NY Pets Magazine - Summer 2015 by The Magazine Shoppe

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SPRING/SUMMER 2015

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Bird Entertainment Toys are essential for amusement and happiness

Saving Shyann

One woman’s love saved a damaged horse

Smart Fish Cichlids have the power to mesmerize

EXTINCTION LEVEL EVENT Laws of reptile keeping in New York

Home Sweet Home

Love A Champion

Providing the Ideal Environment for Small Pets

Rangers’ sportscaster Sam Rosen and his beloved Gracie

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LOCAL EVENTS ARTICLES TRENDS & MORE! 2015-06-22 6:38 AM

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From the Editor Lots of great advice in articles by award-winning contributors

Whoa! When did summer arrive? Seems like we just put the shovels away and here we are. This edition of NY Pets Magazine seemed to come up on us very quickly; but it is here and we hope you enjoy it.

Doreen

Taking the warmer season into mind, we have some informative articles on how to control pests on your pets whether it be by essential oils or other topical treatments. Planning your summer getaways? We have some great articles on training your dog and what to look for in planning for your stay. In keeping up with our sports enthusiasts, we have a wonderful interview with Sam Rosen who broadcasts for the NY Rangersâ&#x20AC;Ś.Go Rangers! Look how adorable his Gracie is and see the impact she has on the life of Sam and his lovely wife. The buzz around horse racing and the Triple Crown led to our equine article on rescue horses and how a winery is lending a helping hand. If you are one to spend some warm days relaxing in the air-conditioning, how about setting up a tank of dwarf cichlids or maybe a small marine tank? John Carlin will show you how easy it is to care for these amazing cichlids and Peach Reid will give us an insight on the marine hobby. Thanks, once again, to all our amazing advertising and distributing partners. We have some great new associates on board and hope you continue to show your support for them. We at NY Pets wish you the most wonderful summer ever. Look forward to chatting again in the fall.

SPRING/SUMMER 2015 | NY PETS Magazine

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TABLE OF CONTENTS NY PETS VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 (SPRING/SUMMER) 2015

FEATURES 17 29

SMART FISH Cichlids have the power to mesmerize

LOVE A CHAMPION Rangers’ sportscaster Sam Rosen and his beloved Gracie

SAVING SHYANN One woman’s love saved a damaged horse

43 HOME SWEET HOME Providing the ideal environment for small pets 63 EXTINCTION LEVEL EVENT Laws of reptile keeping in New York 2

NY PETS MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2015

magazine

NYPETS

PUBLISHER Alan Luff ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Doreen Luff CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John Carlin Mia K. Frezzo DVM Susan Godwin Sarah Hodgson Micah Kohles, DVM, MPA Jan C. Jeremias MSc Sharon Rubin Levine Liz Palika Laura “Peach” Reid Paris Revoir DVM Jodie Santarossa BSc DVM Robert Stephenson Loren Spiotta-DiMare Doug Staley Lucas Stock Andrew Thayer DVM Joanne Willard Mary Wyld PHOTOGRAPHY John Carlin Integrity Imaging Neshan Koulian Sharon Rubin Levine Debbie Rosengard Craig Sotres Tiffany Totorello ADVERTISING SALES Alan Luff Glenn Dulberg

DEPARTMENTS

PRODUCTION The Magazine Shoppe EDITOR Steve McNeill CREATIVE DIRECTOR/ PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Eric Pezik ART DIRECTOR Patti Whitefoot-Bobier COPY EDITOR Barb Chambers DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & NEW PUBLICATIONS Sarah Freeman WINNING PET PRODUCT EDITOR Doug Staley PUBLISHED BY NY Pets is published two times a year by AKUSA Publishing Inc. Copyright 2015. All rights reserved. Phone: 845-268-0523 Fax: 845-268-7844 Email: doreen@nypetsmagazine.com Advertising: alan@nypetsmagazine.com glenn@nypetsmagazine.com

4 WINNING PET PRODUCTS Great items for pets and owners alike 8 WHAT DO I NEED FOR A NEW KITTEN IN THE FAMILY 9 DOG VACATION Know your pet is happy while traveling

39 SPOIL YOUR PET The benefits of essential oils 51 MARINE AQUATIC TRENDS The future of pet fish 53 THE DOG Ask the trainer

11 PEST CONTROL How to protect your pets 14 NEW THERAPIES An evolution of veterinary practice 21 PUP SCOUTS Are you nostalgic about your days as a Scout?

57 HORSE RESCUE Winery takes unusual approach to saving these majestic animals 67 CAT FACTS Seven things to know about proper nutrition 70 BIRD ENTERTAINMENT Toys are essential for amusement and happiness

25 DENTAL CARE For your dog

SPRING/SUMMER 2015 | NY PETS MAGAZINE

Gift ideas for pets and owners alike By Doug Staley Summer is here and our latest edition is hot off the presses– no pun intended. I have, again, found some great winning products to make any pet jump for joy. Interestingly, there is a big movement of independents developing products for the pet industry. Many of these products have made my list. It is refreshing to see families making pet products and when they are made in the U.S.A., it further reinforces the message that we are in the land of opportunity where dreams can become reality. So let’s take a look at our winning products that all pets will just love.

The Treatstik® The TreatStik® is the creation of a husband and wife team. It was a way to keep their mischievous dog occupied and stimulated. It worked so well they tried it on neighbors’ dogs with the same results and the idea was born. It is a tough nylon meal- and treat-dispensing toy that will offer your dog hours of mentally-stimulating fun. As your dog nudges and rolls the toy, it randomly dispenses hidden treats. It stimulates your dog’s mind, while relieving boredom and separation anxiety. It also helps with weight control. It is a deterrent from destructive behavior and can stand up to very strong chewers. Made in the U.S.A. of heavy-duty non-toxic nylon, it is dishwasher safe and has a large screw cap for easy filling. Available in two sizes, the large can hold up to 1.5 cups of your dog’s favorite treats or daily meal, while the small size holds .5 cups. The large TreatStik® is 9.75˝ long and the Small TreatStik® is 6” long. I love the idea of this toy and I have tried both sizes on my pack which range from the mini to the mighty. Since it was something new, there was about a three-minute learning curve before somebody discovered it released the greatest gift for a dog, a treat! They spent the rest of the day nudging and rolling their new toys. The big ones would even pick it up and drop it in hopes of more treats coming out but, alas, that’s not how it’s meant to work so their efforts were in vain. You should have seen the looks on their faces when it was empty. They were like “c’mon dad, fix it.” It was entertaining for me as I watched the spectacle going on. I’m now using them every day as part of our daily routine. A great product for keeping your dog occupied and stimulated whether at home with you or while you are away. Available at retailers or treatstik.com. Here’s another great product which was developed by a grandfather and his grandson to keep their ball-obsessed poodle playing catch…even if no one was there to throw the ball. Again, after testing on neighbors’ dogs with great results, they took their idea to Kickstarter for funding and the rest is history!

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The ifetch Fetch just got a whole lot more fun…for you and your dog! You love your dog and your dog loves you. Sometimes your fetch-crazed pup could play fetch all day long. But, you have no choice. You must leave him home…unoccupied! Well, here is the perfect solution: The iFetch Automatic Ball Launcher for Dogs. Perfect for indoors and out, when you’re at home or when you’re away. Simply place one of the included balls into the ball launcher and it will automatically spit it out at 10, 20, or 30 feet so your furry friends can play to their heart’s content. Plus, it’s a great training opportunity for solo play! Creates fun for the whole family – the iFetch brings a fun, new twist to the familiar game of fetch. Many dogs are able to use the iFetch to play fetch by themselves, however, every dog loves it when people play with them. The iFetch is for small dogs because it holds a 1.5˝ tennis ball. It operates on electricity or 6 C-cell batteries. Due to popular demand, they are coming out with the iFetch Too which dispenses regular sized tennis balls for big dogs. The other nice feature to the iFetch Too is it will be equipped with built-in rechargeable battery. No need to buy batteries. Just plug it in to recharge. The iFetch Too is energy efficient, powering up on demand when a ball is dropped in and powering down once the ball is launched. We have tried the iFetch and my Jack Russell mix went absolutely crazy for it. She is ball obsessed to begin with and loves to bring it back and drop it. Teaching her to use it was a breeze. Both of my Havanese chased the ball and brought it back but still haven’t mastered how to reload yet. Can’t wait for the iFetch Too to be ready for my big guys. Though they had fun with the iFetch, the balls were really too small for a big dog though my Goldendoodle didn’t seem to care. They expect a September ship date for the iFetch Too. The iFetch Automatic Ball Launcher for Dogs will become your best friend’s best friend! Available at retailers or goifetch.com. These next two product lines are also family run by pet lovers. They understand the need for quality healthy products to keep our loving pets thriving and believe in producing their products in the U.S.A.

Pawduke Treats These days more and more dogs are suffering from allergies – to meats, to grains, to fruits and to vegetables. While you love your pet and would do anything for him/her, it is a dog owner’s nightmare trying to find products that won’t adversely affect your dog’s skin, ears, stomach, etc. You put in countless hours reading food labels, searching the internet, picking your local pet food retailer’s brain in search of the best food. You should not have to work so hard when it comes to treats. Pawduke has made it easy for you. Founded by a mother/daughter team of pet lovers (Donna & Shelley), Pawduke all-natural dog treats are wheat-free, corn-free, soy-free and vegetarian. They even have grain-free vegetarian flavors. They are made in the U.S.A. with ingredients sourced in the U.S.A. in a certified human-grade bakery to ensure only the best products go into each treat. There is no guesswork involved in reading the label. What you see is what you get, simple human-quality ingredients you would find in your own kitchen that work to improve your dog’s overall health and appearance. No salt, sugar, preservatives, chemicals, dyes or animal by-products. Baked crisp to help promote teeth cleaning and tartar control. Pawduke treats have a long shelf life – 12 months from baking. They bake frequently and in small batches to ensure you get the freshest product. I really appreciate this because when you open the bag, it smells like it just came out of the oven. Based on the reaction of my pack, it’s a winner for any size dog. A word to the wise, be prepared. Once your dog gets a whiff of Pawduke treats, tails will be wagging and mouths will be watering for more! According to Donna, they are also great for all kinds of animals. I tried some on my macaws and they loved Pawdukes as well. My customers who have tried the product are raving about it because they say their dogs are better behaved knowing they will get a Pawduke as a reward. I even had a client say his goat loved them and is more affectionate since he started feeding the treat. Hey, whatever works, as long as they love you and are well behaved. Right? Check out their website for a retailer near you at Pawduketreats.com. SPRING/SUMMER 2015 | NY Pets Magazine

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Doggie Chicken Chips Let me just say all of my dogs went crazy for this product. I could barely open the package before they were all over it. “Finger Nippin’ Good” made with premium U.S.A. sourced chicken tenderloin only, with no fillers, preservatives or additives. Proudly made in the U.S.A., this crispy low-calorie chip loaded with protein breaks apart easily and is a perfect treat for any dog or cat though I must say my macaws enjoyed them too. A simple one-ingredient (chicken) treat that is just 2 calories per chip and available in 3 package sizes (4oz, 8oz, 16oz). It’s just that simple! A family- run business (2 sisters) of pet lovers making treats for pets. Sounds like a winning combo. Available through retailers only. Check their website for a store near you. Your pets will love you for it! doggiechickenchips.com So there you have it. Four families of pet lovers making four quality products for our loving pets. It’s a beautiful thing. The dream can become a reality. Since we are now discussing treats these last 2 companies fit right in with the pack as we say.

Indigenous™ pet treats They call it “THE PERFECT BLEND OF SCIENCE & NATURE” at Indigenous™ Pet Products. Their passion and purpose is to improve the health, vitality, and happiness of your loyal animal companions. They are committed to it. Due to their vast experience in human nutritional sciences and nature’s plentiful array of wholesome ingredients, they are proud to create high quality, innovative products. Products that are made right here in the U.S.A. Well, here are two winning pet products for you to try on your pet brought to you by this dedicated company. After trying them out on my own dogs with success, I’m confident they will sell well in my shop. I’m always looking for new healthy quality treats that are U.S.A. made. Engageables!™ – are the new nutritious and functional treats that keep dogs engaged! Available in three flavors: chicken, apple, sweet potato/duck, carrot, sweet potato/turkey, cranberry, sweet potato. The treats are free of rawhide, jerky, grains, glutens, and GMOs. All the things a pet owner doesn’t want in their pets food or treats. They also put in good things like prebiotics and probiotics to support digestive health, vitamins, and minerals to maintain a strong immune system, salmon oil to help support healthy skin and coat and a proprietary blend of botanical ingredients that include rosemary, thyme, and anise oil just to name a few. The turkey formula also contains glucosamine and chondroitin for hip and joint support. So much goodness in a treat that dogs love!

ip Chocolate Ch What a great Cookies way to show the R PHOE TE love for your pet! SelfieTin.com lets Chocolate Chip you reproduce All-Natural Dog Biscuits Biscotti your favorite pet and animal photos, one at a time, for reproduction on a large keepsake tin complete with your choice of gourmet treats,cookies,chocolates, biscotti, Bonnie L’ All Natural Dog Biscuits™ and other items. It’s as simple as uploading your photo and adding text. This turn key program also includes a personal card message. Shipped anywhere in the USA, it’s perfect for storage of treats, sharing with loved ones and makes a great gift for any pet or pet lover. Available at www.selfietin.com n only)

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The patented design of this product helps clean teeth and freshen breath, while fighting plaque and tartar build-up. They are safe and highly digestible for all dog breeds and sizes. Dental Health Bones are made with ascophyllum nodosum, a natural kelp harvested from the clean, cold North Atlantic seas of Canada, Iceland, and Norway. This kelp is a rich source of nutrients and is free from artificial colors and preservatives. They contain probiotics and Omegas 3 and 6 from salmon oil. Grain‐free, gluten‐free, GMO‐free – made with natural ingredients. Now available in five flavors since they have added potato and lamb, which is a limited ingredient formula for the allergy sufferer. Another great feature is the bones are scored at the half-way point so you can break them for smaller dogs. One size will work for small or large dogs. Check out their website for a retailer near you. indigenouspet.com.

