[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by RaggedyAnn

OK, I know nothing about prarie dogs-but can she just have those teeth pulled instead of putting it down? The reason I ask is one of my cats has maybe 12 teeth left because of dental disease. I just had the vet remove the teeth and it's been 6 years. He's a very happy, spoiled cat.

RaggedyAnn, kstar is right. Most rodent and lagomorph species do well on diets based on commercial laboratory rodent pellets or rabbit pellets. Prairie Dogs can and usually are maintained on rabbit pellets, alfalfa or grass hay as well as assorted vegetables, so without their teeth, it would make it quite difficult for them to be able to eat. Plus, a few years ago pet prairie dogs were involved in an outbreak of monkeypox disease. Like kstar said, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services issued a joint order that banned the transport, sale or release of pet prairie dogs. Shortly after that, I think the CDC along with the Food and Drug Administration made the rule permanent. I think there also may be some new restrictions as well, but I'm not all the way sure.