The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too

Monday, August 27, 2018

Smithsonian's National Zoo: We Are Building A Naked Mole-Rat Exhibit


If you've ever been to the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Small Mammal House, you’ve probably seen the naked mole-rats—those small, nearly hairless rodents running through a series of tubes and chambers. These funky Zoo favorites are ready for a home renovation. 

Because of your generosity, we're getting a new exhibit: a corner habitat with more realistic tunnels where guests can see the mole-rats up close and peek at a keeper area behind them, along with a webcam so online viewers can watch the naked mole-rats anytime, anywhere!

We would like to extend a special thank you to the following donors who made this exhibit possible.

To read more on this story, click here: Smithsonian's National Zoo: We Are Building A Naked Mole-Rat Exhibit

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Sunday, August 26, 2018

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex , Adopt A Dog Together


Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have only been married a few months, but the couple have been non stop since their wedding. Between their public appearances and luxurious vacations, Duke and Duchess of Sussex have had nothing but excitement in their fast-paced royal world. And if they weren't already busy enough, things just got even more interesting for the couple: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle just got a dog together.

Earlier today, People confirmed that the two have taken the next step and are now the proud owners of a dog, which is rumored to be a labrador. 

Reportedly, the couple adopted the dog earlier this summer and it has joined them at their place in Cotswolds area and at Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace in London, a source says.

It comes as no surprise that the two have chosen to add a pup to their family—Meghan, 37, is an avid dog lover and adopted a dog named Bogart in the past. The Duchess had to leave the pooch behind in Toronto when she moved to London in November last year, but it's now in the care of a family friend. She is also the fur mama to her beagle Guy, who made an appearance on her wedding day.


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Saturday, August 25, 2018

Heart Doctors Are Warning About Chagas Disease, a Fatal Infection Caused by the 'Kissing Bug'


Chagas disease, a parasitic infection that can cause heart disease and stroke, has spread from South and Central America to the United States in recent decades, according to a statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) published this week in the journal Circulation. The statement aims to help U.S. doctors better recognize, diagnose, and treat the infection, which is transmitted by an insect called the kissing bug.

About one-third of people who are infected with the parasite that causes Chagas disease develop chronic heart problems at some point in their lives. The infection often goes undiagnosed until it’s too late, experts say, which is why early screening and prevention practices are so important.

To learn more about Chagas disease, Health spoke with Paula Stigler-Granados, PhD, assistant professor at Texas State University's School of Health Administration. Stigler-Granados was not involved in the AHA’s new statement, but she has researched Chagas disease extensively. Here’s what she, and the AHA, want people to know about this scary-sounding and often silent disease.

To read more on this story, click here: Heart Doctors Are Warning About Chagas Disease, a Fatal Infection Caused
by the 'Kissing Bug'
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MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY IN DOGS AND CATS


Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder that deteriorates the muscles of dogs and cats because of low amounts of dystrophin. There isn't a cure for the disease, but there are treatments available that can help slow down the progression of the disease. Find out more here.

Muscular dystrophy is a type of genetic disease that dogs, cats, humans, and a few other species can get. It is very serious, but you can still be there for your animal.

WHAT IS MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY?
Muscular dystrophy refers to any of a group of disorders in which low levels of the protein dystrophin causes progressive muscle degeneration. Which muscles are affected, when the disorder manifests, and how quickly the disease progresses depends on which of several possible genetic mutations the patient has.

In both cats and dogs, the most common forms of muscular dystrophy begin at birth or shortly thereafter. While the condition is very serious, animals who survive to adulthood can often live fairly well as indoor companion animals for a number of years.

MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY IN DOGS
In dogs, males are much more at risk than females, although females can be carriers and pass the mutation on to their sons. When females do get the disease, they often get a less severe form. Although muscular dystrophy is always rare, some breeds, particularly Golden Retrievers, are more at risk than others. Japanese Spitz dogs and Labrador Retrievers also have their own, even less common, versions of the disease. Signs and symptoms always involve weakening of the muscles. 

To read more on this story, click here: MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY IN DOGS AND CATS
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Did You Know that Meowing is Not Part of Natural Cat Language, it was Developed Almost Exclusively for Humans?


Did you know that cats meow to people, but not to other cats?

Adult cats, living apart from humans, have very clear communication with one another.