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Hoping that you have enjoyed the winning pet products I have chosen for this edition. Have a great summer and I look forward to bringing you more winning pet products in our next edition. Doug Staley aka “dPetguy” is a groomer, breeder, pet sitter, pet retailer, multiple pet owner, and consultant to the pet industry. A graduate of the Nash Academy of Animal Arts, his passion for animals has spanned almost four decades. Doug may be contacted at dpetguy@mac.com.

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Pet themed Readers & Sunglasses Patented Design Available at Finer Retailers

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5/22/2015 5:22:57 PM

CRITTER CHATTER Uhart from Buffalo asks:

Q: What do I need for a new kitten in the family?

There is a list of basic supplies you will need to care for your new pet. If you could invest in these before you bring your pet home, it would make the transition easier, as you would have more time to focus on your pet and not the setting up for it. One of the most important things to get would be the litter box. You may want to start with a smaller sized one if you have a kitten to make it easier to climb into. If you have an older cat, it should be a box size that is comfortable for it to turn around in and feel cozy. There are a variety of types. Some have shields, some have hoods and some are sifting. The enclosed boxes are better at keeping the litter and odors inside the box and the sifting ones can make cleanup a little easier. Next, invest in a litter scoop. They come in plastic or metal and make scooping out the litter box a breeze. Choose a litter for your box; a variety of materials from clay, corn, wheat, recycled newspaper, and pine are on the store shelves. Some are biodegradable and some are flushable. Clumping litters work well for easy cleanup, but your cat may have a preference. You may have to try a few, before you have one you will both agree on. Food and water bowls â&#x20AC;&#x201C; please invest in a non-plastic type, as they tend to lock in odors and harbor bacteria. The bowls should be made of a sturdy material and should be shallow so your kitten or cat can get to it easily.

You should get an ID tag or micro-chipping for the safety of your pet and for your peace of mind. You must also get a collar to put the tag on. Please select a break-away type so your pet can easily find its way out of it in case it gets caught on something. Remember to put the collar on for short periods of time to begin with so your pet gets used to it.

A high quality food is your next decision. If you can take home a little of what the kitten has been eating, it would be helpful. But most cats or kittens probably have not been in one place long enough to have selected a particular brand of food and the transition should be easy. Now we move onto the fun items. Make sure you invest in some toys and scratching posts. Cats and kittens need a good amount

of daily exercise. Get some interactive toys, and toys with feathers that they can hunt and pounce on. The cardboard scratchers are also a good inexpensive way to show kittens/ cats what they may scratch on. From experience, the double-width one seems to be preferred by most cats and kittens. Later on you may want to invest in a sisal and carpetedtype post. It is recommended that you brush your cat every day. Purchase the type of brush or comb best suited for the type of fur your new pet has. This will help eliminate loose hair from getting all over, will help prevent matting problems and will help with hairballs. You may also want to use a hairball preventative. You may also want to think about a bed for your new pet to relax and curl up in. Your pet may find this very comforting and help prevent stress. Other items to think about are nail clippers (though some prefer to have this done during vet visits), stain and odor removers in case of accidents, and a book. Before you leave with your new pet, make sure you inquire about all its vet visits, get a list of all vaccines it has received and any other pertinent information you will need for your file. If you do not have a veterinarian that you are familiar with, ask for a recommendation. Schedule a vet visit to ensure the health of your pet and make regular visits for checkups, oral exams, etc. NYP

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DOG VACATION

Dog

VACATION Know your pet is happy while traveling

By Sarah Hodgson

hether you’re prepping for a few days at the beach or a multi-state tour of Civil War battlefields, think about your dog before you finalize your plans. What will your companion do while you’re gone—stay with a house sitter, chill in a dog kennel—or come with you? We love to travel. We love to see new sights, taste new foods, and meet interesting people. We pore over travel locations and pick places we

know we’ll enjoy. We pull out our calendars and create an itinerary: leave on Friday, home on Tuesday. For the most part, we know what’s coming and where we’re going. Your dog… not so much. Depending on your dog’s level of socialization, breed, and temperament, travel can be very stressful. Car rides are fun for many dogs, but a 10-hour marathon drive may test her/his mettle. And, if you think airplane seats are uncomfortable, try flying in the cargo hold. Consider your destination. Will your hosts welcome your dog? Yes, they said “bring ev-

erybody,” but confirm in advance that this means your dog. Not everyone puts dogs in the same category as children. Know your dog. Is your dog an adventurous type or a homebody? Is she/he easily distracted by a favorite toy or do new scents and sounds send your pet into a frenzy? Does she/ he walk companionably on a leash or do you need a little work in that department? Unlike humans, dogs don’t “see” new places the way we do. We use our eyes—we get outside, stretch, look around, and we’re good to go. Dogs on the other hand see with their

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DOG VACATION nose. For your dog to feel comfortable in a new setting, you’ll need to lead it around. Sniffing bush to bush is like reading your morning e-mail; your pet might even leave its own urine trail. It’s pee-mail! If you’ve confirmed the dog-friendliness of your destination and your dog is socialized and ready for a trip, pack carefully to ensure a comfortable journey. Bring as many homey things as you can—beds, crates, toys, bowls, and leashes. Pack a list of your dog’s familiar words and routines. Dogs are much happier when surrounded by things they recognize. If your hosts have dogs, introduce them to yours in a neutral location, preferably outdoors to avoid territorial disputes. Let both dogs drag long leashes to allow natural interaction while maintaining your ability to intervene if needed. No one wants to have a bad experience, but things do happen—dogs don’t get along, another guest might have allergies— so plan ahead. Find a local kennel you can use if the need arises. Bring your dog-vaccine records in case you need them.

NY Pets Columnist and Best-Selling Author

Sarah Hodgson

The Lifestyle Coach For Dog Lovers!

If your dog stays behind, try not to feel guilty. Your pet will be content with a stable routine and will be delighted when you get home. Keep in mind that the aggravations of travel that frustrate humans may overwhelm your dog and create a situation that makes you wish you had all stayed home! NYP

Sarah Hodgson is an author of several dog books and Huffington Post blogger but still loves her work as a dog trainer and an associate certified dog behavior consultant (IAABC). She’s available for private lessons, group dog training classes, in Westchester, Putnam, and Fairfield Counties. Live outside the tri-state area? Schedule a phone consultation to discuss frustrations or pre-dog or puppy questions or set up dog-training lessons via Skype. You and your dog will be glad you did! Sarah can be reached at sarah@whendogstalk.com or 914-241-1111.

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Pest Control how to protect your pets

Dr. Paris Revoir, Animal Health

ith the arrival of summer months, the warmer and more humid weather not only ushers in plants and trees, but also signals the increased feeding activity of ticks as well as the hatch of fleas and mosquitoes. Fleas and mosquitoes love warm and humid conditions and ticks become active when the ambient temperature increases to over 40o F. And while these pests may seek

out humans as potential hosts, some, like fleas, prefer our pets, which can put themselves at further risk by frequenting places where these pests thrive. When was the last time you went crawling under your deck? My German shorthaired pointer, Dakota, gets under our deck at her every opportunity. The neighborhood wildlife that tends to commune under the deck offers her some natural, suburban fun. These are the same wildlife species that are the natural hosts to the fleas that parasitize our pet dogs and cats. The species of flea that prefers

dogs and cats is the same species that inhabits opossums and raccoons. How about swimming in a pond? Our Labrador retriever, Diesel, cannot pass one of these up without taking a quick dip, where mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes flourish. Then there is simply running through a field of tall grass, particularly a shaded one. This is where ticks do their thing; they LOVE tall grass under trees. Unlike the commonly-held beliefs, ticks do not fall out of trees, or jump like fleas, onto their host. They actually perform an activity referred to as â&#x20AC;&#x153;questing,â&#x20AC;? lying in wait

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NOW AVAILABLE AT YOUR FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD INDEPENDENT PET STORE 9/30/15

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Bayer (reg’d), the Bayer Cross (reg’d), Advantage TM, Don’t give fleas a biting chance, K9 AdvantixTM and for the love of dogTM are trademarks of Bayer. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. x141402

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Pest Control how to protect your pets

for a host to brush by them, releasing from the tall grass they are on, to infest their new host. While ticks cannot see per se, they are quite responsive to changes in their environment such as vibrations, temperature, or CO2 (which we exhale). When these changes occur, the ticks release from vegetation and infest the animal passing by. So the bottom line is: our pets’ lifestyles can set them up for a parasite infestation. As a conscientious pet owner, you need to understand how to prevent infestations and treat your pets if they become infested. To understand how to do this, you need to understand the parasites’ life cycles. Let’s look at fleas: Market analytic research from Bayer has shown that some pet owners think adult fleas (which make up only 5 percent of the flea infestation) are the entirety of their problem. They don’t realize that 95 percent of the flea infestation life stages are in their environment and go virtually unnoticed. The bad news is every female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day! So within a flea infestation, there are A LOT of immature flea life stages in a pet’s environment. Relatively 50 percent of a flea infestation is in the egg stage. In a very short period of time, a couple of days to a couple of weeks, the eggs hatch into larvae. Larvae make up approximately 35 percent of the flea life cycle. Flea larvae do not like light and crawl into shaded areas in the yard, or into furniture, carpet, crevices, or baseboards in the home. The larvae then spin a cocoon and become pupae. Pupae are the most difficult life stage to kill. The pupa stage is resilient to cold temperatures and chemicals. Short of burning down the house, they are also

“ Pupae are the most difficult life stage to kill. The pupa stage is resilient to cold temperatures and chemicals.

”

resilient to heat. Adult fleas can then hatch from the pupae into adult fleas. This life cycle repeats itself again and again year-round, regardless of outdoor conditions. This is why a helpful approach to “flea treatment” is actually PREVENTION! If you haven’t already started, NOW is the time to institute flea/tick prevention. Depending on your pet’s lifestyle, there are several products that can help protect your pet from these biting and sucking pests. In collaboration with your veterinarian, you can decide which approach best fits you and your pet. One final piece of advice I would give is that REPELLENCY is a key factor in helping to protect your pet and preventing the infestation of these pests. Remember fleas suck and ticks bite! NYP

Dr. Paris Revoir is the National Training Manager for the Pet Specialty channel of business at Bayer Animal Health. Prior to joining Bayer, Dr. Revoir and his wife Dr. Tracy Revoir founded and operated Pet-Works Veterinary Hospital and Pet Supplies in Overland Park, Kansas. He also served on the Veterinary Advisory Board of the industry publications Vet Forum and Veterinary Medicine. In the early 1990s, Dr. Revoir was the host on Pet Talk, a live call-in Ask the Veterinarian radio show on AM Radio 810 in Kansas City, MO. Today, he offers advice on the Bayer Animal Health consumer website www.petparents.com in the tools drop down section on the Ask the Vet link.

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New THERAPIES

An evolution of veterinary practice

Dr. Jodie Santarossa BSc, DVM

can still remember my first boss and mentor saying to me, “That’s why we call it practice.” She was giving me a pep talk, as I was a new grad struggling to master a technical surgical skill. Now, more than a dozen years later, I am more in love with my chosen profession than ever before and often find myself quoting my mentor’s wise words. By definition, practice is a verb, meaning to perform (an activity) or exercise (a skill) repeatedly or regularly in order to improve or maintain one’s proficiency. As my career has progressed and as science has illuminated new truths and

dispelled previously accepted theories, I recognize to practice alone is insufficient. In addition to practicing, we must evolve. The evolution of my career has taken me to places I never considered possible, to realms of medicine and healing that I personally thought were improbable, if not impossible, to say the least. To understand where I am now, perhaps it is best to start at the beginning and explain where I came from. I was a city kid but was fortunate enough to have had a busy mixed animal farm in our family heritage. It was the original homestead that my great grandpar-

ents first settled on when they immigrated to Canada from the Ukraine decades before my birth. It has always served as an anchor and a busy hub where our family continues to gather. As a child, “The Farm,” as we called it, was literally my favorite place on earth. I couldn’t wait for long weekends, holidays, and summer vacations to rush out there to participate in whatever project was on the slate. I didn’t mind building granaries, or pumping the thick lube into the combine in preparation for harvest, but what I loved most were the animals and the daily chores. “The Farm” is where my

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New THERAPIES

dream of veterinary medicine was conceived and my future path forged. From my earliest days, I idolized James Herriot and Laura Ingalls-Wilder. I knew I was going to be a vet and as time passed and as I moved through school, it became inevitable to me. I can recall high school counselors advising me to have a back-up plan as the competition to gain acceptance to veterinary college was fierce. Although I appreciated the advice, simply put, it was the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan or bust for me. After completing a bach-

elor’s degree in science, with an emphasis in genetics and evolution, I was accepted to the WCVM in 1998. A dream come true! Veterinary college was fantastic; all I had hoped it would be and I savored every moment of being there. I entered veterinary college with a romantic perception of the profession defined by James Herriot as my hero. Early on, I was drawn to horses, particularly the surgical aspect of their care. At the time, my creed was “a chance to cut is a chance to cure” so upon graduation, I embarked on a surgical internship, pursuing advanced knowledge in the field. Subsequent to that, I returned to my home town of Sherwood Park and set up shop. I quickly found myself working at Northlands Park, a racetrack, in Edmonton, Alberta. It was on the backstretch at Northlands that I settled in for the next decade of my career, working with elite race horses. The first five years seemed to pass quickly as I learned the ropes in the fast paced and often adrenaline pumping environment. I accepted things as they were, and as I assumed that they would always be. It was not until 2007 that my perspective began to shift and I realized that what once was, may not always be. I knew that all things, including veterinary practice, changed, thus, I would have to alter, mutate, adapt, or evolve the nature of my practice or face likely extinction. It was not just one single factor that ignited this searching and questioning of what was but an accumulation of many experiences.

