animal care : "Respiratory Infections: hamsters can get respiratory infections that can lead to pneumonia. Signs include sneezing, discharge from eyes or nose, wheezing and labored breathing. Occasional sneezing is not too worrisome, but if there is any loss of appetite, decreased activity, wheezing or difficulties breathing, immediate veterinary attention should be sought.
Wet Tail: also called proliferative ileitis and regional enteritis. This is a highly contagious disease, and most common in recently weaned hamsters. The cause is uncertain, but a bacteria called Campylobacter jejuni may be involved, and in some cases the disease is associated with stress, crowding, and diet changes. Affected hamsters may die very quickly, exhibiting signs such as diarrhea (causing wetness around the tail), lethargy, loss of appetite, and ruffled coat. Note: not all hamsters with diarrhea have this disease, see below.
Diarrhea: a number of infections can cause diarrhea (including but not limited to wet tail), along with diet changes and treatment with antibiotics. Over feeding vegetables and other fresh foods is a fairly common cause of diarrhea, but in this case there is usually no loss of appetite or decrease in activity. Dehydration is a real concern, so make sure the hamster is drinking if diarrhea occurs, and a veterinarian should be consulted. With diarrhea, withhold fresh foods for a few days and resume only if the diarrhea is completely resolved, and start back onto fresh foods slowly. "
Sunday, July 8, 2007
animal care |
animal care : "Hamsters are pretty hardy pets, but are so small that injuries and illness can quickly become serious. If you notice any signs of illness in your hamster, you need to see a veterinarian as quickly as possible. Signs to look for include loss of appetite, inactivity, huddling in a corner, ruffled or unkempt coat, sneezing, discharge from the nose or eyes, wheezing, wetness around the tail, and diarrhea. Hair loss can be a symptom of skin disease or parasites, and also warrants a trip to the vet.
If a hamster is ill or injured, keep the hamster warm, and encourage it to take some food or water (by dropper if necessary) until a vet can be seen.
Abscesses: these are pockets of infection, which can form from fairly minor breaks in the skin. Pus accumulates under the skin, sometimes forming a sizable lump (which may sometimes begin draining on its own). Abscesses can form from cuts or scratches on the skin and also in the cheek pouches if abrasive food material causes scratches in the lining. If a hamster continually looks like it has food in packed in its cheek pouches, there may be an abscess or an impacted cheek pouch present. Abscesses require veterinary attention for draining, flushing, and treatment with antibiotics. "
If a hamster is ill or injured, keep the hamster warm, and encourage it to take some food or water (by dropper if necessary) until a vet can be seen.
Abscesses: these are pockets of infection, which can form from fairly minor breaks in the skin. Pus accumulates under the skin, sometimes forming a sizable lump (which may sometimes begin draining on its own). Abscesses can form from cuts or scratches on the skin and also in the cheek pouches if abrasive food material causes scratches in the lining. If a hamster continually looks like it has food in packed in its cheek pouches, there may be an abscess or an impacted cheek pouch present. Abscesses require veterinary attention for draining, flushing, and treatment with antibiotics. "
Saturday, July 7, 2007
animal care |
animal care : " Once they mate, the eggs are fertilized internally. The textured shell protects the developing infant from dehydration. Some species give live birth where the egg is held in the females body until they hatch. Other species lay clutches of eggs. The young emerge from the eggs as miniature adults rather than in a larval stage. They are immediately ready to be on their own!
Also, see each individual lizard for their breeding information!
Availability:
Beginner lizards are generally available and inexpensive. You can buy lizards at a pet store or from a breeder and you can collect lizards where allowed.
Wild caught lizards are seasonal due to their breeding times and can be difficult to adapt to captivity. Captive bred lizards, though more expensive, are generally easier to get. Captive bred lizards are generally healthier than wild caught lizards, they adapt easily to cage conditions, and they are relatively parasite free. "
Also, see each individual lizard for their breeding information!
Availability:
Beginner lizards are generally available and inexpensive. You can buy lizards at a pet store or from a breeder and you can collect lizards where allowed.
Wild caught lizards are seasonal due to their breeding times and can be difficult to adapt to captivity. Captive bred lizards, though more expensive, are generally easier to get. Captive bred lizards are generally healthier than wild caught lizards, they adapt easily to cage conditions, and they are relatively parasite free. "
animal care |
animal care : " Social Behaviors:
Lizards don't need companionship unless you are breeding. They don't get lonely and are not by nature social creatures. Most are territorial, owning their own piece of turf.
Occasionally lizards of the same size that don't fight can be put together, but they see other lizards as competition for food so they are unwelcome. Putting two together causes stress and can keep them from feeding properly.
Separate means better quality care for each lizard and better environmental control.
