It turns out dreams really do come true, at least for cat lovers. Earlier this week, an organization known as God’s Little People Cat Rescue announced it’s hiring a new caretaker to oversee its cat sanctuary and to take care of its few dozen kittens. The job posting seems normal enough until you learn that the sanctuary isn’t in some sad brick building lined with cages, but is instead located on the stunning Greek island of Syros, where all the cats run free. “A very special position and living circumstance on offer on a little Greek island called Syros (a small paradise no less!) for a mature and genuinely passionate cat lover who knows how to handle many cats and would love their company,” the job posting stated. It added that they are specifically on the hunt for someone who can “take over the daily running of my Greek cat sanctuary in my absence. You will have 55 cats in your care and need to be able to overview them all + feed and medicate (big added bonus if you’re trained vet. nurse!).” To read more on this story, click here:Greek Cat Sanctuary Hiring Caretaker to Live on Island, Supervise 55 Cats
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American health care is weird and expensive. Those are about the most sure-fire things anyone can say about the sprawling behemoth of insurers, health professionals, hospitals, clinics, and pharma companies in the United States. Is it good at actually making people healthy? For the most part, but sometimes it depends. Is it the best system in the world? Probably not, but some pieces are really good. Why is it so expensive, and can we fix it? Well, those are the three-trillion-dollar questions. Good luck. A new study suggests that we might consider taking some tips from our pet health-care system. A NBER working paper by Liran Einav and Atul Gupta at Stanford University and Amy Finkelstein at MIT finds that pet health care in the United States has exhibited growth, accessibility, and end-of-life spending patterns that almost directly mirror patterns in the American human health-care system. Their work suggests that pet health care is a useful comparison point for analysis and research. The high cost of (human) healthcare in the U.S. is often attributed to the labyrinthine structure of our insurance-based system. But a close study of the pet health-care system hints that something else might be at work, because it still suffers from the same high cost problem, despite being streamlined by comparison. To read more on this story, click here: Our Pets, Ourselves: The Surprising Similarities Between America’s Human and Animal Health-Care Systems
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Veterinarians are used to dealing with sick animals. In fact, the vast majority of their daily routines usually involves patching up dogs and cleaning out kitty ears. There isn’t a lot that shocks them, really. Even wild animals like wolves, bears, and eagles sometimes need a doctor’s care before they can return to the wild. And though they’re not typical patients, seasoned veterinarians have no problem treating them. After all, a sick animal is a sick animal. Still, one Israeli veterinary team sure got the shock of a lifetime when a parks department official knocked on their door and left a rather unusual—and dangerous—wounded animal in their care. They were nervous, but they knew they had to do the right thing… During a routine patrol, Israeli soldiers noticed a rather unusual sight: two people walking a striped hyena. They didn’t approach the pair right away. After all, hyenas are dangerous wild creatures. But they realized that something seemed… off… with the animal, and so they decided to intervene. As they approached the pair, the officers immediately knew something wasn’t quite right with the hyena. Once they were close enough to really inspect the scene, they learned that the animal—which is considered endangered—was being held in metal chains under harsh conditions. It was clearly suffering. The abuse did not stop with the chains, either. Upon closer examination they discovered that the poor striped hyena was starving and dehydrated. He did not even have the strength to resist their ministrations. The soldiers alerted the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, which quickly dispatched a veterinarian to the scene. The vet managed to