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  • Small Mammals

various small mammals

Although small mammals are cute and tiny, they can be a big responsibility. If you’re interested in owning a chinchilla, ferret, hamster, hedgehogs, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, and other small mammals, it’s important to learn how to properly care for each of these furry creatures before bringing them home with you. 

Consider what size, temperament, and activity level are right for your household so you can choose the option that best matches your lifestyle. Are you looking for an animal that will take kindly to being petted and interact with you? Rabbits or guinea pigs are pets that enjoy cuddling once they’re gotten used to you. Be sure to choose a small mammal that has what you’re looking for and you’ll love having it around. Check out the articles below to learn more about the general care of each of these animals.

  • Pain Management in Pets
    Category: Video Newsroom, Health Topics

    Arthritis and chronic pain are not purely human conditions. Dogs and cats feel pain too and arthritis causes long term pain that can affect your their behavior and activity level. Modern veterinary diagnostics and therapies can offer some hope. Pain has many causes. When it happens to your pet friends,

    Read more
  • Red Eared Sliders
    Category: Choosing Your Pet, Exotics, Reptiles, Turtles

    Red eared sliders are semi aquatic turtles that are very commonly kept as pets. Unfortunately, lack of understanding what they require means that many red eared sliders have died from improper care. While they are not overly demanding as pets, many unsuspecting owners have been told that it was fine

    Read more
  • Blue Tongued Skinks
    Category: Choosing Your Pet, Exotics, Reptiles, Lizards

    Blue tongued skinks are quite and gentle, and quite easily tamed and handled. It is reported that even wild blue tongued skinks will sometimes allow themselves to be picked up without a struggle. Popular as pets, blue tongued skinks or "skinks" are moderately sized lizards native to Australia. They live

    Read more
  • Bearded Dragons
    Category: Choosing Your Pet, Exotics, Reptiles, Lizards

    Bearded dragons are generally docile, and their aggressive displays are rarely seen in captivity. It is reported that even wild bearded dragons will sometimes allow themselves to be picked up without a struggle. Popular as pets, bearded dragons or "beardies" are moderately sized lizards native to Australia.

    Read more
  • Dogs Going Green
    Category: Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners

    Green Do's & Don'ts Do use all-natural yarn when knitting your doggie a sweater. Do frequent your nearby dog park for a free afternoon of outdoor fun. Don't forget to bring along your recyclable, eco-friendly doggie waste bags. Don't think

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  • Declawing Alternatives for Cats
    Category: Newsletter Library, Cats

    Cat declawing is possibly one of the most controversial of all animal surgeries. Cats scratch to mark territory and to keep their claws in top condition, but the scratching behavior can challenge the bond between a cat and his owner. Felines, especially young cats, often play rough and scratch their

    Read more
  • Dogs and Kids
    Category: Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners

    The image of your child and dog as inseparable, best friends is a great one that we'd all love to be reality. With the right awareness, our children and pets CAN have the wonderful relationships we hope for. Here are some tips that all families with children and dogs will want to know.

    Read more
  • Basic Dog Training
    Category: Newsletter Library, Behavior & Training

    Although there are various techniques used to train dogs, the basics of any training regime are consistency and plenty of exercise. Discipline and affection are also key to a well-trained dog. Dogs need a leader - they feel more confident with a leader. If their owner is not the leader, they will take

    Read more
  • Dog Bite Prevention
    Category: Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners

    DID YOU KNOW? About 1 million people a year require medical attention as a result of dog bites. **2 Dog Bite Prevention week is held during the third week in May each year. Neutering dogs has been proven to prevent dog bites. Neutered dogs are not as aggressive as other dogs. An estimated

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  • Deciding to Spay or Neuter Your Pet
    Category: Newsletter Library, Visiting the Vet

    Spaying and neutering your pet is a common practice in the United States. With so many animals in the United States (and around the world) n­eeding homes, spaying or neutering your pet is the responsible way to help end pet homelessness. Spaying and neutering (also referred to as "sterilizing" or

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  • De-Skunking Your Dog
    Category: Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners

    De-Skunk Your House Now that you have gotten the smell off of your dog, you will need to get the smell out of your house. The same solution that is described above works both for dogs and for items around your house such as carpets, couches, etc. However, the peroxide in the solution can

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  • Canine Environmental Enrichment
    Category: Newsletter Library, Newsletter Archive, Fun with Pets

    Does your dog like to bark, dig and chew everything in his line of sight? Before you panic and head straight for doggy boot camp, the solution may be simpler than you think. Just as humans do, dogs get bored. Unlike humans, however, dogs have fewer means of passing the time. Instead, bored dogs can develop

