Domestic Fish-keeping

Fish are kept at home in aquariums and ponds. The hobby of fish keeping is divided into brackish, saltwater and freshwater fish keeping, with the most popular hobby being freshwater fish keeping. The fish which are most popular are angelfish, goldfish and guppies. Different species of fish can be kept together, however, be careful on which species you place in the same aquarium or pond. Prior to buying fish, check with the staff of the store where you are buying them to ensure that they are compatible with fish you already have in your pond or aquarium. If you decide that you would like to breed fish, get one or two males and five or six females of the same species and place them together for breeding purposes. However, again be careful as some species will kill each other if they are not in a breeding mood. There are two types of breeding fish. Some fish lay eggs which after a time hatch into baby fish and others bear live baby fish. With breeders, the popular fish species are guppies, mollies, catfish, killifish, cichlids and characin.

Fish keeping was started centuries ago. At that time fish were bred for food. Chinese and Japanese traditions included fish keeping for food purposes. Also, due to religious customs, fish was eaten on days when meat wasn’t allowed. But later kings began keeping goldfish and koi, because of their attractive colors. They were kept in ponds and when guests arrived, the fish were moved indoors into fish bowls. Romans were also known to keep lampreys in pools with salt water. Ancient Egyptians kept fish from Oxyrhynchus in temple pools.

Saltwater or marine fish keeping is more difficult and expensive. It is very beautiful with colourful and attractive fish along with different types of corals. However, due to the difficulty of maintaining the water at optimum conditions, it is certainly not for beginners. Brackish fish keeping involves both freshwater and saltwater fish keeping, because the salinity of the water is in between that of seawater and freshwater.

Many aquarists also focus on aquatic plants. Some hardcore aquarists even attempt to grow coral reefs with the help of living rocks and calcareous rocks with algae growth, sponges and worms. When the coral begins to grow, echinoderms, crabs, molluscs and shrimp are also added to the aquariums, which are also called reef tanks.

The aquarium should have ecology which is similar to the natural habitat of the fish that occupy the tank, which can be quite difficult to accomplish because water from different parts of the world contains different dissolved minerals and contains different minute organisms.

The surface area of your aquarium is probably more important than the volume of the water. This is because, the more surface area a tank has, the more oxygen levels increase in the water. Air pumps also are used to increase the dissolved oxygen in the water. This is part of the nutrient cycle, which should be maintained and controlled for the welfare of the fish. Larger aquariums are more preferable as they make things easier. The larger volume of water means that changes take place much more slowly. Unless the aquarium is greatly overstocked with fish, changes in pH and chemical imbalances take longer to occur and can usually be adjusted before the fish are affected.

Other factors to be controlled in your aquarium are the nitrogen cycle, dissolved gases and a balanced food supply. The salinity of the water should be checked regularly depending on the type of aquaria being maintained. The pH level should be checked to test the acidic nature of the water. For a freshwater aquarium, most aquarists use tap water, which is a mistake as it contains chlorine and possibly even fluoride. Chloramines should be used in tap water to make it chlorine free or it should be aged in an unused tank until the chlorine gases off.

For a tropical aquarium, the water should be warm and the temperature should be nearly seventy-seven degrees Fahrenheit. For a cold water aquarium, the water temperature should be less than room temperature. To accomplish this, a refrigeration device called a chiller can be used.

Plants and certain organisms can be kept in the aquarium because they metabolize the waste, especially nitrogen. But the more organisms added to the fish tank, the more difficult it is to maintain. The needs of all the aquatic organisms must be considered. Introducing many types of species into an aquarium is known as biological loading. Two other important factors which should be considered include the filtration process you use and the oxygen levels of the water in your tank(s).

Aquarists interested in fish breeding should be careful. Firstly, they shouldn’t mix a lot of different types of fish together. They should also develop special conditions called spawning triggers for proper breeding.

Artificial ponds can also be made in the garden. It is very similar to indoor aquarium keeping, except that ponds are much bigger and they are out in the natural elements. Tropical fish are a good choice for such garden ponds, however, where the temperatures are colder, goldfish, orfe and koi are good options. And if you live in areas like I do where winter is the longest season of the year and temperatures can go below minus 40 degrees, it is advisable to move your pond fish into indoor aquariums during the winter. When we lived in Regina, Saskatchewan, mom and dad moved their pond fish into a 240 gallon fish tank in the basement during the winter. The tropical fish occupied 10 aquariums of various sizes on the main floor of the house. Keeping these tanks cleaned and the fish in them in tip top condition occupied a lot of mom and dad’s time, so I was glad when we moved north that the number of tanks was slowly reduced to zero so mom and dad could spend more time with ME.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets: Tortoises

Tortoises are turtles which live on land and belong to the reptile family of the order Testudines. Like their cousins the sea turtle, they have a shell to protect them from predators. The top part of the shell is known as the carapace and the bottom side is known as the plastron. Tortoises have both an exoskeleton and an endoskeleton. They are active during the day and early evening and tend to be reclusive animals.

Because there are many types of Tortoises, ranging in size from a few centimetres to two meters, prior to considering one for a pet, a prospective owner should do a lot of research into the type of Tortoise she or he is interested in acquiring.

Different species of Tortoises have different diet requirements. Most of them are herbivores, meaning that they feed on grasses, weeds, leafy greens, alfalfa, clover, dandelions, flowers and certain fruits. It is not recommended that they be fed Tortoise pellets as these pellets contain too much protein which can lead to medical problems. Because Tortoises require extra calcium, calcium carbonate can be ground up and sprinkled on their greens.

Tortoises are also temperature sensitive. Usually it is a good idea to bring your Tortoise indoors at night. And when the weather is cold, they should be kept inside. But this can be a big problem if the Tortoise is large in size. Some species also hibernate during winter. This can be really stressful for the animal as well as the owners. The owners should provide the pet with hibernation facilities, otherwise the pet will suffer from stress and could even die.