stabilize the hyena’s condition, but there was only so much that could be done on-site. The hyena was quickly sedated so that he would be comfortable and his stress levels could be kept to a minimum. It would also make him easier to work with. Once sedated, he was transferred to an animal hospital where he could receive urgent care The veterinarians continued trying to stabilize the poor hyena’s condition as they ran multiple tests to uncover the full scope of his injuries. While they could identify all of the external injuries from a quick examination, they had no idea what was happening inside the poor creature. Soon, though, they would learn what was wrong. The vets discovered numerous bruises all over the hyena’s body. They had no concrete evidence how the bruises were caused, but they suspected that the hyena had been beaten and abused by whoever captured him. The bruises were far from the hyena’s only injuries. He had suffered several broken teeth as well. Some of his teeth were even split right down to the root. He must have been in excruciating pain every second of every day! The restraints used by his abusers had made it impossible for the hyena to protect his eyes from dust and debris. Sometime during his time in cruel captivity, grit or another foreign object made its way into his eye, cutting it and causing it to become infected. Finally, the rest of the hyena’s test results were back. The X-rays showed extensive broken bones throughout the creature’s body. He had very clearly been badly beaten, either during his capture or during his time in captivity. The worst of his injuries was a badly broken front leg and paw. The veterinarian treating the hyena said that the break looked as though he had gotten his paw caught in a massive trap; if this was true, it would make sense, seeing as that’s mostly likely the easiest way his captors would’ve been able to apprehend him. The hyena was badly dehydrated, and if he was going to stand any chance of getting well, that would need to change! The team working at the animal hospital quickly provided him with food and water through an IV. They also showed him some affection through reassuring pats and head scratches to keep him calm. Although the team was initially concerned that their new charge would not pull through, this hyena was determined not to go anywhere! It was clear that he was a survivor and a fighter, and he had the spirit necessary to power through even this. The vets named him Amos, and before long, he was one of their favorite animals. He might not have been as tame or as friendly as some of their other patients, but he won them over with his dignity and resilience. The team worked quickly to treat Amos’s injuries to the best of their ability while he was still under anesthesia. They couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by what a gorgeous specimen this remarkable hyena was. He truly was special.
Miami-Dade County, Florida - A kinkajou, which is normally found in rain forests in South America, was discovered in the attic of a southwest Miami-Dade County home during the weekend. "This 99-year-old woman is sound asleep, she feels something, she wakes up and this kinkajou -- this furry, big animal -- is curled up asleep on her chest," Dr. Don Harris of South Dade Animal Hospital said. Harris said the woman and animal were both startled, and the kinkajou eventually made its way to the attic. Cathy Moghari was able to help lure the kinkajou out. "I start thinking, 'How are we going to get this animal out?' So I googled kinkajou sounds and found a video," Moghari said. "And I was holding it up to the ceiling, and we hear a rumbling. And, sure enough, it came out to the opening that we had in the ceiling." Kinkajous are nocturnal animals that rarely are seen in the day and are native to Central and South America. However, special permits allow people in the U.S. to keep the animal as exotic pets, and this one likely slipped out from its owner sometime over the past few weeks. "This particular animal is kind of a cross between a raccoon and a monkey," Harris said. "It's in the raccoon family, so they're very dangerous." Moghari said she picked up the kinkajou, took it home for the night and took it to the veterinarian Tuesday morning. Moghari said she wasn't scared by the animal. No, but I have respect for it," she said.
