(s), rinse thoroughly, refill with fresh water, and replace. Though water bottles/bowls only need to be rinsed once a day, it is important to check on your pet’s water supply every morning and every evening to ensure they always have water available. Children tend to enjoy helping with this task.
Empty any remaining food and wash food dishes with warm, soapy water. Dishes should be completely dry before more food is added. This is another excellent task for children to complete.
A checklist is an easy way to make sure your pet gets their prescription medications on time and as directed. It is also a great way of tracking any prescription or over-the-counter supplements your pet is taking. Medications should always be administered by an adult.
Thoroughly examine each of the enrichment items (chews, activity centers, hideouts, etc.) to which your little one has access. Once an enrichment item becomes frayed, heavily splintered, or begins to fall apart, remove it and replace with a new item. If you share your home with a free roam pet, this is also a great time to make sure shoes, clothes, mail, or other important or potentially dangerous items are picked up and out of reach of inquisitive little mouths. This is a great activity for children.
Keeping your pets in a tidy enclosure or environment helps ensure they remain healthy and limits any animal associated aromas around the home. Small mammals tend to prefer to urinate and defecate in the corners of their enclosures or under hiding spaces. Check the environment closely and remove any soiled litter or bedding with a scoop, replacing with fresh litter and bedding as needed. Even if your pets are immaculately litter trained, scooping their litterbox at least once daily is recommended. While spot cleaning, be on the lookout for oddly shaped fecal pellets, soft stools, or diarrhea, and note whether you see anything unusual about their urine (smaller volume, odd color, etc). Any abnormalities should be promptly discussed with your veterinarian. It is important for children to assist with this task, as it impresses the importance of keeping your pets clean and tidy.
To avoid the boredom and monotony of exploring the same habitat day after day, it’s important to allow your little ones’ daily access to a pet-proof floor space where they can run, jump, explore and play. Daily floor time is also an excellent opportunity for pet parents to socialize and closely interact with their little ones.
Though free roam pets generally have room to roam and explore throughout the day, they also benefit from the additional attention social hour provides. Through play and affection, you can offer a unique opportunity to strengthen the human-animal bond while also ensuring your little one’s physical and mental needs are being met.
Because it serves as an opportunity to snuggle and connect with their little furry companions, children often look forward to daily social hour.
Though not all small mammals require daily grooming, if you happen to have a long-haired breed you can generally look forward to a daily brushing routine. Long-haired breeds aren’t the only kiddos who may need daily grooming attention, though. Little ones who are prone to ear infection often benefit from having their ears wiped out daily, and furry friends who have a history of messy bottoms (a common symptom of obesity) may need to have their back ends cleaned on a routine basis. If you aren’t certain what daily grooming practices are appropriate for your pets, please speak with your trusted veterinarian.
As prey species, small mammals are experts at hiding signs of illness or injury, meaning even the most observant pet parent can miss the subtle early signs of a brewing health concern. Monitoring your pet’s appetite, behavior, activity level, and urinary/fecal output daily allows you to visually compare results from one day to the next, and easily note trends to discuss with your veterinarian.
Though not always necessary, if your pet is elderly or convalescing after a recent illness, injury, or surgery, monitoring they’re daily weight will help ensure they aren’t losing or gaining weight at an alarming rate. Any significant trends or weight fluctuations should be addressed by a trusted exotics-savvy veterinarian.
Though the list above is a great overview of your pet’s daily needs, your furry family members also have weekly and monthly requirements. Tasks such as deep cleaning your kiddo’s enclosure and washing water bottles should be completed weekly, while nail trims and at home wellness exams should be completed monthly. If the daily pet care checklist helps establish a healthy routine, your household may also benefit from a similar weekly and/or monthly checklist for care tasks that don’t need to be completed every day.
Despite busy schedules, keeping your small pets happy and healthy is at the forefront of every passionate pet parent’s mind. Following a daily pet care checklist is a great way to get everyone involved in the care of household pets, establish a consistent routine, and ensure your pets have all that they need to live their best lives.
