How to Handle Horse Injuries

Five element horse temperament typing can help you if your horse gets a painful injury because different types will respond differently and you need to be able to anticipate these reactions. It is important to consider your horse's temperament when you examine and treat the injury to avoid further damage to your horse and yourself. In my vet career I have seen so many cases where a horse was slightly injured but became seriously injured by poor handling. Here are some things to consider for each Five Element horse temperament.

Horse Having Its Wounds Treated by Kate Sumbler

Fire - These horse temperaments have very low pain thresholds and will be very sensitive around even mild wounds. Fire horses are generally polite and will not try to hurt you as you examine and treat there wound but you will want to go slowly and assure them you will not hurt them more. Don't hesitate to reach for mild sedation to clean and treat injuries in the Fire horse temperament if what you need to do is going to be painful. Over restraining this horse temperament in stocks or tight spaces can cause them to panic and further injure themselves. A twitch may work for a very quick procedure if sedation is not an option but don't expect it to help with extended painful treatments.

Earth - Earth horse temperaments can handle pain quite well and they tend to be very cooperative in being treated. Minor injuries can usually be treated with no sedation and minimal restraint. These horse will rarely try to hurt anyone if they are handled with calm purpose to get the wound managed. Earth horse temperament individuals have a tendency to get excessive swelling in the injured tissues so wrap the injury when possible. Hand walking as soon is possible is good to keep these horses moving to improve circulation because left to their own devices they will tend to stand around and not exercise.

Metal - Metal horse temperaments tolerate the best of all horse temperaments because they have very high pain thresholds. If they are used to being handled they need little or no sedation or restraint for even moderate injuries. Metal horse temperaments do, however, tend to develop excessive scar tissue so it is important to stabilize lower leg wounds with heavy bandages or casts. Extra vit E and selenium horse supplements can be good to help with healing. After the injury appears healed be sure there is not scar tissue restricting the surrounding tissues.

Water - This horse temperament does not handle pain well and they panic even with the anticipation of pain. Don't even think about trying a twitch on this type horse because you will simply bring up their fear level. Go for moderate sedation and if this is not possible try a blindfold and other non painful distraction. Stocks are not recommended and if the horse must be restrained without sedation a scotch hobble with a quick release knot can be tried along with a blindfold and lots of calm stroking and voice reassurance. Aconite is a homeopathic remedy that can be used if the horse is more afraid than badly injured.

Wood - Wood horse temperaments are generally not overly concerned with the pain from an injury but they will because of their nature often resist treatment aggressively. If you have a stock, put the Wood horse temperament in it for your protection. Use moderate to strong sedation if any painful or prolonged procedure is required. The endorphins released from correct application of a twitch can help mellow out an injured Wood horse and make them less combative. A twitch applied improperly will just bring on or escalate a fight. If possible, do not bandage a lower leg injury in the Wood horse so you do not have to face multiple fights to get it changed.

Taking an extra minute to consider the horse temperament you are dealing with and you can make the treatment of injuries safer for the horse and handler.


Author Resource: Madalyn Ward, DVM, is a recognized author and veterinarian in the field of holistic horsekeeping. For free tips on horse health, horse personality types, and horse nutrition, plus one-stop shopping on holistic horse products, visit http://www.BuyHolisticHorse.com and her blog.

Feline Obesity - Feeding Fat Cats

Garfield is the icon of the all-American fat cat. But feline obesity is no laughing matter. It is a serious health concern that all owners should be aware of. Obesity is the No. 1 feline health problem in most countries in which cats are house pets. Some owners may not realize their cats weigh in as obese, but a few extra pounds can have a large impact on a cat. Three extra pounds on a cat is like 40 extra pounds on an average human.

Livin' Large by Stuart Chalmers

Sometimes Less Is More. If your cat is obese as a result of other health problems, you can establish a plan to shed those unwanted pounds. Overfeeding is a common reason for obesity. Cats tend to be grazers and by tightly controlling the daily feeding to the recommended guidelines on every bag, most problems can be avoided.

Another method to counteract overfeeding is to offer meals periodically throughout the day to your cats.

Cats living in multiple-cat households may be sneaking more than their fair share at meal time. Stores have timing bowls that reveal meal portions at different times of the day, or over a few days for short travel periods. Treats may be a dangerous addition to a cat's diet if you overindulge. Treats add calories that aren't always counted, so they can make a cat fat all by themselves if too much is provide.

Low-calorie treats may be a better option for owners who are training their cats or who can't resist spoiling them. You should eliminate table scraps that can defeat the benefits of the complete and balanced nutrition a formula food offers.

Exercise can burn calories and also has other health benefits. Lighter food and less food are important, but you have to put exercise into the formula. Some cats, including senior cats, may not jump at the chance to increase their heart rate.

House cats can be difficult to exercise and cats have a different mentality than dogs. Cats say, 'You have to give me something really good to get me to play and to come out from lying around'.

Interactive toys, catnip toys and toys with erratic movement may persuade a kitty to abandon its sunny napping spot to burn some calories. Mentally challenging cat toys may keep cats at a healthier weight. Cats love those crinkly toys and laser pointers.

Mix meal time with play time by putting dry kibble into a toy.

