Critter Capers

Dog v Deer

2010-04-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

Pic of the Day: Red-breasted Robin

2010-04-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Another songbird I wish we had over here! :)

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Pic of the Day: Incoming!

2010-04-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

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Pic of the Day: Fox in the Snow

2010-04-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

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Pic of the Day: European Blue Tit Mouse

2010-04-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

These are my favorite little birds! I with we had them over here. They are related to chickadees (which are my favorite of the North American songbirds)

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Miracle Elephant Calf Turns 1

2010-04-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

Pic of the Day: Snow Leopard

2010-04-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

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Nature up Close

2010-04-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

How fun would this be?!

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Pic of the Day: Young Red Fox

2010-04-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

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Sacramento Zoo Sumatran Tiger Cub Check Up

2010-04-13T11:59:00.002-05:00

Pic of the Day: Handsome Fox

2010-04-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

Pic of the Day: Hummer Feeding

2010-04-05T07:29:00.000-05:00

Easter-phant

2010-04-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Picture of the Day: I'll Get It!

2010-03-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

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Feral Cats

2010-03-27T06:00:00.001-05:00

As an avid conservationist, I am very interested in the protection of our natural places and wildlife species. One of the biggest threats to our wildlife is the feral cat population. Hardy, wily, and efficient hunters, the domesticated cat could easily be considered the most destructive and invasive of the non-native species that threaten our wildlife. Here is an article from Rhode Island where there is current debate on what to do about them:

It is heartening to see the recent interest in the feline and canine populations in Rhode Island. We are faced with many discouraging problems as we become more exposed to growing animal populations that have been losing their usual environments. Aside from our dogs and cats, deer, geese, vultures, coyotes and other populations of animal species sharing our environment have become pressing problems, with very little being done by the state to address them. We often provide forage for these populations with our lawns and golf courses. The loss of a predator population has exacerbated this.

State Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr. has stated that he is withdrawing legislation regarding the feral-cat population because he “is starting to get some calls and complaints.” He also apparently will withdraw a “handful of other animal-related bills.” He goes on to state that he “can’t be chasing around feral cats when I’ve got people out of work.”

Yes, jobs, the economy and the state budget are certainly priorities.

But so is our public health and welfare. They can’t be put on a back burner, Senator. The feral cats are a definite health menace to people and their domestic pets. There are numerous diseases transmissible to man and other animals from feral cats. They also endanger our wildlife balance: It is well documented that cats take a heavy toll of our wild-bird population and other desirable species.

Veterinarians are very familiar with the sadness of having to destroy stray cats that are severely injured or mutilated by cars or other traumas. Our domestic-cat owners are urged to keep pets out of harm’s way by keeping them indoors. The rising coyote population in the state has been cited in urging owners not to let their beloved cats and small dogs roam. The American Veterinary Medical Association urges cat owners to keep their pets indoors.

Some reports indicate that the population of feral cats may be rising as irresponsible cat owners release their cats into the community when they can no longer afford to feed and maintain them. The studies of publicly supported spay and neuter clinics indicate that there is a drop initially in the feral population when the clinics comes on line, but in a short time, the population rises to its prior level. The checks and balances that occur in our wild populations of animals seem to account for many of the phenomena that we see in our feral-cat and -dog populations.

Emotional outbursts decrying measures to address this dangerous situation as “inhumane and outrageous” are not helpful or productive. That there is no rabies epidemic in our state is not comforting, since we know that there is an almost constant number of rabies cases in our state that threatens to expand into a much more dangerous problem.

A discussion of the problem of feral cats would really be helpful. A bill, such as proposed by our state veterinarian, Scott Marshall, should have the opportunity to be heard. But comparing the bill to a “Final Solution” lends little to rational discussion and will not contribute to any solution.

There are many concerns about importing dogs or other animals into Rhode Island without proper health and other safeguards. Knowing the environment where these animals originate can flag a potential hazard. These animals may not have been vaccinated or checked for the multitude of diseases that could threaten both the human and other animal populations. Even if examined and found to be without symptoms of disease, they may be in the incubation period of a disease, and a quarantine of such animals should be considered. State and federal regulations limit the importation of animals, but they are clearly inadequate, and some have loopholes that should be closed.

These issues should be considered in future legislation. The Department of Environmental Management’s recommendations need to be taken seriously. We should also confront other species with problems, indigenous to Rhode Island or not. Dr. Marshall’s call to form a working group is an excellent starting point.

Stan Fellenbaum, DVM, is a veterinarian in Narragansett.

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Pythons in the Everglades

2010-03-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

Florida's naturally and consistently warm climate allows for many species to thrive in the wild, even non-native ones. This causes a huge problem for local wildlife as people unable to care for their pets (especially large reptiles) turn them loose to fend for themselves. Of particular concern is the now thriving population of burmese pythons that inhabit the Everglades, a huge and constant threat to all of the wildlife that relies on that fragile habitat. These snakes can get so big that they have been documented to eat alligators!

Due to unseasonably cold weather over the winter, however, it is estimated that up to 90% of the these huge snakes may have died (though that was only documented from a total of 10 of these large snakes that are tracked with radio transmitters as a way to study them). There is fierce debate about ways to further decrease the population of these snakes, ranging from bans on owning them in the state to having a "snake hunting season."

Read more here.

Pic for Today: Sparrowhawk

2010-03-25T08:55:00.000-05:00

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Combat dogs take to the skies for secret missions in Afghanistan

2010-03-25T08:08:00.000-05:00

(Article Link)

Two members of the Austrian special forces join Nato’s Operation Cold Response, one of Europe’s biggest military exercises, in Narvik, Norway.

Dropping from 10,000ft, they glide in order to land unnoticed. The dogs often carry cameras and are trained to attack anyone carrying a weapon.
“Dogs don’t perceive height difference, so that doesn’t worry them. They’re more likely to be bothered by the roar of the engines, but once we’re on the way down, that doesn’t matter and they just enjoy the view,” said the dog handler. “It’s something he does a lot. He has a much cooler head than most recruits.”
Commandos from 14 countries, including British special forces and Royal Marines, took part in the Nato exercise. The use of dogs in High Altitude High Opening missions was pioneered by America’s Delta Force, which trained the animals to breathe through oxygen masks during the jump.
The SAS has adapted similar techniques and, according to special forces sources, bought a number of American-trained dogs for use in Iraq and Afghanistan. The dogs used by the British are fitted with a head camera, allowing special forces to see inside insurgent compounds, and Kevlar body armour.
As well as reconnaissance, the animals are trained to attack anyone carrying a weapon, although it is claimed that they will not attack those who are unarmed.
Two SAS dogs are reported to have died on raids in Iraq. Thor and Scotty were killed in 2008 when British special forces waged a successful campaign to destroy al-Qaeda’s bombing networks in Baghdad. Both animals are remembered on a stone memorial at the SAS headquarters in Hereford.

Underwater Cat

2010-03-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

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So Near, Yet So Far

2010-03-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

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Checking the Menu

2010-03-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

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Swan and Cygnet

2010-03-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

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Hedgehog Pic

2010-03-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

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Tortoise Hatchlings

2010-03-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

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Owl Dive

2010-03-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Lion King

2010-03-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Another Meerkat!

2010-03-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

This time at the UK's Paradise Wildlife Park.

Rock Hopper Penguin Chick

2010-03-16T06:00:00.003-05:00

A nice video from the St. Louis Zoo about a rockhopper penguin chick.

War Dog Wins Medal for Bravery

2010-03-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

Article Link

The heroic nine-year-old black labrador twice averted catastrophe by seeking out rigged devices with his handler Sergeant Dave Heyhoe.

And today loyal Treo — who is now retired — was handed the highest honour for a military dog, the Dickin Medal, by animal charity PDSA.

Friends ... Treo with handler Sergeant Dave Heyhoe

Devoted Treo saw frontline action patrolling with soldiers in Sangin, Afghanistan, in 2008 — dashing into danger with his super-sensitive nose to sniff out deadly devices.

And his handler hailed the four-legged bomb detector at the special ceremony at the Imperial War Museum, London.

Sgt Heyhoe said: "Treo's work involves searching for arms and explosives out on the ground to the forefront of the troops.

"What we're trying to do is make sure there are no death-dealing agents out there to make sure there is no harm to the troops behind us.

"It's very important. We are part and parcel of the search element. We're not the ultimate answer but we are an aid to search.

"Another aid would be the metal detector - but Treo is a four-legged variety."

