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Animals, Reptiles & Insects

Dr Laura Morland

2013-06-25 09:45:48

Q-What can I do to help my dog who is scared of storms and loud noises?

A-Summer time is here and storm season is upon us creating havoc for storm phobic dogs and their people. During storm and noise events dogs can display a wide variety of symptoms from trembling, panting and pacing to outright panic and damage to both the animal and owner property. Dogs that experience intense responses to noises and storms need our help to ease their suffering. Helping these dogs requires environmental management, behavior modification and often medication. An important first step is to create a calm, safe place for dogs experiencing noise and storm sensitivities to be during the event. Pet owners should identify a quiet, dark, safe location where the dog can go during noise events. A room with no windows may diminish the noise or ability to hear or see outside stimuli. It can be helpful if music is played or noise from a fan that will mask the disturbing outside noises during storms. You should practice taking the dog to this location when no storms are present and begin to associate good things like food stuffed toys and calm petting with the location. Also the dog should be able to come and go as confinement can sometimes make the panic worse. Teaching the dog how to settle and relax in a specific location is extremely useful. Training is facilitated with food stuffed toys or food rewards. The goal is for the dog to be emotionally calm on cue and so it is important that the training takes place before the fear inducing event so the dog will settle easily during a storm. Desensitization using audio CD's of storm sounds or other noises can be useful to diminish responses and help the dog learn to be calm during the event. Snug fitting garments and wraps such as a Thundershirt are often useful in calming an anxious dog. For some dogs, these recommendations will not be enough and medications may need to be utilized. There is no medication that is specifically approved for the treatment of noise and storm phobias but there are various ones that have been tried with some success. See your veterinarian for help assessing your pet and coming up with a plan to help your pet during the stressful times.

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Animals, Reptiles & Insects

Dr William Morland

2013-05-29 11:51:44

Q-What causes pinkeye in cattle and how can I prevent it?

A-Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, more commonly known as pinkeye in cattle, is a contagious bacterial infection of the eye. Pinkeye is caused when bacterial organisms such as Moraxella bovis infect the surface of the eye. Multiple strains of Moraxella bovis have been identified, each capable of creating pinkeye in cattle. The bacteria attach themselves to the tissues of the eye and cause inflammation and ultimately ulceration of the cornea which results in pain and can lead to possible blindness. While bacterial organisms like Moraxella bovis are the root cause of pinkeye in cattle, face flies are the primary vector responsible for spreading the bacteria from animal to animal. Face flies travel from animal to animal. They feed on the watery tearing from cattle's eyes. When they do so they spread the bacteria that can cause pinkeye from animal to animal. Since face flies can visit several animals a day they can rapidly spread the pinkeye bacteria throughout a herd. Seed heads, dust, pollen and UV light are environmental factors that can increase trauma to the eyes of cattle. These irritants can scratch the cornea of the eye and allow for easier attachment of the Moraxella bovis bacteria. Traumatized eyes will result in an increase in the tearing of the eye; increasing the attraction of the face flies that can spread the pinkeye causing bacteria. This is why fly control and environmental management are key components of a pinkeye prevention plan. Pinkeye in cattle easily costs producers an average of $100 a head due to reduced weight gain, added treatment costs and discounts on sale day. University research has shown that pinkeye can reduce weaning weights in calves as much as 40 to 60 pounds. The first leg of control is vaccination. The best pinkeye vaccines stimulate the production of antibodies in tears that bathe the eye, limit infection and reduce the severity of lesions. To allow adequate development of immunity, vaccinate animals three to six weeks prior to the onset of pinkeye season. The second key to preventing pinkeye is fly control, because pinkeye can be spread rapidly by face flies that transport bacteria from the eyes of one animal to another. Face flies can travel significant distances between herds and can expose animals to many different strains of Moraxella bovis. Effective fly control requires customization to your production system. There are several best management practices that most every producer should follow to reduce the impact flies have on the spread of pinkeye. • Treat animals of all ages and their premises with an effective, long-lasting and easy to administer insecticide • For calves and cows (dairy cows under 21-months of age), apply two insecticide fly tags (one in each ear) per animal, in addition to a low-volume, long-lasting pour-on for rapid knockdown of the existing fly population. Reapply the pour-on as needed • For premise control, use an insecticide such as a microencapsulated product that delivers superior, long-lasting control on a wide variety of surfaces in and around livestock facilities • Use additional fly-control measures as necessary, such as back-rubbers, oilers and other devices that can be used on pasture • When ear tags lose their effectiveness, remove them and apply a final dose of a low-volume pour-on • If you believe a product is not working, contact the manufacturer and your animal health provider to discuss the situation and get help • Reapply insecticides throughout the fly season, and always follow label directions. The environment is the third area of focus in preventing pinkeye. Management practices such as pasture mowing, dust control and man-made or natural shades are important to minimize eye irritants, such as pollen, seed heads, dust and ultraviolet light. These environmental factors cause eye irritation and physical damage, allowing infectious pinkeye organisms to attach to the surface of the eye. These irritants can also cause the eye to tear. Tearing, watery eyes can attract flies, which feed on the watery secretions from the eye and surrounding tissue and spread pinkeye-causing bacteria.

