Aunt Kit Pet Nanny

The rosy boa (Charina spp.) is considered one of the best snakes for beginners because they are so calm as well as attractive. The boa’s native range is in the American Southwest region, into the Baja and Sonoran Mexico. In the U.S. they are found in California and Arizona, as well as the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. They also populate some coastal areas in California. They like talus or rock slopes, alluvial fans, boulder piles and in desert sage scrube or chaparral habitat areas.

Rosy boas have a variety of colors: albino, cream-colored with chocolate stripes, and steel gray with orangey stripes. The most popular are the albinos that are white with orange stripes. The most common is the steel gray with dark orangey stripes.

Captive bred boas are best pets. They can live as long as 20 years. On average the rosy boa will never attain a total length of  4 feet, with the most common length being 2 to 3 feet at most.

Further, the wild species are in decline and on several endangered species lists. Leaving the wild populations alone will help rebuild the natural populations.

Handling the snake should be done with care. Any snake that feels threatened will either bite or squeeze. Generally rosy boas do not bite but the potential is always there. Never pickup the snake within 48 hours of it eating because handling may cause the snake to regurgitate its meal.

The right way to start is to touch the snake about mid-body to let the snake know you are there and not a predator. After this initial touch, gently scoop it up in one hand and support the rest of the body with the other.  Handle it up to an hour.

Rosy boas are nocturnal. They are presumed to eat small snakes, nestling birds, amphibians and small mammals. In captivity, feed them only thawed frozen mice of appropriate size. Babies get pinkies, juveniles get hoppers and adults eat full-sized mice.

It is a good idea to move your pet into a separate container for feeding time. It can be a bucket with air holes, a bowl also with air holes, whatever is the right size for your snake. Holes should be about 1/2-inch in diameter. Many people feed their snake at night, placing it in the bucket first and then putting the thawed food in using tongs.

Here in Colorado the temperature gets colder than 80 degrees on most days. The most typical boa container is a 20 gallon fish tank. In Colorado add an under-tank heater or use a ceramic heater. The under-tank heater raises the tank’s temperature about 10 degrees above the ambient temperature of the room. Cooler locations consider using a ceramic heater.

Source: Reptiles USA, 2011 Annual, “A Classic Snake for beginners,” by J.F. Taylor (pg 51 – 55)

I’ve seen lots of information about cat and kitten diet and nutrition. Unlike dogs, cats nutrition needs are much different because of their natural prey.

Cats are obligate carnivores. Their diets should consist mostly of meat protien like poultry, beef, rabbit, venison and fish. Other diet boosters are eggs and cottage cheese.

Veterinarians have varying advice. Some recommend raw food only or canned and dry kibble food. Some people think homemade food is better. And still others think cats need herbs and supplements.

Dry kibble is processed and contains starch and protein mixed. The outcome is not enough protein in the dry kibble to satisfy a cat’s protein needs. Kittens require twice as much protein as puppies. Even grain-free kibble contains too much starch. If you prefer dry kibble, look for a high protein-to-carbohydrate ratio. Many vets recommend supplementing with canned cat food. By the way, always have fresh water available with kibble because it is very low in moisture content. Supplement with cottage cheese, scrambled eggs and lightly cooked meat.

There are many homemade recipes that are just too high in grains, cereals or vegetables, which displace the essential protiens a cat needs. Most cat fanciers discourage using homemade recipes.

Raw food is missing many cat and kitten nutritional requirements. If you give your pet raw food, it must be fresh as possible. Never leave it out longer than 10 or 15 minutes. You should include supplements to make up for missing essential vitamins and minerals, such as taurine. For example, taurine is absolutely necessary and it’s found in rodents, such as mice. Since rodents are not part of your pet’s diet, your pet needs a supplement for this missing amino acid. Also, kittens often cannot handle a homemade raw diet and may develop digestive problems. Keep in mind, even if your cat is not ill, it can shed salmonella in its feces for up to a week.

I’ve often seen my cats eating grass in the yard. Bad news because you will probably be introducing parasite eggs into your pet’s body by allowing them to eat lawn grass. Instead, I either grow or purchase cat-friendly grasses. Wheat grass by Pet Greens Live Pet Grass (Green Nutrition) is one of my cat’s favorite grasses. (Moolah takes over the container!) I give it to them periodically through the year, especially during spring when they are shedding their coat. My cats consider grass a treat.

Cats.com

Have you had trouble with your cats and kittens raiding your indoor plants? This is often because they are not getting enough water or moisture in their diet.

