ISSUE #8 NOVEMBER 2010 FREE TO SUBSCRIBE
BARKING MAD ~ CATS MEOW~ FEATHERED FRIENDS ~ KIDS PAGE PET PAPARAZZI ~ FEATURE ARTICLE ~ PET GOURMET ~ Q & A
Boss ( Tag 207737) is a 2 year old blend of Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Mastiff. At first he was a little timid in his new surroundings but now he’s a happy, playful pooch and a very affectionate boy. He can be adopted from AWL for $170. ->
COVER ART “BOSS” By the AWL Gold Coast
All AWL animals are de sexed, micro chipped, vaccinated, wormed, flea treated, health and sociability checked. In addition to this, our animals have a 10 day health guarantee (covering any illness arising as a result of having been in our care), and a 21 day ‘settling-in warranty’. They also offer the Friends For Life dog training program for new owners. Mickey (tag 205839) is a sweet girl who has really come out of her shell. Mickey is good with other dogs, and she loves her pen mate Boss! She would be happy to have another doggy friend that was gentle and sweet, just like her. Mickey is just 14 months young, a Staffy Bull Arab mix. She can be adopted for $170.
Meet Lady (tag 207026 ) She is a very affectionate 15 month young mix of Aussie Cattle dog and Labrador Retriever. She’s highly active and playful and needs room to move and run and good fences. Lady’s a socialite and has made lots of doggie friends at the Stapylton AWLQ. She can be adopted for $170.
Flame (tag 901214) This gorgeous boy is 4 years old . He has an amazing pair of green peepers and stares lovingly at you if you offer him a head massage or chin scratch! He can be adopted for $70 .
Nero (Tag ) is a beautiful, big, statuesque male cat aged 4 years old. He’s pretty keen on his food and it shows in his large physique! He’s a bit submissive around other cats, so may suit best a quiet and pet-free home. He can be adopted for $70. The AWL Qld does not receive Government funding for its welfare work and is therefore reliant on volunteers and the community’s generosity. With the average cost being $400 per animal we re home, the AWL Qld runs at a large loss when rehoming our animals.
http://www.awlqld.com.au/ Phone: 07 5509 9000
Contributors:
Animal Welfare League Gold Coast Pet Peoples Place David B Webber - Parrot Expert. Harper Collins Publishers Laura Marsh - Journalist
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Clarence Clark- Chihuahua Enthusiast Keith Pardee - Aquaculture . Dmitrij Motley- Himalayan Enthusiast
Thank you. Page 2
Disclaimer Notice: The information, images and graphic design (artwork) contained on this web site is owned by Pet Scene Magazine and/ or the original authors where applicable. Information contained in any of the articles is not necessarily the direct opinion of Pet Scene Magazine and, where applicable, does not take the place of a consultation with a qualified and competent veterinarian. Veterinarian advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each patient. Pet Scene Magazine tries to provide quality information but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained herein.
WELCOME TO PET SCENE MAGAZINE Australia’s hottest resource in the pet industry. We’re going to be doing a lot of exciting things here at Pet Scene Magazine and we are thrilled to bring you on board. Pet Scene is Australia’s own online publication dedicated to bringing you a quality monthly magazine available FREE right across the nation. We pride ourselves on promoting responsible pet ownership, education and community awareness. Jam packed with informative articles and professional advice, Pet Scene Magazine will have you up to date on all the latest news and information for your best friend.
With this ongoing support we look forward to a bright future and many happy, healthy pets throughout our beautiful country. Kristy Hunter Editorial Director
Pet Scene Magazine is a proud supporter of:
We are a family owned business with a long history of volunteering our time to animal welfare and from this came the drive to produce Pet Scene Magazine. With Australia having one of the highest incidences of pet ownership in the world, our goal is to provide a countrywide resource which utilizes today*’s modern technology to reach a wider demographic quickly and efficiently. In keeping our publication Free it is hoped that we can reach as many people as possible with our important message of responsible pet care. But we need your help, so jump on our support page and join the Pet Scene Street Team!
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Pet Scene Magazine will not be held liable for any loss, injury, claim, or damage related to your use of this site whether from errors and omissions in the content or from any other use of this site. This web site is not a substitute for the advice of a competent veterinarian. Some of the articles in this web site contain links to other resources and are not intended to state or imply that Pet Scene Magazine sponsors, is affiliated or associated with or is legally authorized to use any trade name, registered trademark, or copyrighted symbol that may be reflected in the links. Warranty & Indemnity Content and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers. While every effort is made to gather information from professionals in good faith, No liability is accepted for issues or damages arising from content or advertising by Pet Scene Magazine. No readers should act on the basis of information contained in this publication without first seeking professional advice that can take into account their individual needs and their particular set of circumstances. This publication is intended to inform and illustrate. The publishers and editors or Pet Scene Magazine give no representation and make no warranties, expressed or implied, in regard to the accuracy, completeness, currency or reliability of any of the material contained within the publication or its associated web site. No correspondence will be entered into in relation to this publication by the publishers, editors or authors. Articles are published in good faith without our knowledge of any copyright infringement. The contents, design and graphics of Pet Scene Magazine are copyright and may not be reproduced in any form in whole or part without the written permission of the publishers.
