Disease monitoring in wildlife herds is critical to wildlife management and to identify potential zoonotic risks. New positive tests in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, represent the latest in 46 positives since 2012. Although Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a contagious fatal disease among deer and elk, research suggests that humans, cattle and other domestic livestock are … [Read more...]
Exotic baby animals need unique milk formulations
Animal health pros who care for exotic animals will appreciate the efforts described here. Milk for each species is unique. The team at Wombaroo in Australia is developing powdered milk formulas for exotic baby animals, including lions, kangaroos, koalas and pandas. It is one of few organizations conducting research in this area. The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, … [Read more...]
Wheek! Good info on guinea pig care
Wheeking is what excited guinea pig vocalization is called. They are the second-favorite rodent kept as pets in the U.S. Guinea pigs are docile, social animals that enjoy interaction with their caretakers. Their husbandry needs are relatively simple. However, they have specific dietary and housing needs. Improper at-home care can result in illness or injury. Source: … [Read more...]
Help bees get through winter
Angi Schneider shares it’s a good idea to give domestic bees extra help to survive the winter, especially if you are bee farming in areas that have severe winters. She discusses hive types and winterization protocols. Veterinary teams and retailers may want to keep information like this handy for new beekeepers. Source: Countryside Daily, January 8, 2018. Keeping the queen … [Read more...]
Tilapia-skin bandage used to treat mountain lion’s burns
After over 30-plus years in this business, it is still exciting to see what we come up with next. In this case, a mountain lion cub burned in the recent California wildfires is the benefactor of a human burn treatment protocol derived from tilapia. Source: edhat, December 30, 2017 via AVMA Smart Brief. A 5-month-old mountain lion whose paws were burned in a wildfire is … [Read more...]
Feed bees so they survive the winter
The implementation of the VFD has increased animal health pros’ apiary concerns. Angi Schneider writes about feeding bees in winter to help them survive. Unlike other insects, bees do not hibernate during the winter or lay eggs that overwinter and emerge in spring. They stay active all winter long. Source: Countryside Daily, November 24, 2017. Once temperatures reach about … [Read more...]
Don’t flush that fish
Pet fish aficionados in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex have a new hero in Eli Prachar. She and a partner have teamed up to create DFW Fish Rescue to take in unwanted water pets. In its first week, the pair has taken in nearly 200 fish and they’re working on a deal with a local animal shelter to expand capacity. Source: nbcdfw.com, October 19, 2017 and Dallas Morning News, … [Read more...]
First chickens, now ducks
Once people get chickens started in their backyards, they often expand to include ducks. Lisa Steele reviews three favorite backyard duck breeds and the considerations for choosing them. Source: Countryside Daily, March 15, 2017. When you picture a flock of backyard ducks, you likely picture the large, white Pekin ducks, or the smaller, active brown-colored Mallards, but … [Read more...]
Audubon: beef, habitat, quail and songbirds
Audubon is introducing a certification program to benefit ranchers and grassland birds. The Audubon Conservation Ranching program links consumers to beef produced on farms that provide good grassland bird habitat. The goal is a profitable program for cattle ranchers. It also helps reverse steep population declines during the past half century by grassland birds, such as … [Read more...]
Steer clear of deer (includes video)
It is that time of year when deer and other wildlife are more apt to be on or near roadways. While the occasional collision is unavoidable, the basic safety tips to help avoid them have remained the same for years. Take time for a refresher with these tips. There’s no obligation to get an auto insurance policy quote, either. Source: Geico, September 2015. According to the … [Read more...]
Oral health care vital for rabbits
Dental disease is a common disorder in pet rabbits. Because the teeth are such an essential part of rabbit digestion and overall health, rabbit owners need to provide an appropriate diet and regular veterinary visits. Source: Herald & Review, September 23. 2017. The best way to prevent dental disease and keep the teeth healthy is to feed an appropriate diet. Krista … [Read more...]
Wildlife Photographer of the Year showcases best in nature photography
Take a break from puppy and kitten photos and look at what else nature offers. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition attracted nearly 50,000 entries from 92 countries. Source: The Atlantic, September 14, 2017. The Wildlife Photographer of the year competition, founded in 1965, is an annual showcase of the best in nature photography. Wildlife Photographer of the … [Read more...]
U.S. Court of Appeals puts gray wolf back on endangered list
The debate about whether or not to list or delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species list will likely bring new legislation and further definition to managing endangered species. Still, the recovery of a nearly extinct predator has been a remarkable wildlife management process. Source: Drovers Cattle Network, August 2, 2017. Currently there are Republicans and … [Read more...]
Human noise pollution is disrupting parks and wild places
Human-caused noise has consequences for wildlife, entire ecosystems and people. It reduces the ability to hear natural sounds, which can mean the difference between life and death for many animals, and degrade the calming effect that we feel when we spend time in wild places. Source: The Conversation, July 17, 2017. Strategies to reduce noise include establishing quiet … [Read more...]
New wolf pups captured on trail camera
Just for fun! Northern California has three new wolf pups. They were caught playing in front of a trail camera. Source: Atlas Obscura, July 7, 2017. Wolves are listed as endangered at the federal level and in California, but have been delisted in Oregon. About 110 wolves live in the state, while California’s population remains small—but growing. … [Read more...]