    Read more
  • Assisting Anxious Pets
    Category: Newsletter Library, Behavior & Training

    Pet anxiety can be a huge problem for pets and their families. Being home alone for several hours a day while their humans are at school or work can cause separation anxiety. Thunderstorms and fireworks can also really panic pets. Some pets are so anxious that any new situation (car trips, moving, unexpected

    Read more
  • Does Your Young Dog or Puppy Have Pain or Lameness?
    Category: Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy

    Young puppies are expected to be full of life and energy. They are enthusiastic about playtime, walks and exercise. Puppies will often follow you wherever you go, can disrupt your nap or quiet time in their excitement to show you something new, and be always ready for playtime and fun. When puppies and

    Read more
  • A Tired Dog is a Happy Dog
    Category: Newsletter Library, Newsletter Archive, Fun with Pets

    No species on earth varies as much as the domestic dog. Dogs can weigh two pounds or two hundred pounds. We have developed different breeds of dogs to fit all kinds of different occupations. Some dogs such as retrievers are bred to return things to us. Herding breeds such as border collies have been

    Read more
  • A Moving Experience
    Category: Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners

    Did You Know? Fish are the only pets that require no certificates or permits of any sort when they are relocated from one state to another. The more exotic the pet, the more complex the regulations are surrounding its entry into a new state of residence. Moving, whether across the street or

    Read more
  • Does Your Family Have a Dog Theft Prevention Strategy?
    Category: Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners

    Finding Lost Pets Losing a pet can be a heartbreaking experience that devastates entire families.  Keep medical history and information about medical conditions with you at all times, always have current photos of your pet and be able to describe coat color/markings.

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  • Creepy, Crawly Critters
    Category: Newsletter Library, Fleas & Parasites

    There are many parasites we need be concerned about that can affect our pets. Ticks are one of the most common and frightful. Most people shudder just at the thought of a tick, let alone finding one on their pet or in their house. Unfortunately, the people who study these things tell us we should expect

    Read more
  • Assistance Dogs Offer Many Benefits
    Category: Newsletter Library, Newsletter Archive, Unbelievable Pets

    Assistance dogs are not just for blind or visually impaired people. Today, these dogs help people with a range of conditions enjoy full lives. Guide Dogs Guide dogs, also known as Seeing Eye dogs, help blind and visually impaired people live independent lives. These dogs "see" for their owners and

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  • Can Pets Sense Pregnancy?
    Category: Newsletter Library, Newsletter Archive, Unbelievable Pets

    Your pets probably don't understand that in nine months a new baby will be joining your family, but dogs and cats do detect differences in mood, posture, behavior, and body chemistry that clue them that an enormous change is happening. Your dog or cat will pick up other signs, too: Our four legged

    Read more
  • Creating A Pet Friendly Yard
    Category: Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners

    Yard Plants Can Be Toxic "A few usual plants you might never think to suspect are baby's breath (for dogs and cats), elephant ears (for dogs and cats), and grapefruit (toxic to dogs, cats and horses)," says Caitlin Williams in Pets and Backyard Poisons. Jenna Trethewey, a care

    Read more
  • Does Your Bird Need a Blankie?
    Category: Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners

    The answer to that is …it depends on the situation. Some birds prefer to remain uncovered during bedtime; where as other birds cannot sleep without their "security blankets". On average, birds need about 12 hours of good, quality sleep each night to remain in peak condition. Much like

    Read more
  • A Guide to Pet Nutrition
    Category: Newsletter Library, Nutrition & Food

    In 2007, several million bags of pet food were recalled in the United States due to contamination. Though some of the recalls were done by the manufacturers voluntarily to "be safe," some of the recalled food was found to have contaminated vegetable proteins. Several pets unfortunately died, and even

    Read more
  • Are You Leaving Your Pet Alone?
    Category: Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners

    Many of us can't stay home with our pets all day long, but that doesn't mean you can't have a happy dog or cat. As with children, quality can help make up for lack of quantity, according to animal behaviorist and CALLING ALL PETS host Patricia "Trisha" McConnell. "What's really important is what happens

    Read more
  • Do Cats Really Love Milk?
    Category: Newsletter Library, Cats

    Cats, unlike dogs, are true carnivores which means they thrive on meat only diets and require no vegetable, grain, or dairy supplementation. Cows milk is not recommended for cats because it can be too rich for their digestive systems. This is because most cats can't digest milk properly because it contains

    Read more
  • A Great Tool for Pet Owners
    Category: Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners

    Apps for Smart Phones Of the 1.3 million apps available, at least a few are related to pets!   One is the Whistle Activity Monitor which is a device that attaches to a dog's collar, and has an app to monitor the dog's daily activity. It also can chart food and medications, and can be