If your Tortoise is large, a pen can be constructed in the yard, where the Tortoise can live (provided that your climate is within the temperature ranges for the species of Tortoise that you own). The pen should be really strong and the fences should be buried deep as some Tortoises have a tendency to dig. They are also very strong reptiles. They can easily break weaker walls. In addition, some Tortoises are good climbers, so the pen should also be provided with a roof. The roof also saves the Tortoise from other dangers such as dog bites and bird attacks. The owner must check for possible threats to the pet within the pen itself. Some plants can be harmful if the Tortoise feeds on them. So, make sure that only edible plants are kept in the pen.

Your Tortoise should be provided with water, but the water body should be shallow, so that the Tortoise doesn’t drown in it. Things which are sharp or which can be chewed and not digested by your Tortoise shouldn’t be kept in the pen. Try and ensure that your Tortoise does not have anything which it can climb. If it slips and falls onto its back, it may not be able to right itself and this could prove to be fatal.

Some species grow really big, so this factor should be considered while building the pen. In fact, this factor should be considered when first buying the Tortoise. Different species grow to different sizes; have different dietary habits, living conditions and temperature adaptability. Beginners should certainly go for a captive bred Tortoise, as they are less troublesome than the ones that come directly from the wild. Also when Tortoises are captured from the wild and transported, there are chances that they can fall ill or even die because of high levels of stress. Also wild Tortoises carry a wide range of parasites, which can be harmful for the owner as well as the Tortoise and other pets in the home. When the potential owner thinks of buying a Tortoise, it should get thoroughly examined for parasites and other diseases by a veterinarian.

Tortoises prefer to stay alone. Unless you plan on breeding Tortoises, a female Tortoise is not a good idea and two male Tortoises should never be kept together as they can fight and injure each other very seriously. Tortoises have a very long lifespan. Some can live up to 150 years. Therefore, there can be the possibility of the pet outliving the owner, so the owner should have everything planned and should make a lifetime commitment when considering getting a Tortoise as a pet.

Until next time,

Teia

Dog Illnesses and Symptoms

All dogs should be treated as members of your family. As a family member, you must pay adequate attention to your pet’s health. If appropriate and adequate vaccinations are administered to your dog from the time he is a puppy, most of the common dog illnesses can be easily prevented. Therefore, yearly medical examinations should be undertaken along with regular vaccinations at intervals recommended by your veterinarian. That being said, for various reasons, vaccinations may not have been given, or your dog may come down with an illness that does not have a preventive vaccination.

Sometimes dogs become sick but they may not appear to be ill. Therefore, it is very important to recognize and understand dog illness symptoms.

Some elementary observations are useful to recognize certain common dog illnesses. Dogs need a lot of sleep but their sleep is marked by alertness. If a dog is sluggish then there may be various causes contributing to it, right from anaemia to old age. Whatever the reason for the sluggishness, your dog should be taken to a veterinarian for a thorough check up.

If the dog is limping then you should check for prospective painful areas using a firm and yet gentile hand. If you discover a painful area, then take your dog to the veterinarian to determine what is causing the pain, Thereafter, check for any signs indicating lameness from time to time.

The appetite of most dogs is affected by ill health. Look for any signs of loss of appetite. Before taking the dog to the veterinarian for a thorough check up, make sure that the dog food has not spoiled. Frequently in hot weather, dog food will go rancid fairly quickly.

Another important sign of dog health problems is excessive thirst. Canine parvovirus can cause dehydration in dogs, which will result in prolonged drinking by your dog. Whenever your dog exhibits excessive thirst ensure that you get him to a vet for a check up as soon as possible.

A pronounced weight loss is also an indicator of ill health. Check the eyes for any ulcers, discharges, veins or sores. The mouth of a healthy dog is pink. There should not be any discolouring or cavities in the teeth. Look for signs of discharge from ears. It is advisable to clean the ears from time to time.

The dog's head should be regularly checked for sore patches, hair loss, or deep wounds. Investigate the limbs and trunk for the same signs. If the dog is vomiting, there may be various underlying problems. If the body temperature of your dog is not between the range 38 to 39 Celsius it is an indication of some kind of illness. In all of the previous situations, a trip to the vet is recommended.

Check your female dogs for any kind of foul smelling vaginal discharge, which needs the immediate attention of a vet. The symptoms of pain and discomfort experienced by a dog can give us many clues about the possible underlying illness. If the dog is suffering any abdominal pain, it may be due to canine hepatitis, enteritis or it can be a simple case of constipation.

If your dog’s abdomen swells it could indicate canine bloat. If the same thing happens to a puppy it could indicate roundworms.

Sudden aggression by your dog may indicate that it has contracted rabies. This is particularly true if your dog is slobbering at the same time.

Roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms frequently cause anaemia in dogs. If the lips, tongue or gums of your dog are pale instead of pink, this is a sign of anaemia. Your dog scrubbing his butt on the ground or floor is also a sign of worms, however, this can also be caused by stool stuck to the hair around the anus or to itchiness caused by recent grooming.

Behavioural changes in your dog can be an indicator of worms, arthritis, heart disease or parvovirus. Whenever behavioural changes occur, take your dog to your vet because changes are not a normal occurrence.

Kidney diseases sometimes cause blood in the urine. It could be as simple as kidney stones or as complicated as failing kidneys. If you have ever suffered from kidney stones you will know how extremely painful they are. Kidney problems must be treated by a vet as soon as symptoms are noticed.

Eye infections and entropion cause bloodshot eyes in dogs. These diseases will also, in most situations, be accompanied by tears or squinting.

A ruptured diaphragm, obstructed airway, lungworm, bronchitis, pneumonia, food poisoning, heatstroke or allergies can cause respiratory problems in dogs. If your dog shows signs of laboured breathing, particularly when he is at rest, take him to a vet immediately.

There are various reasons for a sudden change in weight of dogs. To ensure that it is not a serious problem, take your dog for an examination by your veterinarian.

A hernia might be caused due to long term constipation in dogs. Be sure to check your dog’s stool on a regular basis. If it is extremely hard or your dog has difficulty passing it, this is an indication of constipation. If your dog’s stool is runny or very soft, it is a sign that your dog has diarrhea. Any pancreatic disorder, food poisoning or a sudden change in diet can give rise to diarrhea in dogs. Neither constipation or diarrhea is normal for a healthy dog, so a trip to the vet is recommended.