Treo and his handler have now returned to their former base 104 Military Working Dogs Support Unit, in North Luffenham, Rutland.

Sgt Heyhoe added: "Treo and I have been working together for the last five years.

"We started our time together in Northern Ireland, then moved to North Luffenham, where we then went out to Afghanistan in 2008."

On August 15 2008, Treo found a deadly "daisy chain" of IEDs that had been hidden at the side of a path.

And the gallant mut repeated the feat just one month later — saving more troops from death or injury.

Treo started his career at the Defence Animal Centre, based in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, when he was a year old.

He did 12 weeks training before going to Northern Ireland, where he worked for three years with his first handler before Sgt Heyhoe took over.

Doting Sgt Heyhoe said: "Basically, me and the dog have got to get a rapport. We've got to understand each other and without that we can't be effective on the ground.

"He must know when I want him to go somewhere to search, that's where he goes.

"Everyone will say that he is just a military working dog - yes, he is, but he is also a very good friend of mine. We look after each other."

Treo is the 63rd animal to receive the Dickin Medal — introduced by animal charity PDSA founder Maria Dickin in 1943 to honour the work of animals in war — and the 27th dog to receive the honour.

Since its introduction it has also been presented to 32 Second World War messenger pigeons, three horses and one cat.

Sgt Heyhoe said the praise was symbolic for all dogs and their handlers working in warzones.

Major Chris Ham, officer commanding the Canine Division at the Defence Animal Centre, said dogs were playing an increasingly important role, particularly in Afghanistan.

He said: "It's being recognised more and more in this day and age that the key capability the armed explosives dog does have lies particularly in finding IEDs.

"They give a unique contribution to the troops on the ground searching for these devices on a daily basis.

"This medal is a unique honour for all of our dog handlers, particularly all the military working dogs and their handlers that are serving in Afghanistan."

Elephant Antics

2010-03-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Now almost seven months old, the Taronga Zoo's animated little elephant calf, Luk Chai, is growing up to be more than a handful. Thanks to keeper Bobby Jo Vial, we have these wonderful photos of Luk Chai taken a few months back. (article link)

Cute Baby Meerkat

2010-03-13T06:00:00.004-06:00

This adorable pair can be seen at the San Diego Park Zoo.

New Pet Choices?

2010-03-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

Goats and chickens are all the rage right now as pets to have, especially in suburban areas. Many areas are looking at changing their regulations to allow these animals.

"Looking for a pet that can live in your urban yard, answers to its name, wears a leash for strolls — and might produce milk you can drink or turn into cheese?

Meet the miniature goat.

That's the case goat fans are making to city officials across the USA. Hillsboro, Ore., held three community meetings this year, including one last week, to ask residents whether goats and chickens should be added to a list of acceptable pets. City spokeswoman Barbara Simon says views run "more pro than con."

The Carbondale, Ill., Planning Commission was debating this month whether to allow residents to keep chickens when Priscilla Pimentel, a member of the city's Sustainability Commission, added goats to the mix.

"If you can have a 250-pound dog in town, why not a miniature goat that can produce milk?" she says. "It's just common sense." The Planning Commission hasn't made a recommendation yet." full article here

Pets Contribute to Good Health!

2010-03-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

Pet Power! Good Animal Companions Enhance Human Health

Iolanda Celikkol knows the power of a good pet.

The Toronto-based 45-year-old suffers from osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, and she says were it not for her dog Rayne, a two-year-old Labrador retriever-Great Pyrenees mix, she likely wouldn't get out of her home during the day.

"Without my four-legged friend, I wouldn't do anything," she says. "She makes me more social, and she makes me more active."

A new study is finding many tangible physiological benefits to pet ownership.

Conducted by Erika Friedmann, a professor and human-animal interaction expert at the University of Maryland, the study followed Baltimore-area cat and dog owners over 50 years suffering from mild hypertension to determine the effect pets have on blood pressure levels.

Throughout Friedmann's study, pet owners were tracked every 20 minutes of their waking hours on three different days over a three-month period using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The participants also recorded how often their pets were with them.

After analysing her preliminary data, Friedmann says her findings are showing that pet owners had lower blood pressure when their pets were present in a variety of situations.

A recent report by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada revealing that high blood pressure and obesity have risen dramatically, especially among younger people, suggests more Canadians might benefit from a four-legged friend.

Friedmann has also conducted studies that found people of all ages experience reduced stress responses in mildly stressful situations when in the presence of a pet. For instance, her subjects felt more comfortable engaging in small talk when a friendly animal was present.

"The presence of a pet can moderate these responses and, if repeated over time, that has the potential to slow the development and the progression of hypertension (high blood pressure)."
Alan Beck, director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University in Indiana, calls pets a positive distraction.

He says they are stimulating enough to hold our attention without being stressful.
"We're in the present (with a pet), and we can't worry about the past or the future -- so much of anxiety is the mind worrying about the past or the future."

Friedmann agrees, explaining a pet forces people to focus on something outside of themselves and their problems, even if only for a short time.

Having a furry companion around can also motivate people to exercise and increase fitness levels.
Rebecca Johnson, director of the Research Center for Human Animal Interaction at the University of Missouri, has been studying community residents of all ages who walk shelter dogs once a week, for the past four years.

Johnson found that if they participated in weekly walks, volunteers also increased their physical activity outside of the dog-walking program and felt motivated to think more about their personal fitness.
In a separate study, Johnson looked at residents from retirement facilities who walked shelter dogs five days a week for 12 weeks and compared them with other retirees who walked with human companions.
The study found the dog-walking group gradually increased their speed by 28 per cent, whereas the human walking group increased their speed by only four per cent.

In addition, the dog-walking group grew more enthusiastic and more motivated, requesting an earlier start so they could beat the heat and provide their dogs with longer walks.

The human group, in contrast, often discouraged each other from walking and complained about such factors as the heat, says Johnson.

"There are physical benefits if you make a commitment to your dog. You just have to realize animals need to be walked and reinforcement from the animals and exercise feels good."

Celikkol, whose physical limitations prevent her from working, is able to walk her dog and enjoy social interaction with Rayne at her local dog park.

She says owning a dog helps her relax, gives her a sense of security and makes her happier overall.
"She (Rayne) picks up my spirits. You know how you can depend on a family?" In the same way, she says,
"you can depend on a dog."

Tickle Time!

2010-03-10T09:46:00.000-06:00

This young gorilla is being raised by a surrogate mother after being abandoned by his biological mother at the San Francisco Zoo. Following are some more pictures of these great apes and how amazingly human they are in their interaction with their babies.

Animals and Lawyers

2010-03-05T06:00:00.000-06:00

Another interesting article regarding whether animals need lawyers can be found here.

"If enough Swiss citizens check the "yes" box in a referendum to be held this Sunday, cats, chickens and pigs across Switzerland will be entitled to state-appointed legal representation.

The Swiss Animal Protection (STS) league, which gathered the 100,000 signatures required for the referendum to be held, hopes that appointing attorneys to represent animals in court will lead people to take infringements upon animal rights and animal abuse more seriously.

The canton (or state) of Zurich appointed the first animal-welfare attorney in 1992. But the model for the current initiative is Antoine Goetschel, a Zurich-based lawyer who was appointed to the position in 2007. In this function, Goetschel acts much like a public prosecutor, representing the state's interests in animal-welfare cases. Over the last three years, he has worked on wide array of cases, ranging from the one about the woman with 149 cats to the bizarre incident of the fish that a fisherman kept dangling on the line for too long.
Not everyone backs the plan. Farmers, hunters and pet breeders have voiced their opposition to the idea, believing it will result in more legislation and stricter rules, and some opponents have even launched a campaign called "No to the Useless Animal Lawyers.""

Doggie Dental Disease

2010-03-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

To those of you who own small breed dogs, it will come as no surprise to you that they are very susceptible to dental disease. A recent study found the following breeds as being the top 10 when it can to tooth problems:

Toy Poodle
Yorkshire Terrier
Maltese
Pomeranian
Shetland Sheepdog
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Papillion
Standard Poodle
Dachshund
Havanese

All dogs should have their teeth checked regularly to make sure there are no problems. If you have any of the above breeds, plan on having a dental cleaning yearly, if not twice a year!! And, even then, your dog may lose teeth.

Animal Abuser List

2010-03-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

There is a national effort to create a list on animal abusers, according to this article.

"A nationwide campaign is under way to create mandatory state registries for convicted animal abusers, modeled after those in place for convicted sex offenders. The first such legislation may soon pass in California.

