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Monday, July 14, 2008

Psychedelic Toads - The Pets That Pack a Powerful Punch

You may already have heard about the Colorado River Toad, also known as the Sonoran Desert Toad, but didn't realize it. Do you remember a silly song by Mason Williams in 1964 that gained some popularity called "Them Toad Suckers"? Or perhaps you have heard the urban legend that people can get high by licking a certain kind of toad. These notions are based on the scientific fact that the Bufo Alvarius toad has glands that secrete a very unusual substance. On its legs, behind its eyes and over its ears are glands that appear to be large sized bumps, and they secrete a venom that is milky looking in appearance. This venom is a dangerous substance. It is powerful enough to kill a cat, dog or even a human being, conceivably, if they were unfortunate enough to ingest a sufficient quantity of the stuff. Besides being toxic in the digestive system, it also can irritate eyes and nasal areas seriously. For this reason, people who handle Colorado River Toads should be very cautious always to wash their hands afterwards.

Why, then, you may be wondering, are these bizarre creatures kept as pets by owners who say they are cute and who take loving care of them? The reason is a bit perverse. It is because the venom of the Bufo Alvarius toad, in addition to being poisonous, also contains large quantities of a chemical alkaloid called 5-MEO-DMT, which happens to be a powerfully hallucinogenic substance. If this venom is dried and then smoked in a pipe, for example, it is said to induce a psychedelic effect that may include hallucinations, visual illusions, distorted perception, unusual brightness and beauty and a mood of euphoria that may include unmotivated laughing. These effects are said to be of relatively short duration and the experience has often been described as pleasant.

It is because the hallucinogenic or psychedelic properties of toad venom have similarities to those of other controlled substances, including cannabis, LSD, magic mushrooms and peyote cactus, lawmakers, police officers and other law enforcement officials in some jurisdictions, particularly in the United States of America, are looking to make possession of a Bufo Alvarius toad illegal. In come areas, individuals who were found to be owning a Sonoran Desert Toad have already been charged with committing a crime. Because of these legal issues, any person who is interested in keeping a Colorado River Toad as a unique pet should do his or her homework and learn more about the rules that govern their particular community, or else they may perhaps risk stepping afoul of the law.

There are several ways a person may obtain a Bufo Alvarius toad. These include capturing them in the wild and purchasing them. There are now online information sources that reveal details about where people can find or buy a Colorado River toad for themselves if they so desire.

For specifics about how and where to get a Bufo Alvarius toad, visit the Bufo Alvarius Report website at http://bufoalvariusreport.com

Why Your African Grey Parrot Needs Calcium Supplements

Feeding the right food is the most important aspect of owning an African Grey parrot. The right diet will determine the health and stress level of your parrot and its ability to be trained to talk. Unlike other birds, different African Greys eat different kinds of food. Don't make the mistake of thinking that they all have the same diet patterns. If you own more than one African Grey parrot, feeding them can prove a challenge. Just like humans, they have their own preferences. But if you acquire your bird from young, say twelve weeks old, getting them used to feeding a certain kind of food can be fairly advantageous.

Some African Greys will eat soft fruit and others will only eat hard fruits. Some will eat vegetables and others will not. Try giving your parrots a variety of fruits and vegetables and see what they like best, and stick to it. But do give them a good balance of calcium because a lot of African Greys who fell sick seem to lack calcium in their diet. You can get calcium from from hard boiled eggs, watercress, spinach, blackberries or natural yogurt.

If your parrot doesn't seem to want to eat any of these calcium based food, try giving them calcium supplements three times a week, mixed into their food bowl. Do not mix the calcium supplements into the water bowl because some greys may not drink water in a twenty-four hour period because they already had their water intake from eating fruits. A good calcium diet will ensure that your parrots have fine feather and are stress free. For breeding African Greys, calcium is good for producing healthy eggs.

A healthy diet is important for an African Grey because it will minimise feather plucking and squeaking, both symptoms of stress in a bird. A healthy diet produces a healthy mind and your parrot will respond well to speech training.

Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html


Monday, July 7, 2008

Dogs - Canine Superheros

Canines really are man's best friend. They have not only kept us company for ages, they have put their lives on the line for us. There are countless accounts of dogs saving people. Not only from other humans, and other disasters, but even medical emergencies. Their service is endless. These are dogs not only with service training, but everyday household pets. Most pet owners could never believe their beloved Fido's actions when it came down to the line. Maybe today's canines should have more respect in this society that seems to care so little about them.

Both service dogs, and your average household pets have saved their owners from intruders time and time again. In Edmonton a police dog "Indy" saved a forty three year old woman from an attacker, when the man had barricaded doors not allowing police officials to enter. In Cannonsburg, Pa an infant wondered out of his home into freezing temperatures, wearing only a tee-shirt. No one noticed the tiny Vincent, except the neighbors family dog R.C. This brave husky mix moved the baby into his house of straw and curled up on the young child saving him from not only hypothermia but also a near by thirty foot drop off. The new friends where found the next morning by the dogs guardian.