Audubon photo winners announced
Winners of the eighth annual Audubon Photography Awards were recently announced. You’ll find great foul photos at the links below. View them at full screen for maximum effect. Source: The Atlantic, July 11, 2017. Photographers entered images in three categories: professional, amateur, and youth. More than 5,500 images depicting birdlife from 49 states and eight Canadian … [Read more...]
Couple saves baby kangaroos orphaned on Australian highway
This piece will elicit innumerable “awes,” especially from those interested in animal rescue. Josephine and Terry Brenna-Kuss have run an orphanage for joeys on the lonely South Australian section of the long Stuart Highway since 2008. Most come from females that were struck by cars or trucks. The video clips will bring smiles, too. Source: New York Times, June 26, 2017 … [Read more...]
Fungal disease threatens wild and captive snakes
More than a dozen species of captive and wild snakes in at least 15 states have been affected by what’s being called snake fungal disease (SFD). Researchers are exploring the disease, including its epidemiology, how it grows, how it is transmitted, how to treat it and even which disinfectants work or don't work against the primary fungus associated with it, Ophidiomyces … [Read more...]
It’s aliiiive!
Nature can be beautiful. Or, disgusting. Be your own judge as you watch this snake throw up. Source: Washington Post, June 3, 2017 (paywall). The footage is slimy, gross and absolutely compelling – like watching some mixture of a prison break and an alien birth. … [Read more...]
How to grip a bird (pictorial guide)
Dr. Tom Tully offers an image gallery with explanations for handling various avian species. If your team struggles with handling birds, review this information at a team meeting to sharpen your teams’ approach to servicing avian patients. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, March 2017. Avian patients come in many shapes, sizes, and species. Veterinary team members can safely … [Read more...]
One-legged sleeping mystery solved
Atlanta biologists Young-Hui Chang of Georgia Tech and Lena ting of Emory University wanted to find out how Flamingos can sleep standing on one leg. Their findings that were published in Biology Letters this week are surprising. Source: The Washington Post, May 24, 2017 (paywall). The duo began examining them, when something happened. Chang held one of the cadavers up by … [Read more...]
The doctor will see your iguana now
Not every clinic deals with cows, canines or kittens. Veterinarians at the Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine In New York City see everything from iguanas to guinea pigs and even kinkajous. This is an interesting, short read with insight into what goes on in a practice specializing in exotic species. Source: The New York Times, May 12, 2017 (paywall). The surgery ground … [Read more...]
CAPC issues first mosquito control guidelines
The first set of guidelines on mosquito control were issued in April. According to the CAPC Parasite Prevalence Maps, in 2016 more than 118,000 cases of canine heartworm were diagnosed in the United States. Heartworm infections are becoming more prevalent in areas previously considered to be at a low risk (see Heartworm disease in CAPC guidelines). In response, the … [Read more...]
Rare red wolf pups born in North Carolina
Red wolf female #1858 gave birth to a litter of six pups April 28th. They are the first critically endangered red wolves born at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, North Carolina, since 2002. While this is great news for an endangered species, the red wolf faces an existential threat far beyond the fact that its numbers have dwindled to around 300 individuals. Source: … [Read more...]
Rabbits, ferrets, sugar-gliders, hamsters and ? – oh my!
I often wonder how veterinarians serve animals considered in exotic. The relatively few encounters has to be a limiting factor. But, my eyes were opened by this article about preparing a practice specifically for the exotic companion mammal sub-group. The numbers of alternative pet types is growing and with it a new specialty from the Association of Exotic Mammal … [Read more...]
Easter is bad for bunnies
Widespread misunderstanding of domestic rabbits has made them the third most abandoned pets in the United States. As well, they are the third most popular pet in America, after cats and dogs, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Source: National Geographic, April 12, 2017. With proper care, rabbits live 10 to 12 years. Because many people think they’re … [Read more...]
An overview of rabbits’ teeth
This series of articles provide a good overview of rabbit teeth. Rabbits use their incisors to slice food, while the molars grind it down. Rabbits have 28 teeth. The ones we see most often are the four incisors in the front of the mouth. Behind the top incisors are two smaller incisors known as peg teeth. The 22 remaining teeth are molars and premolars and are known as cheek … [Read more...]
Is a rabbit the right choice? (includes video)
Too often, parents purchase a rabbit for a child. Easter is the most common time for this to happen. The child is excited, the rabbit is terrified, the child loses interest, the rabbit is ignored and the parents become disappointed and resentful. Consider sharing the information in this reference site on websites, blogs and in newsletters. Rabbits, families and children will … [Read more...]
There’s something wrong in the neighborhood
Who you gonna call? Pest busters. Here’s a list of available products for parasite and pest management. Source: Beef, April 2017, page 20. Pest busters for 2017. … [Read more...]
Badger buries bovine – must-see video
An American badger in Utah had an 11-day beef feast last fall after burying what appears to be a dead calf. Badgers have been observed burying small animals, which slows decomposition and allows them to be eaten later. This is the first time one burying something so big has been documented. Source: Quartz, April 3, 2017. I was really shocked and amazed, and really excited,” … [Read more...]