Some people give their cats herbs in a holistic approach. This practice is dangerous because cats have trouble digesting some herbs. For instance, meadowsweet contains salicylic acids, which causes trouble breathing, kidney failure and possibly death. Do your research before offering your cat herbs. Herbs for Pets: The natural way to enhance your pet’s life, by Mary Wulff-Tilford and Greg Tilford (2009, Bow Tie Press) is recommended by Cat Fancy magazine, along with these research web sites: http://www.herbalgram.org/, http://www.herbs.org/, http://www.vbma.org/, and http://www.nasc.cc/.

There are quite a few sources used in the development of this article:

Cat Fancy, “Natural Cat” Department by Lisa Hanks, pg 21, May 2011 issue
Kittens USA, “Guide to the Well-Fed Kitten,” by Janiss Garza, pg 56, 2012 Annual edition
Santa Barbara Independent, “Is my cat eating correctly?,”  by Dr. David Edward Brooks, Feb 2007, http://tiny.cc/qdkp7

Attack stance

I love birds and sometimes I frighten them by being too fast and forward with them. I know lots of people put themselves in a position to be bitten by not knowing a little bit about bird body language and when to back off.  In Parrot Forum article, “Reading your Parrot’s Body Language,” http://tiny.cc/8g69i, the author describes a variety of bird body language in detail. I recommend new  bird owners take a look at the site for a more comprehensive review of bird body language.

Generally, birds fluff their feathers to make themselves look larger. They may have their beak slightly open and wings raised. Note the African Gray’s attack stance with the wings up and the feathers raised. Often the legs and feet are in a wide stance. The eyes may be pinned. Some birds may also fan their tail feathers.  Should your bird present these characteristics, back off!

Raised feathers, pinned eyes

If you are holding your bird and he puffs up, turn your bird away from the offending situation to avoid being bitten. Also, handling your bird, be careful if you want to pass the bird over to another person. Often the bird will not like it and ‘bite the arm that holds him.’

Some birds may not look like they will bite. Be careful because they may feel their territory is being invaded. For cockatoos, they may look at the offending person or arm and await their opportunity to bite. They have excellent timing and catch the person off guard. Theywill retreat, fluff their feathers, and scream and make rocking motions to show they got you. The best way to avoid these bites is to keep your territorial bird in their cage when there are visitors in your home. Advise your visitors – no fingers in the cage!

If you bring a new bird into your home, you should follow a quarantine protocol. Aside from the pests and disease potential, we also want to introduce the new bird to your established birds slowly. Do this by bringing one or two established birds into the quarantine room to live with the new bird a few weeks. This allows your birds to become familiar with the new bird and protect your other birds from catching pests or disease. You will be able to quickly tell if there are territorial issues and begin to address the issues.

Overall, the best way to avoid biting is to learn your bird’s body language. Know what does the tilt of the head, fluffing of feathers or a leg up mean. Be respectful of your birds and protect them from situations that will cause them to bite.

Source: Avoid the Bite, BirdsUSA, 2011, pp38-42

I went over dog park etiquette and one of the big factors is dog aggression. I love this poster I found at http://lovemypitbull.wordpress.com/, “Top Myths about Dog Aggression.” There are lots of reasons dogs are aggressive and this is a great list to consider.

Frankly, dogs are  pack animals and they assert dominance to protect or defend what is theirs.  Another factor is breeding. Some dogs are bred to be aggressive. For instance terriers are bred to hunt rats, moles, and so on. When their natural prey is not available, the dog may be aggressive at other things or people. Then, there are people who train their dogs to be aggressive.  Let’s talk about dog aggression in general though. The finer details are for later.

So, what does aggression look like? Note, aggressive dogs give threat! They give signs like curling lips, barring teeth, body shaking, growling, snapping, or biting.  The dog may growl, but they growl when they play, so it is important to see the other signs, too. IF you see aggressive signs, back away from the dog and remain calm. Be aware, punishment can only make your pet’s aggression worse.  The dog will not respond the way you want it to.

 A playful dog usually has the tail wagging, seems to be smiling at you, and is intent on playing. The dog may play bow, with his rump in the air, tail wagging and head down. Playful growls or excited barking are common with the play bow.

Aggression is a serious problem and is something you will need help to solve. A single bite can mean a great deal of trouble that can be easily avoided! Also, pay attention to the situations that provoke aggressive behavior in your dog  and avoid putting the dog in those situations.

You may want to take your dog to the vet to eliminate any concerns of aggression caused by pain or health issues.  Next, you will want to find a behaviorist. Look for one that is up to date. A behaviorists that recommends alpha rolls, holding the dog on its back, etc., probably is not current on better techniques.

Colorado Springs has quite a few dog trainers & behaviorists. There are at least 10, possibly more. A list of local trainers can be found at http://www.petacularusa.com/.

