LL Alumni budgies are loving Bird Street Bistro and Bird Tricks pellets! 🥰 Have a bird video? Share it with us below!
A funny video shared by Mr. Ferret’s foster last night! He sure is fun! 🤩 He is still looking for a fitting name. His foster is gonna try out “Slinky” today! 🐾
Many of you saw his intake photos and thought he may have an underlying condition causing his bare tail. Our vet did confirm it is adrenal disease.
Ferret adrenal disease is a common endocrine disorder in ferrets, typically caused by overproduction of hormones due to adrenal gland abnormalities. This condition is often seen in middle-aged to older ferrets, though younger ferrets can also be affected.
CAUSES
▫️Neoplasia: Adrenal gland tumors (benign or malignant)
▫️Hyperplasia: Enlargement of adrenal gland tissue
▫️Early neutering may disrupt hormonal feedback systems, potentially increasing risk
SYMPTOMS
▫️Hair loss starting at the tail and progressing along the body and excessive itching/scratching
▫️Swollen vulva (females) even if spayed and prostate enlargement (males) causing urinary blockage
▫️Increased aggression or mating-like behavior
▫️Loss of body mass despite normal appetite
DIAGNOSIS
▫️Physical Exam: Check for typical signs like hair loss or swollen glands
▫️Bloodwork: Hormonal testing for elevated sex hormones
▫️Ultrasound: Helps identify the affected adrenal gland and differentiate between hyperplasia or tumor
TREATMENT
🐾 Hormone-blocking medications:
▫️Deslorelin implants (a GnRH agonist) are the most effective and widely used, suppressing hormone production
▫️Lupron (leuprolide acetate): An older treatment, used via monthly injection
These treatments alleviate symptoms but do not cure the disease.
🐾 Surgery:
▫️Adrenalectomy: Removal of the affected adrenal gland
▫️Left adrenal gland tumors are typically easier to remove than right adrenal tumors, which are located near the vena cava (a major blood vessel)
Surgery can be curative but carries risks, especially in older ferrets.
With treatment, ferrets can live
🐾 Happy World Animal Enrichment Day! 🐾
Today, we’re celebrating the importance of enrichment for all animals—including our smallest companions like rabbits, guinea pigs and other rodents, birds and even reptiles! Enrichment isn’t just for dogs and cats; small animals thrive when given opportunities to explore, play, and engage in natural behaviors. Providing them with a stimulating environment can improve their quality of life, keeping them physically active, mentally engaged, and less prone to stress or boredom.
Here are some fun enrichment ideas for our little friends:
🐰 Rabbits and Guinea Pigs: Try forage boxes by mixing hay, herbs, and a few favorite treats in a box filled with shredded paper. Or, set up cardboard tunnels and hideouts that mimic burrows—perfect for hopping and hiding! These activities encourage their natural digging and foraging instincts.
🐹 Other rodents: Small animals love puzzle feeders—stuff treats or food into cardboard rolls or puzzle toys, encouraging them to chew and solve the “puzzle.” Digging boxes with sand or shredded paper also provide a place to burrow, while chew toys made from safe wood satisfy their need to gnaw.
🦜 Birds: Birds love foraging toys—try hiding small treats or seeds in shreddable toys, or string fruits and veggies onto skewers in different parts of their cage. Give them natural perches made from safe wood and occasionally rearrange their cage to give them something new to explore.
🦎 Reptiles: Even reptiles benefit from enrichment! For insect-eating reptiles like bearded dragons, a treat ball or small feeder maze can turn feeding time into “hunt” time. Branch and log setups in their enclosure give climbing reptiles places to explore and rest, and adding safe plants offers variety.
Why is enrichment important? These activities allow animals to express natural behaviors, which helps reduce stress and prevent boredom. Enrichment encourages exercise and curiosity, keeping them
Stay tuned for our tips on transitioning seed addicted birds and some methods that have worked for us along with the pellets we recommend! #littlelivessmallanimalrescue#littlelivesrescue #RescueRehabRehome
Squeakers and Willie are a dynamic duo! These two adorable piggies are ready to find their forever home! They have so much personality to share 🤎 Apply to adopt today, and let the adventures begin! #AdoptDontShop #GuineaPigLove #littlelivessmallanimalrescue #littlelivesrescue #RescueRehabRehome
Doc & Marty are anxiously awaiting their forever home! They’re currently the longest residents in the rescue! They love snuggles and especially love eating! Apply today!
📣 INTAKES 📣
Our first intakes of July: 3 little hamsters!
These guys are just the cutest (& so fast, too!). They will be available for adoption soon, so keep your eyes open!
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▪️POSITION OPENING: We are actively looking to fill the Executive Director role. Message for more details!
▪️Interested in adopting? Check out our AVAILABLE animals here and apply today! https://www.petstablished.com/organization/115057
🌟PET OF THE WEEKEND🌟 Marshie & Tofu made their debut on air! 📺 Listen to how cute they are!
🌟PET OF THE WEEKEND🌟
Marshie and Tofu made their debut on air! 📺 Listen to how cute they are!
Happy Wednesday to all of our pet parents! We have a special post in honor of #changeapetslifeday
There are a lot of animals out there that need love, but special needs animals need a little extra 💜 "Special Needs" is a very broad term without a universal meaning. So, what is a special needs animal? This generally includes a range of physical disabilities, chronic medical conditions, or behavioral issues that require ongoing vigilance or special care to manage.
Special needs animals need a little extra love, patience and attention. In return, you will get unconditional love and affection from them......most of the time 😂🥰
We currently have 1 special needs rabbit in the program named Butterscotch 🐇 At some point during his life, he was shot with a BB gun 😔 The BB caused spine damage which resulted in a limp.
In addition, sweet butterscotch has dental disease which he will be having surgery for once he gains enough weight as he is also underweight. Besides all of his ailments, Butterscotch is a happy and loving bunny who will eventually make a family so happy!
We would very much appreciate donations towards his care as he will have to go to WSU for his dental procedure 🙏
Have a special needs animal in your life? Drop a pic in the comments below! 👇
Bunny parents, raise your hand if you've ever heard of Megacolon! ✋ Many people haven't, but if you are a bunny parent you'll want to read below:
Megacolon is a rare inherited genetic condition that causes the nerve endings in a rabbit's intestinal tract to not function properly.
FACTS ABOUT THIS DISEASE:
-Typically managed with a diet adjustment and motility medications as needed.
-Without treatment, a rabbit's abdomen will become distended.
-They produce poops that are irregular and double in size.
-Rabbits with megacolon should be monitored closely by their person, for signs of a GI tract slowdown.
Rabbit's with megacolon, should be seen by their veterinarian regularly.
We recently had a Megacolon bunny adopted after months of working to figure out what the best diet for him would be. Always give special needs bunnies a chance 💜
Thank you for reading and as always, we are not veterinarians, so please do your own research!
