Edition 8

pet birds ideal for

KIDS dogs that

chew caring for

your pet

hamster

YOUR FREE DIRECTORY TO PET PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Easter Bunny Origins MARCH 2013

Welcome to another edition of Smalltalk Animal Magazine There’s nothing like crisp, cool air, the first months of school and luscious foliage to get you excited for the changing seasons. Your pet, too, is probably welcoming the break from hot, sticky weather.

Nature has a way of watching out for animals in the wild. They undergo a series of changes during this season to endure the colder weather ahead. Falling temperatures trigger mass migrations as birds seek sunnier climates with better buffets.

Nationally, as pet ownership continue to rise and people around the world increasingly regard their companion animals as valued family members, it appears that the industry will stay healthy and continue to defy odds by remaining recession proof, well into the future.

Online, Social media will have an even stronger impact on the Pet industry in 2013, with more pet parents looking to these platforms for information about pet products and services Enjoy this special time of the year!

Celize Kriel, Editor We welcome your feedback and suggestions.

We want to know about events happening in East London, what interests you, & how you feel about all things pet related. Please send us the details and/or suggestions on future articles.

Contact Us: Mobile: 084 781 4513 email: advertising@smalltalk.co.za www.smalltalk.co.za

Read it online www.issuu.com/smalltalk

1

Coldwater Aquariums

Pet Identification

3

the Hamster Rock Dassies

5

Pet birds for children

7

African Horse Sickness Facts about cats

9

Dogs who chew

the Pomeranian

11

Bearded Dragons

Easter Bunny History

Mealworms

12

Dog Skin problems

Pet Identification Pets are important members in a household.

As a matter of fact, many homeowners all over the world consider their pets as members of their family. Giving them the best food, care and enrichment is one way of showing love and affection to pets. In the current market, luxurious apparels for pets are currently found and animal accessories are abundant. This is just a clear indication that the market for pet accessories and apparels has grown simply because more and more people have gotten themselves greatly affected by the presence of their pets.As much as these things are real and true at any rate, it is really important to give importance to your pets and other animals. One way is by giving them the right pet identification or ID tags.

Losing a pet is stressful and dreadful experience.

This is why it is very important to never take chances when it comes to the safety of your pet.

Your pets may or can be lost. For this reason, it is best to ensure your pets wearing the right and proper ID tags. There are many different types of pet ID tags available on the market today. All of them come with one sole purpose, to keep your pets safe and secured.

Generally, pet ID tags come with contact details engraved on them. There are also ID tags that come in the form of a barcode for scanning, or a microchip - an identifying integrated circuit placed under the skin of a dog, cat, horse, parrot or other animal. With any sort of Pet Tag, one can have the opportunity to track the owners easily of a found animal. Today, groomers, boarding kennels, veterinarians, transport services, animal shows, etc. all require key information (a photo, shot history, medical records, show certificates, etc.) about your pet. With these modern tags, all that information is only as far away as your cell phone.

Buying a reliable Pet ID Tag is also an important thing to consider. The tags should be durable so they can’t be broken or weathered down easily.

With an excellent type of pet ID tag, it will be easier for you to retrieve your beloved pet should he/she get lost, quickly and effeciently.

During April, join the cause to celebrate National Pet Identification Week - the perfect time to make sure you’ve taken every precaution to be reunited with your pet if he or she becomes lost.

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March 2013 | SMalltalk Magazine

If you’re interested in starting up any aquarium, it’s probably good to know which fish to start of with. You want to make sure that they can be placed in that kind of environment and survive. Be sure to check and make sure that the fish you put together in a tank can co-habit well before throwing them in together.

The most common coldwater fish is the goldfish, followed closely behind by the koi.

There are many other fish that do not require a heated tank. Many are even large enough that they are only suitable for ponds, but the following list of fish are specifically coldwater fish that can actually be set up in an aquarium because they are small to medium sized.

Certain types of fresh water sharks actually can be kept in an at-home aquarium. You definitely want to do your homework before hand to make sure that the sharks you put in your aquarium get along with the other fish that are in your tank.

Some common sharks that you can get are the bamboo sharks, cat sharks, epaulette sharks, and nurse sharks. They grow relatively small and even if you still need a large aquarium it is possible to keep and care for them in a home aquarium. If you have an aquarium with plants, you’ll notice that your tank looks more natural and help your fish behave in a more natural manner, as well.