The axolotl is a type of aquatic salamander that looks somewhat like a cross between a fish and a lizard! While axolotl are definitely unusual and have a very distinctive appearance- being somewhat like a standard looking lizard, but with gills and an underwater habitat- they are actually relatively easy to keep as pets, with a little research and understanding of their nature and what is involved. Intrigued? Read on to find out more! Why do axolotl make interesting pets? As well as being very distinctive looking (most of your visitors will never have heard of axolotl at all, unless they happen to be reptile enthusiasts)! Axolotl have a range of other uniquely interesting characteristics that are appealing to many pet lovers. They have superior regenerative qualities, even in comparison to other lizards, such as those that can regenerate their tails and scales. Axolotl heal very easily if injured, and can re-grow limbs such as a leg if hurt or attacked by other animals. While they are not hugely energetic and active all of the time, they are not generally prone to hiding or lying still for long periods of time, and so are eminently watchable and fascinating to observe. All about axolotl Axolotls are neotenic, which means that they don’t generally undergo the distinct metamorphosis from larvae to adult that usually occurs with other types of salamanders. They become sexually mature (and so reach adulthood) and reproduce within the water, instead of maturing and moving onto land. To further add to the confusion, axolotl do sometimes metamorphose into terrestrial animals, although almost without exception this only happens in the wild, and very rarely. Axolotl are native to Mexico, where many different sub-species of the genus exist. The type of axolotl that is commonly available to buy as pets within the UK are of the Ambystoma Mexicana genus. Correctly cared for, they are hardy animals that can live for well over ten years under suitable conditions. Axolotl should not be handled if at all avoidable, as their skin and gills are very soft and malleable and can easily become damaged. Young axolotl can become cannibalistic to others, and so should not be housed together while young. Sometimes adult tank mates can also be aggressive, especially if the tank is overcrowded, so this should be carefully managed. Axolotl will eat other fish and organisms in the water, so they should not be kept with other aquatic pets! Axolotl can grow quite large when mature- around 25 cm is not uncommon, although even larger domestic axolotl are by no means unusual either! What do I need to care for axolotl? The basic kit required to care for axolotl is not too dissimilar to that required for fish, with a few minor changes. You will need a sturdy glass or acrylic tank of at least 45 litres capacity to keep a couple of axolotl happily, as well as a suitable secure lid for the tank as axolotl are no strangers to climbing. You should keep the water temperature between 16 to 18 degrees celsius ( around 60 to 64 degrees fahrenheit), higher temperatures can lead to stress and possible death. It is also important that your axolotl are not subjected to the glare of bright light. While a tank light can be incorporated within the lid so that you can watch what your axolotl are doing, ensure that it is not too bright or intense, and that it is turned off for sufficient periods of time during the hours of darkness. You will also need to provide a substrate for the base of the tank. It is usually advised that you should use sand as the substrate, or alternatively, don't use any substrate at all. Ensure that you don’t use gravel or small stones, as axolotl may ingest these inadvertently which could get caught in their digestive tracts. Some hiding places such as ornaments and plants are also recommended. Finally, as with all aquatic creatures, water quality and filtration are incredibly important. A water filter should be incorporated into your axolotl’s tank, and the tank should be cleaned out regularly with partial water changes performed as needed. If you use tap water in the tank, this should be treated first with appropriate supplements for the water quality in your area, much as is the case when keeping fish. What do axolotl eat? In the wild, axolotl eat a wide range of foodstuffs such as fish, crustaceans, worms and other reptiles. When kept in a tank, it’s important to note that regular fish food is not a suitable substitute for their natural diet, and you will have to pay a little more attention to your axolotl’s feeding routine than you would if keeping fish. Brine shrimp, tubifex worm, bloodworm and other suitable meals can all be bought easily from most pet stores in frozen packages, which can be stored at home and administered as appropriate. Axolotl can also eat pre-packaged dried fish food pellets such as those fed to farmed salmon and other carnivorous fish. Axolotl should be fed at least once a day, with any uneaten food cleared out of the tank promptly. Keeping your axolotl well fed is important, as hungry axolotl are exponentially more likely to see each other as a snack! Where can you buy axolotl? Axolotl are often available in larger pet shops that stock reptiles and fish, and from specialist retailers and breeders such as you can find online. Axolotl are relatively hardy and low maintenance animals to keep, but as with any potential pet, it is vital to research them thoroughly before considering a purchase, and ensure that you have both the time and financial resources available to be able to care for them for the duration of their lives.
The term "seizure" is often used interchangeably with "convulsion" or “fit,” but what do all of these terms really mean is happening? A seizure starts as a result of abnormal, excessive electrical activity in the brain. According to Chelsea Sonius, of the Zimmer Feline Foundation, whether in humans or animals, all seizures:
Start as a result of these electrical misfires in a part of the brain called the cerebrum
The abnormal electrical impulse spreads from cell to cell.
This unregulated activity in one region of the cerebrum causes increased activity in other regions, a phenomenon termed "hypersynchronous activity."