After a half dozen years of practice, with the majority spent on the backstretch, I had started to recognize patterns of disease and had a strong sense that I never seemed to actually heal anything. I often felt that I was medicating various symptoms of disease in isolation; suppressing symptoms but never actually addressing the underlying factors. I began to suspect that the overwhelming majority of conditions I was medicating were actually preventable and that the medications themselves were having harmful side effects. I deduced that if this was true in one aspect of veterinary medicine it was likely the case in other aspects as well. Around the same time, my view of health and wellness shifted from merely a physical perspective, to an acknowledgement that health is not just the absence of physical clinical symptoms. Health is a dynamic balance of spiritual, emotional, and physical elements. Initially, I had been encouraged by clients to pursue training in veterinary acupuncture as a complementary modality to my more traditional western-based skill set. Though very skeptical, my first foray into complementary therapies served as fuel to the fire of a smoldering disenchantment with traditional western-based practice. Within the realms of complementary medicine and in particular within the subtle energy therapies, I found many of the answers to questions I had asked. With each continuing education course I took, my horizons broadened to consider

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New THERAPIES a more natural and preventative based approach to health care and thus the nature of my practice evolved. At the core of this new path of education and enlightenment, was an increasing awareness of the power of preventative health care and also of energy or electrical medicine. No longer was I seeking to diagnose disease but rather detect “dis-ease” or the initial subtle imbalances that precede disease and physical pathologies. I now consider all symptoms as connected in some way. When I detect “dis-ease“ or subtle imbalances within the electrical (i.e. nervous system) system of the body, I then influence that system with subtle energy therapies, which include manual techniques such as cranial sacral, myofascial release, osteopathy, reiki, and acupuncture. I also deliver therapy via color, sound, essential oils, homeopathy, herbal medicine, low level laser or far infrared techniques. Although, I am certainly not alone in this evolution of practice philosophy and perception of health, it is still not yet considered mainstream. It is still evolving within our profession, as science is only now beginning to explain what was once left to the spiritual mystics and healers. At a recent meeting of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, I had to chuckle as I read through the scope of veterinary practice and found that 90 percent of what I did was not listed as components of veterinary medicine by their definition. However, today, as in 2002 when I graduated from WCVM, I still call myself a doctor of veterinary medicine who specializes as an energy-based, preventative practitioner. Having once been a strong skeptic, I am now an advocate for this emerging field of veterinary medicine. I continue to study the science behind this and have seen the results first hand. I recognize now that there is a shift and a strong momentum for change in the delivery of health care for all animals. There is a storm brewing which will leave a healthcare revolution in its wake. What I see emerging is an integrated system that will recognize and utilize the benefits of all available tools of healing. When you only have a hammer in your tool belt, everything looks like a nail, but when you open your mind to these emerging therapies, it is possible to assemble a greater complement of tools and yet not lose the hammer. My creed has changed from “a chance to cut is a chance to cure” to “Primum non nocere” or “first, do no harm.” As a result, rather

“

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” – Gandhi

It is still evolving within our profession, as science is only now beginning to explain what was once left to the spiritual mystics and healers.

Dr. Jodie Santarossa is a 2002 graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Before veterinary college, Jodie attended the University of Saskatchewan and received a BSc in Biology, graduating with great distinction. Along with a business partner she built West Wind Veterinary Hospital, an equine surgical referral practice. Jodie’s current practice, BrightSide Vet, has been primarily focused on equine sports medicine, but due to repeated client requests Jodie will be expanding her practice to include all animals.

” than just treating the symptoms of disease, I now believe in and practice an integrative style of veterinary medicine and work collaboratively with several traditional western veterinarians, our clients, and a complement of other healthcare professionals to deliver individualized holistic care for all animals. I continue to educate, evolve, and practice with an open mind to all possibilities always remembering that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” NYP

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FISH

Smart Fish Cichlids have the power to mesmerize

By John Carlin Photos by John Carlin

t’s probably not fair to say that some fish are smarter than others. But if you’ve ever had the chance to keep cichlids, you would have to agree that they seem much more thoughtful than some of the more common fish available to aquarium keepers, such as tetras, barbs, and rainbow fish. As opposed to the many species that simply swim back and forth in your aquarium, cichlids consider their every move. It’s like they have to think before they do anything. They engage with their surroundings, swimming purposefully in and out of crevices between rocks, holes in the driftwood, or masts of your sunken pirate ship. Science describes cichlids in various

ways and a Google search will give you more Latin names and biological traits than most people care about. It’s safe to say that there are more than a thousand varieties of cichlids, that they come from every corner of the earth and that they are a joy to watch in your aquarium. The problem is that most cichlids, including favorites such as the Jack Dempsey, the Oscar, the convict, and any others you can find in nearly any fish store in America, is that they get big and have a tendency to be mean. There’s the added problem that they will eat anything they can swallow. Likewise, the popular rift lake cichlids from Africa, while brightly colored, are also territorial and are generally too aggressive to be kept with

anything other than their own kind. Many people don’t mind the nasty behavior and are even willing to dedicate large amounts of space required to house the big bruisers. But if you look beyond the bruisers, there are some options that don’t require huge aquariums. There are a number of dwarf species of cichlids that are just as intelligent and engaging to watch, yet because of their small size, these beauties can live happily in aquariums of 10 gallons or less. In the case of the dwarf flag cichlid, (Laetacara curviceps) also known as the flag acara, sheepshead acara and smiling acara, there is the added benefit that it is not aggressive. I recently purchased a group of six – each

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about the size of a quarter and a half dollar. Three were slightly larger and most likely males. With this species it isn’t easy to tell. All of them have similar coloring. Since I set up their 10-gallon home, I have spent as much time watching this tank as my 120-gallon reef aquarium. There are corals in the big tank that cost more than the entire setup for the dwarf acaras, yet it’s hard not to watch these little guys moving about and exploring their world and thinking about their every move. Tank setup was easy and straightforward. I added about two inches of Seachem darkbrown Fluorite substrate to support live plants. To this, I added a seasoned piece of driftwood, five or six golf-ball to baseballsized river rocks and a number of common plants including Amazon Swords and several of the smaller Cryptocoryne species. (If you’re new to plants, just say “crypts” and most store employees will know what you mean.) Lighting comes from a standard, low-tech fluorescent bulb that I already had at home. I would suggest using a bulb designed and marketed for plant growth. These bulbs typically

“

There are corals in the big tank that cost more than the entire setup for the dwarf acaras, yet it’s hard not to watch these little guys moving about and exploring their world and thinking about their every move.

”

mimic daylight by emitting a yellowish light rated at 6500 to 6700 degrees Kelvin. Other water parameters were handled with a simple submersible heater and hangon-the-back filter. I like to feed my fish a lot – so I typically go with a filter rated for a larger aquarium. In this case, I used one rated for a 20-gallon tank on my 10-gallon. (I also do a 20 percent water change weekly.) A quick dose of Seachem Seed Bacteria ensures the aquarium will not suffer an ammonia spike in the coming weeks. The end result is an aquarium that approximates the natural surroundings of the dwarf acara’s native waters in the lower Amazon Basin of Brazil. The fish seemed right at home within just a few minutes. There was no hiding in the corners or acting stressed and they were eating happily in half an hour. Though they had been pretty in their bare-bottomed holding tank, their colors emerged almost immediately, helped no doubt by the darkness of the substrate and the green from the live plants. I have been feeding them fish food from Xtreme Aquatics, which was developed to bring out the

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“

There has been no aggression among the fish, perhaps because of their nature, but also because they all feel safe amid the rocks and plants.

” blues, reds and yellows in cichlids. Within just a few days they began displaying a bright red line across the top of their dorsal fins, as well as their trademark yellow spots just below the red line. Their tails took on the appearance of fine blue lace, while bright blue markings developed around their gills. I had left big gaps between the rocks to create hiding places and the little cichlids took advantage of my aqua-scape by swimming in and out of the crevices searching for food or the safety and comfort of a smaller space. There has been no aggression among the fish, perhaps because of their nature, but also because they all feel safe amid the rocks and plants. It’s ironic but (to a point) the more decorations you add to the tank, the more fish you can add. Some might suggest that six in a single 10-gallon tank is too many. Eventually that may be the case – especially if a pair forms and becomes territorial. But, the activity level feels perfect – even with four small guppies, which also call the aquarium home. The downside to smaller cichlids is that you can’t observe all that color and activity from across the room because the fish are too small. The upside, of course is that you

can put them in such a small aquarium and they can be kept right on your desktop or kitchen counter. There is a big push in the aquarium hobby for aquariums of five gallons or smaller. Technology such as LED lighting and powerful little filters means we can now have a fullfledged aquarium on our desks, where years ago it might have been a goldfish bowl. The dwarf flag cichlid will reward you as a colorful addition no matter where you put the tank. If you DO put it on your desk be careful, this little fish is engaging and it might be hard to get any work done. NYP

To see a video of John’s dwarf flag acara aquarium as well as dozens of other aquarium videos, visit his You Tube Channel, www.youtube.com/Fincasters John Carlin is a regular contributor to NY Pets Magazine. He lives in Roanoke, Virginia where he is an award-winning journalist and president of Carlin Aquarium Systems.

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Are you nostalgic about your days as a

Scout?

Do you want to help the dog community? Do you want to spend quality time with your dog and other dog parents? Do you and your pup want to earn badges, bond, and have fun? Do you think pups look adorable in a Scout uniform? Then read all about PupScouts Org LLC!

n any given day in NYC, you may see 20-plus dogs, dressed in uniform, attending their PupScout© Meeting at a dogfriendly location, with their parents by their side, of course. You’ve heard of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts? Well, we are the PupScouts©! Meetings start with our Recording Secretary, Onyx, a poodle – taking the roll call. Then we continue on with our pledge. The PupScout Pledge: On my honor, I will try to do my duty, to help the dog community and my Country. To help make humans smile. And to be there to guard and protect, especially those at home. The meeting then continues with the First Order of Business – usually deciding which fundraiser we should work on next. Our Troops across the Country annually participate in fundraising walks such as Bark for Life

and Strut Your Mutt. We also raise money for animal charities by selling our PupScout Treats. In 2014, PupScouts were thrilled to announce a partnership with two Treat Companies from

NYC, Spoil Me Rotten and Little L’s Krak’ems, for special edition PupScout© Treats. www.storenvy.com/shop/?q=PupScouts

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Pup Scouts

Next order of business would be the matter of the monthly Badge we need to work on. Each badge has criteria that must be met, and a photo of the PupScout earning the badge, should be shared with the Troop. Our PupScouts are very proud of all the badges they earn, including Swimming, Hiking, Arts & Crafts, and Doga.

But we are even more proud of our team effort to help our Community, as stated in our pledge. Each year around the Holidays, we have a Toy Drive, Food Drive, and we visit Nursing Homes to sing Christmas Carols.

In 2013, PupScouts Troop 4 in NYC won the Golden Mutt Award for Strut Your Mutt, for raising the most funds as a Team.

We also held a Fundraiser in 2013, that raised $1,365 for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals. We presented the check to the Mayor’s Alliance, at the NY Pet Fashion Show.

Most recently, we had the 1st Annual PupScout Pre-Oscar Red Carpet party and Fashion Show. We raised money for the Mayor’s Alliance, Best Friends Animal Society for the NKLA project and Yorkie 911 Rescue. Designer, Ada Nieves, provided the Doggie Fashion Show with amazing designs that were inspired by celebrity Oscar gowns. PupScout Gia Marie with Mom, Victoria Viscardi, was our Pet Fashion Correspondent and paid tribute to fellow dog lover, Joan Rivers, by asking each dog attendee on the Red Carpet, “Who are you wearing?” You may be thinking that only crazy New Yorkers would put uniforms on their dogs and have meetings where their owners say the Pledge together. Not so! PupScouts Org LLC currently has 8 Troops across the Country, including GA, IL and CA!

Here is Troop Leader Rockie Boo – Troop 8 Burbank, IL

NY Pets Magazine | SPRING/SUMMER 2015

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Pup Scouts Troop 707 of Atlanta, GA, along with their Troop Leader, Remy, recently inspired all our Troops to do a letter writing campaign to the Military working dogs and their Servicemen and women.

Founder & National Troop Leader, Tasha Bella @manhattanmorkie (TashaBella@pupscouts.org), lead the Troop in a DOGA class on National TV’s Nightline.

PupScouts were challenged by the Pup Pals Club, to gather paper towels and give to our local dog shelters. Most of our Troops participated. Leadership Events are held monthly, to give each PupScout a chance to lead an event and help his or her Troop learn about something that is special to them.

PupScout Meeka (Co-Founder) has an annual pool party, so that her fellow PupScouts can earn their swimming badge! There’s nothing like seeing the expression of a proud parent, when they watch their baby dog swim for the first time. Tears are flowing!

PupScout Gia Marie, the Brooklyn Pom and our online Troop 50 co-leader (GiaMarie@pupscouts.org), gave us a Tour of the Brooklyn Bridge!!