I want to acknowledge additional info I summarized here from Kim Campbell Thornton’s book, Simple Solutions, Aggression (2003), A Dogfancy book, Bowtie Press available at local pet stores. I recommend this book along with other books written by Ms. Thronton.

Many people in El Paso County and Colorado Springs take their dogs to the dog parks. There are several parks:

Fenced Dog Parks:

Bear Creek Dog Park, 21st St. and Rio Grande, Colorado Springs
Cheyenne Meadows Park, Canoe Creek and Charmwood, Colorado Springs
Devon’s Dog Park, Greenland Open Space, Monument
Rampart Park, 8270 Lexington Dr. and Union, Colorado Springs

Off-Leash Areas:

Garden of the Gods, 3130 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs
Palmer Park, 3650 Maizeland Rd., Colorado Springs
Red Rock Canyon Open Space, High Street, Colorado Springs

Rules

1. Guardians must be present within fenced enclosures and is responsible and liable for behavior of the dog at all times.
2. Guardian is responsible for cleaning up & disposing of dog waste
3. Dogs must be currently vaccinated & display city and county license
4. Guardians must have in their possession a leash for each dog
5. Aggressive animals are prohibited
6. Guardian is responsible for obeying all park rules

Etiquette in Fenced Dog Parks (Greet, then meet!)

1. We recommend that puppies under four months old NOT use the dog park because they have not yet received their full inoculations to protect them from parvo-virus and other diseases
2. Please be sensible in supervising your children. If there are dogs present which are unknown to you, consider changing your plans
3. Female dogs in season can be the cause of dog fights and aggressive behavior. Please leave your female dog at home while she is in heat.
4. Aggression in dogs can increase when they are leashed, especially when encountered by off-leash dogs. Evaluate your dogs prior to going to the park to ensure they are well socialized to be off leash.
5. Do not bring more than four dogs to the park. More than four is beyond the handler’s control to ensure a safe and happy experience for everyone. Consider how many dogs are using the dog park before you go inside the fence. Consider adjusting your schedule if you have multiple dogs so that other visitors are not overwhelmed.
6. The double gate is provided for your dog’s safety. Please make sure you close the first gate entirely before opening the second gate so the dog is in a safe enclosure during transition from leash to off-leash.
7. Dogs differ in their tolerance of other dogs playing with their toys or food. Please look around and coordinate with other visitors to make sure that a thrown toy does not start a fight.
8. Minimize loud noises – either dogs parking or humans shouting – so that the dog park does not disrupt others.
9. Be considerate of other visitors’ needs and concerns. People may be using the fenced are to train their dogs as well as play with them. Dogs may also be older, fragile or sick.

Thanks to Pikes Peak Veterinary Clinic for this info. Contact them at 718-475-1747

I’ve gone into plenty of homes and it is a little disconcerting to see things that are out on tables and counters that are hazardous and even deadly to your pet. So, to help my friends take care of their petkids, I thought an article about household hazards is in order. Below is a list of common foods, products, and holiday items that should be kept away from your pets.

Acorns, alcohol, alertness tablets, American Holly, Antifreeze, avocados, caffeinated foods (like chocolate) and drinks, candles, Christmas cactus, Christmas tree perservative, Christmas tinsel or ribbons (cause obstructions), electrical cords, furniture/refinishing products, glass ornaments (can cause internal lacerations if swallowed), grapes and raisins, hair peroxides and nail polish remover, human cough/cold/flu medications, ice melts, liquid potpourris, macademia nuts, mistletoe, mushrooms, pantyhose (cause intestinal blockage) poinsettia, and yeast dough.

If any of the preceeding are ingested or you suspect poisoning, contact your local veterinarian, emergency animal clinic or 24-hour emergency hotline such as:

Animal Emergency Care Center, 5520 N. Nevada Ave, Suite 150, (719) 260-7141 or 3775 Airport Road (719) 578-9300

Banfield Emergency & Crtical Pet Care, 5956 Stetson Hills Blvd, (719) 473-0482

Monument Animal Urgent Care, 1024 W. Baptist Rd, (719) 487-9093

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, 1-888-426-4435 or

National Animal Poison Control Center, 1-800-548-2423

Have the following information on-hand when you call: poison you believe your pet ingested, time since exposure, breed, age, sex, weight, symptoms your pet is exhibiting.

Guinea pigs are lots of fun and not just for kids! Guinea pigs (also called Cavy or Cavies) are excellent pets for adults. You don’t have to worry about your pet being alone for too many hours because guinea pigs should live with at least one cavy companion. No walking required, and the cavies are nappers. This means they can be alert and ready to play at any time of the day.  Vegans may find guinea pigs a great pet, too. The cavy diet is also vegan.

