East Hilliard Veterinary Services

December, 2001 Holiday Pets

We wish you a happy holiday season and we pray
that the new year will bring peace and joy to all!

From the doctors and staff of East Hilliard Veterinary Services

Last month we covered the reptiles that are commonly kept as pets. This month we will discuss animals in the categories of marsupials and mammals that are kept as pets and we will discuss birds as pets. There are so many varieties of pet birds that we wouldn't have the space to cover them all in this newsletter. We hope to discuss one or two at a time in future newsletters. Next month we will cover the members of the rodent family that are kept as pets.

Marsupials

Sugar Gliders
Sugar Gliders are marsupials that are native to New Guinea and Australia. They move from tree to tree using a gliding membrane that extends from their forepaws to their ankles. They are nocturnal animals about the size of a hamster and since they are very social animals they like to be kept with another sugar glider. Average lifespan is 10-14 years.

Housing - Large (24" x 24" x 48") wire cages with spacing no more than 1" square (to prevent escape), and with wire floors and a pull out tray for cleaning, are recommended. Temperatures should be kept around 70º F. Provide a nest box high in the cage and branches from nontoxic trees such as apple or citrus for climbing and chewing. Place shredded paper towels or recycled newspaper pelleted bedding material in the nest box and in the pullout tray. Clean cage and nest box regularly. Sugar gliders should be let out every evening for supervised play. When properly socialized they are a very good companion and sometimes like to ride around in their owners' pocket.
Nutrition - Sugar gliders are omnivorous. Their natural diet in the winter includes the "sugary" sap of various eucalyptus trees. During the rest of the year, they are primarily insectivorous, feasting on moths, beetles, insect larvae, and spiders. Their daily meal should be offered in the evening and may include: zoo formula insectivore or exotic feline diet, equal amounts of chopped apple, grapes, or mango, carrot, sweet potato, and hard-cooked egg yolk, plus various pet-industry raised insects such as crickets, mealworms, waxworms and moths. These insects can be dusted with vitamin/mineral supplements before feeding if necessary. Nectars formulated for lories (a nectar eating parrot) can be given as a fruit portion or as an occasional treat.
Water - Clean, fresh water must be available at all times. Water in a heavy bottom crock type bowl. Be sure to locate water and food bowls away from overhanging branches.

Mammals

Rabbits
Rabbits are intelligent, social animals that can become wonderful companion animals when given a chance to interact with their human families. They can live 5-8 years - sometimes even longer.

Housing - Provide rabbits with a roomy cage with a wire floor over a pullout tray. Make the cage large enough to comfortably contain a litter box. Yes, bunnies will use a litter box. It should be attached to the side of the cage so it doesn't move around and you'll want to use a dust-free litter, not wood shavings. Scoop the litter daily and change completely as needed, usually 1-2 times weekly. Rabbits are serious chewers so they'll need chew toys. Check with your pet store for bunny-safe chew toys. Rabbits can be allowed free roam of the house once they are litter trained but because of their chewing habit great care must be taken to bunny-proof the house. They will chew on drapes, rugs, furniture, and most deadly of all, electrical cords. Having your pet bunny spayed or neutered improves their litter box habits, lessens chewing behavior, decreases aggression, decreases uterine and mammary adenocarcinomas, and gives them a longer, happier life.
Nutrition - Rabbits need a high-fiber diet. Commercially available rabbit food is a good place to start. Supplement this with rabbit hay fed free choice (timothy hay being the better choice for adult rabbits). Check the website of the Oxbow Hay Co. for rabbit feed and hay products - www.oxbowhay.com. Fresh vegetables are not necessary and can disturb the delicate balance in their digestive system but if you insist, use parsley, carrot tops, endive or escarole and use sparingly. Avoid fruits, broccoli, and cauliflower. They will cause problems for sure.
Water - Fresh, clean water must be available at all times. Rabbits will do best with a water bottle equipped with a sipper tube rather than a water bowl.

Ferrets
Domestic ferrets have a playful, active personality making them quite endearing as household pets. Their lifespan is 5-8 years.

Housing - A basic wire rabbit cage with a wire or solid floor is fine for ferrets. Ferrets are happiest at normal room temperatures. They are very sensitive to heat and cannot tolerate temperatures over 90º F. Ferrets can be trained to use a litter box. A small, low-sided box should be provided in the cage with about 1 inch of kitty litter. Boxes should be changed daily. A sleeping area is a necessary provision in any ferret cage. A towel, old shirt, sock, sweat suit pantleg, or homemade or store-bought ferret hammock will make an adequate bed. Ferrets should be provided with at least 2 hours of play time out of its cage every day. Playtime should be supervised and play areas must be ferret-proofed. They enjoy getting themselves into tight spots and through small holes.
Nutrition - Commercially available ferret food fed free choice is ideal. Please check the website www.totallyferret.com. They make a high quality line of ferret food.
Water - Clean, fresh water should be available at all times. Many ferrets do well with water bottles equipped with a sipper tube; others prefer a bowl. A heavy ceramic bowl is suggested since they will often overturn their bowls.