Allergies, parvovirus, hepatitis, lungworm, TB, pneumonia or distemper may be one of the reasons for your dog to cough. Persistent coughing is not normal and needs to be checked out by a vet.

The dog may suffer from hair loss due to mange, red mange demodectic, scabies, cheyletiella mange, or Cushing’s syndrome. All must be treated by a vet.

I hope that the above symptoms will alert you to possible problems in your pet. If you catch problems early, there is a much better chance of a successful outcome. I have found that my veterinarian, who was introduced to me and the other dogs in our house when we were puppies and therefore knows our histories and normal appearance, invaluable in keeping us fit and healthy.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets: Tigers

Every time dad thinks of Tigers, he recalls attending the Clyde Beatty Circus as a child. The biggest feature at the show was the animal trainer. He was an older man dressed in a fancy gold uniform and he carried a large whip and had a revolver strapped to his hip. The cage in which he performed was about 30 feet in diameter. There were seven pedestals lined up across the middle of the cage. Leading from the outside of the tent and connected to the cage was a heavy steel tunnel. The announcer introduced the animal trainer, whose name dad can’t recall, and then said, “He will be working with six Lions and one Bengal Tiger. The Bengal Tiger is the largest of all Tigers and the most fierce. You will notice that the trainer is an older man. Very few trainers live to be his age. He learned early in his career never to turn his back on a Tiger because even if they appear tame, they never really get tamed. They will always remain a wild beast and very unpredictable.” The show was very good and the trainer got the animals to do many neat tricks. Near the end of the show, one of the Lions started to act up. The trainer was standing near the Tiger at the time. He turned slightly toward the Lion and in the blink of an eye the Tiger lunged for him. He dropped to the ground and the Tiger sailed over top of him. He quickly got back to his feet and cracked his whip near the Tiger’s back end. The Tiger became quite unruly, so one of the employees standing near the tunnel opened the gate and the trainer used his whip to chase the Tiger into the tunnel which was then closed. The trainer got the Lions back to their places and finished the show. After the trainer got out of the animal cage, he went to the announcers booth and got the microphone (this was in the days before remote mikes were invented) and told the crowd that the incident with the Tiger was not part of the show. He advised that the big cat was becoming too hard to handle and that it would no longer be part of the show. Arrangements would be made for it to be sent to a zoo or wild animal park in the United States.

Tigers are felines which are extremely popular among pet lovers who have immense passion for exotic animals. At the same time they are also the most dangerous of all the exotic pets. In the first place, it is really difficult to get a permit to keep them as pets. And even if you get the permit, you have to face other issues like finance, responsibility, threats and regulatory issues so much so that even the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals inspector drops by every now and then to inspect the animal and the living conditions you provide for your Tiger. And, you mustn’t forget about PETA, the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals group which will be a constant thorn in your side with constant harassment, rallies and legal challenges to your right to own a Tiger. Although owing a Tiger sounds impressive, it is more like trying to build a castle on sand, everything is always sliding around, with public opinion and legal requirements frequently changing. A good example of this is the current uproar concerning the place that an aging elephant at the Edmonton zoo should spend her remaining years of life. PETA, celebrities and special interest groups feel she should be sent to a wild animal park in the United States where there are other elephants while the zoo staff feel she should remain where she has spent most of her life.

You should understand the challenges you will have to undergo during the whole process. First, you should work as a volunteer at a zoo which has adult Tigers to understand what you are letting yourself in for. Cubs may be cute and cuddly, but a full grown Tiger is another thing all together.

Cubs usually like to cuddle and sleep with humans around. They can be fed with milk bottles like a human baby. They need to be taken out for a walk, frequently. They won’t complain if you keep other pets along with them. Tigers like to play wild games around the house. They attack a piece of furniture multiple times and drag it from one corner to another because of their wild hunting instincts. They will get companionship from your other pets and will enjoy playing both inside the house as well as outside. Problems arise when the Tiger outgrows your other pets, as it will start biting and attacking the weaker ones. At this point, your growing Tiger should be moved out of the house and into a bigger cage. The expense for building a larger cage will be huge. When full grown, your Tiger will need a cage which is at least eighty-seven feet long, fifty feet wide and thirty feet tall. A small swimming pool, shade trees and a warm comfortable “den” should also be built for it.

Another thing that you must consider is that when they are full grown they become very heavy and you will find it difficult to take it outside for a walk. At 13 feet in length and weighing around 600 pounds you will find it impossible to manage it on a leash. The animal will then begin to miss its freedom and will probably get aggressive and start roaring a lot. To keep your Tiger occupied, you can place things strategically, so that the animal gets involved in the activity of sniffing for new things and for its food. Your Tiger can be given toys to play with, but the toys won’t last for long and should be replaced by new ones frequently. The Tiger may even throw the toys outside its cage. You should get the toys and give them back so it can play again. When you leave the house, even for a while, the Tiger should be securely locked within the cage. You don’t want to take any chances that it can break out and attack humans in the neighbourhood.

Around 18 months of age, your Tiger will shed its baby teeth and grow four inch canines. That’s when most owners freak. Up until that point it is usually still thought of as a tamed animal, but when you see those huge teeth you know that the wild predator will always dwell in the animal. At this point most owners no longer go inside the cage to feed the animal and even if they do, they carry pepper spray along with them. Special protective measures should be taken to ensure the safety of not only people in the area, but your own family as well.

One of the most hectic parts of keeping a Tiger is cage cleaning. There are chances of algae growth in damp areas which requires a lot of scrubbing. The old hay bedding should be changed weekly, which will start to make a large pile of hay that must be disposed of and then there is smelly animal droppings which must be removed from the cage daily and disposed of. In addition, the water in the swimming pool should be replaced often. Because Tigers are fed with whole animals, the remains have to be removed frequently as they will begin to decay fairly rapidly, especially during the summer.

So, as you can see, keeping a Tiger as a pet is a big responsibility, expensive and dangerous. In my opinion, if you are really interested in Tigers, you should apply for a part time job at a zoo that has proper facilities to look after Tigers. In that way you can interact with them, but you won’t have the problems associated with owning one.