Dogs have proven their great value against mother nature as well. In the Philippines a brave four year old Pitt Bull, chief, jumped in between eighty seven year old Liberata la Victoria, as well as her granddaughter when a cobra found its way into their home and threatened to attack. The dog suffered a severe bite to the neck before killing the beast. He spent his last thirty minutes with his family, wagging his tail until he died, knowing his family was safe. In Calvert, MD Debbie Parkhurst found herself alone, and choking on an apple. She could no longer breathe and after attempting the heimlick on herself wasn't sure what the fates had in store for her. That was until Toby the two year golden retriever she had rescued from a dumpster, knocked her to the floor, and by jumping on her chest, dislodged the apple from her throat. The doctors confirmed without Toby Debbie would not be with us today.

Just think, What if these brave souls hadn't been there? Then what? It's just to awful to think about. Look into the eyes of your best friend, give him a hug, and be thankful they are in your life. You never know when you just might need them.

Enjoy more of my articles at Canine Counterparts


How to Spot a Goldfish Disease When Your Fish is Infected

Swim bladder disease is usually caused by poor water quality. Even if he is suffering from swim bladder disease, fasting him and giving him peas will not help. Swim bladder disease can sometimes be cured by either soaking all food before feeding, or giving peas for a while. To give peas, cook them, remove the skins, and smush them a bit. Swim bladder disease is usually caused by poor diet, unclean environment or overfeeding.

Goldfish diseases are rarely contracted by humans, or visa versa. Of course the diagnosis is an important part of the overall goldfish care. If you can't make a disease diagnosis see your local vert, or pet store.

Fish which are infected with external parasites will begin to act differently, and may scratch against rocks, or hover near the bottom of the tank. If you do not clean the water on a regular basis, your fish will be much more suspectible to things such as fin rot. The reason is that your pet is being forced to swim in water that is contaminated by its own feces which is essentially ammonia. Fish become susceptible to fin rot when they are kept in poor water conditions, and it is common on fish kept in unfiltered tanks or bowls.

Your local pet store should be happy to help should you suspect something is wrong. Once a fish is sick, you want to take immediate action to prevent the others from getting sick as well. The best thing you can do is know your fish's typical behavior so you can spot it right away when something is off.

Learn the secrets of setting up and maintaining a healthy aquarium so your fish are happy and healthy in my free fish care newsletter.

Check out my latest article on freshwater tropical fish aquarium.

Chicken First Aid - Bleeding - Blood Feathers

When a chicken moults their old feather falls out and a new one starts to grow to replace it. A new feather growth is known as a blood or pin feather. It starts off a looking a bit like a porcupine quill and can stay like that for 5-7 days before the shaft starts to flake off and the feather starts to open and grow. Once the feather has fully matured (which can take a couple of weeks) the blood inside the shaft recedes and the feather becomes a normal feather which is hollow inside. During the initial growth process though, the shaft of the feather is basically an open blood vessel to provide the needed nutrition directly to the feather so it can grow. The problem with this is that if the feather gets split or broken off completely, that blood vessel is still left open, and because it does cannot compress and close itself like skin would the hole remains it's full size - and that can make it much harder for the opening to clot and the bleeding stop.

WHEN THE FEATHER HAS A VERTICAL SPLIT

If it is a vertical split then often the split can be sealed up so that the feather can continue to grow and hopefully after a week or so you will still end up with a beautiful feather. This scenario is preferential to having to lose the feather completely and then start the whole process of growing from a pin/blood feather again.

What you will need :

A piece of gauze

Surgical glue (even Krazy glue would be ok because it doesn't need to be sterile).

- An extra pair of hands may also be helpful!

Surgical glue and/or Krazy glue does not work well when it's wet, which includes blood, so the first thing you need to do is hold your feather and then use your gauze to wipe away the blood. Then apply your surgical or crazy glue along the split. Use two or three applications for extra security (let the first application dry, and then apply some more glue, let it dry again and then apply the glue again). Each application will probably take about 30 seconds to dry.

Try not to stick all the other feathers and yourself to your chicken!

WHEN THE FEATHER IS BROKEN OFF COMPLETELY

What you will need :

Forceps

- again, an extra pair of hands may also be helpful!

(if you cannot get the bleeding to stop)

A piece of gauze

Surgical glue

Stop watch / clock

Sometimes the feather may have been broken off completely so that you are left with part of the shaft. Because the shaft is holding the vein open it will be hard to stop the bleeding as it is, and so you will need to remove the shaft of the feather completely using your forceps.