On Feb. 22, California state Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, introduced a bill to create a publicly accessible registry for animal abusers. The legislation, Senate Bill 1277, would be the first in the nation, if it passes.

Anyone convicted of felony animal abuse could be tracked in a state database, which would serve to alert communities of the abuser in their midst and allow animal control officers to, for example, check if a convicted hoarder is taking on animals again. It would also allow animal shelters to perform background checks on potential adopters."

The Large Animal Vet Problem

2010-03-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

The Carolinas, like many states, are suffering from a shortage of large animal veterinarians.

Full article here.

North Carolina’s pork, poultry and livestock industries could face major challenges in coming years as the number of food animal veterinarians dwindles and a shortage looms.

Veterinarians are needed to care for and oversee food animals to ensure they remain healthy before being taken to the slaughterhouse. But fewer students nationally are going into food animal care, opting instead to go into companion animal practices.

North Carolina officials say there is not yet a shortage of vets within the Tar Heel State, but there are currently 18 counties with more than 25,000 food animals per veterinarian.

State vet cites euthanasia to cut feral cat numbers

2010-03-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

Full article here.

One outraged animal-rights advocate is calling it the “Final Solution” for feral felines.

But Rhode Island’s top veterinarian says that efforts to reduce the state’s population of wild cats have fallen short, and that euthanasia may be the answer.

“I’m not a cat hater. I’m a vet. I’m cat lover,” said state veterinarian Scott Marshall. “I just don’t see another solution to it. The solutions we have tried are ineffective.”

Marshall says feral cats are a health risk to humans and other animals because of the diseases they potentially spread, including parasites, feline HIV and rabies, which has been detected in a few cats in the past few years. He has proposed requiring animal-control officers to impound “roaming and feral cats” and mandating that animal shelters accept them and put them to death.

Dennis Tabella, director of Defenders of Animals, calls the idea “inhumane and outrageous” and says that “no cat, domestic or feral, that spends time outdoors, will be safe.”

Sea Otter Pup

2010-02-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

Here is some video of an adorable otter pup at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Red Panda Born

2010-02-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

There may be no cuter animal than the Red Panda, and a new one was born at the Wellington Zoo in New Zealand!

Vicious Dogs in Veteriary Settings

2010-02-26T06:00:00.001-06:00

This week, the internet became inflamed from the story of a dachshund named "Spork." According to this article, Spork bit a veterinary technician and now faces "euthanasia or kenneling." He even has a Facebook page. The veterinarian is being defamed as incompetent and uncaring, and Spork and his owners are being portrayed as innocent victims of circumstance.

Sadly, even without knowing the particulars, it is very clear to me that this story has been misconstrued and blown out of proportion by the media. I don't know the veterinarian involved, but I definately sympathize with her. I'll list the inconsistencies and the problems that the media (and, apparently, the general public) do not understand.

1. First, it is important to realize that, if an animal bites anyone in a veterinary clinic, the practice owner is liable. Though slightly different in different states, this fact is widely understood in the veterinary community and precautions are made to minimize the risks. Even an owner that walks into the waiting room and is bit or scratched by their own pet can hold the vet liable, as inane as that sounds. It is for that reason that most veterinary clinics enforce rules such as making sure all animals are properly leashed or confined in a carrier at all times, and that only the hospital staff is allowed to hold any animals for treatment, even if it is something simple. The veterinary staff is trained in ways to safely restrain animals to minimize the risk of injury to any humans or pets around, and workman's comp insurance will cover injuries to staff but not to a client. Even with precautions, occasionally someone will get injured.

2. Secondly, most communities require the reporting of any animal-related injuries, especially if the person bit seeks medical treatment. I do not know how severely this tech was bitten, but many animal bites require copious flushing plus antibiotics if not stitches and the like. The report is made to the local animal control or whatever the local authority is that monitors such things. Then, depending on the community, several routes are taken. For example, in my community, if a dog bites someone, they need to be quarantined for rabies (more on that later) for a period of time, even if they have a recent vaccination. If an animal bites three people causing injury, he may be deemed "vicious" by the city and potentially face euthanasia. Though I am having difficulty wading through the gobs of hype related to this issue and finding out exactly what the regulations in this community are, I have a feeling the vet did as she was supposed to do in reporting the incident and it is the city's business what the next step is.

3. Thirdly, a word or two about rabies...The biggest fear whenever an animal bites someone is the spread of rabies. Though it is very rare now due to good vaccination protocols, rabies is still around. Rabies is always (for all intents and purposes) fatal and hugely difficult to test for. The only was you can test for rabies is with brain tissue...so, it is always a post mortem diagnosis.

However, for all of its difficulties, rabies follows a fairly predictable course. When an animal is bit, the virus is transmitted via the saliva into the blood and nerve cells of the animal. It then travels via nerve sheaths to the brain. Distance does matter...an animal bit on the face will develop rabies faster than an animal bit on it's hind leg due to the proximity to the brain. The virus must enter the brain and multiply before it is then shed in the saliva. So, for an animal to transmit rabies, it must be present in the brain first.

For this reason, in most cases, animals that bite someone are put in a 10-day quarantine (at home or in a veterinary clinic, depending on the community and the situation). The reason for this is, if an animal bites you and is shedding rabies at that time, it will be dead or showing signs of rabies within 10 days. The only other way to test for rabies it by sampling the brain so if the animal cannot be quarantined for some reason, they may be euthanized. This is important because, if a person is bitten by a rabid animal, treatment must be started (which is both painful and expensive) ASAP or the bitten person risks contracting the disease.

4. Any dog can bite...and will! No matter the size or breed of the dog, there are circumstances that will trigger even the nicest dog to feel threatened and, if they cannot flee they will fight. Circumstances are everything!!! Small dogs can bite just as easily as big dogs, but the difference is that big dogs are much more likely to cause serious injury. In my experience, smaller dogs can be harder to restrain than some bigger dogs, so sometimes the risk of biting is greater when dealing with small dogs. Dachshunds are especially tricky because they can be a "bitey" breed (related to their history as being bred as hunters of aggressive badgers), and their anatomy puts their very long nose very near you, especially if you are trying to do something like take a blood sample from their jugular vein or placing an IV catheter in their front leg.

There is a substantial difference between a "normal" dog bite and a bite from a dog that can truly be deemed a "vicious" dog. My own dachshund bit me once. I had him at the clinic for something and it was slow appointment-wise, so I decided to practice performing an abdominal ultrasound on him. He was terrified and I could see it, but I ignored it. Abdominal ultrasound is uncomfortable, but not painful, so I figured he could handle it. Since I ignored his signs, he escalated his behavior and bit my hand. It was nowhere near a serious bite, and I think he and I were equally as surprised. However, it was completely (1) predictable and therefore preventable, and (2) controlled and appropriate to the situation. Those two points are what make that bite "acceptable" versus the unacceptable bite of a truly vicious dog.

The bottom-line of this story is that we do not have all the facts. There are clearly extenuating circumstances in Spork's case that are not being adequately aired and recognized. Spork would not be facing euthanasia for biting one person once unless there is some very serious issue the we don't know about.

Antiobiotic Use in Agriculture

2010-02-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

A veterinarian's perspective on the issue: (link)

By Alyn M. McClure, DVM with Herd Health Management, LP

Recently, CBS News producers created a special report on the use of antibiotics in livestock production. The piece, reported by Evening News anchor Katie Couric, is not a factual representation of the scientific, safe and careful use of antibiotics in animal agriculture.

My lifetime of experience in animal agriculture makes their report seem to me biased and misleading. My parents who migrated from family farms in Oregon raised us in a small Southern California community with chickens and rabbits for meat and eggs. I worked my way through high school and college on farms and fruit orchards, a 12,000 head beef feedlot, and a university owned dairy and milk processing plant. Professionally I have worked for 36 years with dairies, feedlots, cattle and sheep ranchers in 12 states in the U.S. and in Mexico.

Without exception I have found these owners and managers to be very concerned about the ethical treatment and welfare of their animals including the responsible use of antibiotics. They have been interested in scientific and applied research, and have worked diligently to improve every aspect of herd health and implement management programs to prevent disease and minimize the need for the use of antibiotics.