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Animals, Reptiles & Insects

Dr Laura Morland

2013-04-30 08:49:12

Q-Do I need to worry about ticks this year?

A-For a number of reasons, tick populations in many areas will likely explode this year and parasitologists say that it is not just more ticks, it is more ticks in more places. The reasons that ticks and the diseases they carry spread is warmer winters, increase in white tailed deer, migratory birds that carry ticks to new areas and the rural areas becoming suburbs which bring together people, wildlife and ticks. Without the cold hard winters that use to be prevalent there just isn't the winter kill and several ticks species that were abundant in the South have moved North. Wildlife is one of the biggest contributors to the increasing tick populations. Ticks hitch a ride to new areas on migratory birds, rodents, coyotes and the white-tailed deer. When ticks are dropped off in an area, they are moved within that area by smaller wildlife. In addition, more and more people are encroaching on wildlife as they move from urban areas into rural and suburban areas, putting themselves and their pets in harm's (the tick's) way. Ticks are the major cause of vector-borne diseases in the United States, they have been implicated in the transmission of nearly a dozen human and animal infectious diseases, including anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease. One tick species is a vector in transmitting Cytauxzoonosis, a deadly cat infection, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can be deadly for both people and dogs. So should you be worried about ticks? Yes and although owners take the risk seriously enough for themselves their pets are just as important. There are many products available both from your veterinarian and in retail stores. There are several new products that have come on the market, just be sure your pets both dogs and outdoor cats are protected.

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Animals, Reptiles & Insects

Dr Laura Morland

2013-03-25 15:31:11

Q-What care should outdoor cats be given?

A-Cats that spend time outdoors are exposed to several hazards; fights, injuries, toxins, becoming lost or trapped, and exposure to parasites and infectious diseases. In addition, free-roaming cats present risks to native wildlife. Most veterinarians recommend that cats stay indoors but many times clients are unable or unwilling to keep cats indoors especially in rural areas. Farmers often seek to keep a cat colony outdoors to help control rats and mice in and around barns and feed storage areas. Preventative care for these free-roaming cats typically include appropriate vaccinations and parasite control. While all pet cats are at risk for parasites, ongoing exposure is more likely in those that spend time outdoors. Both internal and external parasites are common, but most can be treated or prevented. Products should be selected based on probable parasite exposure, ease of use, and effectiveness. Vaccinations are critical in preventing infectious diseases. Cats should be immunized against rabies and receive periodic boosters because exposure to wildlife is potentially dangerous especially skunks in this area. Rabies is one of the diseases that cats can spread to humans; in fact more rabies is spread by infected cats than dogs. The other vaccination that is most important is for panleukopenia virus or feline distemper virus. It is most lethal to young kittens and has been blamed for multiple deaths in colonies of unvaccinated cats. Parasite control is especially important in young kittens and can also have zoontic (spread to humans) potential. Many effective products are available to be administered either orally or topically. Since it is difficult to prevent exposure in outdoor cats periodic treatment is recommended. External parasites can also be a problem and sometimes necessitates year round control. Fleas are potential vectors of Bartonella spp., tapeworm infection, and can cause anemia and death. Ticks can carry a number of diseases that will affect cats particularly the cytaurzoon sp that is fatal to cats exposed. Fortunately there are very good products available both OTC or from your local veterinarian to protect your cats and keep them healthy. Surgical sterilization is a critical factor in both keeping your cats healthy and in population control. Fighting among intact males is a common problem and has the potential of spreading disease as well as inflicting serious wounds that may require medical attention. Cats can be spayed or neutered at a young age and vaccinated at the same time. These are just some of the suggestions for preventative care for your out-door cats-see your local veterinarian for their assistance in keeping your cats healthy.