Unlike most other exotic pets, ferrets do require regular vaccinations. Also, they are susceptible to heartworms and should be on preventive medication. Ferrets have a strong body odor that comes from oily secretions produced in the skin. Neutering and descenting will greatly decrease the odor but keep this in mind if you are considering a ferret as a pet.

Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs have recently gained popularity as household pets. They are fairly easy to care for and can be friendly if properly socialized. In the wild they are found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. The African, or White-bellied, hedgehog is the most common pet hedgehog in the United States. Their lifespan is 4-7 years and they are nocturnal animals.

Housing - Several types of cages are suitable for housing hedgehogs. In general, the walls and floor should be smooth and easily cleaned. Wire should be avoided because the hedgie may catch toes or limbs in the wire, resulting in trauma and possible fractures. The cage should be high enough that the hedgehog cannot climb out and yet sufficient ventilation is provided. Ample floor space will encourage hedgehogs to exercise and help prevent obesity. Pelleted beddings that are made of wood, cellulose, and plant fibers make excellent bedding. They are odor-absorbent, moisture absorbent, and non-irritating. Avoid cedar chips or scented shavings since these materials have been associated with respiratory and liver disease in other animals. Many hedgehogs can learn to use a litter box. Use only the non-clay varieties of kitty litter and change the box frequently. Avoid using litter for males, since the litter may cling to the urinary opening and cause blockages. Hedgehogs like to sleep in "hide boxes". It should be slightly larger than the animal with an access hole cut into one side. Cages and accessories should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a week. The optimum environmental temperature range is 75°-85°.
Nutrition - Hedgehogs are omnivorous and can best be maintained on a diet consisting of dry, reduced calorie cat food, mixed fresh vegetables and occasional live insects. Pet-industry raised insects are best and they like mealworms and crickets. Feed in heavy crockery type bowls. Feed in the evening as much food as they will consume by morning. Ad lib feeding is not recommended, as obesity can become a problem. Commercially complete hedgehog diets are being developed.
Water - Clean, fresh water must be available at all times. Many hedgehogs do well with a water bottle equipped with a sipper tube; others prefer a water bowl.

Birds
Kiki Because of the variety of birds that are kept as pets the article that follows is a broad description of the needs of pet birds. They are gregarious, intelligent, social animals, which, depending on size, can live as long as a human. In the wild most birds live in flocks. This is reflected in their need for the companionship of their human. They enjoy touching and being touched. But since safety and security is uppermost in their minds they need to trust their humans. Thus, taming is extremely important. There are a variety of techniques for taming. (We found some very helpful articles about taming pet birds on the web - www.birdsnway.com and www.lafeber.com, for example. The Lafeber site also has treats and toys galore.) Birds are very vocal; in fact they have the largest vocabulary of any animal except humans. Some of the larger birds' vocalizations can be very high volume. They all like to receive feedback. Obviously, they won't understand the words but they understand the tone and can carry on "conversations" with people. They are excellent companions and a lot of fun to be around.