Cat language is spoken mostly through scent, then through facial expression, complex body language and touch.

Cat sounds for vocal communication involve caterwauls for mating, chattering upon spotting prey, hissing to ward off an intruder or shrieking when hurt or terrified. Meowing is not part of natural cat language, it was developed almost exclusively for humans.

The only meowing in cat language is done between a mother cat and her kittens. A kitten’s tiny “mew” is a cute, endearing sound, used to solicit attention and care from mom cat. Once the kittens are grown, the mews and meows would stop, if not for communicating with humans.

So why do cats meow to people? Because meowing is what works. Your cat is dependent on you and quickly learns that you are clearly not picking up the scent messages she leaves on your belongings or the body language she is attempting to use.

The meows and mews are what get you to do what she wants. So the meowing develops into a second language to communicate to you.

Some scientists would go so far as to say that cats have refined their meows specifically to manipulate people. And we have to admit, it works!

Cat people know cat language

Dr. Nicholas Nicastro, Ph.D., did his thesis on humans’ ability to understand meows. He recorded hundreds of meows cats used in real settings with their owners. He had people listen to the meows, then asked what they thought the cats were communicating. Part of the experiment asked general interpretations (Does the cat sound angry or pleasant?) and part were more specific translations (Is this cat asking for food or does he want you to go away?).

Not surprisingly, the more experience the people had with cats, the better they were at understanding meows. People who owned cats could correctly translate 40% of the meows. That’s pretty remarkable considering the respondents did not have the benefit of seeing the cat. Normally, when a cat meows, we get more clues to the meaning from the context—including location (by the door, near a dirty litterbox) time of day and body language.

Different meows. Different meanings.

There are dozens of meows that cats can use, they vary in pitch, length and volume. Most cat owners learn the language easily. A short, high-pitched meow is a standard “Hello!” Several of those strung together can communicate excitement,“You’re home! YAY!”

Cats use pleasant meow sounds to solicit you for food, to go outside or to simply get attention. Your cat learns which meow is going to get the results she wants.

Cats use unpleasant, harsher, louder meows for demands, reprimands or to express annoyance. These meows have a lower pitch.



Even though there is a distinct “demand meow,” for example, your cat may have separate variations for each of her regular demands. Generally, the following meows have these meanings:
  • Short meow or mew: Standard greeting. “Hello!”
  • Multiple meows or mews: Excited greeting. “Great to see you!”
  • Mid-pitch meow: Plea for something. “I’d like to eat.”
  • Drawn-out mrrroooow: Demand for something. “Open the door. NOW.”
  • Low-pitch MRRRooooowww: Complaint of a wrong you have done. “Hey—why’s my bowl still empty?”
  • High-pitch RRRROWW!: Anger or pain. “That’s my TAIL you just stepped on!”

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Meet Darius, the Worlds Largest Bunny Rabbit - He Weighs 49 Pounds!


Darius weighs 49 pounds and measures 4ft 4in, making him the world’s biggest rabbit, according to Guinness World Records.

His owner, Annette Edwards, 62, from Worcester, is considering putting him on a diet after revealing that he eats 12 carrots a day – more than 4,000 a year.

He also gets through piles of cabbage, apples and two large bowls of rabbit mix - at an annual cost of $2,400.




                      Carrot cruncher: Darius with six-year-old Mia, a family friend of his owner                              Annette Edwards.




              Darius the rabbit munches his way through a staggering 4,000 carrots a year                        costing over $2,000 a year.




                       Darius weighs over 49 pounds and measures 4ft 4in - making him the world's                         largest.

Ms. Edwards is well used to looking after bunnies with big appetites as Darius’s mother Alice held the record title before him.

And Ms. Edwards couldn’t believe the speed Darius grew at when he was born – and she never thought after just five years he would hold the crown for biggest rabbit in the world.

"Darius is from a family of giant rabbits but he is the biggest bunny in history. It’s amazing just how big he is."

"If Darius had his way he would never stop eating," she said. "He is very greedy. I have to really watch him."

"He has a great personality and so I can’t be too angry when he is trying to sneak more food."


                          Darius' owners say he has a great personality and so gets away with                                      sneaking extra snacks.




              Owner Annette Edwards, 62, from Worcester says if the greedy creature had his                    way, he'd eat all day.