    Read more
  • Anesthesia Free Dentistry
    Category: Newsletter Library, Visiting the Vet

    Does your dog have stinky breath? Do your cat's teeth look brown? In fact, periodontal disease is the most common disease that pets develop. It is estimated that 80 to 85% of dogs and cats have some degree of infection. It is not just a cosmetic problem, chronic infection shortens their life because

    Read more
  • Camping With Your Pets
    Category: Newsletter Library, Newsletter Archive, Fun with Pets

    Camping is an increasingly popular activity for families and their pets. Many dogs and some cats enjoy traveling with their families. Here are a few tips to help make your pet's adventure into the great outdoors a success. Research the campground or area that you are planning on visiting. Not all

    Read more
  • 6 Rules to Improve Your Cat's Diet
    Category: Newsletter Library, Cats

    Do Not Overfeed "Obesity is the most common nutritional disease seen in cats," says Joe Bartges, DVM, PhD at the University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine. It is a common bad habit for cat owners to feed their cats too much. Cats only need 24 to 35 calories per pound of body weight each

    Read more
  • All About Hairballs
    Category: Newsletter Library, Cats

    Does your favorite feline leave you hairballs as gifts? If so, you’re not alone. Although we love cats for being meticulous groomers, it’s safe to say we don’t like finding hairy presents around the house. Let’s explore what causes hairballs and how to prevent them. What Causes a Hairball? Hairballs

    Read more
  • 5 Ways to Protect Your Dog's Hearing
    Category: Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy

    The acuity of your family dog's hearing far surpasses that of humans. Hearing is a critical sense to dogs, and when diminished, will increase dependency on the sense of smell. When a dog hears something, he can hear it without moving his head. Many muscles surrounding the ears help dogs get premium sound

    Read more
  • Captive Reptiles May Have Nutritional Deficiency
    Category: Newsletter Library, Nutrition & Food

    Pet owners keeping reptiles in captivity as household pets may sometimes find that their pets have a nutritional deficiency. Metabolic bone disease is "the most common nutritional deficiency affecting captive reptiles," advises veterinarian Fredrick L. Frye in Reptile Care: An Atlas of Diseases and Treatments.

    Read more
  • Bringing Dog Vision in Focus
    Category: Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy

    Veterinary ophthalmologists are often asked, "How well do animals see?" Visual function involves a combination of many factors, including: the field of view, depth perception, acuity, perception of motion, and color differentiation. All of these functions must then be integrated by the brain to produce

    Read more
  • How to Clean Your Pet's Teeth
    Category: Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy

    Per their dentist’s recommendation, most people brush their teeth twice a day and floss once a day. Practicing regular at-home care and routinely visiting an oral health professional can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. Having good oral hygiene practices is also essential for helping

    Read more
  • How to Control Bad Breath in Pets: Tips & Tricks
    Category: Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy

    There’s nothing fun about getting a slobbery wet kiss from a dog or a cat with bad breath! Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is generally caused by excessive build-up of odor -producing bacteria inside your pet’s mouth, lungs, or even gut. While most cases of bad breath can be traced back to poor

    Read more
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  • Pet Health
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Digestive and Oral Health
    • Diseases and Viruses
    • Pests and Parasites
    • Orthopedics
  • Today's Veterinarian
  • Choosing Your Pet
    • Finding Your Pet
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Exotics
      • Reptiles
        • Lizards
        • Turtles
    • Small Mammals
      • Pocket Pets
        • Chinchillas
        • Guinea Pigs
        • Hamsters
        • Hedgehogs
        • Rats
  • Living With Your Pet
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Children and Pets
    • Providing Care
    • Travel
    • Saying Goodbye
  • Newsletter Library
    • Cats
    • Tips for Pet Owners
    • Behavior & Training
    • Fleas & Parasites
    • Keeping Pets Healthy
    • Recognizing Illness
    • Nutrition & Food
    • Pet Dangers
    • Seasonal Topics
    • Visiting the Vet
    • Newsletter Archive
      • Fun with Pets
      • Unbelievable Pets
  • Video Newsroom
    • Health Topics
    • Technology and Science
    • Other Interests
  • Client Survey
  • Pets4Kids

Location

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Our Regular Schedule

Our Clinic

Monday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-1:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Retail Store and Pet Hotel

Monday:

8:00 am-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-7:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-2:00 pm

Sunday:

1:00 pm-5:00 pm

Cannon Valley Veterinary Clinic

Cannon Valley Veterinary Clinic

Retail Store & Pet Hotel/Boarding:

507-650-7208

Clinic:

(507) 645-8871

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