Until next time,

Teia

Dog Shows

Dog shows, breed shows or conformation shows are competitions where the judges either examine dogs of a specific breed or dogs of all breeds, to see whether each dog meets the breed standards or not. Kennel clubs and breed clubs conduct such shows. Shows where only specific breeds are examined are known as specialty shows.

The standards for each breed of dog are set. However, because of the wording in the standards, the judges decide what interpretation they will use prior to the show. The judges for the show use their interpretation of the standards as their criterion for determining the winning dog in each breed. Most of the standards are very specific, but a few like “full coat” or “cheerful disposition” are open to interpretation. This is why the judges discuss what they will use for a particular show. During the show, they choose dogs which match their agreed upon definition of the set standards for their breed. Not only is one dog compared with another, but each is also compared to the judge's image of a dog which meets the breed standards almost perfectly.

The objective of each dog show is to select winning dogs which match their breed standards as closely as possible. However, since each judge might have a slightly different view on the standards that are open to interpretation, different judges will pick different dogs as the one that most closely matches the standards for their breed. This has led to a number of disputes regarding these shows. To counter the possibility of judicial prejudice, most countries have stated that for a dog to become a champion of its breed, it must have been judged by several different judges and it must have gained points from several prestigious shows.

A long list of a dog’s features, called conformation points, make up the published breed standards for each breed of dog. The fur is one of the most important factors. The pet's fur colour, pattern, length, type and quality are observed carefully. The distribution, quality and quantity of the markings are also observed.

Healthy skin, with no pigmentation differences, is also one of the important criterions. The shape and colour of the head is also taken into consideration. The general attitude and temperament is noted down for each breed of dog. The jaw-line and the structure of the teeth and how they align when the jaw is closed are compared. Shape and colour of the eyes and shape and set of the ears are observed. The sizes and the ratio of the length and height are also compared. The style of walking and gait is compared. The shape of the tail and feet are closely observed. The dogs which enter such competition should be well groomed. Some judges even check for skin wrinkles and measure the flews (the pendulous flaps of skin hanging from the side of the lips of certain dogs, especially hounds).

The name of each participating dog in the show should be recorded. Every dog's registered name is attached with the breeder's kennel name. Every dog can have a registered name as well as a call name. The kennel club uses the registered name, which is usually quite long. However, the owner refers to the pet by its call name. For example, the registered name could be Trombley’s Anthony The Great, but its call name could be Tony.

There are many dog shows conducted on various levels. There are local shows, regional shows and national shows, which attract competitors from different parts of the country. Usually dog shows are hierarchical competitions. The winners earn certain points in each show. Depending on the points earned, it will determine if they are eligible for the next level of show. The dog which wins shows that are at the highest level is declared a champion. 'Ch.' is appended to the dog's name, for example, Ch. Trombley’s Anthony The Great. Such shows are called prestigious shows.

These shows only allow pets which have already won a championship in another show to attend. These shows aim to choose the best in each breed. Such shows make the reputation of the dog, breeder and kennel higher. The puppies of that particular dog are then sold for a surprisingly high price. This is because other people want to buy a pet which resembles the champion. The popularity of the breed increases rapidly. There are two such prestigious shows, The Crufts in Great Britain and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in the United States. Neither mom, dad or I have ever attended these shows. In fact I have never attended any dog show, but mom and dad have attended a number of prestigious Canadian shows and we have all watched the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on television.

If you are a dog owner, or you like dogs, you should attend a dog show or two. They are quite informative and a real “eye-opener” to observe.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets: Sugar Gliders

Sugar gliders are marsupials belonging to Indonesia, Australia and New Guinea. They are small gliding possums and weigh from three to five ounces. They have silky fur usually pearl grey in colour with patches of cream and black. The black colour is usually on their ears and end of their tail. They are named sugar gliders because they eat sweet sap, pollen and nectar and are able to glide because of the skin membrane (called the patagium) which connects the first toe of the hind foot with the fifth finger of the forelimb, on either side. They expand them to create an aerodynamic plane to glide from one tree to another. Apparently they can glide up to 50 meters (approximately 162.5 feet).

Sugar gliders have the habit of nibbling on each other. This shouldn’t be confused with biting. They nibble to do many things, like testing food, to show affection, to exhibit force, to groom, etc. Babies initially are taught by biting. When sugar gliders are angered, they get aggressive and bite really hard. So, new owners should be alert until the pets become familiar with them and stop biting. Care should be taken that this biting shouldn’t turn into a habit. If it turns into a regular behaviour, you should hold the animal firmly when it bites so that it cannot move. It doesn’t care for this. Although it could take quite a while, the pet will eventually get over its natural instinct. It should also be released very slowly; otherwise it will bite again and flee. Also, they can be fed with some tasty food to reward them for learning that they are not to bite. They can become very affectionate with their owners if they are shown a lot of attention. Usually female sugar gliders are difficult to tame, especially those which come directly from the wild.

Sugar gliders come from a very wild and exotic environment. Therefore, they should be provided with a rich environment so that they don’t become emotionally upset. The cage should be quite large so that they can leap freely. Small cages hinder the health of the animal. They are also very active and need exercise. Their cage should be equipped with toys like exercise wheels with a diameter of eleven inches. They are also very inquisitive animals, so new things like cardboard boxes, should be introduced into their cage from time to time to prevent boredom. Their food can also be placed in different places to keep them entertained. Food can also be hidden in branch holes, so that they can dig it out. Their favourite food is the sweet sap of certain types of acacia, gum and eucalyptus trees, although they also eat insects and small vertebrates.

The cage of sugar gliders should be cleaned every week to ensure that it remains hygienic. The urine should be spot cleaned as the ammonia in it can be very harmful to the respiratory system of sugar gilders. Also, the moisture can encourage the growth of harmful fungus. If the cage isn’t cleaned for a long time, not only will the occupants become sick, but the house in which the cage is located will also be filled with a strong odour. While cleaning the cage it should be sprayed with disinfectant, so that all germs and bacteria are killed. When doing this, the sugar gliders, their toys, dishes etc. should be removed from the cage. Once the disinfectant has been wiped off, the animals can be returned to their cage. Then each toy and other item removed from the cage should be disinfected, wiped clean and then returned to the cage. Make sure that the disinfectant is thoroughly cleaned off everything so that the chemicals don’t harm your pets.