Just like the fish, plants have nutritional needs too. The stronger the lighting you have, the hungrier your plants will be. If they lack nutrients, they may start to get yellow leaves, stunted growth, or spindly stems.

Get the information you need to set up your aquarium and maintain it, as well as take care of the fish you put inside.

email: hamburghounds@yahoo.com

Wild Coast Horse Trails Beach Rides in Kei Mouth & Morgan Bay | 082 5670 972

www.wildcoasthorsebackadventures.com

March 2013 | SMalltalk Magazine

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Hamsters have become very popular as pets over the years. A lot can also be said about them and a lot is not said about them. Hamsters are rodents that belong to the subfamily Cricetinae. These are burrowing animals, and especially in the wild, they protect themselves from predators by digging burrows in the ground. Hamsters love to eat nuts and berries. They are also fond of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The best-known species of hamster is the golden or Syrian hamster which is the type most commonly kept as pets. Several variations, including long-haired varieties, grow hair several centimeters long and often require special care.

Other hamsters kept as pets are the various species of “dwarf hamster”. Campbell’s dwarf hamster is the most common - they are also sometimes called “Russian dwarfs”; however, many hamsters are from Russia, so this ambiguous name does not distinguish them from other species appropriately. The coat of the Djungarian or winter-white Russian dwarf hamster turns almost white during winter (when the hours of daylight decrease). The Roborovski hamster is extremely small and fast, making it difficult to keep as a pet. The Chinese hamster although not technically a true “dwarf hamster”, is the only hamster with a prehensile tail (about 4 cm long), whilst most hamsters have very short, nonprehensile tails.

The life span of this species also plays a crucial role in determining their popularity as pet.

Most hamsters are strictly solitary. If housed

Russian dwarf

together, stress may occur, and they may fight fiercely, sometimes fatally.

The hamster could easily resemble a little bear.

Their average life span is around 2-3 years. A 2-year-old hamster is equal to a 70-year-old human being! So you can imagine the pace at which changes take place in hamsters. The average life span of a dwarf hamster is even shorter at 2 years, and in very rare cases a little above that.

Hamsters are easier to tame when they’re young. When you bring your hamster home, place the cage in a location away from drafts, and out of direct sunlight. Pick a spot in the house where you will frequently visit your hamster.

Hamsters love the cardboard tubes found inside rolls of toilet paper and paper towels.

Attach hamster wood chews to the side of the cage. Make a box for your hamster to sleep in. Place the box in a far corner of the cage.

The hamster will fill the box with bedding and chewed-up pieces of cardboard from the toilet paper tubes and will use the box as

Roborovski

Syrian (Teddy Bear)

Rock Dassie

Chinese hamster

T

he Dassie ( Rock Hyrax ) is the African elephant’s closest living relative, in spite of the size difference. This close evolutionary relationship is deduced from similarities in the structure of the feet and teeth.

Dassies are often seen in groups of 10 to 80 and a common view is of dassies sunning themselves on rooftops or rocks during the early mornings or late afternoons, leading to the South African phrase: “Lying like a dassie in the sun”. They are quite noisy and very social animals and can make 21 different vocal signals – or songs.

As indicated by the vernacular name, its preferred habitat is rocky area’s throughout Southern Africa.

Sometimes Rock Hyrax are agile tree dwellers where large trees occur near cliff faces. The Rock Hyrax feeds on vegetation matter.

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March 2013 | SMalltalk Magazine

a bedroom. He will not urinate in the box, so you can use it for many months before replacing it.

Feed your hamster a commercially prepared hamster-food mix once or twice a day. Supply a small amount of fresh fruits and vegetables year-round. When you introduce new food, initially feed small portions so his system can get used to them. Exercise your hamster by putting an exercise wheel in its cage. Let it exercise outside the cage inside a specially designed plastic hamster ball. Wash your hamster’s cage at least once a week. Remove the hamster to a safe location and dip the cage in water that has a few drops of household disinfectant added to it. Wipe out any debris, dry the inside and add clean bedding before replacing the hamster.