Last week I was leaning against a fence post on a third-generation family dairy farm in Arizona pondering how I might respond to the CBS report since I’d gotten word they’d be airing a story on the subject. While I was reflecting, I was watching cows returning from the milking parlor playfully loping back to their pen and rapidly placing their heads side by side through the self-locking stanchions to eat. They were voraciously consuming a well-balanced total mixed ration of locally grown forages, processed grains and agricultural by-products. They had just been calmly milked by caring professional milkers using state-of-the art milking equipment. These cows walk to and from their pen twice a day on dry, padded concrete walkways to be milked. They are bedded on clean, dry and comfortable bedding in open dry lots and under shades that protect them from the elements in the winter and cool them with water spray and fans in the summer. This family has implemented many technologies to now efficiently and humanely manage thousands of milk cows better than when they started with 40 cows years ago. These cows have never been fed antibiotics, and are only treated with antibiotics when needed to cure or prevent a bacterial infection to prevent pain, suffering and death, to enable these cows to achieve their potential to feed us and a starving world with safe, wholesome, and affordable food. That is how less than 1% of the U.S. population is involved in agriculture and can provide for the other 99% and have surplus to export to developing nations.

How are antibiotics used in animal agriculture? Besides treatment of an individual sick animal, after every possible effort has been made to successfully manage genetics, housing, environment, nutrition, feeding, vaccination and other herd or flock health practices, antibiotics may be used in feed or water to treat, control or prevent disease and to promote growth and feed efficiency. This use has been proven to improve animal health and welfare (less disease and mortality), improve growth and feed conversion (reduces bad bacteria; promotes good bacteria), and improve food safety.

I welcome open dialogue and evaluation of our agricultural production practices. It can only make us better. I do ask the evaluation to be scientific and objective, and the reporting to avoid sensationalism, hyperbole, and misleading statements aimed at inflaming opinion. The CBS News report is extremely critical of the use of antibiotics in agriculture, repeating the oft-stated but unsupported assertion that there is an alarming rise in the incidence of antibiotic resistant bacteria among farm animals. I have not recognized this as a problem in 36 years of dairy practice. Surveillance data regarding bacterial isolates from cattle by the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System does not support their claim either.

Opponents of antibiotic use in food animals claim that we don’t need antibacterials to produce meat and eggs, that their use has lead to a significant increase in antibiotic resistant bacterial infections in humans, and that their use reduces the effectiveness of human medicines. In 1999, the Heidelberg Appeal Nederland Foundation, renowned for its unbiased scientific research, conducted a study on the effect of antibiotics used for growth promotion in food animals, and concluded that there was no conclusive evidence that their use contributed to human disease or compromised the efficacy of related antibiotics in human medicine.

After growth promoting antibiotics were legislatively banned in food animals in Denmark in 1999 in an attempt to protect public health from antibiotic resistance, there has been no reduction in the incidence of antibiotic-resistant hospital isolates in humans. In some cases resistance has increased and the incidence of some types of infections in humans has also increased. Unfortunately, disease and mortality have increased among animals, producing adverse animal welfare conditions. As a result, to treat the higher incidence of disease in animals in Denmark, it has been necessary to increase the use of antibiotics for therapeutic treatment in animals. The use of antibiotics in humans has also increased. The increased health costs and labor and the reduction in growth and feed conversion in pigs have resulted in increased production costs of $5.29 per pig.

Some purport that antibacterial-free farming makes food safer. The truth is that antibiotic use in food animals makes them healthier which makes our food safer. Chickens raised without antibiotics are three times more likely to carry bacteria that can make people sick. When the EU phased out certain antibiotic uses there was no discernable improvement in food safety. Food handling and preparation has a much greater impact on food safety. In the U.S., food-borne pathogens decreased by 15 to 49% from 1996 to 2001 following the implementation of the new FSIS/HACCP (Food Safety Inspection Service/Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) regulations. Proper food handling and cooking prevents human infection by food-borne pathogens.

Some bacteria are naturally resistant to certain antibiotics; others acquire resistance by genetic mutation over time; and some acquire resistance after exposure to an antibiotic used in human medicine or animal production. For a person to have an antibiotic treatment failure due to acquiring a foodborne bacterial disease from eating, for example, pork, the following things would have to happen:

- The antibiotic would be used in the animal

- The animal would have to develop a resistant bacterial strain

- The resistant strain would have to survive through food processing/handling

- The resistant strain would have to survive through food preparation

- The resistant strain would have to transfer to the human

- The resistant strain would have to colonize

- The resistant strain would have to cause a disease

- The antibiotic treatment would have to fail

What is the probability of a person experiencing a treatment failure due to antibiotic use in swine? Here are some risk comparisons:

*Risk Comparison*	*Annual Probability*
Being struck by lightening	1 in 550,000
Dying from a bee sting	1 in 6 million
Dying from a dog bite	1 in 18 million
Acquiring resistant campylobacter from macrolide-treated swine resulting in treatment failure	<1 in 53 million
Acquiring resistant E. faecium from macrolide-treated swine resulting in treatment failure	<1 in 21 billion

It’s easy for me to say that antibiotic resistant bacteria are not a problem when I haven’t personally experienced such an infection, but that’s meaningless to a person who has. It’s like trying to console a person who has been unable to find work for six months by informing them that the national unemployment rate is only 10%. In fact, while competing in high school athletics my daughter got a nasty skin infection on her leg caused by antibiotic resistant staphylococcal bacteria (MRSA). A few months later my wife got a lip infection caused by the same type of bacteria. These infections did not come from animal agriculture nor did the antibiotic resistance. The resistance is real but many scientists believe the primary cause is misuse (over prescribing) of antibiotics in human medicine and/or failure of patients to complete the prescribed regimen.

Antibiotic use in animal agriculture is by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian using antibiotics approved by the FDA, having passed its stringent testing requirements for efficacy and safety (for animals, our food and the environment). All major industry associations have established prudent drug usage guidelines: the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, American Association of Avian Pathologists, National Chicken Council, National Pork Board, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and others. These guidelines and FDA oversight insure that antibiotic use in food animals will protect animal health and welfare leading to production of safe, affordable and abundant food, critical to our U.S. food security.

Maintaining the health of

U.S.

herds and flocks requires agriculture producers and their veterinarians to have all approved safe and effective technologies, including animal health products, available to us. It would be a tragedy for misconceptions, misrepresentations or non-science based political agendas to deprive us of any valuable tools for preventing animal disease without substantial evidence of a benefit to human health.

Wild Pigs in the Dakotas

2010-02-24T06:00:00.001-06:00

Feral swine population growth is a problem that many states face. Here is an article about the issue from North Dakota: link for source

An animal estimated to cause $800 million damage in the U.S. annually first appeared in North Dakota in 2007 and state animal officials are strongly urging the public to report all sightings. After feral swine moved into the state, the Legislature passed a bill last session, in 2009, to regulate the animal.

“We’ve had a few situations that have come up recently in which individuals saw wild pigs on their property, or on property they were hunting, yet did not report it to the BOAH (Board of Animal Health),” said Greg Link, assistant chief of wildlife for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. “There will be serious consequences if feral pigs establish a permanent population in the state.”

Ryan Powers, wildlife disease biologist for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services, said there have been reports of feral swine across the state, including Billings, Rolette, Sheridan and Nelson counties as well as in the Turtle Mountains.

During hunting season last fall, sightings of feral swine in the Badlands were reported, NDGF Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Dan Grove said, adding they were later thought to have been escaped domestic pigs.
But, their presence leaves something for concern.

“Anytime that you introduce anything that’s that large and sizeable and destructive into an area that it’s not native to you going to have some major problems,” Grove said.

Officials say the animals can cause complete destruction.

“They’ll pretty much eat anything they come across,” Grove said. “They destroy native habitat. They’ll kill native species. They tear up the native prairie as well as being a potential source of disease for our domestic livestock as well as our wildlife in the state.”

Aside from the damage, disease-related issues are a major concern.

“Feral swine are capable of carrying 30-some different viral and bacterial diseases in addition to parasites and some of those diseases can be passed on to domestic livestock, wildlife, humans, pets … ,” Powers said.
Officials are unclear as to how the animals landed in the state.

“Usually they are escapees,” Grove said. “Sometimes they are released for the purpose of hunting which has actually been banned in the state.”

The newly-passed legislation regulates several aspects concerning feral swine.

It is illegal to possess live feral swine and to hunt or trap the animal.

Powers said while the wild swine existed in southern states for many years, their numbers have gradually increased along with their distribution shifting to the north.

“We don’t want feral swine to become established in North Dakota because of the potential impacts they could cause,” Powers said.

