Responsible Pet Ownership 25

Vets for all

Birds

Find a vet who specialises in avian care. Visit your vet

every three to four months to have your bird’s wings

clipped and his beak and nails filed down to prevent

injury. The vet will probably also administer deworming

drops, and will do a general check-up. Although there

are vaccines available for commercial bird farms, these

are generally not administered to pet birds, who have

very little contact with other birds.

Fish

One of the best ways to prevent any potential diseases

in your aquarium is to keep an eye on your fish, and to

make sure that the environment in which they live is of

optimal quality. Purchase an ammonia and nitrite testing

kit, and test the water before placing fish in the tank

– the ammonia level in the water must register at nearly

zero. At this time, you should notice an increase in nitrite

levels. When the nitrite levels have stabilised, it will be

safe to add the fish. Also be very careful in choosing

healthy plants and fish to add to your aquarium. There

are a number of common diseases that affect fish,

including fin rot, white spot or ich and various other

fungal infections and parasites. Your local fish suppliers

should be able to help with over-the-counter remedies

but always consult your vet, particularly in the case of

longer-living fish species.

Rodents (rabbits, mice, gerbils, hamsters, rats)

Generally, rodents have few health problems and do not

require much in the line of veterinary care. An annual

check-up, and a visit to the vet when the animal seems

listless or unhappy are advised. No vaccinations are

required, but since these animals are mammals, the

opportunity for diseases to

spread from them to you

is bigger than normal.

Therefore, always

wash your hands

after handling

your pet or his

cage.

VETS AND VACCINATIONS

pets148 x 210mm Equilis Strep E