Don’t bathe your hamster. Hamsters clean themselves. If you think your hamster smells bad, the odour is probably coming from dirty bedding. Feeding the hamster all the time with no exercises will make your pet fat and lethargic. Keep your hamster active and improve its overall health in general.

Winter white russian

Syrian (Teddy Bear)

It is a mixed feeder, but prefers grass when available during rainy seasons. However, during dry periods, it will consume any plant material available. Plants considered highly toxic and aromatic, mosses and liver-worts can be utilized by dassies during periods of drought stress.

They are heavily prayed upon by eagles, Caracal and Leopard. They have 4 toes on the front feet and 3 toes on the hind-feet. The toes all have nails, except the inner toe of the hind-foot, which has a curved grooming claw.

The soles of the feet are naked, the skin thick and padded with glandular tissue which keeps the surface permanently moist to increase traction.

This enables it to negotiate steep and smooth rock faces or to climb trees with agility.

the best

PET BIRDS FOR KIDS

Some kids are great with pet birds; however, it takes the right mixture of pet bird and child. It is often recommend that the child be 12 years old before getting their own pet bird. There are, of course, some mature children, who are exceptions to this rule. Some children don’t understand the consequences of their actions, especially if they forget to give the pet bird food or water. Animal cruelty should not be practiced so that a child can learn responsibility the hard way. If your child has the time, patience and maturity level for a pet bird, there are nine species suggestions below. They were picked because of the low noise level, availability and cost, ease of care (comparatively speaking to the larger parrots), size, less challenging mental and emotional needs, and life expectancy (all shorter than 30 years).

By Melissa Kauffman

Cockatiel: The cockatiel makes a great pet bird.

Society finches: The society finch would make

The female is typically more docile and cuddly, however, it may lay eggs. The male is more vocal.

Cockatiels need a roomy cage, plenty of toys and perches. They need daily feeding, water changing, cage cleaning, plus some good one-on-one time.

Cockatiels can be dusty and should get a good misting spray bath about once a week.

Tiels can live up to 30 years.

a great pet bird. You need to keep them in pairs, they are readily available at pet stores, and they are low noise volume and low mess. Buy them a roomy, horizontal-shaped cage so they can fly around.

They need their food and water changed and their cage floor cleaned, but there is no one-on-one interaction. The society finch can live to up to seven years.

Canary: A canary can be kept by itself and it entertains with its song. A canary doesn’t come out of the cage, so it only needs food, water and cage cleaning, but doesn’t need one-on-one play time.

A canary can live up to 15 years, so parents should be willing to take over the canary’s care if the child goes off to college.

Bourke’s parakeet: This is a beautiful and sweet parrot that comes from Australia. It is bigger than a budgie. You need to get a hand-tame one as they can be flighty. The noise level is low. Daily feeding, water changes and cage cleanings are necessary.

It needs a wider cage so it can move around, plus some interaction time, but probably not a lot of heavy one-on-one time. Bathe it daily and make sure to give it fresh vegetables. Life expectancy is up to 15 years, so you need to plan on taking care of the Bourke’s if the child goes to college.

Lovebird: This is a slightly more challenging parrot. They are small and have a life expectancy of 20 years. They come in many different color mutations. They are energetic and can get themselves in trouble, so the child needs to pay attention. They can learn some tricks and their noise level is lower than the larger parrots. They need daily feeding, water changing, cage cleaning, plus some good one-on-one time. They should have a play gym, lots of toys and perches. They can become a little territorial, so the kid owner needs to read up a little to know how to deal with these little challenges.

Pacific parrotlet: These spunky small parrots are also best for the older child. They are very small and need daily feeding, water changing, cage cleaning, plus some good one-on-one time. They need lots of space in their cage, a play gym and lots of toys and perches. Parrotlets are a little more expensive as they are not as readily available as some of the other pet birds on this list. They can live up to 20 years.

Parrotlets have a fearless personality, so the child owner needs to pay attention. Parrotlets can be aggressive and curious, and they like to eat a lot.

Budgies: This is a wonderful pet parrot, native to

Australia. It is a smaller parrot, so is often refered to as the general term “parakeet” by Americans.

The budgerigar, or budgie, makes a great pet for older children. It can be a great best friend if the child takes the time to tame it and interact with it.