Since it’s not every day you may see a dog dressed in a PupScout uniform, helping the community, PupScouts were chosen to be on a National TV show, for the Nat Geo Wild network. Spoiled Rotten Pets was hosted by Beth Stern. This recognition helped us to grow and be invited on more shows, such as Pet Talk with Lauren Collier, Good Morning America with Sam Champion and Nightline with Rob Nelson. In turn, the notoriety allows us to give back and help doggies who are in shelters and in need. PupScouts Org LLC is an national organization founded in 2010 by Susan Godwin, Actor, and Lela Hadick, Owner of Whimsy Collections. The inspiration began when Lela showed Susan a cute Halloween Costume for dogs that looked like a Brownie uniform. That was it – the NYC Troop began and quickly turned into a National Troop. In 2011, Morkie, Tasha Bella (with Mom, Susan Godwin) and Poodle, Meteor (with Mom, Jennifer-Jo Moyer) took over as National Troop Leaders. PupScouts Org is dedicated to raising money and awareness for other dog charity organizations. It is also a group for dog owners who enjoy doing social activities with their dogs. We find a balance between our fundraising and fun events to keep us going all year long. Our Motto, as said in our pledge, is to “help the dog community and make humans smile.” We also have an online Troop, Troop 50, in partnership with Dpfamily, (www.dpfamily.org) a private website, run by Bob Shaughnessy and Havanese Cuba, where we can earn our badges online and post photos and find the criteria for each badge. DPFamily stands for Dogs & People are Family. PupScouts Gia Marie and Pippa Leigh are the co-leaders for Troop 50. So if there’s not a Troop in your city, we recommend you try our online Troop or possibly become a Troop Leader and start a Troop in your area. Come join us and become a PupScout!!! www.pupscouts.org | www.facebook.com/PupScoutsofDPFamily twitter.com/PUPSCOUTSORG | @pupscoutsorg www.youtube.com/channel/UCUS_xpYvXDh5vl_n1hzxZaw Uniforms: www.pupscouts.org/#!shop/c1o5g Susan Godwin is CEO & Founder of PupScouts Org LLC. A resident of Manhattan, NY, Susan is also an Actor and Mom to Tasha Bella. Tasha Bella Godwin is an adorable Morkie (Maltese/Yorkie) who lives in Manhattan. Tasha is the National Troop Leader of PupScouts and helps her Mom lead the monthly meetings. Tasha is also an actress, like her Mom, and has appeared in Old Dogs with John Travolta and Tower Heist, as well as lots of modeling, and starring in Spoiled Rotten Pets – the PupScout Episode. NYP Susan Godwin, Founder & CEO PupScouts Org LLC tel: 917-929-5635 | PupScout Copyright #VA-1-928-238

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Dental Care for your dog By Dr. Andrew Thayer

t my hospital, I’m frequently met with comments from new clients such as: “A dental for my pet, are you serious? I feed dry food, isn’t that enough?” or, “Growing up my parents never had our pet’s teeth cleaned” and “That requires anesthesia, I have a friend whose pet died under

anesthesia. I’ll never put my pet under anesthesia.” Our pets’ teeth are no different from ours; they need to be brushed twice a day. Even with regular brushing, your pet will still need a dental at some point. Think of your own teeth. You brush twice a day. Some of us even floss regularly. We still get cavities and need root canals and other dental procedures. It makes perfect sense that your pet is no different. This article

will focus on dogs, as trying to brush your cat’s teeth is extremely difficult. For cats, routine cleanings are recommended. Your dog’s oral care hopefully starts at your first veterinary visit. Your vet should explain that most dogs have their adult teeth by approximately six or seven months of age. This means you are in no rush to take care of their teeth. What you are in a rush to do is make

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Dental Care for your dog

them comfortable with your fingers in their mouth. You want to start, at night, just before bedtime when your dog is nice and “mushy.” Set them, and you, up for success. Using your pinky finger, you want to mimic the same movement as a toothbrush. Start out trying to “brush” their teeth for three seconds on each side. You want to work your way up to 15 seconds on each side. There are no awards given for being able to do this in five days. If it takes you three months, then so be it. Once you are able to mimic the movement of a toothbrush with your pinky finger

for 15 seconds on each side, you are ready to graduate to a soft-bristle-human toothbrush, or a pet toothbrush that you can buy from your vet or a pet store. Start by trying to do 3 seconds on each side and slowly work back towards fifteen seconds. Once you are back to 15 seconds, you can add pet toothpaste. Human toothpaste is not toxic, but it is a gastric irritant and will make your dog vomit. The gold standard is to brush your dog’s teeth twice daily like ours, but any amount of brushing is better than none. If you aren’t doing it twice a day, don’t think it isn’t worth doing.

So why brush your dog’s teeth in the first place? There are a host of reasons why. Without brushing your pet’s teeth, the rate dental disease progresses is dramatically faster. The bacteria that builds up under your pet’s gum line will eventually get into the blood stream and can lead to liver, heart, respiratory, and bladder disease, not to mention your pet can stop eating due to pain in their mouth. Each dog is individual in terms of how fast dental disease develops in their mouths and is, in large part, based on their genetics. Small breed dogs tend to have accelerated dental disease relative to large dogs. As you can see, many factors are involved in your pet’s oral health: the size of your dog, their genetics, and how often you brush their teeth. Even if you brush your dog’s teeth twice a day, they are still going to need a dental at some point. Eighty-five percent of pets need their first dental between the ages of three and five years of age. As humans, we brush our teeth twice a day, but still need to have our teeth professionally cleaned at least once a year. Some people even have their teeth cleaned every three months. Let me address some of the common myths associated with pets and their teeth. Yes, studies do show that eating dry food is superior

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Dental Care for your dog

to eating wet food in terms of oral care. This, however, has been grossly misinterpreted. Because it is superior to wet food, in terms of oral care, this does not make it a dental control program. That notion is as misguided as thinking that if you eat a carrot with every meal, it is going to help scrape your teeth enough that you will never need a cleaning. Additionally, there are many medical situations where wet food is far superior to dry food. Veterinary medicine has come a long way in the last 20 years. The fact that a generation ago, dentals for pets were not the norm, doesn’t mean we aren’t allowed to make advances that benefit our pets. The fact that one’s parents never had a dental done for their dog is not a reason not to have one done for your dog, especially now that we know the benefits of having your pet’s teeth cleaned versus the risks of not. Unlike humans, pets do need to be under general anesthesia for their teeth to be cleaned properly. It is almost urban legend to hear that someone had a friend whose pet died under anesthesia during a dental. If your pet is healthy and has had a recent comprehensive physical examination and blood work, then the risk of something happening under anesthesia is extremely rare.

“ The fact that a generation ago, dentals for pets were not the norm, doesn’t mean we aren’t allowed to make advances that benefit our pets.

”

The clients who keep putting off their veterinarian’s recommendation to perform a dental until their pet is old and has extremely bad teeth almost create a self- fulfilling prophecy. Now, instead of performing a simple cleaning on a healthy pet, your veterinarian potentially needs to extract teeth on an older pet. This now increases the risk of “something bad” happening. By brushing your pet’s teeth daily, and routinely having them cleaned, you will be able to avoid many of the major complications and diseases associated with dental disease. Pets are members of your family. You wouldn’t let other members of your family develop avoidable dental problems, why would you let your pets? NYP Dr. Andrew Thayer received his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. He has worked at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Hospital as a staff veterinarian, animal hospitals in Westchester County and Fairfield, Connecticut as well as emergency veterinary facilities. Andrew established the Hartsdale Veterinary Hospital in 2002 and has been the head of medicine for the last 11 years.

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2015-06-21 9:08 PM

Frustration is an Itchy Dog How to effectively combat allergies By Stephen Hauer

As many canine pet parents will tell you, the definition of “frustration” is an itchy, paw-chewing dog. When a dog is constantly chewing and biting itself, the cause may be flees or mites but more often can be an allergy. That’s the easy part of the diagnosis; figuring out the source of the allergy is the difficult part. The fact is, more than 80 percent of our itchy dogs suffer from allergies from the same pollens, dust mites and molds that humans suffer from. Tracking down the actual source, however, is no easy task. Medications typically only mask the symptoms short term by suppressing the entire immune system, but that also leaves your pet to secondary health issues such as infection. There are allergy shots that work, but you may not have access to a veterinary dermatologist, the treatments can be costly, require persistent owner-administered shots and take a long time. Allergies in dogs are a sign that the body’s “external” physical defenses may be compromised, subjecting an “internal” predisposed overly sensitive immune system to enhanced environmental allergy sourced exposure. Often, when the natural protective barriers in the skin and gut are breached, environmental allergens (pollens, molds and mites) gain access to the miss-wired immune system, triggering an allergic response and often manifesting as skin trauma, gunky ears or hot spots. DVM Dermatologist Dr. Kristin Holm suggests that addressing the skin and gut barriers, together with building internal immune system tolerance is essential in treating environmental allergies. Skin barrier function can be strengthened with essential omega fatty acids. Gut barrier function is strengthened via a combination of pre-and probiotics. And, finally, by exposing the immune system to small, yet frequent environmental concentrates, it can be retrained to tolerate rather than react to those itchy sources. When your itchy dog is allergy sad, consult with a veterinary dermatologist. This is the best way to improve your dog’s health and quality of life. But if a dermatologist is not available in your area (only 200 in USA ), supplements such as Doggy GOO which support skin and gut biome health, while building natural tolerance to 15 major environmental stressors can be considered. Stephen Hauer, M.S.M., M.B.A. and Dr. Kristin Holm, DVM, DACVD and are Co-Principals of Healthy GOO and Co-Creators of Doggy GOO.

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NY PETS Magazine | SPRING/SUMMER 2015

2015-06-22 6:45 PM

NYPETS FEATURE

LOVE a Champion NY Rangersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sportscaster Sam Rosen and his beloved Gracie

By Doug Staley

spring/summeR 2015 | NY Pets Magazine

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LOVE

a Champion

am Rosen is an award-winning sportscaster of many sports including football, boxing, basketball, and soccer. He is probably best known as the primary play-by-play announcer for the New York Rangers hockey team. For over 30 years, Ranger fans have adored his great play calling as well as his unique voice style. “It’s a power play goal” is a staple of every Rangers broadcast. Another of Sam’s famous quotes: “The waiting is over – the New York Rangers are the Stanley Cup Champions! And this one will last a lifetime!”

came in 1994 when he called game seven of the Stanley Cup finals at Madison Square Garden. It was a game that made the Rangers Stanley Cup champions after a 54-year dry spell and made every New Yorker jump for joy. We not only caught up with Sam Rosen at his home in Rockland County, New York to talk about his career and special moments, but to also talk about his beloved dog Gracie, a beautiful Cairn terrier. Warmly greeting us at the door was Sam’s wife, Jill, and beloved Gracie, who, like a typical terrier, couldn’t wait to inspect her new guests. Trying to be

a good guest, I made sure we brought a doggie “goodie bag” for Gracie to enjoy. Handing her a plush toy as a greeting, we adjourned to the family room with Gracie squeaking her new toy along the way. No sooner did Sam enter the room and sit down, Gracie was in his lap showing off her new toy. She would then jump down and bring each of us the toy to throw for her. Because the interview was about both of them, I felt this was the right time to discuss Gracie as we entertained her. Sam openly spoke about how Gracie came into his life on Father’s Day 2008 as a gift from his wife and nephew. This was to help him

NY PETS Magazine | SPRING/SUMMER 2015

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LOVE

a Champion

with the loss of his Westie, Charity, whom he lost in April 2008 at the age of 14. As a lover of dogs, and terriers in particular, it was love at first sight. At this point Jill came and sat with us and spoke about how the family kicked around names for her including “Ranger.” They all decided in honor of Charity, they would name her after a similar virtue and someone said how about Grace? From there it became Gracie. They both rave about how much they love her and how great she is with other family members. Sam went on to say that regardless if it’s coming home from the road or just from the

Garden, he can’t wait to see Gracie and roll around on the floor with her the second he gets in the door. It’s what keeps balance in his busy life. He further went on to say that she is a typical terrier, full of energy, and always needs to know what’s going on. Gracie also travels well because she always flies with the Rosens when they vacation in Florida. Some of Sam’s best Gracie moments are when he is either chasing her around the house or when he tells her they’re going for a ride and she waits by the passenger side of the car. Pretty smart dog...almost human. Which led me to ask them if Gracie could

speak like a human, what type of voice would she have and why? Jill laughed and said probably an annoying voice because as a terrier she always lets you know what’s on her mind. Sam thought she would have an authoritative voice because she is very distinct in her bark according to her needs. She has her bark for “out” which differs from her bark for “food.” I then asked Sam if Gracie could be any New York Ranger for a day, who would she be and why? He thought about it for a moment, and then said Mats Zuccarello, the Rangers star right winger. The reason is her energy, spunk, determination, and her playfulness

SPRING/SUMMER 2015 | NY Pets Magazine

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LOVE

a Champion

and fun-loving nature. After seeing Gracie in action, it was a great answer and Sam truly knows his dog! What I loved most was that Gracie sat and listened to our entire discussion. It was as if she was part of the conversation, which in reality she was. We finished our conversation about Gracie and it was now time to talk about the legendary Sam Rosen. Becoming a NHL play-by-play man is an extremely difficult task. Only 57 people in the world currently hold that honor. I asked Sam what have been some of his experiences as a play-by-play man and, what is the key to his longevity after doing it for 30-plus years. He simply stated that it is the great enjoyment of being around sports, of being around live events where you don’t know the outcome, witnessing great plays by great players from around the world, and meeting great people. Going to other countries that he may not have traveled to had it not been for sports is also a

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“ Regardless if it’s coming home from the road or just from the Garden, Sam can’t wait to see Gracie and roll around on the floor with her the second he gets in the door.