More than 4 million feral swine are estimated to be across the U.S., existing in at least 40 states, Powers said.
“They are probably the most prolific large mammal we have in the U.S.,” Powers said.
--------
And here is an article addressing the issue in South Carolina. These pigs are everywhere! Article Link

Puppy Mill Regulation in Iowa Tightening

2010-02-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

Full Article Here

Iowa is one step closer to tightening regulation of puppy mills, in a bill approved Wednesday by the House.

Iowa would pick up the responsibility to inspect roughly 450 breeders who currently are inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under House File 2280.

Advocates say the bill would save millions of dogs from cruelty at the hands of irresponsible breeders who have little oversight.

Opponents argue that the federal government has failed in its responsibilities and that that failure will cost innocent Iowa operations - such as nonprofit pounds and animal shelters - new $75 fees.

In total, the bill would cost Iowa businesses $335,000 a year, mostly in new license fees. It also would require the state to hire five new inspectors.

"Yes, I love dogs, and yes, I care about whether or not they're getting the proper care, but there needs to be more work put into this bill," said Rep. Dave Heaton, R-Mount Pleasant. "The way it sits right now, I can't support it."

Advocacy groups such as the Iowa Voters for Companion Animals have lobbied for several years to tighten regulation of some Iowa breeding facilities. Documentation in video and public records on the group's Web site show emotional scenes, such as a dog that grew permanently deformed because she lived too long in a small cage.
"We have an epidemic," said Rep. Mark Kuhn, D-Charles City, whose wife rescues dogs from puppy mills. "There's an overpopulation of these animals. If we are concerned about the humane treatment of these animals, it's imperative that we pass this legislation."

A 10-member study committee of Democratic and Republican lawmakers voted unanimously in September to recommend that the 2010 Legislature authorize state inspectors to begin inspecting federally licensed dog breeders when they get complaints.
Committee members said their appeals to U.S. regulators largely are ignored.

The bill passed, 77-22, and heads to the Senate for further consideration.

"Saving one animal will not change the world, but it will change the world for that animal," said Rep. Jim Lykam, D-Davenport, who led discussion on the bill.

Serval Kittens!

2010-02-22T06:55:00.002-06:00

Yet Another Elephant Picture

2010-02-21T06:00:00.003-06:00

You all may be sick of the elephant pictures....but I'm not! Here is an adorable one of the calf mentioned in earlier posts that was born in Australian recently. She almost looks like she is smiling!

New Elephant Calf at San Diego

2010-02-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

There was another elephant calf born, this time an African Elephant at the San Diego Park Zoo. One of the especially neat things about this birth is that the elephant park at San Diego is a very large, naturalistic enclosure. The entire herd of elephants, now numbering 13, was present for the birth as is common in the wild. Also, the herd apparently did some very loud trumpeting after the birth, announcing the new arrival to the world!

You can also view the elephants 24/7 via a live webcam! Click here for the link.

Baby Tamarin Monkeys

2010-02-19T06:00:00.000-06:00

Tamarin monkeys (of which there are many species) are one of the smallest species of primates. These new little babies born at the Antwerp Zoo would easily fit in the palm of your hand!

This one looks a little crabby!

Tiger and Child

2010-02-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

Adorable picture...this here is one of the strongest things that can be said in support of zoos. Zoos and such organizations provide opportunities for us common folk to come up close to some of the most amazing and exotic animals in the world, and to develop an appreciation for them (in a safe environment!). You just have a feeling this little girl will grow up with this as being one of her favorite pictures of her childhood, and tigers being one of her favorite animals.

Takin Calves

2010-02-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

Some adorable Golden Takin calves have been born at the Liberec Zoo in the Czech Republic!

Sasquatch?

2010-02-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

Animals are very adaptive to all sorts of situations. Here, a black bear has adapted very well to life with just 3 legs. And, I have to say, the very human-like quality of her bipedal walking is kinda disturbing!

Ladybug to Ground Control

2010-02-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

....we have a problem!

First American Gorilla Baby of 2010

2010-02-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

The first Lowland Gorilla baby of 2010 was born at the Louisville Zoo! Click here for a link to the zoo's website information about the new arrival!

Wild Cats of Borneo

2010-02-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

Images and video have been captured of some of the rarest wild feline species in Borneo.

Visit this site for pictures

And this site for video

Organizing Tips for the Multicat Household

2010-02-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

Brilliant!

Disney-inspired Salmonella Cases

2010-02-11T06:00:00.002-06:00

Apparently, there has been a spike of Salmonella cases among children that is being blamed on the recent Disney movie, "The Princess and the Frog." A high majority of the cases were in girls under the age of 10.

So, make sure to tell any young kids in your acquaintance that only bad things can come from kissing frogs!

Lawyers for Animals

2010-02-10T06:00:00.000-06:00

This possibility of lawyer representation for animals is on the ballot in Switzerland. (Click here for an article on it) And, that is not a good idea.

Microchip Your Pet

2010-02-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

This article serves as a good reminder to microchip your pet!

Smartest Breeds of Dogs

2010-02-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

It seems like several times a year, people come out with their list of the smartest breeds of dogs. Using results from obedience competitions, this researcher came up with the following list of the top 5:

1. Border Collies

2. Poodles

3. German Shepherds

4. Golden Retrievers

5. Dobermans

The problem with that method, naturally, is that many breeds aren't represented in large numbers in obedience competitions. One thing that is interesting, though, is that labs didn't make the top 5 though they are by far the most popular breed in the US. Sadly, I don't think dachshunds (or any other hound, really) will ever break into breed intelligence lists. ;)

Lucky Hawk! (?)

2010-02-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

A hawk was released to the wild today from a wildlife clinic in California. The hawk had been hit by a car, and had gotten stuck in the car's grill! Amazingly, the bird survived, and the driver was given the honor of officially releasing the bird. Visit this link for a full story plus pictures and video.

Many hawks are killed along roadways. This one was certainly lucky!

Ghost Dog

2010-02-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

Can you find the dog in this picture? If it wasn't for his collar, it would be nearly impossible to see him!

Smiling Dog

2010-02-05T06:00:00.000-06:00

Another Japanese video, this one shows a smiling dog. I know some dogs who do that. We need to get recordings, apparently!

Cat Commercials

2010-02-04T06:00:00.001-06:00

OK, I think these commercials are for an internet search engine? Or a hotel? Or sushi? I'm not sure, but they are kinda funny....

Tiger Populations Plummet

2010-02-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

This may be the Year of the Tiger, but the tiger population is facing a huge crisis. Wild tiger populations in Southeast Asia have all but collapsed, only an estimated 350 remaining. Tigers are threatened by both illegal hunting due to demand for tiger parts in traditional Chinese medicine as well as habitat destruction and fragmentation (the artificial separation of habitats by deforestation and building). The next Year of the Tiger is in 2022, and it could very well be that there are no more wild tigers in Southeast Asia by that time. World tiger populations are also dropping, now numbering at about 3,200, down from an estimated 20,000 in the 1980s. Interestingly, Russian Prime Minister Vladimer Putin himself is going to be hosting a tiger conservation summit in Vladivostak this September.

Tigers, besides being amazing creatures, are a "flagship species." Flagship species are the major, headliner animals that live in particular habitats, and the health of their population gives an indication of the overall health of the ecosystem. Also, flagship species tend to be the large, flashy, popular animals that people are more interested in saving rather than the more "homely" creatures that count on the same ecosystem. By saving flagship species, you save many other species as well.

Tiger conservation certainly is a difficult proposition. Tigers are large, aggressive carnivores that are a threat to the people and livestock that live their habitat. That alone makes locals less concerned about tiger welfare than those of us who don't need to worry about tigers in our own backyards. Also, the long tradition of the use of tiger parts in traditional medicine is ingrained into the culture of the people. Deforestation and habitat loss are difficult problems that we face around the world, not just in Southeast Asia. Significant funding for tiger conservation would need to go into education of the locals in alternative agricultural practices and better access to Western medicine. A national park system such as has been present in the United States would be ideal, but lots of money would be needed to maintain it and keep up patrols for poachers.

Whatever is decided upon, action must be taken quickly. This magnificent creature, and the other animals that live in this habitat, are highly endangered, and may be extinct in the wild within the not-so-distant future.

Groundhog Day

2010-02-02T06:00:00.003-06:00

I thought these would be funnily appropriate today. Here are some trailers for the movie Groundhog Day, remixed to make the movie fit several genres. Some are better than others, but if nothing else, it shows how much music can lend something to the mood of a trailer

First, we have the intense, emotionally charged drama:

Second, the thrilling action movie:

And lastly, (and most believabley) the horror film:

Reposting of clips from this article.