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Animals, Reptiles & Insects

Dr William Morland

2013-03-01 14:56:31

Q-What can I expect in a routine calving and when should I call my veterinarian with a problem?

A-A good rule of thumb is the calf should be born within two hours after the fluid or "water" bag appears. For a mature cow, it will probably be closer to one hour. If you do not know when the animal began labor, the most reliable way to assess if the animal is having trouble is the progress it is making. A cow or heifer should be making progress every 20-30 minutes that she is in active second- stage labor. If there is no progress obviously, there may be an abnormally positioned calf or other condition that blocks passage of the fetus and membranes so they are not visible. Several factors associated with the cow influence calving difficulty (dystocia), the major ones being her age and pelvic size. First-calf heifers require more assistance in calving than do cows, because they are usually structurally smaller. Even 2- or 3-year-old cows can require assistance if their pelvic area remains small. About 5 percent of the calves at birth are in abnormal positions, such as forelegs or head turned back, breech, rear end position, sideways or rotated. This can be determined by the owner, who with careful preparations and cleanliness; examines the birth canal to assess the dilation of the cervix and position of the fetus. The normal position of a fetus is both front feet and head in the pelvis area and if the calf is not too large assistance can be given to deliver the calf. Your veterinarian should be called if you suspect any problems or if delivery is delayed by 2 to 3 hours once labor has started. Once the calf has been delivered, it is important to encourage the cow to stand to reduce the chances of another serious problem - a uterine prolapse. This requires immediate veterinarian assistance. Also the placental membranes may not expel or separate from the uterine attachment. This should only be considered a problem if it continues for 3-5 days, Again a veterinarian can assist with this situation. I hope that you will have a successful calving season with minor problems. Thank you, Bill

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Animals, Reptiles & Insects

Dr William Morland

2013-02-01 08:39:09

Q-What can a producer do to ensure that their calves this spring are immune to diseases?

A-First of all, extra attention to the mother cow prior of calving helps ensure a healthy calf and a return to normal, productive health as soon as possible. Proper nutrition and annual vaccinations will help boost immunity in cows and spike antibody levels in the colostrum. Optimizing antibodies in the colostrum transfers increased immunity to the calves. The single, most important meal a calf will consume in its lifetime is the first feeding of colostrum. This meal is crucial for surviving both the first 24 hours and the first month when calf hood diseases are most common. In addition, quality colostrum feeding supports calf growth to optimize weaning weights and to reach breeding weight early. Immediately after birth the calf's intestines have a unique property; the ability to absorb or transfer antibodies directly into the bloodstream. Antibodies are essential in preventing infectious diseases, and this is the calf's only means of acquiring immunity early in life. However, as hours pass the ability to absorb antibodies progressively decreases. Studies have shown that the efficiency of antibody absorption drops to about 50% by 6 hours of age and stops completely by 24 hours after birth. Colostrum must be fed as soon as possible after birth, ideally within an hour, and no later than 6 hours. If a calf is not suckling before 6 hours of age, it is recommended that it be tube-fed rather than allow more time to pass. When it is not possible to milk the cow immediately, a good quality colostrum replacer is an alternative to ensure the calf receives a timely first meal. The amount of colostrum needed depends on the quality of the colostrum, size of the calf and method of feeding. As a rule, colostrum should be fed to 10% of the calf's body weight. For a 90-pound calf, this is about four quarts. An additional two to four quarts should be fed no later than 12 hours after calving. If tube feeding, the calf can easily be fed the larger volumes. Dystocia calves and those born during hot, humid weather have reduced ability to absorb antibodies and require a larger dose of colostrum. The best quality colostrum can still deliver a mouthful of pathogens if a few precautions are taken to ensure a clean environment. Beef calves will do best if moved from the calving pen as soon as possible and be provided with clean pasture and protection from inclement weather. Good luck with your calving season and I hope this discussion will help ensure healthy calves.

