The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

9 Most Common Dog Eye Problems

Dog eye problems are very common and in most cases it's just a mild inconvenience. However, certain conditions will be more serious and require veterinary intervention, including surgery.

Studies observed that German Shepherd Dogs and Maltese are twice more likely to suffer from different types of eye disease than any other breed. Dry eyes, cataracts, corneal ulcers, progressive retinal atrophy and glaucoma are the most common eye conditions in dogs, commonly occurring in breeds between ages of 4 and 7 

Eye disease are often inherited, and it's the most well-studied areas of all inherited diseases in dogs. Below is a list of nine most common dog eye problems with pictures, their causes, prevention and treatment.

To read more on this story, click here: 9 Most Common Dog Eye Problems


Thursday, November 12, 2020

Baby Owls Sleep Face Down Because Their Heads Are Too Heavy

If you couldn’t imagine baby owls getting any cuter, it turns out that they can. Consider for a second—have you ever thought about how the creatures take a nap? We know that adult owls sleep upright, but the owlets can’t do that yet as their heads are too heavy. So until they get large enough to nap sitting up, the tiny birds have an alternate solution; they lie down on their stomachs and turn their heads to the side before drifting to dreamland.

Miraculously, the young owls do this all while resting on a tree branch. And they don’t fall off, thanks in part to the strength of their back toe called the hallux. The hallux tethers the creature to the branch and it won’t move until the owlet bends its leg.

To read more on this story, click here: Baby Owls Sleep Face Down Because Their Heads Are Too Heavy



Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Tiny War Dog Saved Soldiers’ Lives in WWII and Became First Therapy Dog

A tiny Yorkshire Terrier named Smoky may not have looked tough, but the dog was a seasoned war veteran by the end of World War II. Not only that, her owner credited her with saving his life and she became the first ever registered therapy dog after the war.

Smoky was first discovered in an abandoned foxhole in the New Guinea jungle by an American soldier in February 1944. The soldiers originally thought she belonged to a Japanese soldier, but she did not understand commands in either English or Japanese, leaving her origins unknown.

To read more on this story, click here: Tiny War Dog Saved Soldiers’ Lives in WWII and Became First Therapy Dog


Meet Sergeant Stubby: The Most Decorated War Dog in History

Before he became the most decorated war dog in American history, Sergeant Stubby was homeless: unwanted, unwashed, unloved, and scrounging for scraps on the streets of Connecticut.

As documented in history books but largely forgotten today, Stubby was no ordinary stray; he was a tenacious canine, a courageous scout and a fiercely loyal friend.

For his valorous actions, Stubby is recognized as the most-decorated dog in American history. But before he was a hero, he was homeless: unwanted, unwashed, unloved, scrounging for scraps on the streets of New Haven, Connecticut in 1917. His fortunes changed, however, when he ran into a young Soldier training on the grounds of Yale University – Private First Class Robert Conroy of the 102nd Infantry Regiment – who adopted the scrappy little stray and named him Stubby for his short stature and tail.

To read more on this story, click here: Meet Sergeant Stubby: The Most Decorated War Dog in History


Friday, November 6, 2020

If You're Thinking About Adopting a Cat, Here's Exactly How Much It'll Cost

If you're looking into adopting a cat, you're in for all the snuggles, special moments, and catching your new feline pal getting into nooks you never thought possible. Life will be so much sweeter – but it also comes with a multitude of costs and expenses. For some, cats might seem much more low maintenance than other pets, which can be true. That being said, the yearly costs of having a cat should be examined before adopting, that way, you avoid unpleasant surprises when presented with initial adoption fees, and the eventual veterinary expenses, food costs, and more. Having everything laid out beforehand will make the entire process of getting a cat much smoother, and you'll steer clear of upsets throughout the years as you focus on enjoying your furry friend.

To read more on this story, click here: If You're Thinking About Adopting a Cat, Here's Exactly How Much It'll Cost


12 Things You Should Know About the Peekapoo Dog Breed

While poodle mixes are becoming more and more popular, many prospective dog parents overlook one of the older and best mixes- the Peekapoo.

Peekapoos, or Pekeapoos, depending on your spelling preference, are truly little bundles of joy.

But don’t be fooled by their small stature. Peekapoos aren’t your typical purse-sized pups.

Keep reading to learn more about the Peekapoo breed.

To read more on this story, click here: 12 Things You Should Know About the Peekapoo Dog Breed



Why Is My Dog Drinking So Much Water?

Like all mammals, dogs need to drink water in sufficient amounts to keep their bodies functioning normally. Water is essential to digestion, circulation and elimination, and plays an important role in regulating body heat. Without adequate fluid intake, a dog will become dehydrated and, in time, very sick. Severe dehydration can even result in death.

Normally, dogs self-regulate their fluid intake very well. As long as a dog has a bowl of fresh water available, he will generally drink enough water to stay hydrated but not enough to cause him harm. That said, there are a number of conditions that may cause a dog to drink more water than usual, and possibly more than he should. So if you’re wondering, “Why is my dog drinking so much water?” read on to learn what might be going on.

