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Hoogland Newsletter  August - 2015
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NEWSLETTER - August 2015
Intestinal Parasites in Exotic Pets

Dr. Lecsi says
 
So we all know that dogs and cats can have worms, and sometimes other types of intestinal parasites too. Most dogs and cats get treated regularly to control worm problems with a simple deworming tablet.  Usually other groups of intestinal parasites are only detected on vet visits by faecal examination, but many people may have had to treat a dog or cat for one of them.

Well, pet birds, reptiles and even small fluffies like chinchillas and rabbits can also have severe internal parasite problems/infestations

Most commonly, just like in dogs, cats and people, these infestations do not display any obvious symptoms, but prevent the pet from getting all it can out of the food it eats and compromises the intestinal health of the patient. Over a period, this can stunt the growth of or kill young, cause the pets’ appearance to be dull or unhealthy, result in illness in times of stress, and can cause lethal intestinal obstructions or diarrhoea.

The most common place where pets will pick up these parasites is wherever they were born, especially when they have lived in close contact with large numbers of other animals of the same species.

Overpopulation is a major underlying factor in the transmission of any parasite. Even if the young are now alone with the mom, the mom, who previously might have been living in a small cage with a couple of other adults, will probably have picked up and can now transfer one or more of these parasites to them. 

Poor hygiene is another serious factor favouring the presence and transmission of parasites. As few as 2 animals living together in a large cage can develop severe parasite issues should the cage not be cleaned regularly using a suitable disinfectant.

You will not necessarily see diarrhoea or any other symptoms of these parasites when acquiring a new pet. These pets should therefore be examined by a vet before being introduced into their new family and home.

A comprehensive panel of tests can be run on a pea sized fresh faecal sample. Tests take 10 minutes in our in house laboratory and the necessary treatment can be dispensed to prevent disaster.
 
Doggy Popsicles

This is a great way to keep those hounds busy for hours, away from your plants and furniture and without all the risks that bones present.
You will be able to alter this recipe depending on your dogs’ size, health issues, taste preferences and what you have on hand at the time. Please remember peanut butter is fattening, so it should be used sparingly and some pets stomachs cannot tolerate it.
 
You will need:
  • A container – for large dogs, a bucket will work well, and for toy breeds, even a paper cup will do. Tupperware, ice trays or even plastic bags will work.
  • Peanut butter
  • Banana – cut into small cubes
  • Dog food – what your dog normally eats
  • Grated apple or carrot
  • Water
There are a few ways to do this:
  • The Frozen Smoothie:
    • Blend the peanut butter, fruit and banana into water (can soften dog pellets and blend in as well) so the water is all equally flavoured and textured, and then freeze.
  • The Frozen Crush:
    • Crush ice and mix ingredients in chunks and slivers into it, then freeze for an hour.
    • Once the ice/yummy stuff is frozen, add cold water to fill the spaces in the container and then freeze that solid.
  • The Fancy Freeze: Freeze the different ingredients in layers.
    • First blend some peanut butter into water – make enough for about ½ the containers’ volume.
    • Add a few dog pellets and some grated carrot or apple.
    • Freeze half of this mix in the container.
    • Blend banana and softened dog pellets into water – make enough for ½ the container.
    • Add half this on top of the frozen mix in the container and then freeze.
    • Then add the rest of the peanut butter mix and freeze, and repeat for the rest of the banana mix.
  • Run some water over the outside of the container to loosen the ice blocks
  • Serve immediately (Advised to serve outdoors – will be messy)
 
Dried Apple Treats

These cheap and simple treats will please your parrots and parrotlets, to charm chinchillas, rabbits and guinea pigs, to motivate your mice, rats and hamsters, and to surprise your sugar gliders.

They are great tidbits to use in foraging toys and to hide around an enclosure to stimulate natural foraging behaviours. 
 

3 - 5 small Delicious apples, cored but not peeled 
3 Tablespoon lemon juice 
2 cup water 
1/4 teaspoon salt

steps
  1. Cut apples into 1/8"(3-4mm) thick blocks/slices (you can vary the size of the piece depending on the size of the pet). 
  2. Combine lemon juice and water. 
  3. Pour over mixture over the apples. 
  4. Stir so all sides of the slices are well coated. 
  5. Drain the slices. 
  6. Lightly sprinkle salt on both sides of apple slices. 
  7. Place apple slices on wire racks that sit on cookie sheets or baking pans (to catch drips.) 
  8. Bake at 90 degree Celcius for 3 1/2 - 4 hr. 
  9. Start watching them after about 3 hr. 
  10. You want them leathery, not crispy. 
  11. Leaving the apples in the oven, turn off oven and leave overnight or about 8 hr to dry. 
  12. Store in Ziploc bags until needed. 
     
PET HUMOR... 
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