Its volume level is low, although it can chatter quite a bit, and some even talk. It needs daily food, water and cage changing. It needs some fresh vegetables intertwined around its cage bars. Toys are a must. It will need daily one-on-one time and should have a play gym to spend out-of-cage time on.

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Goldie’s lorikeet: It has a calm demeanor and is less high maintenance than other lories. They are curious and chatty, but have a lower noise level than bigger parrots. It does need nectar in its diet, so the child owner should read up on its dietary requirements before bringing one home.

Goldie’s lorikeets are a little more costly and challenging to find.

Diamond dove: It can be tamed, but enjoys the company of other doves. It is pretty and easy going.

It doesn’t require as much one-on-one time as some of the parrots, but it needs plenty of space and probably another dove. It needs lots of perches as well as high, flat surfaces to roost on. The life expectancy is 12 to 15 years.

March 2013 | SMalltalk Magazine

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Outbreak: African Horse Sickness An outbreak of African Horse Sickness (AHS) in the Eastern Cape has claimed the lives of many horses in confirmed cases in farms surrounding East London. Since December there have been 42 confirmed outbreaks nationally, 19 of which were in the Eastern Cape. Horse breeders and farmers in the Komga, Kei Mouth and Morgan’s Bay areas are hardest hit.

It is feared the disease could spread if owners move their horses out of the affected areas. Horse owners who have not yet vaccinated their horses were strongly advised to do so.

An initial 548 doses of free vaccine was supplied to horse owners of affecte areas.

Once this was implemented, doses of free vaccine were distributed as a priority to the rural and communal horse owners of the Buffalo City and Great Kei areas. In many instances State officials injected the vaccine for stakeholders.

Remaining vaccine was made available free of charge to private horse owners who have limited numbers of horses, who had approached the State Veterinary office directly, or approached the office through their private veterinarians. These owners were in the main unable to vaccine their horses for economic reasons. In this way an additional 255 doses of vaccine have been distributed.

Although the current outbreak of AHS is not over yet and additional cases could be confirmed in the months ahead, there are encouraging signs that the situation in the worst hit areas in the Eastern Cape is stabilising.

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries continues to urge and encourage owners of horses to vaccinate their animals annually in an effort to curb the impact of African horse sickness. Favourable climatic conditions will, however, increase the spread of the ‘Culicoides midge vector’ and therefore the spread of AHS, especially as higher than normal rainfall is predicted over most of SA for the next three months, said Dr Grietjie de Klerk of the Directorate of Animal Health.

In an effort to protect this area, all movements of horses to the controlled areas are subject to a State Veterinary movement control (permit) to prevent the introduction of the AHS virus into the free zone. Buffalo City state veterinarian Dr Stuart Varrie said the situation in the Eastern Cape had been exacerbated by the large numbers of horses kept in relatively close proximity without having been vaccinated, or only having been vaccinated infrequently.

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•

People who share their home with cats have lower stress levels than people who don’t have cats.

•

Cats have more bones in their body than a human does. Cats have about 230 bones and a human only has 206.

•

Cats have five toes on their front paws and only four on the back.

•

Cats don’t like eating from dirty food bowls, so make sure you throw away any uneaten food before giving them fresh food and remember to wash the bowl regularly.

• If you locate your cat’s water bowl far away from its food source, he will drink more water.

•

The only time a cat will get stuck in a tree is if it isn’t experienced with climbing trees, for example kittens or indoor cats that get out.

•

Cats should never eat tuna that is meant for humans, as it drains their bodies of Vitamin E. Chocolate and onions are also not good for your cat.

•

Cats will put their noses together when they haven’t seen each other for a while, this is their way of finding out what the other cat has been doing.

Martin Mann: 082 825 2195 (Eastern Cape Provincial Colours for Protection Dog Training)

email: noha@iafrica.com

Jenny Swartz: 082 468 2186 email: mikeplum@iafrica.com

With over 30 years combined experience in the dog training world, we invite you to join us for puppy orientation and training once a week in a clean, sterile environment as per Eukanuba standards. Start your puppy from as early as 8 weeks old and enrol in our 6 week course.

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Our classes focus on fun with your puppy exposing him/her to confidence building environments and enhancing your puppies communications skills with you. Positive reinforcement and rewards will ensure a strong bonding experience between you and your puppy.

