Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA
Certified Veterinary Technician
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Co-authored Articles (74)
How to
Tell Your Puppy's Age
If you have rescued or found a puppy, you may not know exactly how old they are. Looking at the size of the puppy can give you a rough estimate, but different breeds grow at different rates. The easiest way to determine ...
How to
Diagnose and Treat Anal Gland Disease in Cats
The anal glands are 2 pouches inside of a cat’s anus. These glands secrete fluid every time your cat has a bowel movement. Sometimes, these glands can get impacted or infected. If your cat has problems with their anal ...
How to
Diagnose the Cause of a Swollen Abdomen in Cats
A swollen abdomen is a potential symptom of a wide variety of ailments in cats. Swollen abdomens may occur quickly or over time. Regardless of the timeline, though, you should treat a swollen abdomen as a potentially ser...
How to
Tell the Age of a Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons are popular pets that typically live 7-10 years in captivity. It can often be quite difficult to determine the age of your bearded dragon, especially once it has reached its adult size. In the first year ...
How to Tell if a Chicken is Male or Female: Easy Tips and Tricks
Determine the gender of your chicks with this easy guide If you breed or show chickens, it’s important to know the sex of the birds as soon as possible. While it can be difficult to accurately sex a chicken when they�...
What to Do When a Dog Has an Intestinal Obstruction
Deciding whether to treat your dog’s stomach blockage at homeIf your dog ingests something they shouldn't, that item can block their digestive system. In some cases, you can help your dog pass the obstruction naturally...
Treating a Dog’s Fever at Home: The Best Remedies
Dog fever symptoms, causes, and treatmentsDogs normally have a temperature between and , but they can develop a fever due to an injury, infection, poisonous substance, or as a reaction to a vaccine. A fever could make y...
How to
Tell How Old a Betta Fish Is
Bettas, otherwise known as Siamese fighting fish, are known for their snazzy colors and flowing fins. Chances are, however, when you brought your betta home in a cup from a pet store, you had no idea how old it was. It i...
How to
Care for a Baby Wild Mouse
If you have found a lost baby mouse, you may be inclined to take care of it. Although it is a lot of work, nursing a baby mouse to health can be done effectively. Your most important tasks will be to feed the mouse and p...
How to
Know if a Canary Is Male or Female
If you have canaries it can be very helpful to know whether they are male or female. Identifying the sexes of your birds can help you avoid having them mate, which is important if you don't want a bunch of new baby birds...
How to
Handle a Cat That Suddenly Attacks You
Sometimes a cat who is overstimulated will suddenly attack you, whether because they are playing roughly or they are redirecting aggression. If this happens, you should stay calm and try not to surprise the cat so it rel...
How to
Diagnose Your Tree Frog's Illness
Tree frogs can be great pets that are generally easy to care for. However, they can develop a variety of illnesses, and it can be a bit of a challenge to figure out exactly what they have. It is a good idea to know the g...
How to
Groom a Goldendoodle
A goldendoodle is a wonderful dog breed that is a crossbreed of a poodle and a golden retriever. It has a coat that is a unique mix of the two breeds, with loose curls and a slightly shaggy look. To care for this coat, y...
How to
Diagnose and Treat Dislocated Joints in Cats
Joint dislocations can be painful and serious health problems for cats. A joint dislocation occurs when the point at which two or more bones meet is disrupted or damaged. This can occur at any joint, but it usually occur...
How to Deworm Your Kitten at Home
Scheduling and administering deworming medication to your feline friend Kittens can be born with worms or get infected from their mother during their first few weeks. They most commonly get round and hookworms, but they ...
Blepharitis in Cats: Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Does your cat's eyelid look red and swollen? If so, blepharitis could be the culprit. This condition involves swelling of your cat's eyelid, and it most often occurs on the outer parts of eyelids (as opposed to the inner...
How to
Diagnose and Treat Stud Tail in Cats
Stud Tail is a rare skin condition that afflicts cats. It results from excess oil buildup and manifests in growths similar to human acne. While Stud Tail is a somewhat mild condition and should not impact the cat’s lo...
How to
Treat Diarrhea in Parakeets
Diarrhea can occur in parakeets for many reasons. Your parakeet may be sick, upset, or stressed out. It is important to treat diarrhea in parakeets, since it can quickly lead to dangerous dehydration and may be a symptom...
How to
Feed a Pregnant or Nursing Cat
If your female cat is pregnant, or if she has recently given birth and is now nursing her kittens, you’ll need to provide the cat with food that nourishes her and her kittens both before and after they’re born. Your ...
How to
Spot Signs of Illness in Lovebirds
Lovebirds are friendly and fun pets who can live happy lives full of affection for their owners and their mates. Lovebirds are hearty, so keeping them healthy isn’t typically a chore, but it is still important to monit...