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[pet hedgehog]

How to Care for Your Hedgehog

Mar 17, 2021 / General Care / Hedgehog

Advice on Housing, Feeding, Protecting Hedgehogs are not tiny cats or spiny hamsters. Before getting a hedgehog as a pet, you need to understand their unique needs so you can keep it healthy and happy. Luckily, Dr. Spencer Kehoe, the newest veterinarian on the zoological medicine service at the University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine South...

farrier applies shoe to horse's hoof

Horses Need Farriers

Feb 24, 2021 / General Care / Preventive Health / Horses

Horses need new shoes every 4 to 6 weeks What animal regularly wears shoes and needs help putting them on? It’s a horse, of course! Horses need their hooves trimmed and horseshoes placed regularly, a procedure referred to as “shoeing” a horse. The person trained to shoe horses is called a farrier. Farriers provide an...

[Heather Soder]

Veterinary Technicians Play Vital Roles

Oct 21, 2020 / General Care

Vet Techs Help Animals and People Veterinary technicians make up a crucial part of the veterinary care team. Not only do they assist veterinarians in hands-on care of animal patients, but many also provide client education, serve various administrative roles, and even specialize in a specific service area. While veterinary technicians often obtain and hone...

[dog looking guilty]

GI Upset in Cats and Dogs

Oct 12, 2020 / General Care / Preventive Health / Cats / Dogs

Consistent Diet May Help Prevent the Problem The two most common symptoms seen in a small animal general practice are vomiting and diarrhea, referred to as “GI [gastrointestinal] upset.” These symptoms can range from mild to more severe and affect dogs and cats. Dr. Drew Sullivan, the medical director at the University of Illinois Medical...

[exterior of clinic with reptile, cat, and parrot]

New University of Illinois Veterinary Clinic Earns Accreditation

Jun 22, 2020 / General Care / Birds / Cats / Dogs / Exotics / Reptiles / Small Mammals

Serving Dogs, Cats, Zoological Species Veterinary Medicine South Clinic, part of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, achieved a significant milestone in veterinary care with its accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). AAHA is the only accrediting body for small animal hospitals in the United States. Hospitals accredited by AAHA meet or exceed...

[Dr. Krista Keller with Leo]

Parrots Are Forever

Apr 21, 2020 / General Care / Birds

Research the Commitments of Ownership Parrots are gorgeous, highly intelligent, socially complex, loud, long-lived birds. Anyone who is contemplating adding a parrot to the family should thoroughly research the needs of these fascinating and demanding pets, advises Dr. Krista Keller, a board-certified specialist in zoological medicine at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in...

[Francisco the betta fish]

Francisco the Fish Visits the Vet

Jul 24, 2019 / General Care / Fish

Seek Help If Your Fish Exhibits Abnormal Behaviors Of course you’d take your cat or dog to see a veterinarian when there’s a health concern. But what do you do when your sick pet is a fish? Leslie, a third-year student at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, noticed something odd on her...

Bettas Need More Than Bowls

Apr 15, 2019 / General Care / Preventive Health / Fish

It’s Not ‘Just’ a Fish Known for their bright, beautiful coloration and elaborate fin displays, betta fish, more accurately called “Siamese fighting fish,” are a common household pet. These little beauties require specific care to ensure that they stay happy and healthy. Dr. Krista Keller, a veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital...

[reptile - iguana]

Simple Things Your Reptile Might Be Missing

Feb 25, 2019 / General Care / Preventive Health / Reptiles

The right environment, diet for your reptile According to the most recent statistics for pet ownership in the United States, 4.7 million households kept 9.4 million reptiles as pets in 2016. With the interest in reptiles as pets expanding, Dr. Sarah Reich, a veterinarian who sees wildlife and exotic pets at the University of Illinois...