Epiphysitis, also known as equine rickets, is a condition of the bones that occurs in horses and is recognized by a slight lameness in the animal. It usually affects the longer bones, occurring when joints, such as the knee joint, become enlarged. While there are several theories as to where this comes from, the most respected one is that it is caused by the overfeeding of young horses. When a young horse is fed on a high plane of nutrition, or a high caloric diet, its metabolism becomes unbalanced, sometimes causing growth issues like rickets on the small body. In short, their bones grow too large or too quickly for the rest of their body. It is most commonly seen in Welsh Cobs and fillies that are preparing for an exhibition or show, and generally doesn’t affect every type of horse. Symptoms and Types
Pain in the joints
Swelling in the joints
Knee joint problems (e.g., knuckling of the knee joint, slight lameness)
Knuckling of the fetlock (or the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints)
Abnormal contraction of flexor tendon (allowing the flexing of the joints)
Abnormal contraction of cannon tendon (between the fetlock and the knee joints)
Causes Horses on a high plane of nutrition, whether they be preparing for an athletic event or show, are more susceptible to rickets. Mineral and hormonal imbalances, especially brought on by overfeeding, can also lead to this condition. Diagnosis In order to diagnose epiphysitis, your veterinarian will probably need a great deal of information about your horse, including its medical history and nutritional information. What your horse has been fed is vital in determining the diagnosis. Treatment Most cases of rickets are treated with ease. Since the condition is based almost entirely on dietary imbalance, it is important to establish a nutritional plan with your veterinarian that will allow the horse's body to heal and grow in proportionately. This new diet should balance minerals and vitamins respectively, while lowering the caloric intake of the animal. Prevention Proper nutrition and a well-balanced diet recommended by your veterinarian should prevent rickets in your young foals.
Sheep, being multi-purpose animals, have always been a part of many cultures. Recently a breed of sheep dubbed the “world’s cutest sheep” has been taking the world by storm, and it’s not hard to see why. The Valais Blacknose sheep are unbelievably cute. Their snow-white shaggy fleece is soft and incredibly fluffy. Their faces and hocks are black and their eyes are hidden under stringy wool. The breed is native to the Valais region in Switzerland, hence the name. The animals live high up in the snow-capped mountains and graze in the alpine meadows on wild herbs. Due to their physiology, the breed is not suited for every country. Within the past decade, the Valais Blacknose has been imported into the United Kingdom and Scotland, where its popularity began to soar. Sally and Lindsay Strathdee, breeders from New Zealand, fell instantly in love with the animals after seeing a picture of them on the internet, according to Newshub. The couple wanted to import the animal into the country but stringent laws forbade it. However, their business partner, Christine Reed, found a loophole in the law that allowed for embryos and sperm to be imported, so that’s what they did. “We implanted in June 2017 and later in October had the most gorgeous 16 lambs on the ground—9 girls and 7 boys,” Reed told the MailOnline. Today, the Valais Blacknose sheep is growing in demand by breeders and has a burgeoning fanbase. “We have visitors willing to jump off cruise ships and rent cars just so they can see the sheep,” Reed shared. “Some visitors are also wanting to come to New Zealand just to see them and one photo quickly taken on a cell phone in January 2018 has now had 2.3 million views.” The sheep’s appearance is definitely unique, capturing the hearts of anyone who sees it. Not only are they lovely to look at, but the animals have a pleasant nature too. “One of the most wonderful surprises for us though, was that not only were these the cutest sheep in the world, but they had friendly inquisitive natures unlike any other sheep breed, more like your family dog following you around the fields,” Reed said. The breed will be showcased at the New Zealand Cup and Show Week held in Christchurch in November.