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...Read MoreDecember 16, 2020
by Dr. Cayla Iske
Day in and day out, we talk to pet parents who want the absolute best for their fur babies. Over the years, some of the most common questions we’ve received are focused on pets with special health and dietary needs. Recognizing this common pattern, we worked with leading exotic animal veterinarians to better understand and address the most common health issues seen in small mammals. As a result of these efforts, we developed our Natural Science line of hay-based herbal supplements. These supplements include: Digestive Support, Papaya Support, Urinary Support, Joint Support, Multi-Vitamin, Vitamin C, and Skin & Coat.
Through partnership with leading exotic animal veterinarians, nutritionists, and herbalists, we identified key herbal ingredients shown to positively support these common health conditions. Given the more specialized nature of many of these ingredients and the conditions they are designed to support, we determined the best delivery system was an all-natural, Timothy hay-based baked supplement. It is important to remember that Oxbow’s Natural Science supplements are designed for pets that have a current or ongoing issue, or those who are predisposed to certain conditions and in need of additional, veterinarian-recommended support. Before starting your pet on any supplement, we recommend that you consult with your trusted veterinarian.
Natural Science Digestive Support was developed to address and support one of the most important parts of small mammal health: the digestive system. Many health ailments in small mammals can manifest in the form of digestive issues and this supplement is designed to support digestive health in times of need.
Whether it’s a parasitic infection, stress, stasis, or your little one just has a particularly sensitive digestive system, Natural Science Digestive Support provides natural nutritional support for a healthy digestive tract and digestive health maintenance. While digestive upset can be the outcome of a myriad of health issues, there are some common clinical signs and symptoms to look for that indicate your animal may be suffering from digestive issues:
When observing or monitoring your pet, it’s always important to remember that small exotics are experts at masking clinical signs and illness. Thus, if any of these signs are observed, it is best to get your fur baby to an exotic animal veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian will complete a physical examination and potentially some additional diagnostics to try and determine the root cause of the issue so an appropriate treatment plan can be made. Part of this treatment could include adding Natural Science Digestive Support to your little loved one’s daily routine.
Small omnivores such as rats, hamsters, and gerbils also commonly suffer from digestive troubles and our hay-based supplements can be very beneficial for these species when offered in appropriate amounts. The balance of fiber types, along with other natural and herbal ingredients, can be beneficial to small omnivores and herbivores alike to help support overall gut health.
For herbivores, we recommend 1/2 to 2 tabs per day (depending on weight.) We recommend feeding 1/8 tablet daily for smaller species of omnivores (e.g. dwarf hamsters, mice, etc.) and 1/4 tablet daily for larger omnivores (e.g. rats, gerbils, Syrian hamsters, etc.). For more specific feeding recommendations, consult your veterinarian as well as the product label.
A healthy digestive system starts with a proper complete and balanced diet. For small herbivores, adequate amounts of appropriate fiber are key to keep the system moving. This fiber best comes in the form of an unlimited amount of a variety of high-quality grass hays, which should make up about 70% of the diet. Pair this hay with proper amounts and varieties of leafy greens and veggies alongside a nutritionally complete, uniform fortified food (don’t forget to sprinkle in small amounts of nutritious treats) and you are setting your pet up for a long, healthy life.
For small omnivores such as rats, mice, hamsters, and gerbils, a balanced, uniform pellet paired with a plethora of proteins, fats, grains and produce varieties is key. But even with the best diet, sometimes health issues still arise. Our Digestive Support supplement is intended to provide that extra boost of digestive aid during these times of need and recovery. The herbal ingredients in Natural Science Digestive Support add great nutritional variety while also targeting natural mitigation of gastrointestinal distress.
The role of fiber in the digestive health of small herbivores is well known; while omnivores don’t require as much fiber, it is still crucial to their overall digestive health. The staples of Natural Science Digestive Support include a balance of different types of fiber and additional natural ingredients that can help support a healthy digestive tract.