Breeding and Reproduction:
Sexing lizards can be difficult with many species. This can involve either sexing with a probe or using an internal endoscope, and should be done by a professional. A blood test can also be done but they are not always reliable
There are a few distinctions that may be found during breeding with some lizards that can be used as guidelines.
Males usually have brighter coloration on their heads and more ornamentation.
Males often have larger pores along the legs just above the anus and the edges of the anus are more swollen.
Males may be stimulated by a higher temperature and the scent put off by a female.
Males will show themselves off to interest their mate and often appear to become violent, biting and butting the female. Generally the female is not hurt, though sometimes she can be. "
Lizards don't need companionship unless you are breeding. They don't get lonely and are not by nature social creatures. Most are territorial, owning their own piece of turf.
Occasionally lizards of the same size that don't fight can be put together, but they see other lizards as competition for food so they are unwelcome. Putting two together causes stress and can keep them from feeding properly.
Separate means better quality care for each lizard and better environmental control.
Breeding and Reproduction:
Sexing lizards can be difficult with many species. This can involve either sexing with a probe or using an internal endoscope, and should be done by a professional. A blood test can also be done but they are not always reliable
There are a few distinctions that may be found during breeding with some lizards that can be used as guidelines.
Males usually have brighter coloration on their heads and more ornamentation.
Males often have larger pores along the legs just above the anus and the edges of the anus are more swollen.
Males may be stimulated by a higher temperature and the scent put off by a female.
Males will show themselves off to interest their mate and often appear to become violent, biting and butting the female. Generally the female is not hurt, though sometimes she can be. "
animal care |
animal care : "Heating is essential for lizards.
Below a certain temperature the lizard's body simply does not work. Above a certain temperature their bodies will go out of control. Either extreme will kill a lizard, and each type has its own temperature requirements.
Lizards have a temperature sense controlled by a gland located under a special scale on the top of their head called a 'third eye'. The lizard will move from area to area to regulate itself, this is called 'behavior thermoregulation'.
Diet - Feeding Your Lizard:
Lizards are commonly insectivores with some of the larger species being partially or totally vegetarians. Their digestive systems are designed to eat whole animals for a complete diet.
Good food sources include crickets because they contain very little chitin (the shell or indigestible exoskeleton in insects). Mealworms can be offered occasionally, though they are not as good because they have more chitin than meat. This can eventually block the lizards gut if this is the only food they are offered. Soft larvae foods like waxworms and butterworms, pinkies for larger lizards, and occasionally a good quality, meaty dog or cat foodare also good choices.
Bright green and yellow vegetables and various fruits are good, even offered occasionally to the confirmed insectivore lizard. Iceberg lettuce is not recommended due to its lack of vitamins and food value, only providing mostly liquid and some fiber.
It is very difficult to duplicate a lizards natural diet, so in captivity we need to add vitamin and calcium supplements to prevent deficiencies.
Provide your pet lizard with a bowl of fresh water daily, or water that drips on plant leaves for those who need to lick up dew drops. "
Below a certain temperature the lizard's body simply does not work. Above a certain temperature their bodies will go out of control. Either extreme will kill a lizard, and each type has its own temperature requirements.
Lizards have a temperature sense controlled by a gland located under a special scale on the top of their head called a 'third eye'. The lizard will move from area to area to regulate itself, this is called 'behavior thermoregulation'.
Diet - Feeding Your Lizard:
Lizards are commonly insectivores with some of the larger species being partially or totally vegetarians. Their digestive systems are designed to eat whole animals for a complete diet.
Good food sources include crickets because they contain very little chitin (the shell or indigestible exoskeleton in insects). Mealworms can be offered occasionally, though they are not as good because they have more chitin than meat. This can eventually block the lizards gut if this is the only food they are offered. Soft larvae foods like waxworms and butterworms, pinkies for larger lizards, and occasionally a good quality, meaty dog or cat foodare also good choices.
Bright green and yellow vegetables and various fruits are good, even offered occasionally to the confirmed insectivore lizard. Iceberg lettuce is not recommended due to its lack of vitamins and food value, only providing mostly liquid and some fiber.
It is very difficult to duplicate a lizards natural diet, so in captivity we need to add vitamin and calcium supplements to prevent deficiencies.
Provide your pet lizard with a bowl of fresh water daily, or water that drips on plant leaves for those who need to lick up dew drops. "
animal care |
animal care : "Housing:
Understanding your lizard's characteristics will help you determine what type of housing your pet will need to keep it happy and healthy. Your pet's housing is what provides its sense of security.
Keep in mind the lizards size, they need to stretch out to full length and be able to move around.
Keep the decor simple and suitable for the type of lizard you are housing.
The enclosure needs a secure, escape proof top or access opening.
There must to be fresh water for the lizard to drink and occasionally bathe in.