To read more on this story, click here: Why Is My Dog Drinking So Much Water?


Animal Rescue Pleads ‘Snip The Straps’ On Disposable Face Masks After Hundreds Of Wild Animals Become Entangled In Them

Countries around the world were eliminating single-use plastics and slowly starting to reduce plastic pollution, but it all went out the window when the global pandemic hit.

8 million tons of plastic enter our oceans every year, killing thousands of animals, but with the recent surge in single-use personal protective equipment (PPE) the situation just got worse.

To read more on this story, click here: Animal Rescue Pleads ‘Snip The Straps’ On Disposable Face Masks After Hundreds Of Wild Animals Become Entangled In Them



What To Know About Cat Vaccinations

Cats don’t actually have nine lives, so you need to do what you can to protect them. The key? The right vaccinations. Shots protect your cat from diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. They can also strengthen their immune system.

Whether you have a kitten or an adult cat, your vet can help you figure out which vaccines are best and how often your kitty should get shots. It usually depends on their age, overall health, and lifestyle. The vet will also think about how long vaccines are supposed to last and how likely your cat might be to come into contact with a certain disease. Also, many local and state governments have laws about vaccines like rabies.

To read more on this story, click here: What To Know About Cat Vaccinations


Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Giant Andean Condor Can Fly Without Flapping Its Wings for Over 5 Hours

Looking at an Andean condor, one might wonder how such an enormous bird flies at all, let alone achieves an altitude of over 16,000 feet (5,000 meters). This giant species of vulture can have a wingspan of 10 feet and a body weight comparable to a human toddler, between 20 to 30 pounds. Recently, researchers at Swansea University collaborated with scientists in Argentina to study the flight of Andean condors in their habitat. They sought to answer how often and in what weather conditions the large birds flap their wings in flight, thereby using precious energy to remain at or change their altitude.

To read more on this story, click here: Giant Andean Condor Can Fly Without Flapping Its Wings for Over 5 Hours


Scientists Find 33 Creatures Living In A Cave That Was Sealed Off For 5 Million Years

After 5 million years of total isolation from the world, what do you think you’d find inside a totally sealed off cave? Dinosaurs? Prehistoric bugs? Evidence of alien life? No one knew until Dr. Christian Lascu finally opened up Movile cave in Romania. Before that point, the cave had gone completely untouched for somewhere around 5 million years…except by the few creatures who adapted to be able to survive there.

Being closed off from the world for so long caused fresh air to become completely nonexistent in the cave, rendering the air inside toxic and oppressively humid. However, these conditions not only allowed for incredible life to be formed, but to thrive. Some creatures are just so adaptable and so different from humans that they can survive in areas where we’d never dream of living!

To read more on this story, click here: Scientists Find 33 Creatures Living In A Cave That Was Sealed Off For 5 Million Years


Stunning Glasswing Butterflies Have Wings That Look Like Transparent Windows

The glasswing butterfly (scientifically known as Greta oto) might be the most beautiful bug you have never heard of! Their delicate wings have a frame of orange and white colors similar to the monarch butterfly. However, the rest of their fancy wings are made of flawless clear panes that look like windows. A recent video from KQED provides a “Deep Look” at these special creatures. You will discover that their gorgeous wings serve two purposes: the white stripe warns predators of toxicity, and the clear panes allow the butterfly to disappear into its surrounding (making it almost invisible).

To read more on this story, click here: Stunning Glasswing Butterflies Have Wings That Look Like Transparent Windows


Rare Yellow Turtle Spotted For Only Second Time Looks Like Melted Cheese

 

The unusual bright yellow creature, an albino Indian flapshell turtle, got rescued in West Bengal, India. And the internet thinks it looks like cheese, or an egg yolk.

Turtles don't just come in shades of green. They come in yellow too. A rare yellow version of the albino Indian flapshell turtle was just spotted and rescued from a village pond in West Bengal, India.

Indian Forest Service officer Debashish Sharma posted photos of the rare yellow turtle (Lissemys punctatais) on Twitter last week. 

To read more on this story, click here: Rare Yellow Turtle Spotted For Only Second Time Looks Like Melted Cheese


Creepy Crawler: Fisherman Catches Rare ‘Ghost’ Lobster

STONINGTON, Maine - A fisherman got a Halloween surprise when he pulled out a “ghost” lobster.

Bennett Gray trapped it along the Maine coastline on Oct. 25.

The lobsterman posted pictures on Facebook of a rare albino lobster that he snagged. The odds of catching one have been reported to be one in 100 million.

“Caught this beauty in the very first trap of the day,” Gray wrote in his caption.

Gray also wrote he will “notch” its tail and release the lobster back into the sea.

To read more on this story, click here: Creepy Crawler: Fisherman Catches Rare ‘Ghost’ Lobster