Page 3
Contents: Contributors...................................................................................2 Welcome........................................................................................3 Do Animals Really Have A 6th Sense?..........................................6
Pet Gourmet.................................................................................10 Pignic in The Park Guinea Pig Treats Kids Corner...................................................................................11
Feathered Friends........................................................................12 Teaching your parrot to talk - Part 1. Pet Paparazzi...............................................................................14
Disease Outbreak Affecting Michigan Horses & Humans............16
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 4
The Dangers Of Secondhand Smoke To Pets..............................18 Top 10 Tips to choose the right pet for your family........................20 Ask Mr. Beefy Q & A.......................................................................21 Barking Mad..................................................................................22 The Chihuahua Healthy Fish Tips...........................................................................24 5 Easy Ways To Keep Your Fish Healthy
Is Your Cat Infected With Lung Worm?.........................................26 PET OWNERS WARNED: Beware of Foxtails..............................28 The Cats Meow.............................................................................30 The Himalayan “Huck” Book Giveaway....................................................................32
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 5
Do Animals Really
By Krist Many pet owners, especially those with dogs or cats will have experienced happenings which cannot be satisfactorily explained by the conventional senses. Perhaps they have been warned of impending danger, or perhaps the animal seems to know that something unusual was going to happen, or the pet instinctively senses that a person is untrustworthy or meaning to do them harm. Such events are often described as “Animal Instincts� but is there far more to this than we can understand? So acute are these senses that experts claim Dogs and Cats can predict earthquakes. Electromagnetic waves are emitted before an earthquake happens & animals have the ability to detect these. Japanese seismologists spearheading the research claim that Carp have been used in the past to calculate quakes. However they are far too www.petscenemagazine.com.au
sensitive, picking up even the most minor tremors up to 2 weeks in advance. Dogs and cats, on the other hand, only detect earthquakes at the high end of the Richter scale and even then only pick them up about three hours before they happen. Giving their owners just enough warning to move to safety and avoid the impending danger. Dogs are also being used as early cancer detectors. Scientific research has now confirmed that dogs are highly successful in sniffing out cancer in humans thanks to their incredible sense of smell. Dogs have a sense of smell 10,000 times stronger than humans, giving them the ability to detect the
Page 6
“
Have a Sixth Sense?
ty Hunter different scent produced by cancerous waste by-products. So good are they, that one study showed they were up to 97% accurate. Dogs have also been used to identify people with lung and breast cancer by sniffing proteins in their breath. There are also many anecdotal stories of Pets in nursing homes who have the uncanny ability to detect when a patient is about to die. A cat named Oscar who resides at a Rode Island Nursing home has proven himself in around 50 cases. The cat spends its days quickly moving from room to room, rarely spending any time with patients except those with just hours to live. Dr. Dosa and the other staff at the nursing home are so confident in Oscar’s accuracy that they will alert family members when the cat jumps on to a bed and stretches out beside its occupant. It is suggested that Oscar is able to detect ketones; the distinctly-odoured biochemical’s given off by dying cells.
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 7
Continued... Dogs have also been known to predict an epileptic owner’s seizure.
Motley who wouldn’t leave her alone. A split second before each contraction she would be there by her side knowingly waiting. That night the cat kept a vigil over her watching her all night. At around 4am the contractions stopped and Miss Motley left her side completely. The following day Miss Motley all of a sudden jumped up onto her tummy and lent down staring intently, a moment latter she got a big wave of a contraction. Once the contraction stopped-she left...She got another 5 minutes after and the cat did the same, then left as soon as it finished! So now Just recently a friend of mine who is heavily pregnant woke one day to find each time the cat lingers near her she waits for her waters to break or someher cat behaving very peculiar. Miss Motley the cat hovered over her all day. thing to happen. She didn’t think much of it at the time and just assumed she was hungry. She kept telling her her bowl was full, but the cat wouldn’t leave her side and just kept watching her intently. A few hours later she began to have mild contractions. She went to the doctors who confirmed it was indeed the beginning of contractions. She returned home to wait it out, only to be greeted by Miss www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 8
While it is true, of course, that many of the warnings given by dogs, cats and other pets are due not to a “sixth sense” but to their other heightened senses. This fails to explain more remarkable phenomena which go beyond hearing, seeing, feeling, tasting and smelling.
These cases would seem to suggest that there is a genuine response which goes beyond all reasonable basis’s for knowing. This only leaves extrasensory perception left to explain such awareness. So is it true that animals do indeed have a “sixth sense” as many with pets believe? There have been many reported cases of a dog reacting to the death of a significant person in their lives, despite being some distance from the person and long before any message of the event was received which could have been a signal to the animal.