Sugar gliders are used to living in groups. Because of this, they should never be kept alone as pets, as this will adversely affect their health. They also require attention from their owners so that they bond and become tame and affectionate to all the humans in the home.

They cling onto each other when they sleep, so that they can keep warm. They communicate with each other by squeaking, chirping and barking. They have a good memory and will retain a grudge against anyone who has hurt them, even if it was caused by accident.

Females have the ability to beget offspring every seven to ten months. They give birth to one or sometimes two baby sugar gliders, which usually weigh only 0.2 grams, after sixteen days of pregnancy. After the birth, the baby shifts to the mother’s pouch, where it stays for seventy days and feeds on milk from the nipples. Both the mother and father have equal participation in bringing up their offspring. Captive sugar gliders can live up to fifteen years, whereas in the wild, most newly independent offspring die before they reach the age of one year.

Because of their popularity as pets, a number of breeding farms have surfaced in the United States. These farms, many similar to puppy breeding mills, supply the pet trade in North America. Australia has strict laws on the exporting of all species of native animals, birds, lizards, reptiles, flora and fauna. Wild species of this animal can be obtained from other countries where they are one of the native species. As noted above, the wild born animals, particularly the females, are much more difficult to tame.

Before considering the purchase of sugar gliders as pets, check with your local and national authorities to make sure that they are legal to have where you live. Having exotic pets is very closely monitored and regulated in most countries because if they get loose, they could cause major damage to the local ecology. Just ask the Australians, who have major problems with the rabbits that well meaning British visitors released there many years ago. Or you can ask anyone living on southern Vancouver Island about the Ontario bull frogs that an ex-Ontario resident brought to his back yard pond. These bull frogs, which have no natural predators on Vancouver Island have expanded like wild fire. Everywhere they go, they kill the small native frogs and overwhelm the ponds and swamps. So, if you are an exotic pet owner or want to become one, please be a responsible owner. Or, check with the authorities in Florida where careless owners of Burmese Pythons released them causing a state disaster. It is now estimated that there are over one hundred thousand of these snakes in the state wiping out many of the native species of wildlife and posing a severe threat to people and their pets. No one wants an ecological disaster caused by carelessness.

Until next time,

Teia

Advice on Cat Ear Mites

Ear mite infestation is not an unusual issue in cats. Since the ears are one of the more susceptible parts of a cat, this causes them to be predisposed to ear mite infestation. Typically, abandoned cats and juvenile cats are more susceptible to getting ear mites than healthy mature cats.

Whenever they are present, a cat may be plagued with possibly hundreds or even thousands of ear mites. Ear mites are transmitted with ease by close contact among pets. So you can expect that if one of your cats has contracted them, it is likely that the mites have or will spread to your other cats. As a result, a mother cat is able to easily infect her litter of kittens. Consequently, it is important to treat each animal in the home for ear mites. Note, it is common for a cat with ear mites to transfer them to any dogs living in the home. Ear mite infections in dogs are quite difficult to treat, especially dogs with hanging ears because the infestation is usually well established before they are noticed and it is the smell that usually alerts the owner to the problem. I got ear mites from a cat at the home where I was born. No one noticed it for quite a while and when dad did, I had a very bad infestation. It took quite a while for mom, dad and my veterinarian to cure my problem. As a result of this severe infestation, I now have problems with excessive wax production and must have my ears cleaned regularly.

If an appropriate remedy is administered at the first sign of ear mites, their presence does not have to be a huge crisis. The trouble lies once the condition is allowed to continue to where a resulting bacterial or yeast infection occurs. Ear mites will not normally rupture the eardrum, but with a serious secondary infection it could cause a rupture or other problems.

A serious case of mites therefore will need a good cleansing of the ears by a veterinarian. Cat ear mites are white microscopic organisms that are scarcely discernible with the eye. Otodectes are the type of feline ear mites mainly found inhabiting the ear. What is worse is that the mites are not only confined to inhabiting the ear canal of cats, they sometimes scatter to other parts of the feline body. Ear mites will not dig down and nestle into the skin like ticks. Instead the mites travel inside the ear and live off skin and discharge leaving the ear lining sore. To protect the cat's ear, the biological reaction is to create additional earwax.

It is helpful to know the four different developmental stages of these mites when attempting to rid them from a suffering kitty. The stages require three weeks to complete, beginning as an egg and ending as a full-grown adult. The first stage is as an egg. Stage two is when the larvae emerge four days after being laid. The larvae will nourish themselves for a while, eventually moulting into stage three, the nymph. The nymph stage contains two sub-stages, the protonymph and then the deutonymph. Each sub-stage consists of a phase of feeding with a period during which they moult. Throughout the deutonymph sub-stage the nymph does not have a gender, but that doesn’t stop it from breeding with a mature male. Then should it evolve into a female, she will already possess eggs and begin laying them. Otherwise, if it turns into a male, he will merely breed with other deutonymphs. The final stage is the adult, which survives about another 60 days. During her lifetime, an adult female might deposit eggs in the cat's ear every day starting the whole process over and over.

Since mites are difficult to see, how do you know if your cat has them? A few of the symptoms your cat may display are head shaking or fervent scratching of its ears. Inspecting the ears may prove to find reddish brown waste matter, that looks like coffee grounds, left by the mites. There may also be a foul smell. An experiment you can try is to prompt a reflex by massaging near the cat's ear that stimulates scratching actions with its rear legs. This rarely happens in uninfected cats. Astonishingly, there are cats that will not demonstrate any discernible evidence of irritation or pain, so a veterinarian may need to do a more thorough examination.

Today, eradicating cat ear mites does not have to be an overwhelming challenge. Routine cleansing of the ears will help in controlling mites. Your veterinarian is able to prescribe or recommend various treatments. Some will kill the mite eggs. There are monthly topical remedies to wipe out mites on the feline body too. It is wise to have your other pets examined by your vet also and have them undergo the treatment that he suggests.

