|
|
PAGE 4Issue #1 Volume #3 |
---|
New Year's Resolutions for Your Pet
Simple Steps to Keeping Your Pet Happy and Healthy Don't overlook your pet's needs when making your own New Year's resolutions. As a responsible pet owner, you can make a few simple promises to yourself that will go a long way towards keeping your pet healthy and happy. The American Animal Hospital Association suggests these practical resolutions that can ensure a bright future for your pet.
Make sure your pet receives a complete check-up every year."The annual physical is the most overlooked pet health need today," said Dr. Bill Swartz with the American Animal Hospital Association. "Most people only take their pet to a veterinarian when a health problem already exists or for routine vaccinations. Preventive vaccinations and early detection of diseases are the keys to successfully treating your pet," he added. Your veterinarian can conduct a comprehensive exam that includes a lab analysis, heart check, and dental exam.
Design a diet and exercise plan to meet your pet's specific needs.Obesity leads to serious dog and cat health problems such as heart disease. Exercise is important, but a pet will only exercise if there is an incentive to do so. Your veterinarian will consider what stage of life your pet is in, the amount of activity your pet enjoys, and the time of year before outlining a specific plan. The right kind of food and physical activity can add to the quality of your pet's life.
Make your home a safe environment.Unfortunately, making your home pet-safe often is a job that is overlooked. Pet-proofing your home can lower the risk of a serious pet accident occurring. A pet owner needs to be aware of several potential dangers. Poisons in the home that can kill or seriously injure your pet include some kinds of house plants (dieffenbachia, philodendron, hyacinth, mistletoe, and poinsettia), antifreeze, and medications. Low electrical cords are extremely hazardous when chewed. Keep harmful objects out of your pet's reach. A little prevention may be just enough to avoid a pet tragedy from happening in your home.The American Animal Hospital Association asks you to provide a safe environment, quality diet, exercise, and adequate medical care for your pet. Your New Year's resolutions can help you get started in the right direction. Consult your veterinarian if you have any questions regarding your pet's health care. The American Animal Hospital Association is an international organization of more than 12,000 veterinarians who treat companion animals. Established in 1933, the association is well known among veterinarians for its quality standards for hospitals and pet health care.
|
Life with a Herperby Michael Matthews of the Greater Cincinnati Herpetological SocietyIt was a little more than a year ago when my oldest sister, Gina, moved in with me. She had recently suffered a divorce and needed help in getting back on her feet. Our family has always been very close-knit so this presented no problem from my end. But I have to wonder if Gina knew what she was getting into. I have been keeping reptiles for the larger portion of my life, and my hobby led to some interesting experiences for my sister. The most recent episode took place on the afternoon of December 4 1996. Gina had just arrived home and was putting the groceries away. I was sitting at the kitchen table with my back to her and a smirk on my face. I was hoping she wouldn't open the freezer, but I couldn't help picturing the scene that would occur when she did. The wait wasn't long. Gina opened the freezer door and asked what was in the two neatly wrapped plastic bags. All I could think was, "You really don't want to know." She immediately guessed the contents, and asked why I had rats in the freezer. I tried to explain that they were for Pete Strimple, that he keeps his rats in storage this way for his animals, and that I would be dropping them off to him that night. I even went on to explain the health benefits of freezing feeder animals, but Gina didn't want to listen. About three weeks ago, Gina came home and found me at the kitchen table, patiently-force feeding eight hatchling kingsnakes. At first, nothing was said concerning the task at hand; she went about her business preparing dinner. I had managed to feed half the little snakes before she had dinner ready. As soon as I was done eating, I picked up where I had left off. Gina was still eating and enjoying her hamburger when she noticed what I was feeding the snakes. She said, "As often as I've taken my boy fishing I thought I'd seen every type of worm there is. But I've never seen any like those." "Those aren't worms," I replied. "Those are mouse tails." She gave the dog the rest of her hamburger. I did tell her the mice were dead before the tails were amputated. "That's nice," she said. Another incident involving my sister was in the late spring of 1996. Among the other creatures in my home are two tarantulas-a cobalt blue (Haplopelma lividumGrammostola rose). The Chilean rose had molted, and I had removed the molting from the container housing my eight-year-old daughter's tarantula. My sister can handle living with the snakes and lizards with which I share my home, but she has a real primal fear of spiders-especially large ones. It was a bright sunny morning. I was in the back room taking care of the rats and mice when I heard my sister screaming, "Michael! Get your daughter!" It was one of those screams mixed with fear and anger, and I knew what I was going to find before I even got there. I came into the room and saw Gina lying in bed, looking terrified. My daughter Laura was standing over her with the tarantula's molt in her hand, saying, "Don't you want to hold my spider?" Gina said, "I always knew we were related to 'The Addams Family'." Shortly after that episode, I told my sister I was seriously considering buying two or three Goliath pinkfoots (Pseudotheraphosa Apophysis). These spiders can reach a leg span of nine to eleven inchesand areextremely aggressive, feeding on adult mice. That was more than Gina could take and she gave me an ultimatum: "If you ever get one of those, I'm moving out!" |
Dog Gourmet Recipe Contest
|
|
---|