Pets Dictionary

kennel cough: A highly contagious infection that may be easily transmitted when animals are in close quarters or in the open, much the way a cold is contracted, but rarely affects the animal's overall health. Shots are administered on a regular basis to prevent the spread of kennel cough.

kit: A baby animal of various species, including ferrets and rabbits.

lapin: The French word for "rabbit."

microchip: A miniature device embedded with a unique set of numbers used to identify lost or stolen animals and is placed under the skin and read by a specific scanning system.

molt: A bird's shedding of worn-out feathers to allow for new growth.

Mustelidae (Mustelids, Weasels): A large group of furred animals that includes otters, badgers, minks and ferrets.

neutering: The umbrella term for sterilization, or removing an animal's sex organs, which in males is called castration (or neutering) and in females is referred to as spaying.