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 9
Pet Gourmet Are you heading to this months Pignic In The Park? Why not make some tasty treats for your Guinea Pig friends to enjoy as well with this great recipe for Cavy Cookies:
Pignic In The Park 14th November
Ingredients: •
2 Cups Whole wheat flour
•
1 Cups Shredded carrot
•
1/4 Cup Shredded Apple
•
1 Cup Warm water
•
2 Tablespoons Honey
Method:
Mix all ingredients into a fairly stiff bread like dough. Roll to 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface and then using a cookie cutter cut into shapes (carrot shapes are good). Bake in a 180 degree oven (Celsius) for 9-12 minutes or until edges are crispy depending on your oven. Let them cool Store in an air tight container. cookies will last around two weeks or you can also freeze them for longer storage. _______________________________________________
Birdy Banana Strips
This simple recipe makes it easy for even the youngest bird owners to join in the fun. Ingredients: • 1/2 Banana •
1 Egg (with or without shell)
•
1 cup quick oats
•
1/2 cup wheat flour
•
1/8 cup millet
•
1/2 cup water or unsweetened fruit juice
Method:
Blend all ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Spread the resulting paste onto a clean, microwave safe plate. Microwave on high heat for 3 1/2 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting into shapes or strips, then serve! Leftovers can be refrigerated and stored for up to 3 days. www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 10
SPOT THE 4 DIFFERENCES
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 11
Teaching your Parrot to talk. (PART 1) By David B Webber PART 1:
Introduction Having talking parrots as pets goes way back to at least the time of Ancient Greeks. By the time of the Roman Empire it was even more common and courses were given to teach people how to get their birds to mimic human speech. The material covered in this article is much more effective than those courses of ancient times and the training myths of ancient times have been omitted. One of the craziest myths was that the parrot should be placed in a completely dark room during training.
As the following joke suggests, having a talking bird is one of the reasons that people purchase parrots. One day a man went to an auction. While there, he bid on an exotic parrot. He really wanted this bird, so he
got caught up in the bidding. He kept on bidding, but kept getting outbid, so he bid higher and higher and higher. Finally, after he bid way more than he intended, he won the bid - the fine bird was finally his! As he was paying for the parrot, he said to the Auctioneer, “I sure hope this parrot can talk. I would hate to have paid this much for it, only to find out that he can’t talk!” “Don’t worry”, said the Auctioneer, “He can talk. Who do you think kept bidding against you?”
recommend that you read her book. Though technical at times, I’m sure that you will find it a fascinating book. If you ever find yourself looking at your parrot and wondering what it is thinking or how much it understands then check out the links at the end of this article to her book. Mimicking, Speaking, or Communicating:
Let’s start with some ground rules for this article and a quick disclaimer. The terms used in this article may not be universally accepted. The If you’re interested in having a terms that I use in this article are talking bird, this introductory defined just to delineate the differarticle is for you. This article will ent categories of “Talking”. The word cover which birds are good “talk“Talking” has several meanings and ers” and will cover some techdepending on your level of techniques for encouraging your bird nicality it also has several different to be a “talker”. Whether parrots implications. In my opinion, there mimic or communicate using huare three basic categories of “talking”. man speech has been fodder for The first and lowest level is “Mimickdebate for a long time. The Alex ing”. This is simply the echoing of a Studies by Dr. Pepperberg goes word. In this case the parrot doesn’t into great detail regarding this associate the word with any obsubject. Alex is a Congo African ject or action. A common example Grey Parrot that Dr. Pepperberg is when a parrot vocalizes “pretty studied extensively. Some consid- bird”. Unless it’s a really vain parer her studies, training techniques, rot or there’s another pretty bird in and discoveries the foundation the area then the parrot in this case of modern avian cognitive under- is just vocalizing something that it standing. If you are interested in has heard. The term “talking” in this the cognitive abilities of parrots article usually refers to mimicking and their “speech” capabilities, I but may also refer to “Speaking” or
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 12
“Communicating” as defined below. The second category of “talking” is “Speaking”. For the purposes of this article it means interacting appropriately to human speech. An example would be the parrot responding with its name when it is prompted with the question “What is your name?” At first glance this appears to be communication and it may be but it doesn’t prove communication. The parrot may have simply been conditioned to respond with its name when it hears this question. The parrot’s responsive behavior suggests a higher level of “speech” beyond simply mimicking. Since it is responding appropriately and not just mimicking, it is referred to as “speaking” in this article. This is much harder to teach than mimicking. One technique to teach “speaking” is to form the question using a boring tone and then provide the response in a more interesting tone. For example you may say “How are you doing today?” in a quiet calm tone then say “SUPER DUPER HOW ARE YOU?” in a louder more interesting tone. The parrot is more likely to begin saying “SUPER DUPER HOW ARE YOU?” in response to your question “How are you doing today”” just because it is more appealing. This is at least “mimicking” and may be “speaking” depending on who you ask. The third category is “Communicating”. In this case, the parrot actually has an understanding of its vocalizations. This is sometimes referred to as cognitive