Understanding the dangers of permitting mites to establish an infestation makes managing mites a significant factor of cat care to the responsible cat owner. Observing your cat and looking out for any telltale symptoms should help alert you to an infestation. Developing proper grooming habits by devoting additional tending to your cat's ears will help in eliminating mites.

Disclaimer - Information in this article is for educational purposes only. If you suspect that your cat or dog has an ear mite infestation please contact your veterinarian immediately and follow his or her advice.

Postings on this site are for information only and when pet health is involved professional help should be obtained. In this ever changing information age, something that was considered appropriate yesterday, may no longer be true today.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets: Stick Insects

Stick Insects belong to the Phasmatodean Family. Other insects that also belong to the same family are Leaf Insects, Ghost Insects, and Walking Sticks. There are nearly twenty-eight hundred species within the Phasmatodean Family. The striking feature of this family is that the species have a body structure which helps them to blend in with their surroundings. Stick Insects belong to areas having tropical climates. Some Stick Insects have wings. Stick Insects that are kept as pets can grow up to four inches long and can live up to one year.

Among all the insects which are kept as pets, Stick Insects are the most desirable. Some of the favourites are Indian Stick Insects, Vietnamese Thorny Stick Insects and Pink Winged Flying Stick Insects. They are all desirable because they are low maintenance and because of their unique appearance. Their surroundings in captivity should be similar to that of their native surroundings. The temperature and humidity should match exactly with their original habitat.

Also the food resources provided to them should be close to the foliage available to them in their natural habitat. Their diet can also be supplemented with Blueberries, which are among the most favourable alternate foods of Stick Insects. Other supplemental foods that they can be given are raspberries, ivy leaves, oak leaves, privet leaves and hawthorn leaves. These insects can be kept in a vivarium or a circular jar, which has some small holes drilled into the solid top. The width of the jar should be at least three times the length of the insect and it should be tall in height. The holes shouldn’t be so big that the insect can escape through the holes. To be extra careful, a net can be placed over the holes, to completely prevent the insects from escaping. The jar or vivarium can contain some ivy, bramble and privet stems and leaves.

The temperature within their container should be maintained as close to the temperature of their native habitat as possible. At night the temperatures can be lowered to the high sixties Fahrenheit. The humidity within the vivarium or jar should also be close to that of their homeland. Stick Insects are very fragile insects and should be handled with extra care. A water container can also be placed in the jar or vivarium each day and the insect should be allowed to drink from it, but only under careful supervision as the insect can fall into the water and drown.

Stick Insects shed their skin often. Once they shed their skin, they eat it. When the insect sheds for the sixth time, it indicates that the insect has reached sexual maturity. All of the Indian Stick Insects are female as they reproduce by parthenogenesis or the eggs are laid and they do not need fertilization by a male. Owners that are interested in breeding can spray water on the eggs and wait till they hatch. After the eggs are hatched, offspring can be managed with the help of paintbrushes. Sometimes the tail has some remains of the egg, which can be gently brushed off with the help of the paintbrush. Also, care must be taken to not to leave pools of water as there can be a chance of insects drowning in them. Owners that aren’t interested in breeding should completely destroy the eggs by boiling, burning, or crushing them. This is to prevent them from hatching outside of the jar or vivarium.

These insects should not be let out from captivity into the wild. Since they do not belong to your environment, there is a possibility that they can harm the ecosystem by reproducing young ones. Insects which dwell in environments other than their natural habitats, are known as pests. In United States, Indian Walking Stick Insects are classified as plant pests. Therefore, a special permit is needed to import them.

As a matter of fact, no matter where you live, if you are thinking of importing insects, please ensure that you check with local and national authorities to determine if it is legal and what type of permits are needed.


Until next time,

Teia

How to Remove Cat Urine From Carpets

Removing cat urine from carpets or rugs is a whole lot more difficult than from your hardwood floors, tiles or linoleum. This post will not go into why your cat is wetting on the carpet as I covered that topic in a previous post titled “Inappropriate Urination by Cats” posted April 13, 2009.

This post is being written to let you know how to remove cat urine from your carpet. It is based on the method my mom and dad found to be most effective. It must be remembered, that not all carpets are created equal, so before you use the following techniques to remove cat urine from YOUR carpet, try the solution on part of your carpet that is not readily visible. The reason for this, is that the formula presented may not be compatible with the material or colour of your carpet, so DO NOT try this without testing in a place where if damage occurs, it will not be noticeable. If in doubt, hire a professional carpet cleaner to remove the urine stains and smell.

DISCLAIMER

NEITHER I NOR MY MOM AND DAD WILL ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE CAUSED TO YOUR CARPET BY USING THE SUGGESTED METHOD OUTLINED BELOW. YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK.

This method of cleaning cat urine has worked for mom and dad and others that they know, so I thought that you should know about it. It does not matter if the stains are old and dry or new and wet.

Step 1: Find the areas where the stains are visible or where the odours are evident. If you cannot see the stains but you can smell them, use a stain detection black light.

Step 2: Put a new bag into your vacuum cleaner to maximize its suction power.

Step 3: Thoroughly vacuum the soiled areas.

Step 4: Using a plastic pail or container, mix the following ingredients together. 1/3 cup white vinegar, 2/3 cup warm water, 1/4 cup mouthwash (any brand that contains alcohol - Listerine Regular is good) and 1/4 cup of dish washing detergent. Generously apply it to the area of the carpet where the cat urine was found. Let it stand for about 45 minutes.

Step 5: Gently scrub the entire area in a circular motion with a soft clean brush and soak up the remaining moisture with clean white paper towels. NOTE! Colourful patterned paper towels may bleed colour onto your carpet and create stains of a different nature.

Step 6: Generously apply warm water and let it stand for 15 minutes, then soak it up with a clean towel or a rag.

Step 7: Thoroughly vacuum the entire area and sprinkle with baking soda. Let it stand for a couple of hours and then vacuum it all up.