National Geographic Photo Contest 2009

2010-02-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

A bit late in posting, but certainly cool, here are the winners of the 2009 National Geographic Photography Contest. Click on the link to see the winners! The first (elephant-related) is my favorite, of course.

Bats in Crisis

2010-01-31T06:00:00.000-06:00

There is a disease spreading among bats that is wiping out large populations of the only winged mammal. A disease commonly called "white nose" (for the fungus that grows on the nose of some affected bats) is killing them off in large numbers. It is even leading to calls for the government to close all known bat caves to the general public due to fears that cavers are actually spreading the disease.

Loathed by many and downright feared by some, bats are a hugely important part of any ecosystem. Depending on the species, they feed mostly on insects and fruit. Then, of course, there are the few species that eat blood, typically from mammals or birds (again, species dependent). Those that eat insects will consume an astonishing amount. There are an estimated 20 million bats in the Bracken Cave in Texas, and they eat an estimated 200 tons of insects every night! Yes, 200 tons of insects every night!!! Bats are amazing creatures, and certainly need to be saved. For more information, visit Bat Conservation International which currently owns the Bracken Cave and many other bat caves around the country.

Running with your Dog

2010-01-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

Here is an interesting article regarding running with your dog. Though a favorite past-time for some people, there are many who don't find it so enjoyable. Human running is much different from the preferred route by most dogs. Even walking many dogs can be a chore, especially if there are interesting smells of activities going on. And, just like people, dogs need conditioning as well. You can't expect most dogs to be able to keep up on a 3-mile run if they haven't done it before. You also need to pay attention to the weather. If it is hot, dog's easily overheat and damage the pads on their paws. Also, if it is cold, dogs can develop other breathing issues, as well as hurting their paws. The bottom line is, you cannot simply go out for a jog with many dogs unless you train them properly.

Selecting The Winningest Racehorses

2010-01-29T06:00:00.001-06:00

Racehorses have been a popular way to make (and lose) money for centuries. The ability to see talent in a horse with the potential to be the fastest around a track has long been both an art and a science. Well, things at the science end are progressing.

Research is being done in locating the "speed gene," a marker in a horse's genetic makeup that may give a clue into their speed potential. Specifically, researchers have been targetting the myostatin gene, the gene responsible for muscle mass regulation. Now, at the University College of Dublin, you can send a blood sample in and for about $1,400 (a very cheap test considering that many prospective horses that haven't even been raced yet can fetch over $250,000 at auction), determine the muscle-mass genetic makeup of your racehorse prospect. They can even tell you if your horse is best suited to short sprints, the traditional middle distances, or the longer (greater than a 1 1/4 mile) races. (source story)

Clearly, there are many flaws in this test, not the least of which being overall conformation. Focusing on one gene won't guarantee you a winning horse. What if they have the muscle mass potential to run well at 1 1/4 miles, but don't have the bone structure to support it? One of the biggest problems in the Thoroughbred racing industry today is that they have been breeding more for speed and a short career rather than for toughness and sound build.

Personally, I don't see this test as changing the horse racing industry all that dramatically. It may, certainly, but the art of horse racing has a long history. Genetic tests of this sort will likely have their place, and may even help people to more appropriately race their horses at the distances that they, genetically, may do better in. But there will be stories of genetically "sprint" horses doing well at distance and visa versa. I would like to see more emphasis put on soundness and overall conformational health, and I do fear that more focus put on muscle mass may damage the breed rather than help it. Your horse may look great on paper, but if he doesn't have the bones to support it, he'll never win a race. The perfect racehorse is the complete package, and it still takes a lot of art and hope to make that come together.

Endlessly Fascinating Falcons

2010-01-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

I never get tired of watching these amazing birds:

Terror Bird!

2010-01-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

I'm sure in life, this creature was terrifying. Called "Terror Birds," these critters lived about 2 million years ago. They were predatory, flightless birds living on the prehistoric grasslands. Yeah, I think I am glad they are extinct...

Update! Lost Dog Found!! And Home!!!

2010-01-26T18:53:00.000-06:00

Hooray! The lost dog I posted about has been found, and my sister adopted her! She is reportedly very sweet, and starting to settle into her new home. She didn't know hoe to walk down stairs, which is very common in stray dogs. She does well with people and other dogs and, so far, seems housebroken. That's the great thing about adopting adult dogs; many are housebroken, or mostly so, and if they aren't, the smart ones pick it up fast. Apart from a lot of burs and "stink," she is none the worse from her day on the loose. She will be visiting a local vet tomorrow, and the groomer at the end of the week. Now the big challenge is to come up with names!

Great Loss in the Dressage World

2010-01-26T06:00:00.001-06:00

Dressage is the equine sport of performing patterns and maneuvers in an arena. There are set tests that each horse and rider must complete, and they are scored subjectively by judges. One off-shot of this sport is called musical freestyle in which the horse and rider complete a list of required maneuvers, but in an order of their own choosing and set to music.

Yesterday, a sensational mare by the name of Blue Hors Matine was euthanized after tragically breaking her leg while out in a paddock. Here is video of her 2006 World Equestrian Games Freestyle Final, one version of which has been viewed nearly 10 million times on YouTube. I found this video (which is clearer than the YouTube version) on a different site. Ever if you don't know anything about horses, just watch how this mare dances, especially at the end. An absolutely fantastic performance from an amazing mare!

Le Sensationnel ¤ Blue Hors Matine ¤
Uploaded by astre. - Watch funny animal videos.

Missing Dog!

2010-01-25T11:55:00.000-06:00

A departure from my usual blog postings, this one hit home for me. My sister down in the St. Louis area was on the verge of adopting this adorable dog from a local rescue about an hour's drive outside of town. She had been found by a sheriff in an abandoned building. My sister saw a picture of her online, and was immediately taken with her. She very strongly resembles one of our own dogs, Rusty, who was the best dog ever (so we are very partial to the little, red tri mini Australian Shepherd look).Very sadly, as my sister was filling out the paperwork, a door was left open by a kennel worker, and the dog got away. She is very sweet, but scared and now lost. If, by chance, anyone in the St. Louis area reads this blog, please keep a look out for this little dog and contact me via e-mail at mkirkdvm@hotmail.com with any information. Thanks, and here's to hoping she is found! Click here to see a picture of her.

Sea Eagles on the Rise

2010-01-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

The Sea Eagle is making a comeback in Scotland. Viewing the large raptor, which looks something like our North American Bald Eagle, has become a big tourist draw, boosting the economy of the Scottish town of Mull by an estimated £2 pounds and growing. I've always thought that ecotourism such as this is the ideal way for naturalists and capitalists (both of which I consider myself) to see eye-to-eye. If we can make money while saving threatened and endangered species, it is going to be a much more viable project moving forward. Donations can only go so far. And, while we are on the topic, I would encourage you to look for ecotourist opportunities on your next vacation. You'd be surprised the kinds of things that are available even just around your area. Visit your local Department of Natural Resources to see what is going on! (source)

Open Wide

2010-01-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

In case you were ever curious as to what the inside of the mouth of a beluga whale looks like... (source)

Baby Albino Snapping Turtle

2010-01-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

From the Red River Zoo in North Dakota, here is a picture of a baby albino snapping turtle. I'm be hard-pressed to call it cute, but it is interesting. We have a very large adult albino snapper at the local aquarium.

More Pictures of Australia's Asian Elephant Calf

2010-01-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

I absolutely love elephants, so these pictures are hard for me to pass up!

Gorilla Photo Op

2010-01-21T06:00:00.001-06:00

Yet another photo of some photogenic primates posing! These gorillas are at the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden. (source)

Asian Elephant Birth

2010-01-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

At the Melbourne Zoo, they are celebrating thee birth of the first Asian Elephant at the zoo. It is also a milestone since this calf was conceived with artificial insemination. Such reproductive technologies are crucial in keeping the gene pool of threatened and endangered species diverse and healthy, thus keeping the animals so as well! (source)

Orangutans Photo Op

2010-01-19T06:00:00.000-06:00

Here is a neat picture of some orangutans from the Perth Zoo. (photo source) It looks like they are posing for a family picture!

Death Metal Rooster?

2010-01-18T06:00:00.001-06:00

A very strange rooster with a very unique (and annoying!) voice!