speech. An example of this would be to show the parrot a red key that it has never seen before and ask the parrot “What color is this?” If the parrot responds with “red” then it is communicating. There is a subtle difference between “Speaking” and “Communicating”. For example, if the parrot is conditioned to say “red” when you show it a particular red key then it doesn’t necessarily have an understanding of red. It may just be conditioned to respond with “red” when it sees that particular object. Whereas, “communication” uses an unknown object so the parrots could not have been conditioned to respond with a particular word when presented with the object. As mentioned before, The Alex Studies by Dr. Pepperberg is an excellent source of information on this topic. You can find a link at the end of this article to her book. What Birds Talk?: So what birds talk? As the buyer in the above joke correctly suggests, not all parrots talk. This is true of different species and different birds within a species. For example, African Grey Parrots are known to be excellent talkers but that doesn’t mean that all African Grey Parrots will talk. Hopefully your only reason for purchasing a parrot is not because it can talk. Parrots have so much more to
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
offer than talking and you would be cheating yourself and your parrot if that is your only reason for getting a parrot. Talking should be considered a bonus and not a requirement. However, if “talking” is important, the only way to make sure that you are getting a parrot that will talk is to purchase a parrot that already talks. Having said that, there are certain species that are known to be more inclined to be good talkers. Here is a list of some parrot most likely to “talk” with the better known groups in parenthesis. •
African Grey
•
Mynah (Greater hill)
•
Amazons (Yellow-naped, Yellow-fronted, Double Yellowheaded, Blue-headed)
•
Budgerigars
•
Macaws (Blue and Gold)
•
Cockatoos (Bare-eyed)
•
Cockatiels
As mentioned previously, not all birds in the list will talk and not all birds that talk are in this list. The order of the list is a good approximation from best talkers (African Grey) down to not-thebest talkers. This list isn’t perfect and is just a basic guide with no guarantees. For example, there are some Cockatiels that talk better than some African Greys. --------->
Continued in PART 2 Next Month. Page 13
Caya
Gus
Teren c
e
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
ts o o B Page 14
y l l a S & y r r a H
Indi
Tyl
er
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Percy Page 15
Disease Outbreak Affecting Michigan Horses And Humans Lansing, Michigan A spate of horse and human infections of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Michigan has prompted multiple agencies to urge horse owners to vaccinate against the often deadly disease. As of 20th August, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has confirmed two human cases of EEE infection, the first cases in Michigan since 2002. The MDCH and the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) are continuing to receive reports of cases of EEE in horses in Southwest Michigan, including Barry, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph counties, with 18 horses having tested positive and more than 50 additional reports of deaths in horses being received. EEE is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is transmitted to horses by infected mosquitoes. Signs of the virus include fever, listlessness, stumbling, circling, coma and usually death. The disease is fatal in horses in 90% of cases. Humans and horses can only contract the disease from mosquitoes, and not from each other, but because illness in horses usually precedes illness in people by days to weeks, reports of equine illness serves as an early warning for the human population. www.petscenemagazine.com.au
The southwestern region of Michigan has experienced outbreaks of this mosquito-borne disease in the past with the most recent outbreaks occurring in the early 1980’s and mid1990’s. Equine encephalitis comes in three forms; Eastern, Western and Venezuelan. All three are combined with tetanus toxoid in one vaccine, commonly referred to as a VEWT or 4-way vaccine. Michigan State Veterinarian Steven Halstead warned that the majority of the affected horses in Michigan in 2010 were not vaccinated against EEE. Mosquito-borne illness will continue to be a risk in Michigan until late fall when nighttime temperatures fall below freezing, so Halstead is urging all horse owners in the region to vaccinate against this deadly virus. A Special Thanks goes out to our friends at Pet Peoples Place for this important update.
Page 16
PetSceneBoutique
Your source of luxury Australian pet products. assured quality, freshness and great prices.
You will be totally inspired by our huge range of luxury pet products including a line of environmentally friendly eco toys made from recycled fabrics.
You will also find designer lines, pet perfumes and a range of jewellery for pet lovers.
visit http://petsceneboutique.weebly.com
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 17
Dangers of Secondhand A growing body of research shows that there are no safe levels of exposure to secondhand smoke for humans or animals, and the ASPCA wants pet owners to take action.
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) says is too high. During April, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, the ASPCA is partnering with the American Legacy Foundation®, the national independent public health It is widely known that secondhand smoke affects foundation dedicated to keeping young people humans living or working from smoking and providwith smokers, and some 50,000 Americans lose their ing resources to smokers lives to health problems related to secondhand smoke annually. According to the Surgeon General’s Report, animals face the same health risks associated with secondhand smoke - including respiratory problems, allergies and even cancer. Toxins in secondhand smoke can cause lung and nasal cancer in dogs, and malignant lymphoma in cats. Other pets have been shown to suffer from allergies and who want to quit, to chalrespiratory problems. lenge pet owners to stop smoking for their pets’ Nearly 30% of pets live health, or at least to only with at least one smoker, smoke outside away from a figure that the ASPCA® their animals. (The American Society for www.petscenemagazine.com.au
“While most Americans have been educated about the dangers of smoking to their own bodies and their children’s, it is equally important that pet owners take action to protect their beloved companion animals from the dangers of secondhand smoke,” said Dr. Cheryl G. Healton, DrPH, President and CEO of the
American Legacy Foundation. “Tobacco smoke has been shown to contain numerous cancer-causing compounds, making it Page 18
d Smoke to Pets.