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The only East London Dog training school that offers the KUSA recognised “Canine Good Citizen” Tested by qualified judges and KUSA Qualifications. We offer purely positive training with no harsh methods & its fun for both owners & their dogs.

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Contact us to help you with building a confident & happy dog!

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082 342 8939 Jenny Swartz

082 468 2186

T

he Pomeranian is intelligent, lively, and eager to learn. They are loyal to their owner and family, and they are very independent. They are bold, wilful, and sometimes a bit temperamental. When raised with them from an early age, the Pomeranian usually gets along well with cats and other dogs. This breed has a tendency to be oblivious of its small size, and they will not hesitate to attack strange dogs that are much larger than they are. They have a propensity to be leery of strangers, and some will bark excessively at people they haven’t seen before.

The Pomeranian is confident, commanding, and outgoing. Due to the Pomeranians small stature they are not recommended for homes with small children as they may become temperamental. They make excellent guard dogs and will sound a bark when they sense danger.

Pomeranians respond best to firm commands and are quick to learn.

They are easily trained in obedience.

Their barking must be controlled or they will do so incessantly. They may be difficult in housebreaking, but with consistency and praise do very well either going outside or in a litter box.

Proper training and socialization can help alleviate these traits. They are alert, curious, and proud, and they are good at learning a variety of tricks. If spoiled or improperly trained, they will become demanding and wilful & dominant. They aren’t recommended for young children, and too much attention can make these dogs become nervous.

Due to the breed's small size and sometimes snappy attitude, Pomeranians are best suited to a family with children over eight years of age. But if introduced at an early age and with proper training Pomeranians are wonderful with children of all ages.

They get along well with older, considerate children. They are docile, even-tempered, and affectionate, and they appeal to many people who normally don’t care for toy dogs.

http://toypoms.co.za/care.htm

Why does my dog

chew up

everything?

O

ne of the most common problems owners have with their dogs is chewing items that they would really prefer they didn’t, like the irrigation system, your patio furniture, your slippers or even cell phone. Dogs have a need to chew, so providing them with lots of interesting toys as alternative to your precious possessions is a great way to start.

So the toys don’t become boring to your dog divide them up and rotate the toys available to your dog every few days.

Giving your dog plenty of physical and mental exercise will help to prevent boredom that leads to destructive chewing. Walks, doing

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March 2013 | SMalltalk Magazine

training with your dog or playing games of tug or fetch will all help.

A way to teach a dog to prefer chewing on their own toys is to offer food stuffed chew toys.

If your dog is a really heavy chewer you may want to consider limiting her access within the house or garden for a few weeks while you work on chew toy training her. Whenever you go out, instead of giving your dog access to the entire house or garden, confine her to just one or two rooms, or a smaller area of the garden if she is an outside dog.

The area where you leave your dog should have a comfortable

bed, fresh water and a toilet available, and his stuffed chew toys. Thoroughly ‘puppy proof’ this area to ensure that there is nothing you don’t want your dog to chew available for him to get at.

The kitchen and/or bathroom are often good choices for this.

Keep back some of your dog’s breakfast pellets and stuff a few chew toys with them, sealing off the ends with peanut butter. These toys will be highly appealing to your dog as they are stuffed with her food, which will encourage her to chew on them. I really like the Kong toys (available at most pet shops) for this. Although they are pricey they last really well. For

industrial strength chewers its best to buy the black ones.

Other things you can use are other hollow rubber dog toys, hollow sterilised bones or cow hooves.

Whatever you choose for your dog ensure that the toys are large enough that he cannot swallow them and also tough enough that he can’t pull pieces of the toy off and swallow those. A general rule of thumb is that if the toy is small enough to pass through the centre of a toilet roll it is also small enough to be swallowed, unless you have a smaller dog. www.friendsofthedog.co.za

STINGS & BITES

IN DOGS www.dogsercise.co.za

Not all Snakes are dangerous - armed with knowledge, you will be able to act quickly and confidently to save your dog’s life. Snake bites are rare, and the potential threat should not deter you from adventures with your dogs. Keep a list of applicable vets on your phone in case of emergency.

Teaching your dog a solid “leave-it” and building a reliable recall, whatever the distraction, goes a long way to keeping you both safe on your walks.