Zoo Babies Figuring Things Out

2010-01-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

Following are some utterly adorable videos from the Pittsburgh Zoo as several of their baby animals explore their worlds. Some of the most interesting are the Sea Lion and Beavers. Watching how the parents guide them around the water and help them in and out is a little hard to watch (they seem a bit rough to our sensibilities), but certainly demonstrative of their doting parent behaviors. You can almost translate exactly what that Sea Lion is saying!

The first video is some African Wild Dog pups that were raised by a surrogate domestic dog.

Second is the Sea Lions.

Now some ridiculously adorable baby beavers.

And some River Otters.

Humane Euthanasia in Shelter Situations

2010-01-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

I came across this article which outlines a controversy regarding a shelter in Garland, TX. The shelter uses a gas chamber which uses carbon monoxide to euthanize its surplus and unadoptable animals. The article includes a description of the procedure as witnessed by the reporters. This procedure is currently considered a humane method of euthanasia in the US.

Euthanasia is one of those realities about the animal population problem that many people want to forget or ignore. The plain truth of the matter is that there are too many domesticated dogs, cats and other animals out there who do not have a home. Dogs and cats that roam the streets create a variety of problems, ranging from effects on wildlife to threats to public health and the health of our homed pets due to bites and disease transmission. And I would encourage you to not take the statements from "no kill" shelters at face value. Many of these groups, while well-meaning, publicly defame "kill" shelters as being inhumane and barbaric in an effort to increase their own funding. The truth of the matter is, where there is a "no kill" shelter, there is a conventional shelter nearby that euthanizes animals. No facility in any community is ever large enough or well-funded enough to shelter all of the unwanted pets in their area, particularly since a large number of those pets are not suitable for living in most homes due to behavioral issues.

The controversy comes from the use of such a technique to euthanize animals. Most of us are more familiar with the idea of an intravenous injection of (essentially) an overdose of an anesthetic that is commonly used for this procedure.

From the shelter's perspective, the use of carbon monoxide as opposed to the injection has clear advantages. The euthanasia solution is a controlled substance, requiring special permits to possess and use. The shelter workers that do the injections need special training. From my own personal experience with the procedure, it can be difficult to find usable veins in some animals. And it can be next to impossible to humanely inject the solution intravenously into an aggressive or frightened animal, which many of these dogs and cats obviously are. The carbon monoxide method allows shelters to euthanize in a humane manner without putting personnel at risk for injury and helps minimize the fear and anxiety of the animal. This would be especially useful for feral cats which are always a large number of the adoptable animals in any community and can be next to impossible to catch let alone safely restrain.

I encourage everyone, even if you are not in the market for a new pet, to visit your local shelter. It is a good reminder of our responsibilities as pet owners and members of the community. Many of the animals there are very nice, and don't deserve to be in that situation. They are there because of people irresponsibly breeding (or simply not spaying or neutering their pets) their own animals, and not seeking behavioral counseling when needed. Contribute to your local shelter in whatever way you can, be it in time, money or supplies. And whenever there are controversies risen about something involving how things are done, make sure you have all of the information before making your decision.

Dog Senses Quake

2010-01-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

Here is a video from a surveillance camera moments before the 6.5 magnitude quake that hit California last week. Though not much of a head start, this dog knew something was coming.

Wash Your Hands!

2010-01-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

Today's commonsense tip of the day comes to us from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Apparently, there was a Salmonella outbreak that affected some 31 states that has been linked to handling pet frogs. Some 30% of those polled in connection with the outbreak had cleaned their pet frog's aquarium in the kitchen sink.

Interestingly, this is the first actual report that deals with such a Salmonella outbreak that has been traced to amphibians specifically. The reptile and Salmonella link has been known for awhile, and lead to some ridiculous legislation in order to lessen the risks of children catching Salmonella from turtles. Specifically, it is illegal to sell or distribute turtles with a shell size of less than 4 inches across, because kids are more likely to try to put that sized turtle in their mouth. This legislation ignores the fact that Salmonella and similar organisms are far more likely to be contracted simply from not washing your hands and putting your hands or anything your unwashed hand has touched into your mouth.

It should also be pointed out that, in most cases, reptiles and amphibians are not a good choice for a pet for households with small children or people with weakened immune systems because of the diseases that they commonly carry. Also, contrary to popular belief, it can be harder and more expensive than people realize to properly keep a reptile or amphibian pet, because their needs are so much different and species-specific.

Rinderpest Extinction in 2011?

2010-01-14T06:00:00.001-06:00

Rinderpest, also called "cattle plague," is a devastating disease of cattle that may be eliminated by 2011. Due to a worldwide vaccination effort, the virus has almost been wiped out much as Smallpox has been for the human population. Though Rinderpest can't be contracted by people, the virus has caused massive die-offs of cattle over the centuries, especially in areas of the world already afflicted with famine and hunger.

Bird's Eye View

2010-01-13T06:00:00.004-06:00

Ever wonder what the world looks like to a Golden Eagle? Thanks to my sister for the idea!

How about a Goshawk and a Peregrine Falcon?

White Rhinos, on the other hand

2010-01-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, I posted about white tigers and the misconceptions surrounding them. White rhinos, on the other hand, are a distinct and critically endangered species of rhino, teetering on the brink of extinction primarily from the idea that their horn can be made into medicines. So it was with joy that the Kolmarden Zoo in Sweden announced the birth of a white rhino calf. CLICK HERE for a cute video of the calf.

There are five species of rhinoceros in the world, the White Rhino being the largest of them all. The name of the White Rhino has absolutely nothing to do their their color, instead thought to come from a simple misunderstanding. There are two species of rhino in Africa, and the easiest way to tell them apart is their lip structure. The White Rhino has a wide, square-shaped lip while the Black Rhino his a pointed, triangular upper lip. It is thought that in describing the White Rhino as having a wide lip, someone misheard and "wide" and thought "white," the name sticking. The Black Rhino was again not named for its color, but merely as a name to differentiate it from the White Rhino. To the left is a picture of a Black Rhino so you can see the difference in the lip structure.

White Tigers ≠ Albino Tigers

2010-01-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

I came across this article detailing the birth of several white tiger cubs in Chile. The article incorrectly states that albino tigers are a highly endangered species, and the birth of these cubs is a good thing because of it.

I blogged about white tigers a few years ago here and here, talking about the benefits they bring as well as the problems they represent in a conservation program.

The talking points that are important from this information:

1. These are white tigers, not albino tigers. True albinos would have red eyes (from lack of pigment) and no stripes.

2. White tigers are not a species of tiger, but rather a genetic mutation, and typically cross-bred and inbred to express that mutation.

3. Along with the color mutation, white tigers often display other mutations (again, the result of the limited gene pool that comes from inbreeding to achieve the color) that can affect their health.

4. White tigers bring in more money for conservation than those with the typical black and orange color pattern, so many zoos and conservation groups will keep them as a money-maker, hopefully generating enough funds to offset the cost of maintaining the white tiger as well as several genetically healthier cousins.

With the maintenance of white tigers, I actually feel bad for the general public. In a sense, they are being duped, as that above article perpetuates. They think, by giving money to support these cubs, they are saving an endangered species. Well, I suppose they are, in a round about way, if that money ends up going to support actual Siberian or Bengal or Sumatran or Indochinese or Malayan or South China tigers. Would they give less or more if they knew the truth of the matter? Hard to say, but at least you know and can inform others.

Lazy Sunday

2010-01-10T06:00:00.000-06:00

Yeah....one of those days.

New Exhibition at Kentucky Horse Park

2010-01-09T06:00:00.002-06:00

The Kentucky Horse Park is one of those places I want to go visit (if time and money allow!) sooner rather than later. They have announced a new exhibition that will be displayed there May thru October which will feature the Arabian Horse called A Gift from the Desert: The Art, History, and Culture of the Arabian Horse.

For those of you unfamiliar, the Arabian horse is one of the most ancient of horse breeds, and is the foundation for most of the horse breeds we have today. Even today, the Arabian horse is nearly worshiped in the Middle East, considered honored members of the family of wealthy sheikhs and unarguably treated much better than many people in the world. The horse is valued for its elegance, endurance and speed.