The brain becomes uncontrollably "hyper excitable," which leads to seizures. Convulsions can then cause a cat’s body to shake rapidly and uncontrollably.
How can one cat seizure differ from another? Epilepsy.com says, “Seizures may take many forms.” The outward effect can vary from uncontrolled, violent, jerking movements (tonic-clonic seizure) to a subtle loss of momentary awareness (absence seizure), which may go unnoticed by others. The syndrome of recurrent, unprovoked seizures is termed epilepsy. Seizures can be brought on by either primary brain disorders, or they may develop as a result of a process outside the brain. Conditions like low blood sugar, liver failure (when it leads to “hepatic encephalopathy”) or conditions that make blood thicker (as happens with high red blood cell or protein levels), are examples of processes outside the brain that may cause seizures. In addition, certain cardiac events look a lot like seizures, but don’t predictably alter the brain’s electrical activity in the same way. Temporary loss of consciousness (syncope) or collapse, associated with some heart rhythm disturbances, can be very hard to distinguish from seizures in some cases. How common is a cat seizure? Seizures occur in both dogs and cats, but occur less commonly in cats. Zimmer.com estimates that approximately 2% of all cats are affected by some seizure disorder. To read more on this story, click here:Cat Seizures and Epilepsy 101
Not a lot has changed regarding the fear and myths surrounding canine epilepsy since the first person observed seizing dogs when animal/human cohabitation started. Throughout history, thousands of people suffering from epilepsy have been killed because they were thought to be possessed by the devil. Sadly, despite all the scientific improvement and understanding of this medical condition, there is still a need to demystify one of the most common but devastating neurological diseases. Thus, even though enormous progress has been made in the last century in understanding the biological basis of canine epilepsy, and even more in developing effective antiepileptic drugs, our first reaction is not so different from that of our ancestors: the animal is often destroyed and the epileptic status not recognized. Let us throw some light on the situation. An epileptic dog can have a happy and long life, as long as the seizure activity is well under control. Seizures can have a very dramatic appearance, but are not painful. However, a dog can feel confusion and can have episodes of panic. So a seizing dog, or a dog recovering from a seizure, needs to be approached carefully to avoid unintentionally biting other dogs or people.
The most feasible option for childless couples is to turn to adoption. However, one Russian couple took a completely different approach when it comes to adoption. For starters, the thought of sharing your house with a 300-pound grizzly bear seems less than accommodating. The setting may sound uncustomary plus dangerous, but for Yuriy and Svetlana, they couldn’t process their life without Stepan, their 25-year-old grizzly. Standing tall at 7-feet, dwarfing both Yuriy and Svetlana, the bear is tall enough to be a center in the NBA starting lineup. But regardless of Stepan’s imposing figure and the threat he possesses, he is just as domesticated and behaved as your normal pet. He is well-behaved to the extent that he sit with Yuriy and Svetlana to watch television in the evenings. Moreover, he occasionally helps around the house by watering the plants and helping Yuriy with his chores. However, taking care of a 300-pound 7-foot grizzly is no cakewalk. It requires a lot of money, effort and time. For meals only, the couple feeds Stepan 25-30 kg of fish, eggs, and vegetables on a daily basis. To read more on this story, click here:Childless Russian Couple Adopted An Orphaned Bear When He Was Only Three Months Old And 25 Years Later, He Still Lives With Them
In the piece, an anguished 8-year-old boy in Logan, Utah, named Rayden Sazama recounts the accidental euthanasia of his pet black, long-haired cat, named Toothless. The beloved Logan family cat was named after the disabled dragon from the movie How to Train Your Dragon, as he resembled the animated creature’s black coat and green eyes. An indoor-outdoor cat, Toothless left the home one night and didn’t return. Queries to the neighbors about the animal’s whereabouts came back negative: No one had seen the beloved cat…or so they claimed. Rayden’s father, Jason, then went to the local animal control office one evening, but after business hours. A clerk let Jason in the building, and there, in a cage behind the counter, was Toothless. Yet, as it was past business hours, Jason was unable to pay the fine and take the cat home. He promised to return the following morning to settle up and collect the cat. The family was relieved and slept well knowing Toothless was safe. To read more on this story, click here:Heartbreaking Letter: “Grown-Ups Killed My Kitty”
