Oxnard Veterinary Hospital

Cats may sleep between 16 to 18 hours a day, which seems great, but they actually do not sleep as soundly as other animals, including humans. They will react immediately to any stimulation.

Pot bellied pigs need exercise and nutrients from unfertilized dirt to remain healthy and avoid becoming constipated. Your pot bellied pig should also be spayed or neutered by your exotic animals veterinarian. Be sure to keep an indoor rooting box for your pot belly with large river pebbles and a treat that will make him move the rocks around and find the treat.

If anyone tries to call you a crazy cat lady, just tell them you’re not as bad as Florence Nightingale. She was known not only for pioneering nursing as we know it, but she also owned more than 60 cats throughout her life.

Tui-Na techniques can be used to treat many issues. Hindquarter weakness, stiffness in muscles and tendons and joints, and muscle weakness can all benefit from Tui-Na treatments.

While you may remember to see your dentist every six months like clockwork, you may not always be so diligent with your pets. Let’s talk about how often your exotic pet’s teeth should be cared for by your vet.

Catnip is a common additive in cat toys because it is known to cause excitement in cats. This is because the plant has a chemical that is very similar to chemicals in dominant female cats’ urine.

Your pet’s dental hygiene is extremely important. We can show you what products to use and how to brush your pet’s teeth at home. However, there are treats and toys that help keep teeth and gums healthy and regular checkups can catch the beginnings of plaque buildup before it becomes too serious.

Have you ever wondered why the person who doesn’t like cats sometimes draws the attention of your feline friend? Because cats prefer interacting with humans who don’t make eye contact, the one person not interested in the cat just might be the cat’s best friend.

As your cat ages, its sense of smell deteriorates, which tends to make food less appealing. Heating your cat's food in the microwave for a few seconds can make the food's odors more pungent and stimulate your cat's appetite.

Did you know that dogs only sweat from the bottom of their feet? This is why they pant so heavily, it is the best way for them to discharge some heat and cool down.

It's fairly easy for your horse to get sores and cuts that can then make it virtually impossible for the animal to grind feed. That can create nutrition issues that can become serious if not addressed.

The Egyptians were the first people to domesticate cats after realizing how much value they had in their abilities to hunt and scare of vermin that were infiltrating their farms. Cats have remained popular for this reason all throughout history.

Do you know how your pet’s stem cells can help them? Adult stem cells are capable of dividing into many different cell types, making them usable as a treatment for joint injuries, ligament and tendon damage, and fractured bones.

While it’s not the most glamorous bird fact, do you know that almost all species of psittacines can, and will, regurgitate to their favorite person? In the wild, this behavior is reserved for the bird mate that they breed with, plus for feeding their offspring.

Upper respiratory illnesses are fairly common in cats, as these are similar to a common cold for them. The good news is that indoor cats seldom get this, and instead, it is usually free-roaming cats who have been exposed who come down with it. Sneezing, coughing, and even a fever are tell-tale signs of illness.

For most people, it’s important to have a good relationship and a feeling of complete trust with their veterinarian. If you are choosing a vet, talk to pet owners you trust for recommendations. Visit the office and talk to the vet. It shouldn’t take look to get a feeling for whether you and the vet are a match or not.

It’s important to remember that there are some canine and feline illnesses that science still has no explanation for. In many cases, there simply wasn’t anything you could do different to protect your pet’s health.

Cats spend an average of 2/3 of every day sleeping. Female cats tend to be right pawed, while male cats are more likely to be left pawed. Both humans and cats have identical regions in their brains that are responsible for emotions.

Just like people, pets function best when they have checkups and preventative care as well as treatment when they are ill. It's a good idea to schedule a regular checkup at least once a year to make sure everything's functioning properly and head off any problems before they become major concerns.

Tying up, or exertional rhabdomyolsis (ER), is a serious condition in which a horse's muscle tissue breaks down. It often strikes after a sudden increase in horse's workload, and manifests as a stiff gait, soreness, and cramping.

Did you know that your cat is born with just two fewer teeth than dogs, but the dog ends up with many more adult teeth than cats? Dogs have 28 baby teeth, while cats have 26. Dogs will end up with 42 permanent teeth, while cats will have 30.

Do you know how to introduce tooth brushings to your dog? First, it’s important to get him or her used to the idea of his or her mouth being handled. Massage his or her lips with your finger for 30 to 60 seconds once or twice a day for a few weeks. Then, move on to his or her teeth and gums.

Puppies are born blind, deaf, and toothless. The first sense that they develop is touch. A dog’s entire body, including their paws, is covered with touch sensitive nerve endings. They can also hear sounds four times farther away than a human can.

The history of veterinary science goes back to ancient Mesopotamia, where, in 3,000 BC, a man named Urlugaledinna dedicated himself to animal care. In fact, Urlugaledinna was so adept at saving and healing ill or injured animals that he became famous for it.

If your horse’s teeth have developed sharp points, at some point they will need to be floated. Floating is a dental procedure that removes these points so his or her normal chewing patterns can be restored to prevent ulcers, bit discomfort, and to allow for proper nutritional intake.

Compared to dogs and humans, cats have extraordinary hearing because they are able to hear ultrasonic sounds. Rodents use these sounds to communicate with each other, and while cats are able to hear them, dogs and humans cannot.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of illnesses that can affect your cat, even if he or she is always indoors. Some of the most common include diabetes, urinary tract infections, urinary stones, and kidney issues, according to veterinarians.

Being familiar with possible mouth problems will help you know when there might be a problem with your pet. For example, periodontal disease is a painful infection between the tooth and the gum that can result in tooth loss and spread infection to the rest of the body. Signs are loose teeth, bad breath, tooth pain, sneezing, and nasal discharge.

Recurrent cystitis - also called bladder infection - is most common in female dogs of any age or breed. Clues to the presence of cystitis include blood in the urine, painful and/or frequent urination and discharge.

Have you ever wondered how high your cat can jump? Folk wisdom says a cat can jump six times its length, or more than eight feet. Is that true? Measure your cat's next high jump to see if you've adopted an Olympic feline athlete.

Horses generally look forward to being exercised. If your horse suddenly seems reluctant to work, he may be trying to tell you something. Let our veterinarians examine your horse and diagnose any problems early on.