Washington, D.C.
hazardous for animals as well as humans. Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause many of the same harmful inflammatory changes in the airways and lungs of dogs as their human counterparts. Nicotine - found in cigarettes and other tobacco products - is also highly toxic to animals if ingested. A dog that accidentally eats tobacco may develop weakness, decreased breathing rate, and could possibly die. The ASPCA strongly recommends keeping your pet away from tobacco as well as secondhand smoke,� said Mindy Bough, Vice President of ASPCA Animal Poison Control.
Special thanks to PetPeoplesPlace.com
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 19
Top 10 tips to choose the right pet for your family The decision to buy a pet is usually an easy one, but problems can arise when it comes to choosing what type of pet – dog or cat, large or small, active or laid-back. To help prospective pet owners make this important decision the right one, Dr Jo Righetti, PURINA’s resident animal behaviourist, shares her top ten tips: 1. Time – A pet requires a lot of your time and interaction, whether it is for grooming, daily exercise or general care. Working long hours isn’t ideal, as dogs need so much attention and exercise. Cats can be pretty self-sufficient but if left alone for long periods will tend to demand attention when you are home. 2. Energy – Choose a pet that matches your energy levels. Some pet owners imagine their new pet will improve their fitness levels (“I got a Border Collie to force me to go jogging.” Result = still unfit owner and bored, neurotic dog!) 3. Finances – Pets are expensive. Most people only consider the initial purchase. This is a fraction of the total cost. Can you afford vet care, holiday care, day to day items such as food, flea medication etc? 4. Space –The quality of interaction with you is more important to your pet than the size of your garden. Dogs can live in very small spaces, provided they receive adequate exercise and interaction. A large backyard will not guarantee a happy pet if they are left to entertain themselves all day. 5. Experience – Some animals are better for beginners than others. Test drive a friend’s pet to see if the particular species and breed matches your expectations. Gain knowledge by reading books, browsing websites and ask experts about the pet you are considering. 6. Other family members – Your choice of pet may not suit everyone in your family. Perhaps you have always wanted a Great Dane but your husband has his eye on a Chihuahua, or a family member has a nasty cat allergy. While the little kitten may seem cute, having a sneezing and coughing child is not. 7. Other pets – Consider any other pets you have and how they are likely to greet a newcomer into the family. When you are selecting a new pet, if possible try introductions on neutral territory first, and remember not all animals of the same species get along! 8. Stage of life – Consider the point in life that you are at right now. Does a pet fit your lifestyle and life stage? Do you have young children and consequently time poor? Many breeders do not let their pets go to families with children under 5 to ensure you’ll have the time to dedicate to your new pet. 9. Your expectations – Are you realistic about your expectations for life with a pet? Do you have enough time, money and commitment? Will you solve any problems if they arise? Is the pet being acquired for ulterior motives rather than love and affection e.g. status, fashion? 10. Which pet – If you have considered all of the above and you still want a pet, now is the time to decide which type. You may already be set on one particular species or breed, or you may reconsider your choices after reading this. A researched decision is a good one, even if that decision results in putting off your acquisition for a while. Check out Purina’s online Breed Selector Program at http://www.purina.com.au/BreedSelector.aspx for professional help.
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 20
Q: What is the life expectancy of a Cockatiel? A: The life expectancy of a cockatiel is supposedly 15-20 years. Many cockatiels do not live up to their potential life span because of illness, accident, or lack of care. According to Avian Medicine the average life expectancy of a companion cockatiel is only 5 years. However, Cockatiels have been known to live for over 30 years with good care and hygiene. Birds often mask illness so as not to show any weakness to potential predators in the wild. So a bird which looks ill is probably very ill! Provide the best care you can.
Q: How can I stop my cats from climbing up onto my kitchen benches? A: We all know cats love to climb and the prospect of finding some lovely food left unattended or watching inquisitively as you prepare a meal can seem irresistible. But cats can carry germs, parasites or bacteria that no one wants in their kitchen. Then there is the issue of unwanted cat hair getting in your food. A tip I was once told was to wipe down any surfaces you don’t want your cats climbing on with Vinegar. This apparently acts as a great deterrent as cats hate the smell. It is also a safe alternative to chemical applications which may be hazardous around food. www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 21
Barking Mad
The Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is the world’s smallest dog and for those not in the know, it is named after a little known state in Mexico. The average height of the Chihuahua is around 15 to 25 cm - yet there are some rare cases where some of these dogs can blow up in size and grow all the way up to 15 inches tall. Interestingly enough, those dog experts in the UK and America all agree that for a dog to be aptly named a Chihuahua, it needs to follow certain requirements, which in the case of its weight, it cannot weigh an ounce over 2.7kg. Chihuahua are also one of the more popular dogs which are entered into dog shows, and over the past few years, they have been snapping up some rave reviews and doggy awards. Chihuahuas are the celebrity dogs in the paparazzi pound house and owning one means you own a diva of a dog. Don’t be fooled by their diminutive size, these dogs are actually better known for their ferocity and temperament towards other dogs. But they are also one of the more fiercely devoted dogs with extremely colourful personalities. These dogs have been paired with celebrities like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan .They are extremely personable on a good day and can be the cutest thing to own. While they have the infamy of being one of the more temperamental dogs out there, with the proper training, they can be one of the best companion dogs out there.