Who Benefits from Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy? Most of us who own horses talk about their “therapeutic” value. Being in the barn grooming, feeding, and otherwise caring for our horses reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and improves overall health. Yet, it is the companionship with our equine partners that is the foundation of our growth in relationship to these animals. Being with our horses is the “therapy.” The power of this relationship has not been lost on medical professionals. “Equine therapy” is a popular tool to use with a variety of populations. But what is equine therapy and how is it used? Equine Therapy Defined According to PATH International, the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, there are many different types of “equine assisted activities.” In its broadest sense, any interaction between a person and a horse is an equine assisted activity. Equine-Assisted Therapy has a more specific goal. It is a treatment that uses horses to reach rehabilitative goals that are bounded by a medical professional’s scope of practice. Equine-Assisted Therapy is not an activity run by local horse clubs, church groups or trainers. Instead, it is overseen by a medical professional, usually a licensed psychotherapist or physical therapist. Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy, which is used by addiction treatment facilities, veterans’ groups, and trauma centers, is always overseen by a licensed mental health professional. These types of therapies rarely involve riding the horse. To read more on this story, click here:The Therapeutic Value of Horses
Police said the driver and a passenger in a stolen Subaru SUV fled on foot after the car crashed in a ditch in Sanford, WKMG-TV reported. Another passenger remained at the scene and was arrested. The driver, identified as Jamie Michael Young, was apprehended with the help of a Sanford police dog, the Orlando Sentinel reported. But the other passenger, Jennifer Kaufman, fled to a nearby field where she was corralled by cattle. In a video released by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, which assisted in the incident, Kaufman can be seen running through a field with more than two dozen cows in pursuit. At least one cow got very close to the woman. “If you see the large group of cows, they’re literally following her and chasing her,” an officer said in the video. Eventually the cows herded her to the edge of a field where she climbed through what appears to be a fence, only to be immediately arrested. Richard Kondracki has dozens of cows on his property, and while they’ve never been aggressive in the past, he is also not aware of a stranger running through his field before, he told WKMG. “I think they didn’t realize who they were,” Kondracki said. “They panicked. The cows were nervous. That would make me panic – if all those big cows come running at you. They didn’t know them. They don’t know if they’re there to hurt them or steal one of the babies.” Both Kaufman and Young were charged with trespassing, petit theft, drug possession and resisting arrest. Police found 1.3 grams of cocaine as well as drug paraphernalia inside the Subaru, according to the Sentinel.
(CNN)An ailing and emaciated orca named Scarlet could get food and antibiotics soon -- if biologists can find her before it's too late. Scarlet is among a group of endangered, rapidly dwindling Southern Resident killer whales that frequent the Pacific Northwest. US biologists are racing to find the underweight 3-year-old animal to administer antibiotics either through food or by injection, but she could be dead or in Canada. Scarlet, also known as J50, was last seen in Canadian waters Saturday, on the west side of Vancouver Island. The 3-year-old orca's condition is so poor, she may not survive and is running out of time, scientists said. She is underweight and lethargic with periods of inactivity, and does not appear to be feeding. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said its effort will involve shooting antibiotics in the orca to aid with recovery and using a local tribe to feed them fish that has medicine, a rare practice that has not been tried in the wild before. To read more on this story, click here:An Endangered Orca Is Sick and Starving. Biologists Are Racing To Find It
REUTERS - A wave of medical research is providing fresh evidence that marijuana may help dogs and cats cope with arthritis, epilepsy, anxiety and other maladies without the side effects of traditional drugs, but veterinarians are afraid to prescribe it for fear of running afoul of federal laws. At least 30 U.S. states have legalized medical marijuana, but none of them make provisions for ailing animals. As a result, veterinarians are reluctant to even discuss marijuana, which remains illegal under federal law, over concerns of putting their professional licenses at risk, said Dr. Jeffrey Powers, chair of the American Veterinary Medical Association's subcommittee on cannabinoids. That leaves it to pet owners themselves to make life-altering decisions about dosing and duration of the treatment. Change could come soon to California, which appears ready to pass the nation’s first law giving veterinarians the legal cover they need to answer questions about using cannabis for pets. "A human can get their doctor's advice but a dog can't, legally. It's bizarre," said Judy Boyle, 62, of Beaver Island, Michigan, whose dog Mac had for years been taking traditional prescription medicines for arthritis and anxiety. The cumulative effect of those drugs was causing Mac's liver to fail. Research on her home computer convinced Boyle in March to instead regularly give her 40-pound (18 kg) Australian Cattle Dog cannabinoid dog chews. Five months later, he's a much calmer yet more energetic dog, and his liver function has returned to normal for the first time in years, Boyle said.