Generally, the guinea pig’s diet should consist of good-quality guinea pig pellets (not seeds) in a heavy bowl and lots of fresh hay daily in a hayrack. Most cavies do best using a water bottle, and it should be cleaned daily. They also require fresh green vegetables daily. Avoid giving your cavy corn, onions, leeks, wheat, dairy, meat, sugar, mushrooms, iceberg lettuce, seeds, or nuts.

Occasionally provide a small bit of fresh fruit or carrot. Guinea pigs do not make their own Vitamin C and must have it in their diet, either fresh or with supplements (like Oasis Vita-drops). Lack of Vitamin C can be deadly.

Never use straw. The hard stems can cause eye and foot injuries and it is not edible. INSTEAD use hay. Make hay available at all times. The best for adult cavies is timothy hay or orchard grass. Alfalfa hay for pregnant or young cavies.

The Guinea Pig owner has lots of fun with their pets! There are six ways to have fun: guinea pig contests, ‘pignics,’ online forums, cavy shows, virtual events and volunteering.  There are lots of website resources: http://www.guinealynx.info/, http://www.cavyspirit.com/, http://www.guineapigcages.com/, http://www.petfinder.com/, http://www.cavymadness.com/, and http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/guineapigexpert

 Source: CRITTTERS USA 2011,”Guinea Pigs aren’t just for Kids, “Joanne Colangelo (pp 41-49), Mar 2011, SmallAnimalChannel.com

  I don’t know how many times my son’s pet Iguana bit me, but let me tell you it was not a good experience! The tempermental little beauty was quite the terror sometimes.  The bacteria in the bite often caused havoc for me and was difficult to heal. Additionally, my birds would try to yank a finger once in awhile, not to mention my young female hamster when she wanted to nest outside of her cage. So, I thought a recent article in the Baltimore Sun would be helpful to all pet owners.

Animal bites are serious and are discussed at length in a Baltimore Sun article, How to treat minor animal bites, scratches, by Dr. Tanveer Giaibi of Northwest Hospital  http://tiny.cc/u8wm0 (March 2011). Here is a summary of the article.

Animal bites are common and frequently affect skin, bones and joints. About 90 percent of bites are caused by dogs, followed by cats and rodents, respectively. The most frequently bitten are young children. They are frequently bitten on the face or neck, and older children on their arms. The common concern is rabies, followed by injuries and permanent disabilities. Overall, the worse places to be bitten are face, neck and hands.

If bitten, clean the wound carefully and you should watch for signs of infection, such as reddening, swelling and pus discharge. Pain moving your joints near the bite are also a warning sign of infection and swelling.  Use cold compress on the swelling and see your doctor immediately.

Visit your doctor if the bite has broken the skin. People with weak immune systems due to illnesses like diabetes, liver disease, cancer and HIV should seek immediate treatment.  Treatment is generally with antibiotics. Interestingly, cat bites cause more infections and should be treated quickly when signs of infection appear. Of course, there is the dreaded rabies vaccination process if you are infected with rabies.

Dr. Giaibi also talks about other treatments as well as  cat scratch fever symptoms.

Stay tuned. Next first aid article will be on reptile bites.

Each community has rules and the same is true with pets. While much of the county is under the control of pre-related ordinances, there are areas of unincorporated El Paso County where no pet ordinances apply. To find out if you live in an unincorporated area of the county call Animal Control at (719) 473-1741. 

IF you live in an area where pet ordinances apply, your pet ownership is subject to the following laws:

Maximum Number of Pets Allowed

Residents of Colorado Springs and El Paso County can own a maximum of four adult dogs and four adult cats. Under this law, an ‘adult’ is considered to be a dog or cat at least four months old.

Types of Pets Allowed

Exotic pets such as lions, monkeys, certain types of reptiles and many other animals are prohibited in Colorado Springs and El Paso County. Potbellied pigs are permitted in Colorado Springs with a special license. Roosters are not allowed within the city limits of Colorado Springs. Other than potbellied pigs, animals with hooves are not permitted within the city limits of Colorado Springs. Call Animal Control at (719) 473-1741 if you are not sure whether your home is within the city limits or if you are unsure of the type of pet you are considering is legal.

Pets in Cars

Leaving pets in cars is discouraged because cars quickly heat to life-threatening temperatures, even on a temperate day. If you see a pet that appears to be in distress, call Animal Control immediately at (719) 473-1741.

Consider using Aunt Kit Pet Nanny to watch your pet or check your pet on those occasions when you may be tempted to bring your pet along for several hours. Drop in rates are reasonable and will cost you less than fines and going to the Human Society to retrieve your pet.

For more information on  local dog ordinances visit www.hsppr.org