KNOW THE SNAKES IN YOUR AREA We have around 13 venomous snakes in the country, including the Cape Cobra, Puff Adder, Boomslang, Black Mamba and Mozambique Spitting Cobra. Each province has a different list.

Understand the way venom works Venom is a kind of saliva made up of enzymes and toxic proteins that work on the body in varying ways. Some venoms affect the nerves (neurotoxic), some affect the cells (cytotoxic), some affect the blood (haemotoxic) and others affect the muscles (myotoxic). These are just a few examples.

Each would have a different outcome and require a different treatment. For example, if your dog is bitten by a Puff Adder, the venom causes massive damage to the tissue around the bite (necrosis) because it is cytotoxic. Note that 25 percent of poisonous snakebites lack venom and thus do not produce a local reaction. While absence of local swelling and pain is a good sign, it does not guarantee the dog won’t become sick.

Severe venom poisoning has been known to occur without a local reaction.

THE DO’S AND DON’TS Important points: 1. Antivenom kills. Unless your dog is on a ventilator at a vet hospital, antivenom should NOT be administered.

Do not administer any form of alternative treatment.

The only proven treatment for a snake bite is anti-venom administered by your local vet.

2. Do not cut the bite or try to suck out the poison.

3. Do not apply a tourniquet. A pressure bandage is much better as it slows the flow of poison down rather than restricting it (and concentrating it) in one area. Your dog could lose a limb this way.

The dog’s behavior Signs of envenomation may take several hours to appear because of variables such as time of the year, species of the snake, toxicity of the venom, amount injected, location of the bite, and size and health of the dog. The amount of venom injected bears no relationship to the size of the snake. Signs of venom poisoning include extreme restlessness, panting, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, uncoordinated gait, respiratory depression, shock, and sometimes death.

March 2013 | SMalltalk Magazine

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Bearded Dragons

The Easter Bunny

Bearded dragons are still gaining popularity as household pets. Their numbers are climbing fast and they are already the most kept pet lizard in some countries (incl. South Africa).

Bunnies, eggs, Easter gifts and fluffy, yellow chicks in gardening hats all stem from pagan roots.

These tropes were incorporated into the celebration of Easter separately from the Christian tradition.

Bearded dragons are sun basking (heliothermic) animals which means they can be observed and appreciated in their vivarium throughout the day. If all their husbandry requirements are met, pet Bearded dragons have little if any problems and they are very easy to look after.

Because they are so extensively bred they are becoming fairly cheap in comparison with other lizards and even snakes.

Bearded dragons are like most other reptiles in the sense that they are quiet and you need little effort from your side to keep them emotionally happy.

Pet Bearded dragons are extremely hardy lizards and will almost adapt in any home. They are relatively small in comparison with Green iguanas (Iguana iguana) and do not need as much physical space. They have great personalities, generally have a docile temperament and can be handled easily. Because of their hardiness they are more suitable for handling by younger people (under supervision).

The major problem with these lizards is their housing.

Bearded dragons need full spectrum ultraviolet (UV) lighting and basking spots, which makes their housing setup a bit expensive. On average UV lights need to be replaced every six months.

Another downfall compared with snakes is that pet Bearded dragons need to be fed mainly on live insects. Crickets or Mealworms are not always readily available in some countries.

In these cases it is recommend to have your own active breeding colony of these insects. Like with most lizards, or reptiles, food will probably be your biggest expense.

According to the University of Florida’s Center for Children’s Literature and Culture, the origin of the celebration - and the origin of the Easter Bunny - can be traced back to 13thcentury, pre-Christian Germany, when people worshiped several gods and goddesses.

The Teutonic deity Eostra was the goddess of spring and fertility, and feasts were held in her honor on the Vernal Equinox. Her symbol was the rabbit because of the animal’s high reproduction rate.

Spring also symbolized new life and rebirth; eggs were an ancient symbol of fertility. According to History.com, Easter eggs represent Jesus’ resurrection. However, this association came much later when Roman Catholicism became the dominant religion in Germany in the 15th century and merged with already ingrained pagan beliefs.

The first Easter Bunny legend was documented in the 1500s.

By 1680, the first story about a rabbit laying eggs and hiding them in a garden was published.

These legends were brought to the United States in the 1700s, when German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania Dutch country, according to the Center for Children’s Literature and Culture.