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Animals, Reptiles & Insects

Dr Laura Morland

2012-11-19 11:41:56

Q- What are some important tips to keep my pets safe and healthy this winter?

A- Keep pets indoors, especially cats, as much as possible in cold weather. You should shorten exercise walks for dogs and if you are cold then they will be too. Safe outdoor temperatures will vary by breed and size and if they must be outside, provide adequate shelter. Make sure that your pet always has fresh, non-frozen drinking water. Animals who don't have clean accessible water will turn to puddles where they can drink deadly antifreeze, oil and other chemicals. If you live near a pond or lake, be especially careful of ice. Animals can easily fall through the ice and it is difficult for them to escape. Keep them on a leash or stay with them when outdoors. When the weather cools, cats like to sleep near a warm car engine, curling up on or under the hood. Honk or rap on the hood before you start your car or truck engine. Pets who go outdoors can pick up rock salt, ice, and chemical ice melts in their foot pads. Clean pads thoroughly after a trip outside. Safety tips during the Holidays include securing the holiday tree by anchoring the top of the tree to a wall so cats and large dogs don't knock it over. Make sure all presents accessible to pets are securely wrapped, and don't use ribbon or raffia. Also don't leave candy, especially chocolate, under the tree. Clean up pine needles under live trees as they could damage pets' intestines. Keep all ornaments well out of pets' reach and don't use tinsel.

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Animals, Reptiles & Insects

Dr Laura Morland

2012-11-09 08:25:26

Q- What can I do to prevent obesity in my pets?

A- Obesity is becoming an epidemic in our companion animals. Studies have found that the overall prevalence of overweight and obese dogs is between 24% and 30% and prevalence of obese cats between 25% and 35%. This is attributed to 3% the pet's predisposition and 97% the owner's fault by excessive feeding, too many treat rewards and a decrease in physical activity. As few as two lbs above a cat's ideal weight and five lbs in a dog can put them at risk for developing some serious medical conditions. These may include Type 2 diabetes, heart and respiratory disease, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, and many forms of cancer. Further, overweight and obese pets tend to live shorter lives, and interact less with their families. So what can we do about this emerging epidemic? The first place to start is obviously nutrition and that can be difficult because of the many factors such as expense, availability, quality and just how spoiled our companions have become. Counting calories is very important for maintaining an ideal weight. The average 10 lb animal only needs approximately 200 calories in a day. That includes treats!! Unfortunately excessive treats interfere with appetite and dietary balance and often lead to obesity. Treats are such an important part of the human-animal bond but if they are causing obesity you need to substitute lower calorie foods such as string beans, baby carrots, celery, melon, apples and other fruits and vegetables. Be sure and not give the dangerous items like onions, grapes, raisins and any food containing the artificial sweetener xylitol. Physical activity is just as important as nutrition and increasing it will benefit both the human and animal companions. Walking for weight loss means walking briskly for the first leg of your walk and then you can "smell the roses" on your way home. In other words no lolly-gagging until you both have had a bit of good exercise. Dogs will eventually respond to brisk walking. However cats are a different critter. You will have to be creative to encourage exercise. One simple tip is playing "Find the Food"--which means moving the food bowl so the cat has to move around. You can use feather toys, flashlights, paper bags or balls, anything that your cat finds interesting to chase. Try to engage your cat for ten minutes twice a day. Experiment and understand that what is exciting today may be boring tomorrow.

