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