The tradition of making nests for the rabbit to lay its eggs in soon followed. Eventually, nests became decorated baskets and colorful eggs were swapped for candy, treats and other small gifts.

www.beardeddragons.co.za

Feeder insects - called mealworms Fresh mealworm larvae can be fed to various animals such as lizards, amphibians, primates, fish, birds and bats. It can be bought from most pet shops and some bait shops. Dried mealworms are not only the ideal food for tropical fish, semi-aquatic amphibians, reptiles, birds, hedgehogs, lizard, iguanas and turtles, but can apparently also be used as a high protein source for livestock. The Mealworm is not a worm. It is the larval stage of the Yellow mealworm beetle.

Although the grub looks something like a worm, it has 6 small legs. Larvae are born in the spring, and most mature by autumn and pupate the next spring. Mealworms are relatively cheap in comparison with other life food. They are even commercially bred for human consumption in some countries! Larvae contain large percentages of fat and protein apparently making them extremely tasty. Because of the high fat content they should never be fed as a main part of any diet, especially for animals. Some pet animals might become addicted and will refuse to eat anything else! Visit your local pet shop to see if they have meal worms in store.

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March 2013 | Smalltalk magazine

DOG SKIN PROBLEMS: What is a Hot Spot ?

EARS:

Appearance: waxy, discharge, redness, odor Bahaviour: Scratching or rubbing ears with paws or against furniture.

Have you ever been infuriated, watching your dog itch and itch and lick and itch and chew .... on and on?!

This could be acute moist dermatitis, often referred to as a hot spot, wet eczema or pyotraumatic dermatitis.

FACE:

Appearance: muzzle, chin & eyes reddened with hair loss.

Bahaviour: Scratching or rubbing face with paws or against furniture.

SKIN:

Appearance: reddened with either crusts or scales, odor, infection.

Bahaviour: Scratching & licking sides, belly, elbows or groin.

HAIRCOAT:

Appearance: bald spots, brown discoloration where licking occurred.

Bahaviour: scratching sides/belly; rubbing face against furniture or carpet & licking.

FEET:

Appearance: inflamation. redness, odor, discoloration where licking has occurred.

Bahaviour: licking and chewing of feet/pads.

This condition is very common in dogs, especially during the summer months.

Large breed dogs with thick undercoats i.e. German Shepherds, Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers and Chow-Chows are more affected. The very dense undercoat causes a warm environment and may be a predisposing factor for developing hot spots.

Hot spots usually start due to something irritating the skin. The itchiness (pruritis) can become very intense, causing the dog to lick or chew the area, which causes further skin damage and so creates a cycle of itching, chewing and scratching. The inflammation and damage to the skin is soon followed by severe pain and dogs may bite if the affected area is touched.

It can also become secondarily infected with bacteria.

Hot spots may be caused by anything irritating the skin, but the most common cause is fleas. Other causes include parasites (sarcoptic and demodectic mange), anal gland disease, tick or mosquito bites, atopy (inhalant/ air antigens) or ear infections.

Symptoms: Lesions are typically found on the side of the face and flank areas . The lesion is often well demarcated, very inflamed (red), pussy (oozing) and with hair loss. Sometimes the skin can

become crusty or scabbed. The dog will be scratching intensely. The lesions tend to appear suddenly and can spread rapidly (over a few hours) to a wider area.

How Are Hot Spots Diagnosed?

It is important to take you dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible as these lesions can spread rapidly and cause severe pain and discomfort to your pet.

Your veterinarian can usually make a diagnosis based on the history, rapid onset and clinical appearance of the lesion.

Relapses will occur if the underlying cause or allergy is not addressed. The most frequent underlying cause is skin allergies, especially flea bite allergy.

Other allergies that may also cause hot spots are atopy (caused by allergens in the air) or parasites (Sarcoptic mange or demodicosis). Flea bite allergic dermatitis nowadays can be well controlled. Two important aspects of flea control are firstly, all animals (dogs and cats) on the property must be treated for fleas and secondly the environment also needs to be treated for fleas.

Control the underlying causes, i.e. follow a strict flea control program. Ask your veterinarian which flea control he recommends. Your vet knows best!

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March 2013 | SMalltalk Magazine

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