Uroplatus phantasticus are one of the smallest species within the genus Uroplatus. Being in the Genus Uroplatus, Phantasticus have evolved to mimic leaves. Their tails have the shape, coloration, veins, notching, and lichen commonly found in their natural environment. Uroplatus phantasticus have evolved to mimic dead or dying plant matter instead of branches and living vegetation. Their unique appearance and size have made them one of the most desired gecko species available. Scientific name : Uroplatus phantasticus Distribution : Madagascar Average Size : 0.12 m (0.4 ft) Life Span : 8 years or more Difficulty : Advanced Housing There is more than one correct way to house your Phantasticus, but there are a few requirements to ensure your geckos’ needs are met. Like other species in the Genus, Phantasticus are predominantly an arboreal species. We suggest using vertical enclosures that still provide adequate substrate exposure. We have had the best success with 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.45 meters (0.9 x 0.9 x 1.5 feet) or 0.45 x 0.45 x 0.6 meters (1.5 x 1.5 x 2 feet) glass enclosures (depending on age/size of the pairs being housed with most being housed in the 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.45 meters). Unlike most others in the Genus, Phantasticus have evolved to mimic dead or dropped leaves instead of branches and live plant matter. For this reason I cannot stress enough how important the development and enrichment in the bottom 1/3 of the enclosure is for this species. There are 3 ways of planting a U. phantasticus enclosure: real, artificial, or a combination of both. Although there isn’t a wrong way, the least preferred is the exclusive use of artificial plants. Artificial plants provide cover and enrichment but they do not help with humidity or air quality within the enclosure. When selecting plants for the enclosure, you have to first determine what is safe and best for the Phantasticus. I have found a combination of Pothos and Ficus to be the best options. These plants are hardy, strong enough to support movement, safe for the geckos, help retain humidity, and are easily obtained. To read more on this story, click here:Meet The Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko
What is an ultimate gecko? A gecko that fascinates the keeper. This gecko is beautiful, a pleasure to keep and has a long life expectancy, one that frequently outlives the family cat or dog. We are in luck. This gecko is within our grasp! Today, we can obtain some really sensational geckos from breeders and pet shops. We can also get captive-bred specimens, so they are healthy to start out with and are used to being in captivity. Wild-caught lizards do not offer these advantages and should be avoided. The ultimate geckos that are great choices for a gecko enthusiast are: The eublepharine (eyelid) geckos: the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) and the African fat-tailed gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) The diplodactyline geckos from New Caledonia: the crested gecko (Rhacodactylus ciliatus), the gargoyle gecko (R. auriculatus), the mossy prehensile-tailed gecko (R. chahoua) and the giant New Caledonian gecko (R. leachianus) From the wide-ranging Gekkonidae family: the Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko); the Madagascar ground gecko (Paroedura picta); and the day geckos from Madagascar, the giant day gecko (Phelsuma grandis) and the beautiful neon day gecko (P. klemmeri). Leopard Gecko Let’s begin our adventure with one of the easiest geckos to keep. The leopard gecko (E. macularius) is the gecko gold standard in herpetoculture, with a long list of reasons why it is an ideal beginner gecko. Many of the basic principles of keeping leopard geckos apply to all of our ultimate geckos, so we will discuss them in detail here. To read more on this story, click here:Which Gecko Species Is Right For You?