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 22
The Chihuahua “The Little Doggy Divas” By Ursula One of the more quirky tips you should know about the Chihuahua is the fact that they have a predisposition to ‘burrow’ into anywhere they can to either sleep or hide for a while. This also means that there is a danger that the owner might unknowingly sit on his/ her beloved pet dog. If you’re lucky ,all you will get is a yelp and at the worst - you might sprain its tail. Chihuahua is very tough dogs, being able to take a lot of physical activity. Also, Chihuahua is really excitable and their first reaction is to bite if they get frightened or shocked. This means that infants and really small children are really not that suitable to be around them. Also, many owners have also mentioned that Chihuahua does get extremely jealous as once they get attached to someone; they might view the other people with the green eyes monster stare.
Chihuahua also come in a variety of colours which means for the fashion savvy you can colour co-ordinate your new pet choice with the shoes you just bought from Jimmy Choo. These are just some of the things you should note about the Chihuahua. They are a great purchase and they will really add some colour and excitement to your household. Also, they are fiercely loyal and quite comical at times - not to mention that they can be the most adorable things in the world. With these 3 important tips you must know, you will be better prepared when you do decide to buy one. Clarence Clark is an avid Chihuahua dog lover providing valuable advice at chihuahuatime. com for fellow chihuahua dog lovers. Where he shares chihuahua info and training tips with Chihuahua lovers worldwide. http://www.chihuahuatime.com/ By Clarence Clark
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 23
Healthy Fish Tips:
5 Easy Ways To Keep Your Fish Healthy By Keith Pardee One unfortunate aspect of fish keeping is the possibility that your fishes will become ill at some point in time. If you are a responsible fish keeper then you probably worry about this and check them for signs of disease on a regular basis. While this practice is both responsible and wise, you should be far more focused on the prevention of disease than the treatment of disease. With this in mind, I have created a list of the 5 important tips to follow to prevent disease in aquarium fish. I call them “Healthy Fish Tips”. Healthy Fish Tip #1 - Water changes, water changes, water changes: This is probably the most important of the healthy fish tips. Regular water changes remove contaminants and waste by-products
of your fish species set your temperature there and try to keep it from changing much. Be especially careful when performing water changes that the water is not too hot or cold when you change it. from the aquarium and replace them with fresh clean water. Typically you should perform water changes on a regular schedule so that all of your water changes add up to about 100% in a month. Some common examples are 25% water change once a week or 15% water changes twice a week. Healthy Fish Tip #2 - Consistent Temperature: This is another important healthy fish tip. Unlike humans fish cannot regulate body temperature so variations in water temperature are very stressful to a fish. Research the recommended temperature range for your fish and make sure that all of the fish in your tank can live in the same temperature range. After finding out what temperature is acceptable to all
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Healthy Fish Tip #3 - Don’t use too many chemicals or products: Using pH adjusters or chemicals to clear the water is usually not a very good method to keep healthy fish. Also keep in mind that most medicines are very harmful to the fish because they either stress them directly or kill the biological bacteria in your tank that is keeping it healthy. The only chemicals that go into my tanks are tap water, water conditioner to remove chlorine, charcoal in the filters and aquarium salt (if needed). If you need to adjust the pH of Page 24
the water, you should use rocks or substrate to raise the pH or wood or plants to lower it. This will stabilize the pH and prevent wild swings in pH. Health Fish Tip #4 - Use a quarantine tank: If you have an established tank with no real problems and follow all of the healthy fish tips above then the chances of the fish in your tank spontaneously contracting a disease is very little. The quickest way to raise this risk is to introduce new fish to your tank that have come fresh from the fish store. It does not matter how good the fish store has been in the past, the fact of the matter remains that fish stores have a lot of fish coming in and going out so the chances are greatly increase for the risk of disease infection. I always quarantine my fish in a 20 gallon quarantine tank for 3 weeks prior to introduction into an established tank.
Health Fish Tip #5 - Keep aggression under control: If you have an aggressive tank such as an African cichlid tank then there will be aggression and territorial conflict. This is normal and probably healthy for the fish because it is natural. However if you notice a fish that is too aggressive or one that seems to be getting picked on by all of the fish in the tank, then you need to find a way to resolve the problem. Sometimes merely rearranging the tank can change the tank dynamic and perhaps give a “picked on� fish some new hiding spaces. If rearrang-
The goal of following these healthy fish tips is to avoid having to treat the fish after they become sick. Happy fish keeping! Article by Keith Pardee Webmaster of Aquariumlife. net - http://www.aquariumlife.net
ing the tank does not work, then consider removing the problem fish from the tank and placing it in a different tank or perhaps trading it in to the local fish store. Stressed fish are prone to disease and once a stressed fish becomes diseased it is more likely other healthy fish in the tank will contract the disease from the stressed fish.