Your carpet should now be clean and smelling fresh. Congratulations! You did it! You have just learned all about removing cat urine from carpets and you did it without any abrasive chemicals.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets: Snakes

Snakes are limbless, cold-blooded and scaly reptiles belonging to the order of Squamata. Keeping Snakes as pets can be easy only if their requirements are understood completely. Their needs are different from other reptiles. Owners must also understand that some of them grow very large and can become dangerous with the passage of time. There are different types of Snakes available for pet owners with different preferences. Every Snake has a different diet and needs a different environment to live in. Snakes, which are kept as pets, range from the common Garter Snake to Pythons. Snakes sometimes live for more than 40 years, so potential owners should be aware of this fact and be ready to make a lifetime commitment before thinking of keeping some types of Snakes as pets.

Snakes frequently escape from their owner’s custody. They always look for small openings in their enclosures which will let them out of their captivity. Owners must be extremely careful in this regard and should make sure that their pet has an escape proof enclosure and that it is never left open unattended, even for a minute.

Snakes are carnivores. They do not eat vegetation at all. The favourite food for Snakes is rats and mice. Bigger Snakes are fed with squirrels, rabbits and other small mammals. Some species even eat insects and fish. When your pet Snake eats a small animal, it is advisable to kill the prey before it is given to the Snake. If this job is left to the Snake, it could be a risk to its life, depending on the type of prey. For example, rats and squirrels can be very vicious if they are trapped in the cage with a Snake and in fear for their life.

Usually Snakes that have been bred in captivity are an excellent choice as pets. Wild Snakes carry lots of diseases and parasites with them, get really stressed out during transportation and frequently are very difficult to tame.

King Snakes, Ball Pythons and Corn Snakes are popular choices as pets. Their diet and environmental needs aren’t as complicated as other species of Snakes. They are also smaller in size, but King Snakes can sometimes grow up to seven feet long. Ball Pythons have eating issues. They like to feed on live prey instead of pre-killed prey. Also, they sometimes stop eating food for months. Ball Pythons that have been bred in captivity have lesser eating issues. Before buying a Ball Python, the prospective owner should test whether the reptile eats dead prey or not, if the seller cannot provide this information.

The more challenging Snakes that can be kept as pets are Red-tailed Boas, Water Snakes, Burmese Pythons, any other Pythons and wild Snakes. The most dangerous of them are Burmese pythons. These are the Snakes that have been abandoned in the Florida everglades and are now endangering the alligators and humans native to this area. They can completely swallow a human being. So it is recommended that you have people around while feeding this reptile so that they can help if problems occur. Burmese Pythons are very strong Snakes and it would be very difficult, or next to impossible, for one person to free themselves from the Snake if captured in its grip. They grow more than twenty feet and weigh more than two hundred pounds. Even Red-tailed Boas grow up to ten feet and weigh more than fifty pounds. These Snakes are also difficult to manage by yourself. All these species demand the right temperatures and humidity in their environment.

Reticulated Pythons and Anacondas are extremely dangerous pets. It is not recommended that you keep these Snakes as pets. Another variety that could be fatal are venomous Snakes. They are not only a threat to the owner and family members, but also to people in the neighbourhood, if one of these type of Snakes escapes.

Snakes are also bred for their skin, which is used to make belts, bags, shoes, etc. They are also eaten as a delicacy in many countries including parts of the United States. In many of the Asian countries, the Snake’s meat and blood is consumed for medicinal purposes.

Mom and dad have talked to a number of people who own Snakes and asked them why they chose a Snake as a pet. The most common reply was that they found it extremely soothing to let the Snake slither through their fingers. The second most common reply was that they were fascinating to watch. So, if you want a Snake as a pet, check with your local pet store to see if they sell them and it they do, ask them if they can tell you the name or phone number of someone who has purchased a Snake from them. Contact this person and find out all the pros and cons of owning a Snake. Once you have done that and researched the requirements of the particular Snake you are interested in, then return to the pet store and get your new pet and all of the equipment that you will need to house it and the food you will need to feed it.

Until next time,

Teia

Your Dog Is Part Of Your Family

People and dogs have a long and unique relationship, one that is unlike their relationship with any other animal. It's not hard to imagine some prehistoric hunter bringing home an orphaned wolf cub, only to find that it fitted surprisingly well to human society as it grew up. On top of that he would have found it had several very useful contributions to make.

The similarities between the social structures of humans and both wolves and other wild dog packs are striking. There is a hierarchy, usually dominated by an older male, who is often kept on the right track when necessary by a dominant older female. Like a prehistoric human family or tribe would have done, a wolf pack naturally lives and hunts together, surviving through its ability to communicate and cooperate as a group. Just like a human family group, the social bonds and loyalty within the group are uniting forces far stronger than any of the minor tiffs and scraps of daily life.

Now it has to be said that wolves are, by all accounts, difficult to get on with in some respects. Dogs as people know them now are more amenable. But then ancient man (who may not have been all that amenable himself by present day standards) no doubt achieved that change through selective breeding long ago - just as people still manipulate the genetic makeup of dogs in an amazing variety of ways today.

The complementary strengths of dogs, their alertness, their powerful sense of smell and their hunting prowess, no doubt made them welcome members of human hunting expeditions in ancient times. Their low cost of upkeep, as dogs will live on almost anything, including less desirable food scraps, was undoubtedly an attractive added bonus. This long-standing synergy between humans and dogs remains pretty much the same today.

Your dog, whether a guard dog, working dog, hunting dog, or merely a companion, is an intelligent, loyal and faithful friend for life. The raw primitive survival justifications for owning a dog may be less important now, but dogs are still to be found performing many useful roles. You will find dogs herding stock on farms, detecting drug smugglers in airports, guiding the blind, tracking down criminals, guarding secure installations, rescuing in emergencies and, playing to their strengths, doing many other important tasks for humans. Dogs are now being trained to detect oncoming seizures and alerting their owner to this impending medical emergency. They are also being taught how to detect cancer in humans and also impending heart attacks. There have been several instances were a dog indicated that a human had cancer when doctors and all their technical equipment could not detect it at that time, but at a later time did, in fact, determine that the individual was suffering from cancer. These illness detecting dogs are becoming quite popular in Great Britain.