Mina Starsiak has been having an awesome year. For those who don’t share in our deep-seated HGTV obsession, Mina is one of the stars of Good Bones, where she flips houses with her mom, Karen Laine. The pair, who refer to themselves as ‘Two Chicks and a Hammer,” have been teasing season four of Good Bones. Mina also recently became a mom herself, welcoming a baby boy named Jack with her husband, Stephen Hawk. Mina is learning what it means to be a mom in the spotlight. She’s been pretty open with sharing her journey throughout pregnancy and her first few months as a new mom. Of course, sharing your life publicly means you’re opening yourself up to criticism, as so many moms have learned in the social media age. Mina recently posted a sweet shot of Jack alongside one of her three dogs, Frank. The sight of the tiny 2-month-old lying with the large-breed dog seems to have upset some of Mina’s followers, but she’s not standing for it. To read more on this story, click here:HGTV Star Defends Putting Her Infant Next To Her Big Dog After Bullies Try To Mommy-Shame Her
Summer is approaching and the flea and tick season is rampant. While you are with your dogs’ either walking, hiking, or at the beach, there is always a chance that they will get bitten by a flea or tick. And ticks can carry a number of illnesses, including Lyme disease which can affect dogs and humans. Lyme disease can cause tiredness, fever and joint pain in your dogs. What is Lyme disease? Lyme disease is an infection that causes arthritis and lameness and is transmitted to dogs (and some cats) through the bite of infected ticks. If it is untreated, Lyme disease in dogs can cause heart, kidney, and neurological problems. Lyme disease is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be spread from animals to humans. Lyme disease can be transmitted if an infected tick from a dog bites a human. Cats can get Lyme Disease but it is very rare and the symptoms are just like those in dogs. Lyme disease is more common in certain areas of the United States, including the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest. Symptoms of Lyme disease Some of the symptoms may not appear for several months after a dog is infected with Lyme disease. And some infected dogs don’t always show the symptoms. The signs of infection can typically include the following: Your dog is very tired and stops exercising, fever, joint pain, loss of appetite, symptoms seem to get better and then re-appear later. To read more on this story, click here:Lyme Disease in Dogs- What You Need to Know!
"Taming" a wild bird may be a flawed word when considering a wild bird as a pet. A better word would be "habituate." Habituating means the bird accepts the presence of humans in such a way that they aren't spooked and fly away when a human is present. Several small songbirds can be habituated easily by placing a bird feeder near your house and filling it with feed. As the birds visit and revisit your feeder, they recognize your human presence as not being a threat. Amazingly, a few of those songbirds can be so habituated that they can be "trained" to take food right out of your hand! But make no mistake, these birds will remain wild. Some of those common songbirds who are willing to become friends to humans include such species as the House Sparrow, the chickadee, the tufted titmouse and the Ruby Throated Hummingbird. Other birds that will come close to humans but probably won't be trusting enough to be hand fed are the Cardinal, the Downey Woodpecker, the American Robin, the Purple and House Finches, the Goldfinch and the White-breasted nuthatch. To read more on this story, click here:Can Wild Birds Be Tamed and Kept As Pets?
Most states in the United States do allow ferrets as pets but some states do have laws prohibiting ferret ownership, so it's best to check with your state and municipality to confirm that you are allowed to keep ferrets in the home. As with other 'exotic' animals (such as snakes) your local laws may be stricter than your state laws and regulations may change, so it's a good idea to obtain up to date information from an animal control board or your local government. States Not Allowing Ferrets California or Busted In California, it is illegal to sell, import, transport or to have ferrets as pets unless you also have a permit from the California Department of Fish and Game. The permits are issued only for medical research and other special circumstances and not for home possession. This statewide ban stems from fears that escaped ferrets could establish wild populations that could upset the delicate balance of the ecosystem in the area. To read more on this story, click here: What States Don't Allow Ferrets?
Annapolis, Maryland - The Maryland Department of Agriculture confirmed on Thursday that a single adult spotted lanternfly has been found on a trap in northeast Cecil County. The invasive species poses a major threat to agricultural industries in the region as they feed on over 70 types of crops such as grapes, hops, apples, peaches, and many others. Originally from Asia, the spotted lanternfly was first seen on U.S. soil back in 2014 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Since then, the MDA has tracked its spread through Pennsylvania to Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey. The MDA will continue to look for spotted lanternfly egg masses through the fall and winter when they can be seen. As cold weather continues to set in, adult lanternflies will begin to die off. When spring comes, each egg mass will produce 30-50 black and white-speckled nymphs. The Maryland Department Of Agriculture asks that anyone who finds a spotted lanternfly, an egg mass, or a nymph, take a picture, put it in a bag, freeze it, and then call (410) 841-5920.