”

plus. A man most thankful for the opportunity, his longevity has been his uncanny ability to convey his love for sports for the viewer and the listener with every play he calls. He has seen all the great hall of famers play. We spoke about some of the great players on the Rangers like Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Wayne Gretzky, Mike Richter, etc. Sam spoke about the wonderful 20-year partnership he had with former Rangers goalie John Davidson calling games together, which is one of the longest relationships in NHL history. He also spoke of the eight years former Ranger Phil Esposito sat beside him in the press box. These are all relationships that he holds near and dear to his heart to this day. Chomping at the bit, I couldn’t wait to ask Sam about that great moment in 1994 when the Rangers won the Stanley Cup at home in New York. Sam brought that moment to life as he explained to me that it was the most exhilarating, exciting, and happy moment that he ever SPRING/SUMMER 2015 | NY Pets Magazine

2015-06-23 10:04 AM

LOVE

a Champion

“

What I loved most was that Gracie sat and listened to our entire discussion. It was as if she was part of the conversation, which in reality she was.

”

experienced as a Ranger fan and sportscaster. He reminisced how as a young boy he would ride the subway from Brooklyn to Madison Square Garden to see them play. Since 1940, the Rangers hadn’t won the Stanley Cup and all of us loyal Ranger fans were ready for that moment. “The entire building shook from the excitement,” he exclaimed. Fans hugging each other, fans jumping for joy – there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. “The waiting is over, the curse is gone, the Rangers are Stanley Cup Champions and this one will last a lifetime!” were the words Sam said at the outcome of the game. I had goose bumps from his description and his repeating those famous words made me feel like I was a fan in the stands at that moment. Sam Rosen is a MASTER at what he does.

In his spare time, Sam and Jill love to play golf and watch their grandson’s baseball games, which for them is fun, gets them outdoors, and gives Sam a chance to live vicariously through them because of his love for baseball (he first wanted to be a pro baseball player). I asked Sam after all these years and all the fame, what’s next for him. He smiled and said he doesn’t see himself slowing down anytime soon and as long as he remains healthy, will continue in sports as long as he can. An amazing trait about people who love their job is they never want to stop doing it. Truly inspiring. Sam Rosen is definitely one of those people. Thank you Sam for the interview, your hospitality, and your memorable moments. What you shared with me will last a lifetime. NYP

Doug Staley aka “dPetguy” is a groomer, breeder, pet sitter, pet retailer, multiple pet owner, and consultant to the pet industry. A graduate of the Nash Academy of Animal Arts, his passion for animals has spanned almost four decades. Doug may be contacted at dpetguy@mac.com.

NY PETS Magazine | SPRING/SUMMER 2015

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2015-06-23 10:04 AM

Saving SHYANN

One woman’s love saved a damaged horse

By Loren Spiotta-DiMare Photo Credits Craig Sotres and Tiffany Totorello

he Paint horse stood alone in the stable’s Pony Pavilion. She looked unwell and equally forlorn. The neglected mare didn’t even have a name, only a tag: number 229. Annette, a volunteer with the equine therapy program, asked about the mare. “Don’t go near her,” her supervisor warned. The dealer is coming back. I wanted to have her euthanized but the powers-that-be said ‘No’ because she’s never been in our lesson program.” Both women instinctively knew the horse was headed to a slaughter house. Annette ignored the warning to stay away and walked over to the Pony Pavilion. She reached out to pet the Paint. That simple gesture may have been the only kindness the young mare had ever known. She pushed her head into Annette’s chest and sighed. Suffering from a badly injured leg, the horse also had broken teeth, bleeding gums and a raging infection. She was only four years old.

Annette walked away – a plan already forming in her mind. The mare whinnied as if pleading for the kind woman to return. After their brief encounter, Annette decided to buy the Paint and have her humanely put down. But she would need help. First she called Joanne, the woman who owned Eagle Nest Farm where Annette leased a horse. A longtime equestrian, Joanne jumped into action—making calls to various contacts. With a little investigative work, she was able to track down the dealer and offered to buy the mare. He wanted a few thousand dollars. Joanne was incensed and told him the mare was in horrible condition and he knew full well he’d be taking her to a meat market. He stood firm. Joanne continued to haggle. Finally she got the price down to $1,200. When Annette received the news, she made arrangements for her riding instructor, Tiffany, to trailer the horse to Eagle Nest the next day. Once they arrived at the dealer’s location saturday morning, Annette quickly

paid him and Tiffany loaded the mare onto the trailer. She complied without resistance. (Later it was learned the dealer was arrested and sent to prison for knowingly selling stolen horses to slaughter houses.) On the way home, Annette and Tiffany discussed the mare and what to call her. Because she’s a Paint, Annette thought Cheyenne was a good choice but tweaked it by using part of her own name. At long last, Tag number 229 had a name: Shyann. Joanne met the trailer and helped the women lead the mare into her new stall. Shyann seemed startled by the sight of the hay rack. “When do you want me to call the vet?” Joanne asked. “If she starts to go down,” Annette replied. Already she was beginning to hope Shyann might have a chance of surviving. By Monday, the mare was still holding her own so Annette contacted an equine veterinarian/dentist to examine her. She was left with a month’s worth of antibiotics and instructions to only feed the mare soft food.

SPRING/SUMMER 2015 | NY Pets Magazine

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Saving SHYANN Photo Credits Craig Sotres and Tiffany Totorello

“ In those early months Annette with Tiffany’s guidance worked to gain Shyann’s trust. It was a challenge.

”

annette and shyann

Next, Annette was on the phone with a farrier. Shyann’s hooves were in terrible condition. She had flat, pancake feet, her heels were three inches off and she had probably foundered at one point. It also became apparent she wasn’t accustomed to being handled and went a bit crazy when the farrier attempted to lift her feet. Most likely a good part of her reaction was also due to pain. Tiffany was enlisted to hold and settle the mare down so the farrier could work on her. It was a role she would fill for nearly a year. The farrier recommended Shayann remain barefoot so her feet could begin to grow out properly and that she not be ridden until she was in better shape. So in those early months Annette, with Tiffany’s guidance, worked to gain Shyann’s trust. It was a challenge. She broke through her cross ties, knocked down the hay rack, and sometimes pulled Annette off her feet when she attempted to take her for a walk on the lead line. The barn workers called her Crazy Horse. At that point, Joanne arranged for Shyann to serve as a demo horse in a clinic for young, untrained horses because she felt the mare was dangerous. And to be truthful, Annette was afraid of her. To Annette’s surprise, the clinician told her

not to give up on Shyann. “She has a connection to you,” he said. “All I have to do is follow her eye and I can find you in the crowd. When I turn her away from you, she fights to turn back around.” Encouraged, Annette spent a full year working with Shyann on the ground. Eventually, the young mare was well enough to be ridden under saddle. Apparently, Shyann had been green broke, which means she had some initial training but not much. Tiffany rode her first and gradually Annette began riding her as well. Tiffany would walk alongside as Shyann became accustomed to having Annette on her back. They stayed on the grass as it was easier on Shyann’s feet. With time and patience, Annette was able to go on trail rides and maneuver trail obstacles in the ring. Both activities she thoroughly enjoys as does Shyann. The two share a special bond which they will continue to enjoy for many years to come. NYP

A life-long animal lover, Loren has been writing about her favorite subject for over thirty years. To learn about her books visit: www.LorensReadingRoom.com”

SPRING/SUMMER 2015 | NY Pets Magazine

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SpOil your Pet The benefits of essential oils

By Jan C. Jeremias MSc

and

Mia K. Frezzo, DVM

ou have had a crazy day. Gone for long hours, you are frustrated due to traffic, thinking about all the stuff you have to do when you get home. Maybe youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had an argument with your friend, loved one, or significant other. You come home and walk in the door to discover that your furry companion doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to be himself. The last thing you may want is someone placing additional demands on you. But we love our

pets and immediately realize that he or she needs our attention and love. Wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it be great if you could do something to make your faithful companion feel better right away? Essential oils can be right at your fingertips, easy to use, and empower you to help your pet. Both people and pets can benefit from the power of pure essential oils. Proven effective for hundreds of ailments, the history of essential oils dates back to ancient times when plants were the first medicines. Essential oils are not new and modern soci-

ety is returning to a safer, natural approach to health and a rediscovery of essential oils and this healing modality. Imagine walking through a rose garden, taking a hike in the woods, or wandering in a lemon orchard. What you are smelling is an essential oil. These oils give plants their characteristic aroma. Essential oils are the volatile aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of the plant and are obtained from the steam distillation of plant material.

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“

Use essential oils to ease arthritic joints or sore muscles, improve digestion, support breathing, promote tranquility and more.

” Each essential oil contains specific benefits to which the body and mind respond. They affect emotions, support the immune system, and kill bacteria, viruses, and fungal organisms. Pure essential oils are not greasy and are readily absorbed by the skin. So how do you use essential oils? The safest and most effective ways to use 100 percent pure therapeutic grade essential oils for your pets and yourself are topically and aromatically, dispersing essential oils into the air. Have you ever had an aromatherapy massage? Applying essential oils to your pet is just that – it is easy and helps to strengthen the bond you have with your pet and the connection you have with your faithful companion. Use essential oils to ease arthritic joints or sore muscles, improve digestion, support breathing, promote tranquility and more. Simply add one to two drops of essential oil to the palm of your hand, rub your hands together and pet your pet. The oils may be applied anywhere on your pet’s body, ear tips, paws or any place your pet enjoys being touched except for the eyes and the ears. It is more effective to use smaller, more frequent doses of oils than to apply too many drops at one time. We can all relate to a home filled with the aroma of freshly baked cookies or bread. Another way to benefit from essential oils is

by diffusing them into the air. When an aromatherapy diffuser is used, the essential oil is broken into very small particles and make our homes smell heavenly. Not only will your home smell good but the essential oils are having a therapeutic effect on both you and your pets. Essential oils purify the air, promote easeful breathing, restful sleep, and create a peaceful environment. There are two types of diffusers that we recommend. One is a water diffuser that disperses the essential oil into the air with moisture. A water diffuser allows you to measure the number of drops and diffuse a combination of more than one essential oil if you choose. The other type is a nebulizer diffuser, which requires little maintenance or cleaning and dispenses a concentrated dose of essential oils directly into the air. Begin slowly with a little essential oil or with the diffuser on the lowest setting and observe your pet’s response. When diffusing for the first time, diffuse for 10 minutes and monitor your pet. If your pet shows signs of discomfort, simply turn off the diffuser and air out the space by opening windows and doors to let in plain fresh air. Pure essential oils should not be heated or burned. These techniques destroy the therapeutic properties of the oil. Consider diluting essential oils with a fatty

oil, like fractionated coconut oil or grape seed oil, if using essential oils for the first time. As you become more comfortable using essential oils you may choose to apply undiluted (neat) essential oils to your dogs and cats. However, there are certain oils that are considered hot oils. Think of a hot food and how it feels in your mouth. Avoid hot or spicy oils like cassia, cinnamon, clove, melaleuca, oregano, and thyme. Always use common sense and play it safe. Essential oils offer complementary therapy to traditional medicine. They do not have any side effects and usually do not interact with other medications your pet may be taking. In some cases, essential oils may offer complementary treatment or cure your pet’s condition. Always consult your veterinarian when adding anything new to your pet’s health care regimen. We love our pets! They are family members, and they deserve only the best. We strive to give our pets the longest, healthiest lives possible and believe that the key to longevity is prevention of illness and maintenance of good health. In addition to regular veterinary visits and annual testing, provide high quality nutrition, supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils) and a probiotic, and use essential oils to support your pet’s emotional and physical well-being. NYP

NY PETS Magazine | SPRING/SUMMER 2015

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Jan C. Jeremias trained as a clinical research scientist and is presently a yoga instructor, reflexologist, and owner/creator of A Paws Path (the connection and path to healing for people and their companions). Jan has been using essential oils for over nine years for herself, family, friends, dogs and cats. Janâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intuitive knowledge allows her to connect with dogs, and cats and their owners to empower and help the owner and their pet to achieve emotional and physical wellness. Jan is co-author with Dr. Mia K. Frezzo of SpOil Your Pet: A Practical Guide to Using Essential Oils in Dogs and Cats which covers more than 50 common ailments and conditions in dogs and cats. Dr. Frezzo is a veterinarian with over 15 years of experience in small animal medicine and is the owner and medical director of Animal Hospital of Hasbrouck Heights in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, where her patients benefit from her combined holistic and traditional approach with an emphasis on natural health and prevention of illness. www.spoilyourpeteo.com. Contact Jan by emailing jan@spoilyourpeteo.com.

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sweet Home Home Providing the

Ideal

Environment for Small Pets

By Lucas Stock, Communications Manager, Oxbow Animal Health Reviewed by Micah Kohles, DVM, MPA

or more and more pet parents, arranging the perfect living space for their beloved companion is less a chore and more an enjoyable exercise in design and decoration. Perform a quick YouTube search and you’ll find endless pet owner-submitted videos of their pets’ artfully arranged habitats. From Olympics-themed hamster habitats, to sprawling rabbit verandas, the opportunities for creativity (and fun) are endless when it comes to personalizing a pet’s living space. spring/summeR 2015 | NY Pets Magazine

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Home sweet Home Even the most artfully decorated home, however, is only as good as its foundation. Before you set out to create a theme for your pet’s habitat, it’s important to make sure you first provide a structure that is safe and fitting for your pet. There are some key considerations to make when selecting a structure, including location, size, materials, and configuration. Once you have selected the right habitat, you can have fun furnishing it with healthy, enriching accessories and species-appropriate nutrition – not to mention all the fun personal touches you’re sure to come up with!

Site Selection – Where to “Build” Before selecting and setting up your pet’s habitat, it’s first important to choose a safe, appropriate area for your pet’s new home. All small pets are sensitive to heat, humidity, and drafts, so avoid placing any habitat near air ducts and doors to outside. Many small pets (including all of the species listed in this article) are crepuscular, which means that they are most active during twilight (i.e., dawn and dusk). With this in mind, it’s generally best to avoid brightly lit areas for habitat placement. Habitats for smaller pets can be placed off the ground (on a shelf or dresser, for instance), but be sure the area is stable and secure, with no danger of tipping or falling. When in doubt, check with your veterinarian about the best habitat placement to meet your pet’s specific needs.