With one hand hold the skin firmly where the feather comes out of it to prevent tearing the skin. Then with the other take your forceps and take hold of the feather shaft along it's length so you have as much surface area of it as you can in the forceps, and are as close as you can get to the skin without pinching it. Clamp down and then pull straight out (don't wiggle or angle the forceps). You should now be left with the follicle which is the soft tissue part of the vein - it will still be bleeding but because it is no longer being held open by the shaft it can collapse. You will need pressure to stop the bleeding, so hold the follicle for one minute (this is best timed). Then let go and watch it - often, if you pluck the feather shaft and hold the follicle for a minute the bleeding will have stopped and that is all you have to do. If it is still bleeding hold it again for another minute, and then watch it again. If after five times of holding it for a minute it still has not stopped then you will need to seal the follicle.

To seal the follicle you will need to use surgical glue (because it is inside the follicle it has to be sterile). Hold the follicle shut, wipe away any blood with the gauze, and seal with the surgical glue. As the follicle exfoliates the surgical glue will just fall out and so in a couple of weeks it will be gone.

© Copyright 2008 - Gina Read

Gina is the author / editor of a free monthly keeping chickens ezine full of raising chickens tips, articles and subscriber coops and photos : http://www.keepingchickensnewsletter.com

For more raising chickens tips and articles join my free keeping chickens newsletter at
http://www.keepingchickensnewsletter.com

Keeping Pigs Healthy

The most common problem with keeping pigs is that pigs stress. Hauling, vaccination and introducing pigs to a new environment or a new pig can be a very troublesome time. Pigs are easily stressed and scared which makes them more vulnerable to ill health. The usual signs of a stressed pig are a slower growth rate and a decrease in food consumption.

The most likely time for a pigs health to be at risk is during the first 2 - 3 weeks after pigs are purchased. If multiple pigs are bought from different sources and then mixed together and subject to hauling, injections good practice can prevent them from common diseases such as, transmissible gastroenteritis, swine influenza and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. To prevent diseases always follow excellent management practice, if a pig is being treated it is usually as a result of poor management practice.

During these critical first few weeks check your pigs regularly ensuring they have strong appetites, body temperatures of 102.5 F, smooth shiny coats and tight curly tails. All these are good signs of a healthy pig.

Always make sure that your pigs have daily access to fresh, clean water. Pigs that are deprived of water for too long will develop serious problems including brain damage. For a pig to grow rapidly and healthy they need a high energy diet. A concentrated grain feed that is low in fibre and is supplemented with plenty of protein will help your pigs grow strong and healthy.
A common mistake when feeding pigs is not providing them with the necessary vitamins to keep them healthy. Corn alone is not enough to keep your pigs healthy and growing rapidly, however, supplemented with vitamins it becomes a healthy feed.

Recognize risks on the farm

Even if you have excellent management practices you must understand that there are still diseases that are hard to prevent and that you must recognize. Before and after weaning especially, are times when pigs can become infected with roundworms, whipworms, mange or lice. Pigs can also be exposed to diseases when litters from the same farms are mixed in the nursery. All these sicknesses can be triggered or worsened when a pig is subject to stress.

If you think a pig is sick, take its rectal temperature. If it is 2 degrees or more above normal, call a veterinarian immediately.

Phil Bartholomew writes on behalf of Vet Med Plus

Vet Meds Plus provide a range of animal medication prescription and non prescriptions drugs - whether its animal health or your pets health vet meds Plus has the right treatment for your pets illness or ailments

http://www.vetmedsplus.co.uk

Friday, July 4, 2008

An Insight to Pet Keeping - Pigeons As a Case Study

What are pets? As explained by the oxford dictionary "an animal, a bird etc that you have at home for pleasure, rather than one that is kept for work or food". From the above definition it will right to say: any animal that eats sleeps and breeds inside your home can be referred to as a pet. These animals could be dogs, cats, monkeys, parrots, rodents like hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs etc; in extreme cases snakes, eagles, raccoons, swallows, crocodiles etc. however, I am here to discuss just one of these pets- PIGEONS

As you all know, pigeons belong to the avian family (birds). They can be referred to as social beings. But one stunning thing about these creatures is their humility and the general slogan for which they are noted for "live and let live" an term that sounds ironical to other community of animals, to me this is the quality that makes them the most unique creatures to ever walk the surface of the earth and fly over the skies, and as they flap their wings in humility and in unison spread peace, prosperity and love all over the length and breath of their habitation.

Now, I got hooked on pigeons a couple of years back, 1996 to be precise, I was still in my early teens at that time, looking back now I find this experience very nostalgic each time I reminisce. Like I said earlier, I got to know about these loveable avian creatures through a friend though many years my senior, however we where brought together as friends as a result of the common thing we shared: being the passion for pigeons. I visited his place regularly just to study the life pattern of these unique birds and each time I look at them, they got more endeared and fascinating they become to me and my longing to have my own community of pigeons increased, until I satisfied this desire by acquiring two sets of pigeons; two males and two females respectively from whom I built a community of pigeons so large, that I became the envy of many.