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Animals, Reptiles & Insects

Charlie Traffas

2004-07-01 10:42:00

:  How does a zoo decide what type of species they would like to bring in for a specific area such as the Gorilla Forest? What is the procedure for actually finding available animals, and relocating the animals to a zoo? What sorts of costs are involved?

ANSWER:  These are frequently asked questions. For most zoos, it starts with the master plan. This is a document adopted back in 1969 that is revised from time to time. Amazingly, very few big changes have been made to it and it has served as a very good road map to the stories we want to tell about nature. The plan rarely tells which animals to display, but usually indicates the kind of exhibit to be built such as a jungle or amphibian and reptile building with a few ideas of what it should be like. When the time actually comes to select animals, zoos look to our collection master plans.Each of our animal curators has a five-year collection plan with which they try to predict the animals we will need for display or otherwise hold in our collection. There is a mammal plan, a bird plan and a plan for reptiles, amphibians, and fishes. Each plan is based on a variety of factors including our exhibit master plan, how much space is available, and whether or not there is a cooperative breeding plan between zoos accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). Of course we have to consider whether or not a species will be a suitable display. Will it always be hidden or be too stressed? The curators also have to figure out how many individuals of each species we should have.Most of our animals come from other AZA accredited zoos or aquariums and they can be loans, gifts, or sales. For instance, all of the gorillas, bongos, okapis, colobus monkeys, and DeBrazza's monkeys are from other zoos. AZA provides an animal exchange listing for its members and sometimes animals are found through that. However, if a species is managed by an AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP), the zoo-to-zoo movement of any of those animals is planned by a committee. We say we can hold so many of a species and the committee assigns us whatever animals fit best in the management plan.Sometimes we purchase animals from animal dealers that we believe abide by our code of ethics. Most of the animals purchased from dealers have been fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Birds are often purchased from other zoos.Usually the animals in multi-zoo breeding programs don't cost us anything if we get them from an American zoo. It may seem odd, but some of the rarest animals in our zoo were free. But there is always the cost of getting them here. For small animals the best shipping is usually by air. Sometimes we do our own over-the-road shipping, as was done with our gorillas, and sometimes we hire specialists to do it. We do whatever is best for the animal. Even when we ship our own animals we have to figure vehicle costs, gas, meals, motels, and salaries with overtime for two or three people for maybe two or three days. Believe me, free animals aren't free, but when it comes to saving endangered species, they're worth every penny.

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Animals, Reptiles & Insects

Jim Marlett

2003-12-01 10:27:00

: What are the common characteristics of primates?

ANSWER: Primates are the monkey-like animals. They range in size from tiny, like mouse lemurs, to large, like gorillas.   There isn't any single characteristic that distinguishes a primate, but there are several characteristics that primates tend to have. One of the easiest to see is forward-facing eyes, which allows them to have good depth perception. They can see color and generally rely heavily on vision rather than smell or other senses.   Primates tend to have short faces with small noses, although lemurs have rather long snouts. Their ears tend to stick out from their heads and are usually hairless.   One characteristic that many people remember from school is the opposable thumb. This means that the thumb can move to be opposite the fingers so they can pick up and maneuver delicate objects. Long fingers give them a powerful grip. Primates usually have flattened fingernails, although a few have claws. Some even have a combination of nails and claws.   Primates don't have very many babies at one time (usually just one) and their babies take a long time to grow up. Their social structures tend to be complex, although they may be very different from one species to another. A relatively large and complex brain helps them solve problems and think their way out of trouble or into it.

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Animals, Reptiles & Insects

James H Marlett

2003-11-01 15:18:00

:  What kind of education and or background does a zookeeper need?

ANSWER: Officially, zookeeper positions require two years of college with some coursework in biological sciences and there is no experience requirement. However, a college degree in biology, zoology, wildlife management, or a similar area of study is a good idea. The reality is that most of our serious applicants have at least a four-year college degree with some experience, paid or as volunteers, working with animals. The people with degrees and animal experience usually get the jobs. Also, in order to advance to senior zookeeper, curator, or other more advanced jobs, a four-year degree and several years zoo experience is required.