Picking the Right “Real Estate” for your Pet Rabbits Many rabbits are allowed to roam freely through certain areas of the house, which is the ideal option when space and lifestyle permit. However, as prey animals by nature, even rabbits with a run of the house need a safe place to spend time and escape potential environmental stressors. To meet this need, choose a well-constructed habitat that is large enough to allow your rabbit to move freely. The floor of your rabbit’s habitat should be solid and not slippery. Habitat walls should be made of sturdy metal, with bars spaced close enough together to prevent your com-

NY PETS Magazine | SPRING/SUMMER 2015

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Home sweet Home panion from getting his head between them. Rabbits love to jump and explore higher ground that offers a better perspective of their environment. Look for a habitat with a built-in second level/perch to meet this need. Attaching an exercise pen to your rabbit’s habitat provides extra room for safe exercise and play. Some quality habitats come with an attached pen, or you can attach one yourself. If your rabbit is not able to roam freely, an exercise pen is essential to provide space and opportunity for exercise. Depending on breed, rabbits can range in weight from two pounds to greater than twelve pounds. Smaller breeds such as Mini Rexes and Netherland Dwarfs may exist comfortably in a medium-to-large-sized habitat, while larger breeds will require additional space. If you are going to allow your rabbit loose throughout the house, take special care to “rabbit proof” the entire area. It’s not a matter of if your rabbit will chew on items in its environment, but a matter of what they will chew on (hint: a lot). Cover all electrical cords, move plants and other potentially toxic materials out of reach, and remove heavy objects that could possibly tip over. For additional information on how to make sure your home is safe for your rabbit to explore, visit the House Rabbit Society’s website at www. rabbit.org and talk to your veterinarian.

Guinea Pigs A guinea pig’s housing needs are very similar to a rabbit’s. Choose a large, well-constructed habitat with a raised level for exploring, appropriately-constructed walls, and solid, non-slip floors. (This is important for all pets, but particularly guinea pigs, which are prone to issues with their feet, such as Pododermatitis.) Like rabbits, guinea pigs will enjoy the addition of an exercise pen to their habitat. Additionally, guinea pigs enjoy and appreciate ample time outside of their cage, but be sure to evaluate the home environment to ensure your pet’s health and safety. “Proof” your living space the same way you would for a rabbit. If you have questions about whether or not household items may potentially be harmful to your guinea pig, perform the adequate research or, better yet, consult with your veterinarian.

Chinchillas Chinchillas love to get vertical, so opt for a “high rise” multi-level habitat for these SPRING/SUMMER 2015 | NY Pets Magazine

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Home sweet Home athletic adventurers. Choose a habitat with wire walls and a solid, non-slippery floor. Chinchillas are quite social and do very well in pairs or even groups. Just keep in mind the need for additional space and design your habitat accordingly. Like rabbits and guinea pigs, chinchillas will appreciate and enjoy time outside the cage. Due to their high energy and superior athletic ability, however, they will require more careful monitoring when playing freely.

Gerbils Gerbils may be small, but they are extremely adventurous! They love to burrow, climb, dig, and explore. Many gerbil owners opt for a clear glass or plastic aquarium as the chosen habitat. While these structures prevent bedding from getting kicked out and allow burrowing, they don’t always offer great ventilation or air circulation, even with a mesh or wire lid on top. Look for newer plastic models which are oftentimes designed with openings and slits to improve airflow. Habitats with wire walls provide greater ventilation still, but can be messy

“ When planning a space for multiple gerbils, keep in mind that more pets means more room is required.

”

when it’s time for burrowing. For the best of both worlds, choose a wire-walled habitat with a deep, recessed floor. This will provide adequate space for burrowing and nesting, as well as great ventilation/circulation. Gerbils are very social, and often do best with one or more other gerbils as cage mates. When planning a space for multiple gerbils, keep in mind that more pets means more room is required. The American Gerbil Society (www.agsgerbils.org) recommends 5 gallons of space per gerbil to ensure adequate space for play and enrichment.

Hamsters Like gerbils, hamsters are tiny creatures with big personalities. These “small but mighty” animals love to climb and explore (and hide stashes of food. The word “hamster” comes from the German “hamstern” which means “to hoard.”) As with gerbils, providing the appropriate burrowing environment for hamsters is a must. A wire-walled habitat with a deep, recessed floor is a great option here as well, but be sure that the wires are patterned

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Home sweet Home very close together. Hamsters are notoriously good “escape artists” and can fit through very small openings. If the right wire-walled habitat is not an option, plastic or glass aquariums work as well, but opt for one with built-in openings/slits for improved airflow. To increase square footage and improve enrichment in an aquarium setup, you can add a “tank topper” – a wire cage that attaches to the top of the structure. In this configuration, the well-ventilated top level provides climbing opportunities, while the aquarium below facilitates burrowing, digging, and nesting.

Rats Rats are social, intelligent, and love to climb and explore their environment! Without proper space and stimulation, rats can easily become bored and even depressed. To meet the needs of these adventurous and agile pets, it’s important to provide a large habitat, with as much supervised playtime outside the cage as possible. Multi-level cages are ideal, because they provide lots of room to move and explore. Rats are predisposed

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Home sweet Home to respiratory disease, making aquariums a poor habitat choice due to poor airflow and ventilation. Rats are expert chewers, which means you will want to avoid cages constructed of plastic as well. Like hamsters, rats are social and do best with a cage mate.

Accessorizing like the Pros No house is a home without the right accessories and personal touches. The goal when accessorizing your pet’s habitat is to meet needs, both physical and mental, keeping in mind species-specific needs of pets. Include these and similar accessories to keep your pet healthy and happy:

wheel that is size/species appropriate and check regularly to make sure parts have not worked themselves loose. Some manufactured habitats come with built-in wheels. Larger species (rabbits and guinea pigs) require frequent (if not daily) exercise, and this cannot effectively occur inside their habitat. X-pens provide additional space, but supervised “free play” is the best option.

“

Water Bottle and Bowl

Another benefit of woven hay habitats is that they provide an additional “safe place” for your pet to seek privacy and comfort.

Proper hydration is essential to the health of all pets and fresh water should be available at all times. A common misconception with small pets is that one source of water is adequate. Instead, it’s always best to provide two water sources – a water bottle and a heavy, non-tip crock or bowl. This ensures adequate hydration in the event that one option is preferred, or in case the water bottle malfunctions. To avoid this, clean your pet’s water bottle (including the nipple) regularly. Water should be replaced at least every other day.

Litter/Bedding All pets require clean litter/bedding in their habitat. Many litter and bedding choices are available, but not all are appropriate for pets. For example, cedar and pine shavings contain resins that may irritate your pet’s skin and lungs. Look instead for natural products with good moisture and odor absorption. Good litter options include natural, compressed wheat straw products. Recycled paper products are a good bedding option, but be sure to choose a product that is additivefree to ensure your pet’s safety. Rather than using one or the other, use both a litter and a bedding for maximum effectiveness. Place a layer of litter on the floor of your pet’s habitat, with a generous layer of bedding on top. This combination provides comfort, absorbency, and odor suppression all at once.

Exercise Wheel (and Opportunities) Exercise is important for all pets! For smaller pets such as hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, and even chinchillas, an exercise wheel can meet this need. Choose a sturdy, well-built

”

Woven Hay Habitats and Accessories Habitats and toys made from 100% hay offer the best of all worlds. These items provide enrichment, essential dental wear, and even contribute valuable fiber in the process. Unlike plastic toys, hay-based items are completely consumable. Even pets that don’t traditionally consume hay will enjoy chewing on these items. Opt for accessories made of 100% hay. Lower quality options include wire, string, and other synthetic binders that can cause harm to your pet if ingested or chewed. Another benefit of woven hay habitats is that they provide an additional “safe place” for your pet to seek privacy and comfort.

Loose Hay High quality hay is a staple in the diets of herbivores (rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas), but it provides great nutritional and mental enrichment for other pets as well. Hamsters, gerbils, mice, and rats will all enjoy the inclusion of hay in their habitats for nesting and burrowing purposes. Oat hay often contains tasty immature seed heads, which animals such as hamsters enjoy nibbling on and eating. Additionally, you can hide treats inside of hay to encourage an enriching game of “hide and seek” for all pets.

DIY and Low Cost Enrichment There are a wide variety of toys available for small pets, but the right simple, homemade items are safe, cost-effective and oftentimes enjoyed most by pets. Before introducing any homemade toy into your pet’s environment, be sure to check with your veterinarian to ensure it’s a safe option. Some good examples of homemade and low cost toys and enrichment items include: • An empty toilet paper or paper towel roll stuffed with hay and healthy treats (appropriate for all pets) • An untreated piece of 2x4 with a series of large holes drilled in it (perfect for hamsters and gerbils to crawl through and explore) • Cardboard boxes for exploring and chewing (appropriate for all pets) • A plastic Slinky® or baby toys (favorites for rabbits) should not be offered to smaller pets who may be inclined to ingest the plastic)

Filling the Pantry the Right Way What home is complete without a pantry stocked with fresh, nutritious food? Different species have different nutritional requirements. For rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas, be sure to have fresh grass hay available free choice (24/7). Some pets enjoy eating from an attached “hay manger” while others prefer the hay loose. Provide different varieties of grass hay (Timothy, Orchard Grass, Oat, and Organic Meadow Hay are all great options), to add enrichment and discourage “picky eating.” To encourage mental enrichment, place hay in unique locations throughout the habitat. For instance, some pets take comfort in having hay available in the litterbox. All pets require a daily amount of a high

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Home sweet Home

quality, uniform fortified food. Avoid the temptation to feed more than the recommended daily amount of food, as this can lead to obesity and other health-related problems. Be sure the food is available in a convenient place for your pet – a small dish is large enough to hold even a large rabbit’s daily food. Fresh greens are a favorite of all species, but are especially enjoyed by rabbits, guinea pigs, and (to a slightly lesser degree) chinchillas. Talk to your veterinarian about which varieties are best, and offer to these pets daily. Treats are not a nutritional requirement for pets, but all animals love them, and they are great for strengthening the ever-important bond between you and your pet. Choose healthy varieties that do not contain artificial colors or flavors, preservatives, or added sugar. Offer treats in moderation. Every home is better with some personal touches, and your pet’s habitat is no exception. By starting with a species-appropriate structure, adding safe, fun accessories, and supplying the right nutrition, you’ll be well on your way to providing a habitat that is safe, comfortable, and enriching for your beloved pet. Happy home building! NYP

Lucas Stock is communications manager at Oxbow Animal Health. For more information about any of Oxbow’s premium hay varieties, visit www.oxbowanimalhealth. com or call (800)-249-0366.

SPRING/SUMMER 2015 | NY Pets Magazine

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2015-06-22 6:30 PM

FISH

Marine Aquatic Trends The future of pet fish

uccessfully maintaining a saltwater or reef aquarium has become easier than ever due to the continuous improvements being made in filtration, lighting, food, and additives. The sourcing of marine fish, corals, and other invertebrates also continues to change and improve. All of these factors, working together, contribute to the continued popularity of the marine hobby. The availability of these animals remains unique in the pet trade, as we are dealing primarily with species taken from their natural environment. The majority of exporters to the

By Laura â&#x20AC;&#x153;Peachâ&#x20AC;? Reid United States engage in responsible and humane collecting and their holding and shipping facilities are usually state-of-the-art. Though some exporters to the United States may still have divers who engage in illegal or harmful methods of netting fish, this has become the exception due to the demands of importers and the buying public. The Hawaiian government, for example, has long held and practiced a healthy and responsible approach, looking upon its tropical fish industry as a natural, renewable resource, with proper controls in place to ensure same. Freshwater aquatics are about 80 percent or more captive farm-bred and raised while

marine aquatics are far less. This, however, has been changing as environmentally conscientious aquarists and marine biologists, through intense and costly research, have discovered or developed techniques for spawning and growing certain fish in sufficient quantities to supply demand. This is certainly a trend that will continue. In the United States, there are several outstanding commercial hatcheries dedicated to this effort. The vast majority of clownfish available for aquariums are aqua-cultured. The bright and colorful red and white striped Amphiprion Ocellaris (Ocellaris Clown) and its many selectively-bred designer varia-

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tions remain the most popular and prevalent. There are other types of clownfish being produced; such as Sebae, Maroon, Clarkii, and Skunk. Additionally, other types of fish are being bred in large quantities so hobbyists can easily obtain them from their aquatics-carrying pet store. The advent of certain gobies, dottybacks, mandarins, cardinals, blennies, and even marine bettas and seahorses are a welcome addition to the world of aqua-culture. Research at universities with marine biology programs has led to the production of certain saltwater shrimps, like peppermint and fire. What would a reef aquarium be without live rock and a variety of live corals? Although many corals are still being imported, aqua-cultured species are now the mainstay. In an established aquarium, corals will grow and reproduce. The buds of growing corals will separate from the parent coral and relocate. Coral propagation is also accomplished through a process called “fragging,” in which coral “fragments” are removed from the parent coral and glued to small tiles or plugs. Over time, the “frag” will encrust the tile or plug. Enthusiasts enjoy trading frags with each other; in fact, there are “frag swap” events designed just for this purpose. Progress has been made in captive breeding but there are literally many hundreds of species popular in the marine hobby which have yet to be successfully bred and raised. Commercial hatcheries remain dedicated to their research, which will enable them to produce more and more of these as time goes on. The benefits of the trend in aquacultured fish, corals, and invertebrates are many. It is environmentally friendly since captive-bred livestock helps limit the hobby’s impact on coral reefs of the world. The animals are hardier, as they are parasite and disease-free, and less stressed since they are obtained domestically rather than overseas. As mentioned earlier, the majority of marines still come from the oceans of the world. Most exporters are experienced professionals who are engaged in every step of the process. This helps to get healthy fish and invertebrates to wholesalers in the United States. Exporters work hand-in-hand with divers to ensure safe and proper collection and handling. They have fully equipped and filtered recirculating systems for premium water quality and conditioning of the animals (identical to commercial hatcheries). They also have, down to a science, the packing methods necessary to guarantee successful shipping. Through the efforts of many in the marine aquatics industry, whether

collected in nature or aqua-cultured, the viability and sustainability of the marine aquarium hobby has a bright and vibrant future. Laura “Peach” Reid is owner and President of Fish Mart Inc., the Northeast’s largest wholesale distributor of aquatics and small companion animals, reptiles, and birds to retail pet stores in the region. She is also on the PIJAC Board of Directors. www.fishmartinc.com