On the contrary, I am not writing this article to narrate my personal experiences as a former owner of these pets, rather to present to you a comprehensive documentary on how these animals live, eat, breed and interact with themselves as well as their owners, however I will narrate most of my personal experiences with these birds. The community is made up of males and females, each male pigeon have a wife, funny it sounds but it is true, the get married just like we humans do, more so infidelity of either of the partners is intolerable. The widely held belief among them is one man, one wife, but most males stray occasionally and their target, young unattached females, another common feature in human societies, the difference being that divorce is the last thing to be considered in this very complex yet organized society; contrary to this assertion, in all my years of rearing these birds as pets I recorded a typical case of divorce. Please read on: a certain pigeon female to be precise was being ostracized for mistakenly falling into hot oil my mum left outside her kitchen, fortunately for the unfortunate pigeon, my senior sister saved it before it was fully consumed by the hot oil. But with this development this pigeon became a recluse of some sort as it was avoided and treated with disdain by other pigeons in the community. Now a certain male pigeon finding this situation rather appalling decided to do the unthinkable by interacting with the dejected pigeon a relationship that ended in both pigeons hooking up. Sadly, the female eloped with another male it thought to be finer which led to my banishing this heartless pigeon a decision my family supported, as every body in my house from my father to my mum loved and adored these birds. So I banished the said pigeon for leaving not only the husband but also the kids it bore to be catered for by the male alone, a responsibility this male pigeon carried out effectively to the latter.

Now, pigeons are a very interesting lot to study, their complexity of character and simplicity is one quality hard to find in any other society of animals from avian to reptiles, from amphibians to Aquarian creatures and even mammals and apes, a community that after a male and a female pigeon hooks up, they start making plans for having a family. They commence mating like every other animal in their cadre, but one unique thing about how they mate is prolonged foreplay, incredible?! Well pigeons are similar to humans in many aspects and this is one of them. They kiss with the male putting its head in between its wings occasionally, after this prolonged foreplay the female bends down for the normal copulation which takes place with the two birds joining their organs found at the base of their tails.

Gradually, the female's eggs are developed and ready to be laid, that is when the male starts getting the pen ready for the female to roost. The male starts picking up sticks, straw, feathers to make the place cozy for its wife. During this period it chaperons the wife from place to place and pecks it roughly at times on the neck signaling other males of the danger posed if they ever disturb the wife who is ready for roosting. The eggs after being laid, two maximum, and the two pigeons now take turns to sit on the eggs. Funny enough, they make a roaster for sitting on the eggs. The female sits on the eggs from night till morning, at about 12pm of the next day or so, it leaves for the male to take over from that time to maybe 6pm after which the female comes back and takes charge till the morning of the next day; while the male keeps watch at the entrance of the pen to ward off other impending males that might disturb the female while she sits on the eggs: as rearing a family is a collective responsibility between the male and female pigeons respectively.

Roosting might take an average of seventeen days depending on the prevailing conditions, immediately the eggs hatches into young pigeons; another roaster is drawn between the two parents. This time for feeding their young, with the male playing a dominant role, a role he plays till the female is ready to lay another set of eggs. Now while the female gets prepared for laying another set of eggs, the males continues to feed their young till they get ready for their first flight. Their feeding technique, another delight to watch, the parents after taking in sufficient food and water, the two substances dissolve and serves as food to the young who get their nutrition by putting their tender beaks into the beaks of their parents who in turn send the food by vomiting it out into the bodies of these young ones.

Amazingly in all my life I have never seen any animal be it mammal, reptile, or even birds that their young ones develop as rapid as young pigeons. I have seen young chickens, goats, cows etc tended by their mothers develop, but for pigeons, as soon as they are brought into the world, within a short period of time say two weeks it is ready to join other matured birds in the community for its first flight

Generally, pigeons live a life of equity. Every pigeon regardless of age or color is respected by the other. They do every thing in common: from eating, taking their bath, flying and sleeping. Note here that the issue of borders and territory are respected. Every male points and marks out areas and spaces for domination. The other pigeons respect these boundaries and borders. In all my life I have never seen any community be it human, plant or animal as organized as this community. If we humans can take a clue from these creatures, the world will be a better place to live in; devoid of crime, corruption and domination. As witnessed by the way in which big and strong nations bully the weak ones with many human societies going into extinction, but if we mimic these wonderful birds, the world would be a wonderful sphere where every race, tribe and region will live in equity, justice, peace and prosperity. The world of pigeons!

Chinemere Onuekwusi is a young Nigerian with a drive to set new heights and sights for his generation; you can read more about him at his blog http://www.chinemeremz.blogspot.com