            As the bunny's birthday is in April, the family say he really is the real-life Easter                      Bunny

"Darius eats me out of house and home but he is very active which is good for his health.’
graphic."

"Luckily he likes to hop around all the time. I had to put a child gate on the stairs to stop him going up there."

"I treat him like a dog. He even sits on the sofa with me to watch TV.  People love coming round to  see Darius – he is bigger than most dogs."

"The family all love him and he has a mischievous glint in his eye."

"He really is the real-life Easter bunny, as his birthday is in April and it always falls around Easter."

"There is no secret to growing the world’s biggest rabbit. I treat him really well and indulge him in the odd carrot or 12."

Continental giant rabbits usually live to four or five years, but can last up to seven if well cared for.

They are considered docile, friendly and intelligent, and are relaxed around humans if socialized when young. They were originally bred for their meat and fur.


        The family treat Darius like a dog - and let him sit on the sofa and watch television.



            The rabbit enjoys a stroke on the sofa after hopping around the family home.






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Just Like People, Dogs Can be Allergic to a Wide Range of Things - Does Your Dog Have Allergies?



The most widespread allergy symptom that dogs manifest is scratching. Because constant scratching can result in open sores, raised welts, and even loss of hair, dog owners have to be careful when it comes to feeding and exposing their pets. Dog owners have to educate themselves about the symptoms and treatment options of dog allergy in order to keep their best friend as comfortable as possible.

Understanding the Basics

There are several types of allergies: the airborne, food, flea, and contact. All dogs are prone to one or a combination of these allergies. It usually affects them when they are a couple years of age; though some cases report that even dogs as young as five months have already suffered from it. Dogs that have been affected by allergies frequently suffer all throughout their lives, and the symptoms usually become worse as they age.

Common Allergy Symptoms
You should suspect your dog is having allergies if he relentlessly:

1.     Scratches his ears
2.     Licks or chews his feet or other parts of body
3.     Rubs his face against the floor or furniture
4.     Sneezes or has a runny nose
5.     Vomits or has diarrhea
6.     Coughs or wheezes
7.     Has a rash, pimples, bumps, or open sores
8.     Has a reddish hair discoloration on the paws or between his toes
9.     Has red or watery eyes
10.   Has ear infections

Diagnosing Dog Allergies

Once you suspect your dog is suffering from allergies, you should immediately see your vet. Veterinarians will oftentimes make a preliminary diagnosis as well as treatment plan based on several data. These include the season of the year when the dog manifest the most allergy symptoms, the specific body locations that are found to be the most itchy, and the response of the itches to particular medications such as shampoos, steroids, and antihistamines.

If the initial treatment plan does not offer your dog relief, your vet will likely recommend a more specific allergy testing. This procedure is commonly done either by taking a blood test or by performing intra-dermal skin testing. The blood tests are reliable for airborne allergy detection, but not as good when it comes to identifying food or contact allergies. Skin tests, nonetheless, are considered to be more accurate as it involves shaving a small patch of hair on the dog’s side, and then injecting a minimal amount of allergens underneath his skin.

Just like people, dogs can be allergic to a wide range of things like pollen and grasses, certain foods, even cats! Working closely with your vet to diagnose an allergy and treat it will make your dog much more comfortable.

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Friday, August 24, 2018

This Giraffe Is The Best Wedding Photobomber Anyone Could Hope For


After Tristan Burns and Luke Karshagen said their vows on Saturday, their photographer suggested they take their wedding party to a nearby picturesque park for great lighting and a beautiful backdrop.

That much is typical for any wedding photo scenario. But this couple got an extra scenic addition to their shoot at Areena Riverside Resort near East London, South Africa: a curious giraffe named Abby.

“Areena always has wildlife roaming around, but I really wasn’t expecting Abby to pop his head among the trees,” Burns tells Yahoo. “Honestly, I was a little worried at first. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt, nor did I know the nature of Abby. He just popped his head out of the trees. He must have heard us and just came waltzing into our party.”

Photographer Stephanie Norman has shot at Areena before, but this was the first time her subjects had ever been photobombed by a giraffe. While the wedding party was all rather startled by the enormous creature — even in South Africa, this is rather unusual — he soon put them at ease.

To read more on this story, click here: This Giraffe Is The Best Wedding Photobomber Anyone Could Hope For
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