Housing - Cage size is dependent upon the size of the bird. In most cases it is best to house only one bird in each cage. There are some birds that do well together such as parakeets and lovebirds but make sure the cage is large enough to accommodate multiple birds. Room to stretch, climb, and hop, and room for plenty of toys is necessary. Placing the cage at an adequate height is important for the bird to feel safe. The pullout floor of the cage should be lined with paper towels, newspaper, white paper or any absorbent paper. Paper should be changed daily and droppings observed. Any change in color, consistency, or quantity can be an indication of illness. Perch size also is dependent upon bird size. When choosing a perch remember that your bird spends all of his life on his feet and would appreciate the chance to stand on different size and texture perches. Flat, rectangle, square, round, soft wood, hard wood, rope, tree branches, hard rubber hose are all possibilities. Make sure the wood perches are from pesticide-free and non-toxic trees (Northern hardwoods, citrus, eucalyptus, Australian pine). Sandpaper covered perches should be avoided. Put perches at different places in the cage so your bird can have lots of options. The cage should be placed where the bird can engage in social activity with the family but away from drafts (warm or cold), in a secure location from the cat or dog, and safe from children who could frighten the bird. It should be kept away from smoke and dust and out of direct sunlight. At night the cage must be covered completely. Birds require 8-12 hours of sleep each night. Birds do best when allowed outside of their cage every day. Flight feathers can be trimmed to assure the bird will stay close to the cage. (Birds have shown no behavioral or psychological effects from being denied flight.) If the bird can fly you must be cautious to restrict access to clear glass windows, mirrors, open windows or doors, and deep water such as open fish tanks. Birds like to be active and appreciate a variety of toys to entertain them. Swings, "peck" toys (they move when pecked at), chew toys, bells, climbing toys, reflective toys, toys to "hide" under (birds will often sit with their head under their bell), toys with beads that slide across a bar are all good options. (A word of caution. Occasionally, mirrors will provide the companionship that a bird needs and then their human family becomes much less important.) Commercially available "playgrounds" are a great outside-the-cage toy.
Nutrition - (Since there are so many kinds of birds that are kept as pets, a paragraph about nutrition will have to be very broad in scope. There are some birds that need a highly specialized diet such as lories which eat soft gruels, nectars and powders.) Generally speaking, pet birds have a very high metabolism and require a high-quality, digestible diet. Much research has gone into development of commercially available diets. We recommend purchasing the highest quality diet you can. Please consider the line of pet bird nutritionals made by Harrison's Bird Diets. Their website address is www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com. A high quality diet will make a difference in the health and happiness of your bird. Commercially available, properly balanced diets are made into cakes, bars, nuggets, and pellets. Exclusively dry seed diets are not recommended. Table food is OK but should be kept to a minimum. Birds will eat meat, fish, bread, cereal, dairy products, peanut butter, vegetables, and fruit. Some will develop a taste for people food over bird food but because of the low nutritional value of a primarily human food diet, it is not recommended.
Water - Birds need clean fresh water. Their water bowl should be changed at least once a day.
General care and health - Leg bands can be a problem. They should be removed as soon as possible. Bird's beaks grow continuously. Generally, normal everyday chewing activity keeps the beak worn naturally but occasionally it will overgrow and need to be trimmed. Bird's nails generally are worn down by normal everyday activity especially if offered a variety of perches but occasionally they will need to be trimmed also. Birds like to bathe regularly and should be offered that option. Because they will splash water everywhere it's best to let them bathe outside of their cage. Options include: a shallow saucer with cool not warm water, a plant mister on the finest setting, a fountain, damp "greens" (like carrot tops) that suggest dew on grass, some birds even like to be showered with the sprayer on the kitchen sink. Healthy feathers are extremely important. That's why birds spend hours preening everyday. Most birds will molt once a year. They generally are much quieter than usual during their molt. Feather picking, other than during the molt, indicates a problem, i.e. disease, stress, parasitism, malnutrition, boredom, etc. A feather picking bird should be brought to their veterinarian. Ruffled feathers are normal when the bird is resting but is a sign of illness when done more often. Birds will also get life-threatening upper respiratory diseases. Watch your bird closely for signs of disease. They are very fragile creatures and the sooner you note signs of disease, the chance of the veterinarian being able to treat them will be increased.

Note Pad Notes from the Desk of Nya and Einstein

Hazards that are particular to winter are our subject this month. We are pretty much immune to these hazards because we are indoor kitties and we don't have a Christmas tree around here but we want to make sure you are aware of the potential for problems that are common this time of year.

Ice - Ice-melting chemicals can irritate feet. If your dog or cat must walk in an area that has been treated please wash their feet when they come inside. The chemicals can also make your pet sick if they ingest it while licking their feet. There are ice-melting products that are advertised to be pet-friendly. (While you're washing their feet be sure to dissolve ice balls that collect between the pads and toes. They can be very irritating too.)

Outdoor pets - Dehydration and hypothermia are major killers of outdoor pets during this season yet some pets must spend the winter outside. Here are some tips to make sure they have a healthy winter. Increase their calories since extra calories are burned in simply keeping warm. A shelter that is out of the wind and a dry floor on which to sleep is important. Straw bedding is good but check and change it regularly. A blanket usually does not stay dry for long. An elevated shelter is a good idea but be sure the space underneath is blocked from the wind. Fresh unfrozen water is an absolute necessity. Change water several times daily and each bucket of water should be at room temperature when it goes outside, to increase the time it takes to freeze.

Christmas decorations - Christmas trees are just covered with pet hazards. Bear in mind that anything that can be reached can be played with and chewed on. Rarely does a Christmas season go by that the doctors here don't have to do surgery on at least one cat or dog that has eaten "icicles", tinsel, ribbon, or the string from the popcorn that adorns the family tree. Broken ornaments cause lacerated footpads, tongues, and sometimes they too are eaten, and you can imagine what that might do to a stomach. Seasonal plants that must be kept away from pets include: English holly, mistletoe, and poinsettia. Should any of our friends decide to chew on any of these plants this holiday, call the veterinarian right away. Also all the wonderful food that is around the house at Christmas increases the chances of illness in cats and dogs. No chocolate, no turkey meat or bones, no pork products - try to keep your pet on their regular diet only and try to keep their schedule as routine as possible. Stress is a problem in pets this time of year as commonly as it is in humans.

Well, now that we've made you nervous about having any holiday celebration at all, we want to wish everyone a VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!

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