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STOP

Barking The tough challenge of training your dog to be quiet By Joanne Willard

My dog jumps on everyone! What shall I do? First, let me ask you a question: when you get home, what happens? Does your dog come racing up to you with ecstatic joy in his/her heart leaping all over you? And, are you all like, “OMG, HI – I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!” hugging and jumping around with your pet? Never mind…don’t answer. I know you are. Everyone does it! The thing is, this is teaching your dog that

greetings are crazy, out-of-control situations. It does it with you all the time and it is superfun. Your dog now expects to be able to do it with everyone. Then, when your dog gets in trouble for it, he/she is all kinds of confused. Poor guy. Fixing it, for you and your dog, isn’t all that hard. Just do two things: • Every single time your dog walks up to you or any member of your family, as well as anyone who comes to the house, have it sit. Then pet your dog, play with him/her, give

attention, say “hi,” whatever. This teaches your pup that the way to get attention from you (or anyone) is by walking up to you and sitting, not by flinging his/her body at you. • STAAAAAAHP with the crazy greetings! When you get home, do not greet your dog until it is calm. Just don’t. Help your dog get it right! I promise it won’t be mad at you and you won’t hurt its feelings. He/ she might be a little confused at first, but if you are consistent, it will figure it out pretty quickly. You have to be consistent,

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STOP

Barking

“ I hate to say it, but unlike teaching a dog not to jump, teaching a dog not to bark is hard.

” though…don’t look, talk, touch, nothing until your dog is totally calm and settled. Then call your pet, have it sit and greet him/her calmly and appropriately. Remember, consistency is KEY. If you don’t stick to it, your pet won’t learn. Jumping is extremely self-reinforcing. Dogs love it. It’s really fun and it’s how dogs play with each other. It is natural for them to think it’s something they should do with you, too. If you stick to your guns, and always practice the two things above, you will have a dog that is sitting for everything, for everyone, every time.

My dog won’t stop barking at me! What shall I do?

If your dog is barking at you to get you to do something, it is because it has learned, at some point, it works to get what it wants. Once upon a time your dog barked… maybe it was in the crate, maybe it was at the food bowl or maybe it was at the door. And, you went to the crate, filled the bowl or let your pet outside. He/she was like, “awesome”! “Barking is a great way to get what I

want.” It started to bark more. And more. And MORE. And, then it started making you crazy! I hate to say it, but unlike teaching a dog not to jump, teaching a dog not to bark is hard. Barking can be brain-exploding annoying, but you have to completely ignore it. Completely. Because anything you do in response to the barking – saying “no,” yelling, giving in – means it worked. It teaches your pet to do it more. You have to just let him/her bark it out until it figures out that barking will never again get a reward. When the barking starts, look away, turn away, walk away, leave the room. Just DON’T do anything in response to your dog. Now, before you tell me you can’t do that – your kids have to sleep, your husband/ wife can’t take it, the barking makes you too crazy – I’m going to have to be tough. You (granted, unwittingly) got yourself into this mess, you’re going to have to get yourself out. You may have to invest in some really good earplugs and stick it out! On the bright side, if you’re really strict about ignoring the barking, it shouldn’t take too long for your dog to figure out that barking isn’t the best way to get you to do what it wants. Make sure you’re taking care of your pet’s needs on your terms

– you control when it’s time to go out, time to eat, time to go into or come out of the crate, time to play, etc. Soon your pet will start to do things on your schedule, not his. NYP Joanne spent over a decade in the world of advertising, but ultimately realized working with dogs and their families was much more rewarding. She's been a certified dog trainer, behaviorist, and nutritionist for over 15 years now and has never looked back. She's worked with all kinds of dogs on all kinds of problems, and has yet to meet a dog she couldn't help. Joanne has chosen to concentrate on family dog training because more than anything else she wants to help people better understand their dogs, and dogs better understand their people, so they can all live happily ever after. Joanne Willard Owner/Certified Canine Behaviorist & Nutritionist The D.O.G, 914.419.8958 joanne@thedogobediencegirl.com

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2015-06-22 9:00 PM

horseRescue Winery takes unusual approach to saving these majestic animals

By Sharon Rubin Levine

spring/summeR 2015 | NY Pets Magazine

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he recent Triple Crown fever that has swept this nation drove home the fact that Americans worship horses. After all, we’ve hungrily read novels and watched movies about horses, their relationship with humans, their great triumphs and indomitable spirits. It is puzzling, then, that 150,000 of America’s horses each year are meeting a horrific fate in Canadian and Mexican slaughterhouses, while we “horse lovers” allow this to continue. It was an eye-opener to me, when in 2007, I first heard that horse slaughter was alive and well. Since Americans stopped consuming horsemeat so many years ago, I naively believed our horses were protected. Unfortunately, this is not the case. While eighty percent of Americans polled find horse slaughter deplorable, our legislators continually fail to pass the bills necessary to protect them. From young, healthy foals to elderly horses, none are safe. They are all, whether champion, beloved pet or hack horse, just one step away from finding themselves in the kill pen.

horseRescue My family and I immediately founded Baiting Hollow Farm Horse Rescue, which is nestled behind our family-operated vineyard, Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard, on the beautiful North Fork of Long Island. We have, to date, rescued over three dozen horses and today provide sanctuary to 28 horses of all shapes and sizes. From miniature horses to majestic racehorses, they have one thing in common – they are alive but for the grace of God. Some were in the kill pen at auction, others were already on their way to slaughter and were purchased from kill buyers at the last minute. Our niche in horse rescue is the untrained horse. We feel strongly that, when in the kill pen, an untrained horse is far less likely to be rescued, and so those are the horses we take in, hoping to give them a chance at life. Because of the need for professional trainers, our rescue costs an inordinate amount of money and we must continually think of ways to fund the care and training. For any horse rescue, it is simply impossible to do this work without significant donations. One creative way we have come up with to help with the funding is the creation of several Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard wines that

Photo By Debbie Rosengard PLAYBOY, a magnificent off-track thoroughbred, is a descendant of two Triple Crown winners – War Admiral and Secretariat, as well as the great Man O’War.

Photo By Neshan Koulian Liberty, a retired racehorse who arrived at Baiting Hollow Farm Horse Rescue with a broken leg, is all healed and posing with the Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard Horse Rescue wines. Named for some BHFHR horses, the vineyard donates 100 percent of the profit on these wines to the rescue.

NY PETS Magazine | SPRING/SUMMER 2015

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horseRescue

“

Horses are very much more like owning a dog than a livestock animal. They come when called, they look for you each day, and they have people and horses they like and don’t like.

”

NY PETS Magazine | SPRING/SUMMER 2015

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horseRescue

donate 100 percent of the profits to Baiting Hollow Farm Horse Rescue, a 501c3 entity. Tours are available three times per day on Saturdays and Sundays, where our horses serve as ambassadors, helping to put a face to horse slaughter. For those that do not know horses, and I admit that I was one of them until my first horses arrived, they are very much more like owning a dog than a livestock animal. They come when called, they look for you each day, and they have people and horses they like and don’t like. Further, their biology does not allow them to be stunned, and so slaughter is particularly inhumane for horses. We must stand up for them, because they cannot stand up for themselves. They helped us to develop this great nation – they have carried us into battle, farmed our lands, provided transportation, entertainment, and have accounted for some of the greatest athletes in history. We owe them our protection. It takes a village to do this type of work, and support is greatly needed. Please log on to

our website at www.bhfhorserescue.org and help make our fundraisers a success, find out about volunteering, and get the history of our horses. Please do visit them and take the tour – there is a nominal $5 charge for adults and kids under 12 are free. Enjoy this great moment in history when an entire nation let out a visceral roar as one great athlete crossed the finish line. But when the buzz fades, don’t let the memory of how horses make us feel fade along with it. Join us in helping and protecting our precious equines. NYP

Sharon Levine Baiting Hollow Farm Horse Rescue www.baitinghollowfarmvineyard.com/rescue Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard® PO Box 2452114, Sound Avenue Baiting Hollow, New York 11933 Phone: 631 369 0100 email: info@baitinghollowfarmvineyard.com

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2015-06-22 7:13 AM

EXTINCTION LEVEL EVENT Laws of reptile keeping in New York

By Robert Stephenson

The dwarf wedgemussel, the shortnose sturgeon, roseate tern and leatherback sea turtle, all endangered species calling the state of New York home. Today there is a new species on the list in New York and its name is: the Reptile Keeper. spring/summeR 2015 | NY Pets Magazine

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s the country faces so many different and challenging situations today both home and abroad, the animal rights groups continue to slither under the radar and push their agendas. They have had some triumphs, most notably adding several species of large constrictors to the federal injurious species list, which, under the Lacey Act, makes it a felony to transport these species across state lines. But for the most part, they have not been as successful on the national level due to groups like US Ark (United States Association of Reptile Keepers) and PIJAC (Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council), so it seems they’ve adopted a new “divide and conquer” strategy. State by state, new reptile regulations and bills are being proposed at an alarming rate. Often, they are rolled into other agricultural bills that have nothing to do with them just to try and push them past the limited eyesight of our legislators. Some things to consider when looking at the rules and regulations of proposed bills is where they are coming from and what they are protecting. For instance, New York’s DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) has long been viewed as a villain by many because of their strong stance, enforcement, and creation of the protection of the native species laws in New York. But in reality, they are mainly protecting New York’s natural assets. The stiffest laws up until 2014 were protecting mainly the species native to the state. The list of prohibited reptiles and amphibians in New York includes: Endangered Species Tiger salamander, northern cricket frog, mud turtle, bog turtle, Atlantic hawksbill sea turtle, Atlantic ridley sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, Queen snake, Massasauga. Threatened Species Blanding’s turtle, green sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, fence lizard, timber rattlesnake. Special Concern Hellbender, marbled salamander, Jefferson salamander, blue spotted salamander, longtail salamander, Eastern spadefoot toad, Southern leopard frog, spotted turtle, wood turtle, Eastern box turtle, Eastern spiny softshell turtle, Eastern hognose snake, worm snake.

EXTINCTION LEVEL EVENT Outside of these species, you as a keeper, were virtually free to keep whatever species you chose. That soon changed in the early 2000s when a bill was passed banning “injurious wildlife” in the state of New York. The reptilian members included: Burmese python, amethystine python, Indian rock python, green anaconda, yellow anaconda, reticulated python, African rock python, water monitor, black throat monitor, white throat monitor, Nile monitor, Komodo dragon, the crocodile monitor, all crocodilians, any venomous reptile and any hybrid of the above. This is where things started to get interesting. I would love to keep wood turtles and spotteds but I have always understood and obeyed the law with the understanding that it was just as cool to find sites where these animals were found and to observe them in the wild. The hope is that this somehow helps their numbers to strengthen. That is still to be seen. The laws on injurious wildlife species are another story. I mean, the term “injurious” in itself is way too broad an adjective to use as the label. Technically any animal with a mouth or nails is capable of inflicting harm of one sort or another. I fully understand some of these species are capable of inflicting great damage and even death; however, would it not make sense to create a permitting program with microchip identification to hold the owner accountable for their animals and at the same time generate more revenue for the DEC? As a responsible reptile keeper, and one who used to keep and breed several of the larger constrictors, some smaller crocodilians and venomous lizards, I would have no issue with proving I have adequate housing and safety measures in place in addition to paying a license fee to microchip my animals and be held responsible in the event they were to escape and/or cause injury to someone or something. It’s my opinion that anyone who cannot provide this should not own these types of animals. However, to put into effect a blanket ban is ludicrous. As an educator, long gone are the days of me showing children large constrictors or monitor lizards. Now they will have to visit zoos to see these creatures but I’ve always felt to get people (and especially children) involved in conservation and to build a respect for wildlife, you have to have a close encounter. Nothing helps a child understand that snakes are not slimy, like touching one and seeing for themselves. I used to use dwarf

caimans, a species of crocodilian that rarely grows over four feet. At their worst, they are capable of inflicting a bite no worse than any mid-sized dog. In the classroom setting only the best tempered animals were ever allowed contact and never any venomous or crocodilian species; however, due to yet another bill, that whole idea has been outlawed as well. In fairness, you can still apply for a crocodilian and/or venomous animal permit, it’s whether or not you’ll be approved that is the question. As far as the venomous permits go, NY is in an indefinite moratorium which bars any new permits from being issued. But let’s take these “injurious species” off the table for now. The state is currently contemplating another blanket ban on the whole family boidae. This would make it illegal to own or possess any member of the boa family. This will include such miniscule members as rosy and rubber boas, pacific ground boas, and any of the tree species, none of which grow over four feet and none of which is capable of inflicting great harm on humans. The common pet shop or red tailed boas would be gone too. These animals have helped ambassador and usher in thousands and thousands of new hobbyist and reptile fans over the ages. Why now, would such a ban be considered? Who or whose interest group gains the most by accomplishing such a law in one of the most influential states in the union? These are things to be considered. In addition, NY recently passed an amendment to the already standing injurious species law making it now a class E felony to possess any of the animals on the previously described list. Here is the new law: AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets

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EXTINCTION LEVEL EVENT

law, in relation to prohibiting the ownership, possession or harboring of a wild animal or reptile. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Section 370 of the agriculture and markets law, as added by chapter 1047 of the laws of 1965, is amended to read as follows: S 370. PROHIBITION OF THE OWNERSHIP, POSSESSION OR HARBORING OF wild animals and reptiles. Any person owning, possessing or harboring a wild animal or reptile capable of inflicting bodily harm upon a human being is guilty of a CLASS E FELONY AS DEFINED BY THE PENAL LAW. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, “ WILD ANIMAL” IS DEFINED IN ACCORDANCE TO PARAGRAPH E OF SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION 11-0103 OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW. Previous attacks upon a human being by such wild animal or reptile, or knowledge of the vicious propensities of such wild animal or reptile, on the part of the possessor or harborer thereof, shall not be required to be proven by the people upon a prosecution hereunder; and neither the fact that such wild animal or reptile has not previously attacked a human being, nor lack of knowledge of the vicious propensities of such wild animal or reptile on the part of the owner, possessor or harborer thereof shall constitute a defense to a prosecution hereunder. S 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law. Text in BOLD is new; matter in brackets [ ] with is old law to be omitted. Under current New York law: Sec. 11-0512. Possession, sale, barter, transfer, exchange and import of wild animals as pets prohibited. 1. No person shall knowingly possess, harbor, sell, barter, transfer, exchange or import any wild animal for use as a pet in New York

State, except as provided in subdivision three of this section. Definition of “WILD ANIMAL” in paragraph E, subdivision 6, section 11-0103 of the Environmental Conservation Law: 1. “Wild animal” shall not include “companion animal” as defined in section three hundred fifty of the agriculture and markets law. Wild animal includes, and is limited to, any or all of the following orders and families: (1) Nonhuman primates and prosimians, (2) Felidae and all hybrids thereof, with the exception of the species Felis catus (domesticated and feral cats, which shall mean domesticated cats that were formerly owned and that have been abandoned and that are no longer socialized, as well as offspring of such cats) and hybrids of Felis catus that are registered by the American Cat Fanciers Association or the International Cat Association provided that such cats be without any wild felid parentage for a minimum of five generations, (3) Canidae (with the exception of domesticated dogs and captive bred fennec foxes (vulpes zerda), (4) Ursidae, (5) All reptiles that are venomous by nature, pursuant to department regulation, and the following species and orders: Burmese Python (Python bivittatus), Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus), African Rock Python (Python sabae), Green Anaconda (Eunectes maurinus), Yellow Anaconda (Eunectes notaeus), Australian Amethystine Python (Morelia amethistina and Morelia kinghorni), Indian Python (Python molurus), Asiatic (water) Monitor (Varanus salvator), Nile Monitor (Varanus nilocitus), White Throat Monitor (Varanus albigularis), Black Throat Monitor (Varanus albigularis ionides) and Crocodile Monitor (Varanus salvadori), Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodensis) and any hybrid thereof, (6) Crocodylia. In conclusion, we as responsible, law abid-

ing keepers need to support groups like US Ark. They have been our biggest advocates in the fight against unjust/ improperly weighed legislature and the shoddy “science for sale” that many of these laws are built on. They are at the forefront of the battle for our rights. It is also just as important to be aware of proposed legislature in your region as well and to help call attention to it. Not every law is condemning. As I stated previously, some have the best interest of nature in mind. It is when government starts to create these blanket bans and then rolls entire families and genus into a ban that should, at best, be one or two species, that it oversteps its boundaries and what it was designed to do. The other thing to understand is the slippery slope created when one species is lost to a ban. Interest groups will use these minute victories as platforms to broaden their attack, as we are seeing. First it was large monitor lizards and constrictors, next it will be iguanas and snapping turtles, etc. etc. They have also had a pattern of after they succeed with the “not so loveable” scaly friends, jumping on the chase for your parakeet, guinea pig, goldfish or…dare I say…dog. These are the times when all animal and pet lovers must be united or face extinction ourselves. NYP

Robert Stephenson has been keeping and breeding reptiles for over 25 years. He is the former Eastern United States Regional Manager for the largest reptile product manufacturer in the world, Zoo Med. He is also an avid explorer, writer, and photographer who leaves the country several times a year in pursuit of adventure and the perfect reptile photo opportunities. Gotham Reptile, https://www. facebook. om/gothamreptile

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2015-06-23 10:21 AM

Cat Facts Seven things to know about proper nutrition

By Liz Palika

Much like their giant jungle cousins, your little house cat is a carnivore

Cats are Obligate Carnivores

Cats Require Taurine

Obligate carnivores have a shorter and more acidic digestive tract than others. This digestive system more easily digests meat and fat. Obligate carnivores rely on meat to supply the vast majority of their needed nutrients. Whereas some carnivores can survive (not always thrive, but survive) with plant-based proteins, cats will gain more nutrients from meat. However, that doesn’t mean cats should eat only meat; that isn’t healthy either. Although opinions vary, most experts recommend that cats 40% to 50% of a healthy adult cat’s diet should be protein with most of that protein coming from meat.

Many cat owners know that cats require taurine as it made the news when cats were going blind and suffering from heart failure at alarming rates. It was discovered that a deficiency of taurine in commercial cat foods was the cause. Taurine, an essential amino acid, can be found in meat and fish. In addition, cat food manufacturers now supplement their foods with taurine.

Dogs and cats are both carnivores, which means both species evolved as predators that caught and consumed meat. Considerable research has been done concerning dogs’ dietary needs but not nearly as much for cats. Thankfully, however, things are catching up and we’re learning more about what our cats need.

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Fatty Acids are Essential

Thiamine is a B Vitamin

Cats should not Fast

Fats are necessary for many of the body’s functions, including providing the body with energy and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Not just any fat will do, however. Unlike dogs, cats need a food source that supplies both of the fatty acids linoleic acid and arachidonic acid. Although there are many sources for these, poultry is one of the most popular that cats normally eat.

Although cats are obligate carnivores and rely on meat for most of their nutritional needs, an all-meat diet can cause problems, too. Thiamine, a B vitamin, is an essential nutrient found in plants—most commonly in cereal grains. Cats need as much as five times more thiamine than dogs do and without it can potentially develop a number of problems, including a head tilt, incoordination, a hunched posture, seizures, and even death. Commercial cat foods contain enough carbohydrates and/or vitamin supplements to supply your cat’s thiamine needs.

In the wild many predators fast on a regular basis; they gorge when they have food and fast between hunts. Domestic dogs can fast for a day without coming to harm and in fact some dogs will voluntarily skip a meal now and then. With domestic cats, especially overweight ones, fasting can be a serious problem as fasting cats can develop hepatic lipidosis, a serious and even fatal liver disease. Normally when an animal is fasting, the body moves fat from its reserves to the liver to be converted to energy. A cat’s body is not designed to process large amounts of fat and the liver quickly becomes overwhelmed and fails. If your cat stops eating call your veterinarian right away.

7 Homemade Diets Many cat owners prefer to feed a homemade diet rather than rely on a commercial food. This is fine and these cats can thrive. Because cats do have some unique nutritional needs, before beginning a homemade diet talk to a veterinary nutritionist for guidelines for creating a nutritionally sound diet.

Cats have unique nutritional needs but that doesn’t mean feeding your cat has to be difficult. Just remember cats need to eat a food or a diet designed specifically for them. Don’t feed your cat dog food or allow it to eat dog food. Although dog food doesn’t contain anything that would make your cat sick, it does lack several things your cat needs. NYP

Liz Palika is a Certified Dog Trainer, Certified Animal Behavior Consultant, and the co-owner of Kindred Spirits Dog Training in Vista, CA. Liz is also an award-winning author and writer specializing in dogs, living with dogs, dog training, behavior, and nutrition. Many of Liz’s books have been recognized with awards, but her recent book, “Idiot’s Guides: Dog Training” (Penguin Books, 2014) recently won the Best Nonfiction book category in the San Diego Book Writing competition. Liz shares her home with two Australian Shepherds, Bashir and Sisko; and one English Shepherd, Bones. And yes, her dogs names are Star Trek characters; she is a Star Trek fan, too. For more on Liz go to www.kindredspiritsk9.com and www.lizpalika.com.

SPRING/SUMMER 2015 | NY Pets Magazine

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BIRDS

bird entertainment Toys are essential for amusement and happiness By Mary Wyld

irds are complex creatures that require interaction and stimulation to live a happy life. This is why toys are a critical element for any pet birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home environment. Just like people, birds have personalities and preferences that translate into many different avian behaviors. One reason they make great engaging pets is that they are able to establish a strong

connection with youâ&#x20AC;Śthe pet parent! One commonality, across the board, in terms of needs is that pet birds require different toys to stimulate their behaviors which are naturally exhibited in the wild. As a critical role in promoting both the physical and mental well-being of any caged bird, toys can help create challenging and diverse environments that can ward off developmental or behavioral problems that stem from boredom or lack of stimulation.

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How Boredom Affects Your Bird As intelligent and extremely social creatures, birds require an active environment similar to their wild habitats. Depression can manifest itself without sufficient stimulation resulting in behaviors such as screaming unnecessarily, biting or feather plucking. In advanced scenarios, these neurotic behaviors can become more severe leading to compulsive actions such as self-mutilation. Time and attention given by the pet parent is integral to helping a bird play, learn, and excel at exercising natural skills. Birds also love challenges and toys can help provide new opportunities for exploration and fun.

Stimulating Your Bird Since cage time is inevitable (you need to go about your daily life), creating a stimulating environment that piques your bird’s interest is an excellent way to provide activity for your bird while you are away. Variety is key to building a challenging environment that requires your bird’s attention. Also, rotating toys and frequently introducing new toys can sustain excitement, continue to hold your bird’s attention and present interesting learning opportunities. Rotating toys also gives you the perfect opportunity to properly clean the toys and inspect for any damage or wear. If you find any, it means that it is time for that toy to go!

Navigating the Toy Market Well-constructed and creative bird toys can boost the social and physical well-being of your bird through engaging activities like climbing, chewing, preening, foraging, and beak trimming. When navigating the bird-toy shelves, it can feel overwhelming due to the amount of bells and whistles (figuratively and literally) on the market today. A few key factors to help you select appropriate toys for your pet bird are: • Make sure to select toys that are the appropriate size for your bird. Toys should be non-toxic and able to withstand chewing, rough play, and cleaning. Smaller birds like parakeets or cockatiels excel with smaller wooden or rope toys. Larger birds require hardier toys that can resist strong beaks (light plastic toys should be avoided). • Textures are a great way to provide stimulation for your bird’s mouth and feet. Also a variety of colors can enhance visual interest since birds can actually see a wider range of colors than the human eye! • Challenging toys like puzzles that require

“ Variety is key to building a challenging environment that requires your bird’s attention.

” problem-solving are excellent brain stimulators. Ladders and swings focus on exercise and physical activity for your bird. Foraging toys encourage your bird to work for food or a treat as they would in the wild and foot toys focus on dexterity and grasp. A wide variety of toys can keep your bird entertained and constantly learning.

Tips for Introducing Toys You may rush home from the pet store with a new toy purchase and be eager to introduce the toy to your bird. But, a word of caution… birds can be a bit apprehensive and a new toy may require an adjustment period. Allow your bird to get used to the look of a new toy by setting it outside but near your bird’s cage. Then gradually move it onto the floor of the cage for a bit. Finally, hang it in the cage for your bird to enjoy once enough time has passed and the bird is used to the new object. As curious creatures that love to master a variety of skills, toys present various opportunities for your bird to nurture and develop skill sets. Even though your bird is a pet, the innate and wild instincts specific to animal nature still thrive in your bird and need stimulation for a happy and healthy life! NYP

Wyld’s Wingdom is one of the nation’s largest wholesale pet bird supply distributors. The business, established by Mary Wyld in 1986, has been built on integrity and provides customers with the variety, focus, and knowledge needed to make any bird department excel. Wyld’s Wingdom carries an enormous array of avian products including: bird toys, food, cages, and supplies. Wyld’s only sells to retail stores and offers great value that the retailer may pass along in the retail setting. The extensive expertise Wyld’s Wingdom offers, partnered with a tremendous selection of products, provides the best information and advice to customers on the latest pet bird care, safety, and wellness information. Nearly 100 different manufacturers are represented by Wyld’s in bird food, toys, cages, and other supplies. As a result, Wyld’s offers a one-stop shopping experience for outfitting an entire pet bird department. Wyld’s Wingdom is a member of PIDA (Pet Industry Distributors Association) and the World Pet Association (WPA). Wyld’s supports Pet Store Pro, Pets in the Classroom, and Independent We Stand. For more information visit www.wingdom.com.

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THE FUN AND EASY WAY TO GROW FRESH, HEALTHY VEGETABLES Have fun with your food! Designed to help children lead a healthy lifestyle, Growums® is a unique gardening program that shows kids how awesome it is to grow their own vegetables and herbs! It all starts with Growums Garden Kits. Available in six garden themes (Pizza, Taco, Herb, Stir-Fry, Salad and Ratatouille), each kit contains everything a child needs to start growing a complete garden. Come grow with us – and add a little character to your garden!

THIS IS HOW IT WORKS • Buy a Growums Garden Kit • Register your garden at www.growums.com (for free) • The Growums characters come to life with over 125 videos and show you every step of the way EXACTLY how to grow your garden from seed to harvest • Share your fresh vegetables with your pets to help promote a longer, healthier life

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