Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
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Co-authored Articles (523)
How to
Tell the Sex of an Angelfish
Determining the sex of an angelfish isn’t as simple as looking between its fins. In fact, telling the sex of an angelfish can be near impossible without experience and a careful eye. Before they are mature, it is even ...
How to Express Your Cat's Anal Glands at Home
Improve your cat’s health and keep them comfy with this easy guide Your cat’s anal glands (or sacs) normally empty on their own when your cat defecates, but if your cat has an underlying health condition that makes t...
How to
Express a Cat's Bladder
If your cat gets an injury or disease that affects its ability to urinate on its own, you may need to help it go to the bathroom. To accomplish this, you will have to express your cat's bladder, a procedure in which you ...
How to
Check Cats for Ear Mites
Ear mites are parasites and, if ignored, they can result in a cat's ear becoming infected and inflamed. Serious cases can lead to hearing loss, eardrum rupture and even infestation to other parts of the body. Indoor and ...
How to
Carry a Cat
Sometimes you will need to pick up and move a cat, whether it's to put him in a cat carrier, keep him from causing trouble, or remove him from a dangerous situation. How you pick up and carry a cat depends on the cat's i...
How to
Help a Hamster With Sticky Eye
When hamsters sleep, their eyes secrete fluid to keep the eyeball moist. If this fluid drips out and dries around the eyelid, it can prevent the hamster from opening his eyes. This is common in all hamsters, especially o...
How to
Care for Baby Mice
Whether your adult mice had babies or you stumbled across abandoned baby mice, caring for these small, fragile infants can be a difficult task. Baby mice need to receive proper care within a few hours of being born in or...
How to
Breed Lovebirds
Many people associate romance with lovebirds. There are nine different species of lovebirds, which are small, brightly- feathered parrots. If you have lovebirds or want to own lovebirds and breed them, it requires a lot...
How to
Stop Reverse Sneezing in Dogs
Reverse sneezing is a spasmodic response in which a dog makes rapid inhalations of air and produces a snorting, honking, or gagging sound. Observing an episode for the first time can be terrifying, but try to relax—rev...
How to
Raise a Baby Squirrel
Have you found an orphaned baby squirrel? While it's best to return it to its mother, it is possible for you to take care of it and raise it to adulthood. Keep in mind in many states this is illegal. Contact a licensed ...
How to
Splint a Cat's Broken Leg
If your cat has broken one of her legs and you can't get in contact with a veterinarian, you may need to splint your cat's leg yourself. Ask someone to help you, as two heads are better than one, and four hands are bette...
How to
Care for an Axolotl
An axolotl is an aquatic salamander related to tiger salamanders. They are easy to care for and make enjoyable pets. They have a lifespan of 10-15 years in aquariums if provided the right environment and care.
How to
Tell the Sex of Guinea Fowl
Guinea fowls are becoming increasingly popular. Not only is their meat tender and flavorful, but guinea fowls also protect the farm flock from predators, serve as pest control, and can even reduce the deer tick populatio...
How to
Trim a Dog's Nails
Nail trimming is an important task that keeps your dog’s nails short and healthy. It also keeps your floors and furniture safe from snags and scratches! Long nails can break and bleed, or they can grow back into the pa...
How to
Collapse a Dog Crate
Collapsible metal dog crates are a great way to have a secure place for your dog while you are traveling. They are reasonably light-weight, making them easy to carry and transport. They are also easy to clean, providing ...
How to
Breed Cockatiels
Cockatiels are easy birds to breed, but it is important to breed responsibly and make sure that you will be able to find homes for the cockatiels you breed. Before you get started, you will need to make sure that the mal...
How to
Tell if a Mouse Is Male or Female
All mice look pretty similar, so you might not know if you have a male or female. The process of determining sex is called sexing. There are two main methods of determining sex; both require a keen eye and gentle handlin...
How to
Wrap a Cat
Knowing how to wrap a cat is an invaluable skill, especially when you need to give her medicine. The finished wrapped cat looks somewhat like a swaddled baby, with her limbs immobilized against her body in a cocoon, and...
How to
Sex Tortoises
Just bought a tortoise and wondering whether your new friend is male or female? Your tortoise is unlikely to just come right out and tell you, so you’ll need to do some investigation. Even if you don’t know what spec...
How to
Determine the Sex of a Betta Fish
Betta fish are widely known as fighting fish. Frequently sold in individual containers, you might believe all Betta fish have the same general appearance and demeanor. Regardless of what you see at pet stores, male and f...