For most lizards that are not nocturnal, you will need full spectrum lighting 10 to 12 hours per day so they can absorb and utilize calcium and vitamin D.
Good ventilation and air circulation are important to prevent excessive humidity. Humidity can cause bacterial and fungal growth, and these can lead to infections.
The material on the floor, the substrate, should be absorbent (like bark or rabbit pellets) or else use a reptile carpet. It is not recommended to use gravel, stones, soil or dirt as they are hard to keep clean. Provide sand in a plastic box for burrowing lizards.
All lizards need a hiding place of some sort. A climbing limb with vining, a bark slab, a piece of splinter-free driftwood, a box or a ceramic log placed on the cool side of the cage, all these can work well as hiding places.
Plants are fine for some lizards, but not so good for large ground dwelling lizards like monitors. "
Understanding your lizard's characteristics will help you determine what type of housing your pet will need to keep it happy and healthy. Your pet's housing is what provides its sense of security.
Keep in mind the lizards size, they need to stretch out to full length and be able to move around.
Keep the decor simple and suitable for the type of lizard you are housing.
The enclosure needs a secure, escape proof top or access opening.
There must to be fresh water for the lizard to drink and occasionally bathe in.
For most lizards that are not nocturnal, you will need full spectrum lighting 10 to 12 hours per day so they can absorb and utilize calcium and vitamin D.
Good ventilation and air circulation are important to prevent excessive humidity. Humidity can cause bacterial and fungal growth, and these can lead to infections.
The material on the floor, the substrate, should be absorbent (like bark or rabbit pellets) or else use a reptile carpet. It is not recommended to use gravel, stones, soil or dirt as they are hard to keep clean. Provide sand in a plastic box for burrowing lizards.
All lizards need a hiding place of some sort. A climbing limb with vining, a bark slab, a piece of splinter-free driftwood, a box or a ceramic log placed on the cool side of the cage, all these can work well as hiding places.
Plants are fine for some lizards, but not so good for large ground dwelling lizards like monitors. "
animal care |
animal care : "Always wash your hands before and after handling!
Lizard Characteristics:
Lizards come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colors, temperaments, and habits. They range in size from 1' (3cm), like the tiny gekkonids to 11 feet (3.5m) or more in the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard.
Generally speaking small lizards can live 3 to 5 years while large lizards can live upwards of 20 years.
All lizards have two lungs, unlike some snakes which have only one lung, and amphibians which breathe through their skins as well as through lungs. Their skin structure, a thick horny layer, provides them protection from heat, dryness and sunlight. They will molt or shed their skin generally in patches on an ongoing basis, though occasionally some will shed their whole skin at one time.
Lizards thermoregulate their body temperature by following the sun. As 'sunseekers', they seek out warmth for hunting and digesting and choose cool hiding places when they are too hot.
Lizard Movement:
Many lizards are great climbers, even able to walk across walls and ceilings. With muscular wiry legs, they are great jumpers and they use their long tails to orient their direction. The lizards trunk and tail often work together in a lateral body and limb movement for a forward and jumping motion.
Some lizards will use their tail as a means of defense or will practice automony where they simply shed it. The tail will regrow, though usually it will be shorter and not as elegant at the original tail.
There are some lizards are so terrestrial that their bodies are snake-like. They use a wriggling or swimming motion for forward movement. They have very little development in the legs, and there are even some lizards with no legs at all. Ground lizards are often heavy with short legs and short stumpy tails. "
Lizard Characteristics:
Lizards come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colors, temperaments, and habits. They range in size from 1' (3cm), like the tiny gekkonids to 11 feet (3.5m) or more in the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard.
Generally speaking small lizards can live 3 to 5 years while large lizards can live upwards of 20 years.
All lizards have two lungs, unlike some snakes which have only one lung, and amphibians which breathe through their skins as well as through lungs. Their skin structure, a thick horny layer, provides them protection from heat, dryness and sunlight. They will molt or shed their skin generally in patches on an ongoing basis, though occasionally some will shed their whole skin at one time.
Lizards thermoregulate their body temperature by following the sun. As 'sunseekers', they seek out warmth for hunting and digesting and choose cool hiding places when they are too hot.
Lizard Movement:
Many lizards are great climbers, even able to walk across walls and ceilings. With muscular wiry legs, they are great jumpers and they use their long tails to orient their direction. The lizards trunk and tail often work together in a lateral body and limb movement for a forward and jumping motion.
Some lizards will use their tail as a means of defense or will practice automony where they simply shed it. The tail will regrow, though usually it will be shorter and not as elegant at the original tail.
There are some lizards are so terrestrial that their bodies are snake-like. They use a wriggling or swimming motion for forward movement. They have very little development in the legs, and there are even some lizards with no legs at all. Ground lizards are often heavy with short legs and short stumpy tails. "
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