These are 5 of the most common dog grooming mistakes that pet owners make when grooming their pet at home. 1. Lack of training Grooming is simply another aspect of training -- and improper training can create unhappy grooming sessions for everyone involved. If you have a new puppy, it’s important to get them used to brushing, bathing and having their feet, faces and ears handled from day one. Early, grooming is especially important for breeds who will need haircuts throughout their lifetime. For rescues or dogs acquired later in their life, it’s important to approach grooming with a calm manner and lots of praise, making every experience positive, even dogs who are predisposed to having a bad reaction to grooming can be turned around with the right encouragement. Approach a new dog’s grooming in a calm, firm and patient manner, and include lots of positive reinforcement like praise and treats for the dog’s calm cooperative behavior. If you aren't able to be calm and anxiety-free when teaching your pet about grooming, you should continue to use a professional groomer until you get used to it. 2. Long hair + water = mats A common problem that groomers deal frequently is matted fur in longer-haired dogs, but the cause of the mats isn’t always obvious to owners. Most pet owners don’t know that when a dog with long or thick fur gets wet, they have a higher likelihood of getting painfully tight tangles and mats. Brushing as much dead or tangled hair out of the coat before a bath, swim or walk in the rain or snow is recommended. A quick brush to check for tangles before getting wet can prevent a lot of uncomfortable brushing or a shave later on. Always do a quick brush after the dog has dried off, just to make sure any dead hair loosened up by the water comes out. If mats are discovered during a bath, use a conditioner and a comb to loosen them as much as possible, and blow drying will help break the tangles apart. 3. Incomplete grooming Be thorough, many owners concentrate their brushing efforts on their dog’s back, missing other areas that need grooming just as much. It’s important not to forget about those trickier areas like faces, ears, tails, bellies, bums and legs when grooming at home. For shorter-haired dogs, it’s still important to brush all areas to promote healthy skin, oil production and fur growth. Your groomer can tell you which at-home tools are best for your pet, as different coats need different brushes and tools. A part of a thorough groom includes checking the inside of ears and mouths. Ask your vet or groomer what the most appropriate cleaning schedule is for your dog. Expensive and painful dental and ear issues can be easily prevented with regular maintenance. 4. Creating bad grooming habits through improper play It seems cute when your pet snaps frantically at the garden hose, shakes her head when you blow on her ears or plays chase with the hair dryer or vacuum, but this type of teasing can make grooming really difficult for you, or your groomer, and scary for your pet. A professional groom involves equipment that vibrates, shakes, sprays, and blows air at the dog. You need to make sure that they’re not teaching the dog to bite or run when a groomer turns a tool on. According to the professional groomer, “playing shake a paw, or gently grabbing their tails, jowls or ears while giving lots of praise,” makes grooming safer, as the dog won’t overreact to being touched in those areas. 5. Make grooming a year-round priority When the weather starts to get colder, owners understandably want to make sure that their dog has enough fur to keep them warm, but neglecting grooming actually does more harm than good when it comes to protecting that insulating coat. When grooming is neglected for cooler months, matting often occurs before the weather warms up in springtime. The only cure for that kind of severe matting is a short shave, the exact opposite of what dogs and owners want in the middle of winter. Regular maintenance throughout cold wet, months can prevent a bald dog in February. Regular maintenance and appropriate training seem to be the keys to grooming success.
