4 minute read
ASK YOUR VET
Ask the Vet
QQ: Dear Doctor Travis, my cousin says that bearded dragons are venomous. If this is true, how can they be pets?
A: The saliva of bearded dragons has been found to carry venom. Interestingly, their saliva carries some of the same toxins that can be found in rattlesnakes. This does NOT A&mean that bearded dragons are poisonous to humans. They only produce enough poison to paralyze their small prey. There is not enough to pose a risk to us. If anything, a bite will just cause some swelling and bleeding. Like with any animal bite, there is a risk of infection, though, so any bite must be washed and disinfected without delay. Bearded dragons are known to carry Salmonella, so you should be washing your hands well after handling one anyway. Q: Hi Doctor. We have two dogs and we would like to take them on holiday more often. One gets really car sick. Is there something we can do to help with this? He’s about eight years old and has been this way since we got him. A: Motion sickness is usually a problem that dogs grow out of, but some adult dogs can still become nauseous when travelling in a vehicle. A lot of the time we underestimate how much anxiety contributes to this nausea. Remember; a lot of dogs don’t spend a lot of time in the car. When they do, it’s often to the vet, which isn’t always a positive experience. The first step would be to condition your pet to travelling in a moving vehicle by taking regular (several times a week), short trips around any whining or discomfort your dog may show. Some over the counter calming medication may be able to help with this, too. The goal will be to accustom your dog to a 30-minute drive over the period of a few weeks. Another trick to avoid nausea in the car would be to withhold food for a few hours before travel, and to keep the interior of the car cool for the trip. Toys may also help with distraction. If the above methods fail, it may be necessary to get some anti-nausea medication for the trip. Cerenia is a drug that has been labeled for motion sickness in dogs, however it is expensive and available through prescription only. the block or to a nearby park. Remember to stay calm during these trips and avoid showing any annoyance at
Q: Dear Doctor Travis, is it true that you can feed your goldfish peas and veggies? I’ve only been feeding fish flakes to mine.
A: Goldfish, by nature, are omnivorous foragers that eat a wide variety of food sources. While commercially available flakes and pellets are considered to be a good start at meeting the nutritional needs of goldfish, many enthusiasts agree that this shouldn’t be the only food source that is fed. They can be deficient in fiber, which can lead to dietary issues. You can add fiber to your goldfish’s diet by feeding fresh vegetables. Overfeeding is always a risk because goldfish are greedy, so the advice seems to be not to feed anything larger than a few millimeters at a time (or larger than a goldfish’s eye). Leafy vegetables like spinach and lettuce can also be shredded and fed or clipped to the side of the tank so that the fish can nibble. The best article I could find on this topic is available at this link: https://www. fishtankworld.com/feeding-goldfish.
It’s a comprehensive (and quite entertaining) explanation of how, what and when to feed your goldfish. Worth a glance for any goldfish enthusiasts.
Q: Hi Dr Travis. Are there any guidelines for when a dog should learn to swim like there is for how old they should be for walking as puppies? Or does this come as a natural activity?
A: Just like in humans, swimming does not come as a natural activity to dogs. They have to learn how to keep afloat. Some breeds, such as retriever breeds, take to water very easily. Other breeds, especially those with flat faces or short legs, tend to swim like bricks. As with introducing anything new to your dog, you will have to take it slow. A children’s paddle pool or some water in a bathtub is a good start; just enough to get their paws wet. Keep treats and toys handy to make it a positive experience. Avoid too much splashing if the puppy is uncomfortable. The first step of a swimming pool can also work but can be daunting for most dogs at first, and a bit too deep for smaller puppies to begin with.
If you are lucky enough to live near a dam or lake, then you can also accustom the puppy to swimming by taking them in deep enough so that only their legs are submerged. Remember to start off slowly and then take them deeper as they become stronger swimmers. NEVER allow them to go in unattended and be sure that you stay close to them to help if something goes wrong.
It is always better to start young, and you can start water training your puppy from 10 weeks already. Just remember to have all their vaccinations up to date before trying to take them to any body of water where other dogs will be present.
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