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Article originally published at http://www.aquariumlife.net/ articles/aquarium-care/110. asp
Page 25
Is Your Cat Infected With Lung Worm? By Laura Marsh Lungworms can be up to 10mm long and they look just like hairs. Lungworms will develop in the tissue of the cats lungs after it has consumed a host or an animal that has eaten a host (such as a bird). Most cats will not show any signs that they have lungworm, but if they do show any symptoms at all it will normally be a persistent cough. To positively diagnose the presence of lungworm the vet will have to find the coiled shaped microscopic lungworm larvae which are excreted in the cat’s faeces. Normally cases of lungLungworm infestations are common in any counworm in cats will clear up by themselves tries where 10 to 20 percent of the cat population is in a few months, if they are left alone. But infected; this is especially true of rural areas. Lungsevere lungworm infestations need to be worms in cats tend not to be a major cause of respitreated by a vet, as this will normally not ratory problems, however when the cat has a chronic get any better if left untreated. respiratory problem lungworms may well be the cause. The most common type of lungworm found is Aelurostrongylus, which is very Lungworms are amazingly easy for the domestic cat wide spread. However, there are other to get infested with, as they use the common garden forms of lungworm too, such as Capilslugs and sails as hosts until they reach a suitable laria aerophilia which also looks like a hair animal. Normally, lungworms will end up in a cats but the symptoms are just a occasional system by it eating something that was a host to it. wheeze and a cough, this strain is most This could be the slug or snail itself, although cats common in Australia. The strain known tend not to eat these as they don’t taste very nice, or as Paragonimus kellicotti can sometimes more probably from a bird that has consumed a slug be found in cats from North America who or snail previously hosting lungworm. have caught it from eating larvae carrying crayfish or crabs.
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 26
Mild cases of lungworm in cats are nothing to worry about and will clear naturally, however if you are unsure it is best to consult your vet, as the underlying problem could be something worse. Written by Laura Marsh. Did you find the information on cat health useful? You can find out more great cat informtion at http://www.caringforyourcat.info
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 27
PET OWNERS WARNED: The California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) has warned of the health dangers of foxtails to pets during the summer months. A foxtail is a spiky cluster of grass that some plants such as a the foxtail and spear grass use to disperse seeds. The foxtail is designed to attach to the fur of animals in order to aid wide-ranging dispersal of a plant’s seeds, so it is natural that they will attach to the coats of dogs, cats and horses. The CVMA has been highlighting the health problems associated with a foxtail becoming lodged in hard to reach places in all pets, but points out that dogs, specifically long-haired breed, are most affected and that cats are less affected because of their grooming routines. But all animals, including horses, are at
risk of serious problems if they snort a foxtail into their nasal passages. Foxtails can become lodged around the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, coat, and paws, and will eventually pierce the skin and cause infection. The sharp end points and microscopic barbs of foxtails ensure travel in only one direction - further inside the animal’s body. Once
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
inside, foxtail removal becomes a surgical procedure and must be done by a veterinarian.
Page 28
Beware Of Foxtails
By Pet Peoples Place Sacramento, California
The CVMA says pet owners should be aware of the following health problems that might indicate the presence of foxtails: •
Eye swollen shut or squinting with sticky discharge
•
Sneezing or discharge from the nose, which may be bloody
•
Repeated gagging or difficulty chewing or swallowing; not eating
•
Putrid odor from the mouth, ears, or nose
•
Head tilting, shaking, or scratching at the ears
•
Continuous licking or nipping at the paws or other area
•
Abscesses
• Open sores, which may be the remains of a burst abscess but can still have the foxtail inside “At the first sign of a possible foxtail invasion, get your pet to your veterinarian immediately,” stresses CVMA president Dean Henricks, DVM. “Pet owners need to guard against further foxtail damage.” This news story is independently sourced and PetPeoplesPlace.com does not specifically endorse products or services offered by any company referenced in this article, or benefit from any association with any companies referenced.
A Special Thanks goes to the Animal Urgent Care unit for this image of a severe case of embedded foxtails www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 29
The Himalayan Cat By Dmitrij Motley A Hybrid Breed? When you first lay eyes on a Himalayan cat, it is pretty tough not to fall in love with it. After all, how could you not? The short bodies, sweet attitude, and colorful blue eyes all contribute to making a Himalayan an eye catching breed. Such cats can certainly bring a smile to the eyes of their owners and this is a good thing. One of the odder facets associated with this cat, however, it the confusion surrounding what type of breed it is. Various cat associations even possess different perspectives on the breed.