Most dogs, though, are just "one of the family." Dogs will often share living space with their owners and develop a special bond with all the members of a family. You may have noticed how your dog will look concerned for younger family members if they seem to be getting into trouble - moving too far away from the main family group, for example - and everyone knows how eager the family dog is to check out whether any stranger arriving at the door is OK to have around.

Most people know dogs as wonderfully cuddly, friendly and fun companions. They are - if they are properly socialized into their family, well fed, housed and exercised and lead a predictable and stable life. But even a small dog can become unpleasant company, a formidable foe, or even dangerous, if it feels socially isolated, bored, hungry or abused. If a dog senses it does not belong, it's behaviour can become unpredictable, much as humans might behave if held captive and in danger among their enemies. Just like humans, dogs need to feel secure, wanted and part of their human’s family and to know their place in that family's hierarchy.

In view of this close relationship most people have with their canine companions, it is hard to understand why anyone would get a dog and then leave it chained in the yard 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If they do not want to socialize with the dog and make it part of their family, why do they have a dog? And why do some dog owners constantly abuse their trusted friend? It certainly makes you wonder just what kind of people they are.

The sensational arrest and guilty plea of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick for dog fighting is one of the most disgusting cases of human abuse of dogs ever reported. Not only did Vick and his associates fight dogs to the death, but they inhumanly disposed of injured dogs in acts of unbelievable savagery. It is incomprehensible that supposedly intelligent humans would stoop so low as to not only watch these vicious fights, but actually treat it like a social event. When you see and hear about these types of things, it makes you wonder who the savages are, the animals fighting or the “animals” watching and betting on them. If vicious dogs are put down, shouldn’t the same penalty be paid by the vicious individuals involved in dog fighting, not only the owners and promoters of these events, but the “animals” that attend them also.

What are your feelings on this topic? Leave comments to let everyone know.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets: Skunks

Skunks are famous for their ability to produce foul smelling odour to defend themselves and to protect their prey from competitors. These mammals belong to the Mephitidae family. Eleven species of Skunks exist in the world today. These species are divided into four genera: Spilogale or spotted Skunks, Mydaus or stink badgers, Conepatus or hog-nosed Skunks and Mephitis or stripped and hooded Skunks. Skunks are found in North America, South America, the Philippines and Indonesia.

Skunks vary from forty centimetres to seventy centimetres in length and from one pound to ten pounds in weight. They have long front claws which help them to dig easily and have short muscular legs which propel their moderately long body in an waddling stride. Commonly, their fur is white and black in color, but there are Skunks with gray, brown and even cream coloured fur. Striped Skunks are striped from birth. Some Skunks have a thick stripe which runs from their tail to the top of their head, while others may have two thin stripes, broken stripes or white spots. Some skunk’s legs are also striped.

Some countries have laws about keeping Skunks as pets. It is legal to have a Skunk as a pet in Great Britain and Canada, but in some states in the United States it is illegal to have them as pets. So, if you live in the United States check with your state authorities before deciding to get a Skunk as a pet. Usually the mephitis genera are preferred as pets because they are more social than most other genera of Skunks. Before selling a Skunk, breeders usually remove the scent glands. Skunks usually live longer in captivity than they do in the wild. Their lifespan in captivity is from ten to twenty years. In the wild their average lifespan is three years with the occasional one living as long as ten years. Keeping Skunks as pets in not new. They were kept as pets by some of the Pilgrims and other early European settlers in the United States and there are reports that some native North Americans also kept Skunks as pets.

Skunks feed on both plants and animals, so they are called omnivorous animals. In addition to plants, they eat insects, earthworms, lizards, frogs, rodents, salamanders, snakes, moles, birds and eggs. When they cannot find meat, they feed on wild fruit and seeds. Some Skunks even feed on garbage in urban areas and this is where they frequently meet and spray dogs, much to the dismay of the dog‘s owner.

Skunks are crepuscular animals (active during twilight). Skunks stay aloof when not breeding, but stay in communal dens in the winter. They do not hibernate in the winter, but become inactive and do not eat on a regular basis. They live in burrows dug by them, man made pits, or natural pits, depending on what they can find in the area where they live. In winter, a huddle, with one male and up to twelve females, will live in a den. They frequently use the same den every year in the winter.

Skunks have superb hearing and smelling capabilities, but their vision is poor. They can not see clearly more than three meters. This is a factor in the numerous Skunks killed in road accidents. According to one study, nearly 50 percent of Skunks die due to road traffic, which is probably why few wild Skunks live longer than three years.

Skunks can carry rabies and it is reported that nearly thirty one percent of them are infected with it. However, there have not been many reported cases of humans catching rabies from a Skunk. The stink they can unleash if threatened is enough to ensure that most humans don‘t get close enough to them to be bitten. However, if you decide to keep a Skunk as a pet, they should be vaccinated to avoid any mishaps.

In the event that you do get bitten by a Skunk, clean the wound thoroughly with an antibacterial solution and water. If the wound is bleeding put a light gauze pad over the bite area and apply an ice pack to slow the bleeding. Seek medical help immediately and call the police or animal control and advise them that there is a possible rabid Skunk in the area. When you arrive at the doctor’s office or emergency department of the local hospital, insist that you be given a tetanus shot. Also request that a test be performed to see whether they can tell if you were exposed to rabies or not. If the Skunk is captured or killed, request that it be tested for rabies.

My mom had a Skunk for a pet when she was a teenager. It was a friendly animal, but even after having its scent glands removed, it still had that lingering musky smell. It’s hard to get friendly with an animal that has that kind of odour. Fortunately for mom, her sense of smell is very limited, so she didn’t notice it, but when dad met “Suzy” he wasn’t all that favourably impressed. A few weeks after mom and dad started dating, mom found a new home for “Suzy” so dad didn’t have to worry about her odour any more. He doesn’t know if all pet Skunks have an odour, because that is the only one he has been around. It could have been that the person who removed the scent glands didn’t do that good of a job.

If you do get a Skunk as a pet, you have to be careful with it because Skunks tend to over eat and if you over feed them they will become obese in a short period of time. This obesity will lead to medical problems, so make sure that you only feed the prescribed amount of food, or you will be faced with large veterinarian bills.

Until next time,

Teia