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Animals, Reptiles & Insects

Mike Quick

2003-10-01 08:57:00

: What is the danger of attack from zoo animals? What do keepers do to protect themselves?

ANSWER: There is an inherent risk in taking care of dangerous animals in a zoo setting.  Exhibits must be designed and built to contain the animals.  Keepers must be trained in safety procedures and constantly aware of safety in the workplace.  Any mistake in one of these areas can lead to serious injury or even death for the zookeeper and/or the animal.  Training is the most effective means to protect the zoo keeper from an animal attack.  Constantly thinking about safety, securing enclosures, gates, doors, etc. should be on the mind of all zookeepers.  A very important rule of thumb that we always stress is to "count the animals you see, not the ones you don't," which means physically observe the animals in a secure separate location before you enter an enclosure.  Don't assume that because you don't see any animals in the exhibit they must be locked away.  We also provide a personal canister of pepper spray that may give the zoo keeper the seconds they need to escape an animal attack.

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Animals, Reptiles & Insects

Brad Batdorf

2003-08-01 13:57:00

:  A few years ago we heard about 'killer bees' and how they would be coming to the USA, but haven't heard anything recently.  What is the latest?

ANSWER:  Africanized "killer bees" did indeed advance up from South and Central America and first entered a border county of Texas in 1990. In the years since that time, they have gradually moved north and westward. They are now found in certain parts of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and much of southern Texas. They are still moving northward, but scientists are unsure how far their range may be extended before they are limited by the winter temperatures.     While their venom is no stronger than that of our familiar European honeybees, they are much more aggressive and more likely to swarm and sting in large numbers. Deaths of humans, pets and livestock have been reported due to unusually high numbers of stings and the cumulative effect of the toxins. Perhaps a greater threat than the rare chance of being swarmed is the effect they may have on beekeeping.      These pushy bees will enter existing colonies of honeybees, either forcing the milder bees out, or breeding with them to produce hybrid colonies that may be much harder for beekeepers to manage. The loss of managed hives could affect the supply of honey as well as the pollination services that are essential to successful production of many fruits like melons and citrus.

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Animals, Reptiles & Insects

Brad Batdorf

2003-04-01 11:23:00

:  Are zebras a member of the horse family?  Aren't all zebra stripes basically the same?

ANSWER:  Yes, zebras are from the horse family, known to scientists as Equidae. This group  is made up of horses, zebras and donkeys. According to scientists who study them, no two zebras, even those in the same family, have identical stripes. They are as unique as human fingerprints. It is true that zebras from the same area resemble each other more than zebras from other regions. There are several recognized species of zebras, and the species are distinguished from one another on the basis of size and stripes. Some types of zebras have wider stripes, some have stripes the whole way down to the hooves, while others do not.  Some have stripes that stop at the belly while others have stripes that go the whole way around.

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Animals, Reptiles & Insects

Brad Batdorf

2003-03-01 11:43:00

:  What is a rhino horn made of?  Isn't it about the same as an elephant tusk or a cow horn?  Why do some rhinos have square lips and others have pointed lips?

ANSWER:  A rhino's horn is composed of matted fibers of a protein material called keratin. If you look closely at a horn, you can often see the frayed fibers where the horn is worn. Keratin is the main chemical compound that makes up our fingernails, hair, and even the outer layers of our skin. A cow's horn is covered with a sheet of this keratin, but has an internal core of bone. After the cow is dead and the horn is removed, it is hollow, tapering to the tip. That's why the old cow horns were capped on the wide end and used to hold gunpowder for muzzle-loading rifles. The tusk of an elephant, on the other hand, is a special tooth that continues to grow. It is solid and made mainly of calcium like your bones and teeth, but does not have the durable layer of enamel that keeps your teeth from wearing down too quickly. Because elephants use their tusks for so many things, they wear down at the tips and must continue to grow.While three species of rhinos are still found in Asia, most people are more familiar with the two rhinos of Africa, the black and the white. Black rhinos have a pointed lip which is very handy for stripping leaves from tree branches and bushes, their preferred food. White rhinos have a broad, squared lip that enables them to crop grasses close to the ground, just like a cow.