The American Cat Fancier Association has opted to designate the Himalayan cat as a unique breed all its own. Yet, the members of the International Cat Fancier Association reneged its agreement on this designation sometime in the 1980s. Basically, they reclassified the Himalayan as a variety of the Persian cat. The confusion regarding this breed further expanded when the International Cat Association decided to label the Himalayan as a version of the Siamese cat. Which one of these organizations is correct? Are Hi-
malayans Siamese cats or Persian cats? The truth will depend on your own perspective since all of these cat associations are correct to a degree. The Himalayan cat was first bred in the 1930s by Dr. Clyde Keller of the Harvard Medical school and a cat breeder by the name of Virginia Cobb. The two decided to breed Persian and Siamese cats together because they wished to develop a new cat breed that had the long hair of a Persian along with the eyes and markings of a Siamese. After several years of tries, they were eventually successful. The cat that is now known as the Himalayan maintains the short body and legs of the Persian. It also has the many color points of the Siamese as well their blue eyes. The show quality Himalayans also maintains a flat face and a snub nose of the Persian. However, there are a great many
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 30
Himalayan owners that do prefer the longer nosed doll faces look on their pets. If there was one fact that all the owners of the breed would agree upon it would be the fact that Himalayans are highly people oriented. They truly do enjoy being with their owners as opposed to being off on their own. Yes, these cats are known for being very playful and even enjoy playing catch. But, they are also known for their love of lap time and being brushed and petted. Actually, brushing these cats is very important because it ensures their long coats remain beautiful.
equally calm. You could sit down in your home with a Himalayan in residence and be sure that your cat will be jumping on your lap in a relatively quick manner. These are cats that LOVE people and they assume all people will reciprocate the love as well. Once again, Himalayans make for excellent pets and all owners of these breeds will tell you of such a fact. It does not matter what designation the Cat associations provide for these felines. The Himalayan remains an outstanding breed and a wonderful cat to own.
Dmitrij Motley is a pet lover and an experienced cat owner that would like to share his knowledge One thing that separates the Himalayan different from the various about one of the most wonderother cat breeds is that the Hima- ful breed - the Himalayan Cat. To learn more about this breed of layans will not jump all over the cats, please visit his site house in a hyperactive manner. Himalayan cats have a tendency HimalayanCat.org to be a lot calmer. They enjoy living in households which are
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 31
.
In October HarperCollins Publishers launched a new book called Huck by Janet Elder. This is a fitting tribute for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Huck is a heartwarming story of a chocolate ball of fur named ‘Huck’ who changed the lives of his dog loving family. This month Harper Collins is giving our readers the opportunity to win one of 5 copies of the novel “Huck”. To enter simply tell us in 25 words or less why you love your dog? Send your entries to promotions@harpercollins.com.au along with your contact details so that we can send out your prize. About the book
For years, Janet Elder said no to her son’s desperate pleas for a dog. Already stretched thin at her job as a journalist, her husband constantly travelling for his job and living in a tiny apartment, there was no room in their lives for a dog. Then, Janet was diagnosed with breast cancer and everything changed. When the family finds a chocolate ball of fur they name ‘Huck’, it’s love at first wag. Janet can’t believe she’d held off for so long on having such a source of happiness in her family’s life. But when her treatment finally allowed them to take a vacation, little Huck has to be left behind with her dog-loving sister. When the news came that Huck had disappeared, the Elders were devastated. Broken-hearted, the family flies back to find him. There they discover how many other lives their nine-month old puppy had touched. From the police chief to the local schoolchildren, everyone in the small town of Ramsey united in a race against the clock to find him. Searching for a tiny pup in densely wooded area in freezing conditions becomes an incredible test of faith Huck’s remarkable story - and those of the bravery and tenacity of strangers who came together to rescue him - is a poignant reminder that hope is rewarded and happy endings still happen.
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 32
BIG BOOK GIVEAWAY HarperCollinsPublishers
25 Ryde Road (P.O. Box 321)
Australia Pty Limited
Pymble NSW 2073
ABN 36 009 913 517
Australia
Telephone 61 2 9952 5000 Facsimile 61 2 9952 5588 www.harpercollins.com.au
A NEWS CORPORATION COMPANY
Full terms and conditions
1. Instructions on how to enter forms part of conditions of entry. 2. Tell us in 25 words or less why you love your dog.
3. Entries are made via online only. TO ENTER: email your response to promotions@harpercollins.com.au 4. Please include your contact details in the email response.
5. Competition commences on 1/11/2010 and concludes at 5pm on 1/12/2010. Internet entries will be deemed to be accepted at the time of receipt and not at the time of transmission.
6. All entries will be read and the most original and interesting responses will win. There will be five winners. This is a game of skill and chance plays no part in determining the winners. The winners will be decided on the 2/12/2010 and will be contacted within seven days by telephone and email. 7. Winners will be decided by HarperCollins staff. 8. Entry is open to Australian residents only.
9. Privacy statement: we will only use and store your personal information for the purposes disclosed to you, including sharing it with any other organisation that helps us provide goods or services to you. If you provide us with your e mail address we will provide you with marketing material informing you of goods or services that may be of interest to you. Please tell us on your entry if you do not want us to send you marketing materials.
www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Page 33