Going down a tangent, many of you may remember perhaps the most famous Arabian to many Americans, Cass Ole, the stallion that starred in the 1979 movie based on Walter Farley's book, "The Black Stallion." That is a movie certainly worth watching if you never have, and rewatching if its been awhile. A large part of the movie is spent with the characters of Alec and "The Black" learning to trust each other after becoming stranded on an uninhabited island. It is a series of some of the most beautiful cinematography featuring a horse you are ever going to see. And, naturally, the book is a must-read for any young reader. There are many books in the Black Stallion series, and they were largely responsible for fostering my own love of reading at an early age.

Photobombing

2010-01-08T06:00:00.001-06:00

A few days ago, I introduced you to the Keyboard Cat (in case you were unaware of that internet phenom and how it started). Today I have another internet lesson for you...the photobomb! It is much easier to describe with a picture than with words (I'm told this image was not manufactured, but even if it is, it is hilarious...and a good photobomb example!):

Someone needs a comb!

2010-01-07T06:00:00.002-06:00

From the Singapore Zoo. (Which, incidentally, has an amazing website.)

There is something on your stomach...

2010-01-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

Yeah, right there! This is a picture of a baby koala born at the San Diego Zoo.

The Declawing Debate

2010-01-05T06:00:00.001-06:00

The procedure of declawing cats is one with impassioned views on both sides of the issue, as this article points out (which provides a fairly reasoned synopsis). For those of you unfamiliar with the procedure or the debate, and why it has relevance to all animal-lovers, not just the cat fanciers, here is the low down:

The Procedure:

Feline declawing (scientifically called onychectomy), is the surgical amputation of the tip of each of the cat's toes. Under a surgical level of anesthesia, the veterinarian removes the tip of each digit at the level of the first knuckle. Pain medication is required (oral and/or injectable) at the time of surgery and for several days thereafter. Many vets (including myself) also inject local anesthetic in the paw in specific points that will provide a "nerve block," completely numbing the paw for several hours to help with pain control. This procedure effectively and permanently removes the cat's claws. The red dashed line to the right shows where the amputation is made. The whole bone attached to the claw (marked as "3" on the diagram) is removed. The procedure is acceptable according to the standards of care recognized by the American Veterinariy Medical Association (the largest veterinary organization in North America) as well as all state veterinary boards (as of right now). Several towns in California have banned the procedure citing animal rights/welfare concerns, and there is movement in other communities to do the same. (picture source)

The Pro-Declaw Side:

So, why would someone want to do this to their cat? Several reasons are typically given:

1. To protect themselves and family members (especially children and elderly people with frail skin) from being scratched. Even nice cats with claws will use them in play, and are very likely to leave scratches on people.

2. To protect furniture and drapes. In order to keep their claws healthy, cats will scratch them on a variety of surfaces. The favored surfaces are those that are vertically situated, and provide good resistance. Couch corners are favorites, especially leather ones. (picture source)

3. To keep cats from climbing. Again, this is a protection issue. Some cats that are able will try to climb everything, including drapes, coat racks, even walls.

4. People do not like trimming cat claws. Cats can be difficult for nail trims, especially if you don't have someone around that can effectively hold the reluctant kitty.

The Anti-Declaw Side:

It is fairly obvious why there are people against this procedure. I'll outline them along with the basic reasons why the veterinary boards still allow the procedure:

1. It is disfiguring. There is no doubt...this procedure is an amputation, and any amputation is disfiguring. However, there are several other somewhat similar procedures such as ear cropping and tail docking that are also currently acceptable procedures.

2. It is painful. Again, it is an amputation. We try to control pain during and after the procedure with injectible, oral and local nerve blocks. And, from my perspective, most of the cats (especially if they are less than 9 months of age at the time of the procedure) seem pretty comfortable when they wake up. Most of them are clearly irritated with the bandages, and struggle to move around. Many veterinarians (including myself) work especially hard to persuade people against the procedure in cats that are older than a year old. By that time, their complete musculature and anatomy has grown and developed accustomed to claws, and the procedure is clearly more painful (and somewhat more difficult) in mature cats. (picture source)

3. It makes cats more aggressive. This argument is often made, citing the observation that - removed of their claws and the natural behaviors that accompany the using and maintenance of those claws - makes declawed cats more likely to bite. Subjectively, I would agree with that. I worry about clawed and declawed cats biting me, but declawed cats seem to be more eager to do so. However, objectively, studies have not supported this observation.

4. It is unnecessary. With providing proper scratching posts and keeping the claws trimmed, most of the issues that people are trying to avoid by declawing their cats can be minimized. Cat claws are much easier to trim than dog claws. Besides proper care, people can use a product called Soft Paws which are caps that can be glued onto cat claws.

The Bottom Line:

From my perspective, I am against animal disfigurement. I am an avid opponent of ear cropping and tail docking in dogs (topics that I will cover at another time). My position as a veterinarian means that I need to be an advocate for animals, and to recommend and perform procedures that are in the animal's best interests. So, it would follow that I would also be as vehemently anti-declawing.

However, I am not against declawing.

In a perfect world, we wouldn't need to declaw cats. In a perfect world, there would be no homeless dogs, cats or other domestic animals. In a perfect world, I would have won the family football pool.

However, it is not a perfect world. The plain truth of the matter is that, without the option of having their cat declawed, many people would not own cats. People do not want to be scratched up, especially people who need to be careful to avoid skin infections. People don't want their furniture and fixtures ruined. There would be a lot more homeless cats. (picture source)

When people ask me if they should get their kitten declawed, I always make sure they have all of the information. I am very straight-forward with people and make it clear that, yes, it is an amputation. Yes, it is painful. The way the procedure is done, and the medications that are used help reduce the discomfort. I've done enough of them to be confident in my technique and how I control that pain. I show people how they can trim their kitten's nails, and recommend scratching posts and Soft Paws where appropriate. Some people decide to have their cat declawed, some don't.

Though it is a procedure I don't necessarily like to do, it is one that I will happily do if it means that a cat has a home.

A Random Ode to Dogs

2010-01-04T06:00:00.002-06:00

Those of us who have dogs can list a variety of reasons why we like them so much. Loyalty, companionship, entertainment, lap-warming...dogs make the best companions. For some people, their dogs even help them with medical issues such as warning them before their blood sugar gets low, before they are going to have a seizure, or even before they are going to have a migraine. Some dogs have even detected cancer or other medical problems in their owners. And then there is this dog who fetched help when her owner had a stroke. They can even make people feel better in the hospital.

Many dogs work for a living alongside their owners, herding cattle and guarding sheep. Many a rancher has stated that their working dog is invaluable to them, that they'd need to hire several more people to do all the jobs that their one working dog happily does. Then there are the people who participate in sports with their dogs, be it hunting, hiking, or jogging. There are even sports made especially for dogs like agility, obedience and rally.

We value our companion dogs for their loyalty, their trust, and their unselfishness. Many attributes that are hard for people to master come naturally to a dog. They don't judge people, don't care about your race or religion. They are forgiving and don't take offense. Our dogs love us despite all of our faults.

Dogs are so much more than man's best friend. They can teach us so much, as long as we are as open to listening as they are. (picture source)

Keyboard Cat

2010-01-03T08:00:00.001-06:00

For those of you who may (or may not have) heard of the keyboard cat, here is an explanation:

Top Pet Names of 2009

2010-01-02T08:00:00.001-06:00

Around this time of year, you are likely to come across several lists of the "Top Baby Names of 2009." What do you think the top pet names were? Well, according to records of the 50,000 (!!!!) animals a Boston hospital saw this year alone, Bella and Max top the list. Interestingly, Max was the top name for both male dogs and male cats. I don't see too many cats named Max. Tiger/Tigger is definitely the tops there. Bella won out for female dogs and Kitty for female cats. Other top male dog names included Bailey, Charlie, Jake and Buddy. Around here, it seems like 9/10 of the dogs with these names are Labs. Bella was also among the top of the female cat list along with Sophie and Lucy, also very popular female dog names. Male cats came in under the old standbys of Oliver, Tigger, and Tiger. (source) (picture source)

I can speak from experience that all of those names are very popular in the Midwest. I'd probably need to add such names as Blizzard and Shadow, especially for cats. Yeah, you can guess what color those critters are! I'd love it if someone had a gray cat named Slush. One of the best cat names I've seen is an orange male cat named "The Todd."

I'd also need to add the name of "Coco" and its many spelling variations for female dogs. Many are Chocolate Labs, but there are a fair number of Shih Tzus and other little, fluffy dogs with that name. And Teddy is also a perennial favorite name for male dogs of all shapes and sizes. Naturally, I have my own idea as to who bears that name the best. (My own "Teddy," a 12-yr-old male Yorkie)