From antioxidants to fight off oxidative stress and inflammation, to prebiotics which support a healthy microbiome necessary for digestion, the ingredients in our Digestive Support were selected for their natural nutrients and properties that keep the gastrointestinal tract functioning properly. Ingredients in this supplement, paired with a balanced diet, proper husbandry, and regular veterinary checks, can help get your pet back on the road to a long happy, healthy life.
Ingredient | Nutrient | Function |
---|---|---|
Timothy Grass | Insoluble Fiber | Promotes gut motility and a healthy gastrointestinal tract. |
Barley and Oats | Soluble Fiber | Help maintain a healthy microbiota and promote gut barrier function to protect against pathogens. |
Flaxseed | Omega Fatty Acids | Act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory to reduce inflammation and maintain healthy digestive processes. |
Chamomile | Terpenoids and Flavonoids | Exerts both anti-inflammatory and immune stimulant properties. |
Fenugreek Seed | Flavonoids, Vitamin C, Galatcomannan |
Has both anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic properties. |
Brewers Dried Yeast & Hydrolyzed Yeast | Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) | Act as prebiotics and promote growth of healthy bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. |
Chicory Root | Inulin | |
Ginger Root | Gingerols | Contributes anti-inflammatory properties to support gastric motility. |
Supplements should not be considered treats and there are many things to think about before adding them to your pet’s diet. When considering supplements and discussing them with your veterinarian, some questions may come up. Below are some frequent questions we receive regarding our supplements that may address some of your queries and help you and your vet decide if they are right for your little one:
A: Yes. As with any supplement, it’s important to follow feeding guidelines at all times. Some ingredients used in our supplements may cause GI upset or other health issues if consumed in excess. Before incorporating any new supplements into your pet’s diet, it is highly recommended that you first consult with your veterinarian.
A: Yes, but it is imperative you first consult with your veterinarian to ensure there are not potential negative interactions between the Natural Science supplements and pharmaceuticals your little one may be taking.
A: Yes:
No:
These supplements are NOT intended for young, growing, pregnant or lactating animals and should not be fed during these life stages.
What should I feed my pet rat?
Healthy treats and foods for hamsters and gerbils
...Read MoreDecember 02, 2020
Do you need some great ideas for stocking stuffers and holiday presents for your pets, friends, and family members? Check out some of these great gift ideas from our favorite Oxbow influencers!
Pets are just as excited to receive new presents as their human counterparts are during the holidays! Mix and match different varieties of treats, chews, and habitat accessories to provide hours of entertainment and enrichment for your little ones.
The Play Wall can keep them busy for hours! - @bobo.ellie.buns
The design is super cute and the toy itself is built to last through a lot of piggie chew time. - @finnleythepig
Both of my piggies will pick these toys out of everything else. They are great for wearing down teeth and help reducing boredom. - @finnleythepig
Not only can it help with filing down their teeth by giving them something to chew on, but it gives Gizmo something to destroy. He loves to take things apart. Cookie comes by and chews on the sticks that Gizmo leaves. -@cookieandgizmoli
Timothy CLUB Twists make great stocking stuffers! -_powerpuffbunnies_
Learn why enrichment is such an important part of your pet’s physical, mental, and nutritional well-being by reading our All About Enrichment Handout!
Who doesn’t love smiling, happy, huggable guinea pigs? Now you can take these little ones with you wherever you go!
Recommended by @finnleythepig
Here a piggie, there’s a piggie, and another little little piggie! This adorable print features a range of adorable guinea pig breeds! This is the perfect present for your guinea pig loving friends and relatives.
Recommended by @finnleythepig
Every day can be a celebration with this sweet little chinchilla-themed mug!
This fun duffle bag is a great way to celebrate hammies while on the go!
What’s better than pairing a cute and comfy shirt with your love of bunnies?
Please note that Oxbow does not have a partnership or affiliation with any of the above vendors and does not receive any portion of the proceeds made from any of the sales of any of the above products.
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