Every sane human being loves dogs. If you enjoy photography and scenic beauty along with dogs at the same time, Czechia based photographer Honza Řeháček is the one for you. He loves travelling and makes sure his dog Sitka is part of his beautiful photography. He pets Sitka in every photo to show his love for photography and his dog. To see these awesome pictures, click here:Photographer Takes Photos of Him Petting His Dog at The Most Stunning Places on Earth
Life can be pretty stressful, so it's important to find time to relax. You could start meditating, enter a yoga class or soak in a warm bath - that is, if you're totally basic. If you're feeling more adventurous, you could try out the latest wellness trend, and pay $300 to cuddle cows. I know this sounds udderly ridiculous. (Sorry). However, animal-assisted therapy has proven effective, and grown in popularity. Science says that animals provide a sense of comfort and improve your emotional well-being. When you bond with your pet, you develop a sense of trust and self-worth. Therapy animals are often prescribed for people suffering from mental illnesses, like depression, schizophrenia and addiction. Sure, dogs and cats are the most common therapy animals, but why not cows? The Mountain Horse Farm is located in upstate New York, and offers customers a "Horse & Cow Experience." In the session, you spend quality time with horses or cows. You can pet them, cuddle them, watch them graze and even go through an obstacle course. The sessions last ninety minutes and are attended by two professionals, a licensed counselor and an equine specialist. The sessions cost $300 for up to two people and $395 for up to four people. To read more on this story, click here:'Cow Cuddling' is the New Wellness Trend for People That Want to Relax
I had no idea my older cat would hiss when my little one got back from the vet. It's called feline non-recognition aggression and here's what to do. Of all the potential problems I worried about when it came time for my kitten’s spay surgery, bringing her home to my older cat never even crossed my mind. Ever since Specter was a wee kitten, she and Ghost Cat have behaved like peanut butter and jelly — they stick together. Ghost Cat even lets the little one pretend to nurse on her. That’s why I was so surprised by what happened when my husband brought Specter home from her spay surgery last week. I had expected Ghosty to greet Specter with open paws and loving licks, but instead I heard the kind of hissing sound Ghost Cat hadn’t made since the first day she met Specter. It was like suddenly Ghost Cat didn’t even recognize her little buddy — because, I guess, she didn’t. After a little Googling I learned that what Ghosty experienced is called “feline non-recognition aggression,” and it can make the best of kitty friends turn on each other. Feline non-recognition aggression isn’t uncommon and happens when one cat in a household comes home from the vet. It makes sense when you look at it from the aggressive cat’s point of view. Their buddy smells different, acts different, and maybe even looks a little different. They don’t know who this imposter is, and so they feel like they need to defend their territory. Knowing what I know now, there is plenty I would do differently after bringing Specter home from her spay. Going forward as a cat mom, I plan to use the following tips whenever one of my kitties is returning home from the vet. To read more on this story, click here: Feline Non-Recognition Aggression: 4 Tips for Reintroducing Your Cats After One Returns From the Vet
At the ASPCA, we encourage all pet parents to spay/neuter their pets. There are so many benefits associated with these procedures, but many pet parents may not be aware that it can be dangerous to not spay their pets until it’s almost too late. One day last spring, Sandra R. noticed that her eight-year-old cat, Petra, wasn’t eating. Her belly distended, she vomited and was lethargic—far from her normal self. Sandra decided to bring Petra to the ASPCA Animal Hospital (AAH). Petra was suffering from a pyometra, an infection of the uterus that that can be fatal in cats and dogs. Pyometra usually occurs in older females, with about 25 percent of them suffering from pyometra before the age of 10. Radiographs showed Petra’s distended belly containing a greatly enlarged uterus filled with pus. Once removed by Dr. Maren Krafchik, the uterus weighed almost three lbs.—a third of Petra’s total weight. Fortunately, Petra has since made a full recovery. Dogs are equally susceptible to pyometra infection. Gershon C., a retired sanitation worker who lives in Queens, took notice when his 10-year-old Rottweiler, Princess, had not eaten for several days and was drinking water excessively. He brought her to the ASPCA, where veterinarian Dr. Marisa Altieri suspected a pyometra. Her diagnosis was spot on, and an ultrasound showed that Princess’s uterus had ruptured in two places. Dr. Altieri set about surgery immediately, removing the uterus, which weighed 20 lbs. To read more on this story, click here:Unspayed Pets Susceptible to Potentially Fatal Infections, Massive Swelling
Epiphysitis, also known as equine rickets, is a condition of the bones that occurs in horses and is recognized by a slight lameness in the animal. It usually affects the longer bones, occurring when joints, such as the knee joint, become enlarged. While there are several theories as to where this comes from, the most respected one is that it is caused by the overfeeding of young horses.