Geckos are a wonderfully interesting pet and come in all sizes and colors. Geckos are small lizards found in warm climates throughout the world. There are over a thousand different species of gecko lizards, and they boast endless colors and patterns. Geckos have several unique characteristics, including the chirping vocalizations they use for social interaction. They also lack eyelids and have a transparent membrane covering the eye which they lick to clean. Because they are common to warm climates, there are several gecko species that live in human houses. These house geckos are rarely killed or exterminated because of their ability to kill and feed on insect pests.
Leopard geckos have been bred in captivity for over 30 years. Adults average 8 to 10 inches in length. Geckos are one of the longer-lived lizards with an average 10-20 year life span. Geckos are widely available in pet stores, at reptile shows and through specialized breeders on the Internet. Make sure the breeder from whom you purchase your gecko is knowledgeable in their care and breeding. Do your research and then contact your preferred source directly to select your pet. Things You’ll Need to Get Started It’s always a good idea to get yourself ready BEFORE you select and bring home your new pet. Review this list of essential supplies:
5 gallon aquarium
wire mesh lid for 5 gallon aquarium
food – mealworms, crickets, etc.
lamp
bottle lid
paper towels
under-tank heater
newspaper, pea gravel for the floor
Set the under-tank heater on a hard surface that is not flammable. Plug the heater in and place your aquarium on top of it. Spread the newspaper or pea gravel to cover the entire bottom. Some small geckos will eat sand so stick with larger particles until your gecko grows a bit. Feeding Proper feeding will keep your gecko healthy for many years. Young geckos need more frequent feedings for proper development. A gecko’s main diet consists of insects, especially mealworms and crickets. Proper feeding requires some preparation: Preparing Crickets
“Gut load” crickets at least a day before your gecko feeds; this means supplying the insects with added nutrition that will benefit your gecko.
Place vegetables, grain meal (such as oatmeal or wheat germ), dried dog food, fish flakes or commercial insect gut load in the container housing the insects.
Add a slice of orange for water content. Remove the number of crickets needed before you feed your lizard.
Dust the crickets with a commercial dusting supplement containing calcium. Do this every other feeding day.
Use a commercial dusting kit or place the supplement in a cup with several crickets.
Shake the cup to cover the crickets with dust.
Feeding Geckos Crickets
Feed your gecko 3 to 4 crickets at night. They are nocturnal creatures and will be most active when it is dark.
Allow 5 to 20 minute feeding times twice daily for geckos under 7 months, 3 to 4 times weekly for older lizards.
Remove uneaten crickets.
Feeding Geckos Meal and Wax Worms
Give your gecko live mealworms once a week. Choose the size of worm according to the size of your lizard.
Place 2 to 3 worms in a shallow bowl or suitable container. Make sure the sides are high enough so the worms won’t crawl out, and are large enough for the gecko to access.
Remove the container and clean.
Feed wax worms the same way, repeating steps 1 to 3.