Making kibble feeding a game can help lengthen the feeding process, provide a mental challenge and discourage gorging at the bowl.

Leash training can be successful if you start cats off at an early age. Short and frequent walks, 15 to 20 minutes at a time, are best for cats that have less stamina than dogs. By slowly acclimating the pet to the feel of the harness and leash for increasing periods of time, cats can enjoy the same sort of exercise that's common for dog owners to employ.

Indoor cats are more likely to be sedentary, but don't be fooled. Some outdoor cats may not be getting enough exercise. You still have to monitor them because it depends on the cat.

Keep in mind that cats are fickle creatures, so variety is a necessity.

Author Resource: Animal44 is the owner and administrator of http://thatdarncat.aimoo.com a discussion board that spans all aspects of cats. You may repost this article as long as all links and original content are included.

Facts on Leopard Gecko Reproduction

Leopard gecko reproduction is an important and rewarding part of any leo keepers experience. Not only will you get new leos, you'll also be able to produce more morphs through selective breeding. Learning how to reproduce known morphs can become quite lucrative for any breeder and keeper. So let's learn more about this interesting subject.

Baby Geckos by Ronnie Tucker

Sex Facts
One of the first skills you have to learn is how to determine the sex of your pet. The basic difference between the male and the female is the hemipenal bulge that exists only in males. This can be found on the underside of the animal near the tail just after the vent. You might also notice a 'V' shaped row of pores somewhere near the bulge. These are the male anal pores that should be very noticeable.

When you are new to sexing these animals, you might get confused by some strange but very possible female characteristics. Females also have pores in their hind side but they are not as noticeable as the males. Leos also naturally store fat in their tails. This fat can sometimes cause the tail to bulge up and can be mistaken as a hemipenal bulge in females. Be wary of these situations. If in doubt, try to ask a reliable breeder for confirmation.

Facts on Selective Breeding
The process of selective breeding can be one of the hardest to master. There are sometimes so many traits to keep track of that it ends up being a 'learn as you do' thing. Experience is invaluable but there are some things that you can know outright. One of them is the difference between recessive traits and dominant traits.

Dominant traits are the obvious traits that you can see. When you say that a trait is dominant, it is the trait that will appear should the leo inherit two 'genes' that determine a single trait (for example, should the lizard inherit a dominant trait like orange coloring versus a recessive trait of a different color, the orange will be the one visible even though the lizard has the genes for both traits).

Some common dominant traits would include the orange coloring for tangerines and hypos, the carrot tails, and the giants. Some common recessive traits would include albinism, the patternless morph, and blizzards.

Mating Facts
The mating process in leopard gecko reproduction can be quite violent at times. Males will often become aggressive towards females during the process. This is when you should be most careful. If your female does not accept the male's advances, she will start to fight back and you may end up with a lot of fighting resulting in injuries. If this happens when you attempt to mate your lizards, separate them at least for a few days. Try again once things have cooled down a bit.

Egg Facts
One of the cooler things you can do with leos is to control the sex of the next generation of lizards. You can use differing incubation temperatures to change the sex of the lizards while they are in their eggs. If you keep the temp at 79 to 84 degrees (right about the temp of the cool area of a tank), then you'll get females. If you keep the temp at around 86 to 90 degrees (about the temp of the warm area of the tank), then you'll get males.

Author Resource: Written by Donna Perez
Donna Perez is a lizard enthusiast who has vast experience of raising Leopard Geckos. For more information about Leopard Gecko Reproduction, Visit Leopard Gecko Heaven.

Playing with Your Puppy - A How-to Guide

You work hard all day and when you come home, all you want to do is plop down on the couch and turn on mindless television like Jerry Springer. Today's commute was especially grueling because of an accident and you are starving to death because you forgot your lunch and had no cash for Taco Bell. Who do you suppose is home waiting for your return and could not care less how your day went? Your faithful companion, of course. With his little head bobbling around and his paws dancing at your feet you realize the couch and Jerry will have to wait. Something far more important needs your attention right now. But, you don't mind at all because this little guy brings you so much joy that it's not a struggle to play with him. Before you know it, you're smiling and laughing and an hour's gone by. But, is there a right way and a wrong way to frolic and play with your best friend? Is it even necessary?

Playing with the Water by Scott Beckner

It's hard to believe that there are pet owners out there that pay very little attention to their pooch let alone play with them (especially puppies). But, playtime is essential if you own a dog and the more active the dog, the more energy he will have and the more he will need to expel. When dogs don't get enough exercise, they tend to relieve their energy and frustration on other things like chewing up your shoes or electronic devices. Dogs that are not played with regularly can become aggressive and mean or turn inward and become timid and insecure. But with everything else, playtime should have guidelines to follow so that your dog knows the boundaries and limitations while he's having fun.

Have you ever been around someone that was a great deal taller than you and you felt very small and insignificant? Well, that's how your dog feels when he has to crank his head up to see you. The first rule for playtime is that you need to get down to his level on the floor so you are both eye to eye. It's all about having fun so training is strictly forbidden unless he does something that will warrant a correction like biting too hard. Other than that, nothing is really off limits. You know your dog better than anyone else so what have you observed your dog doing when he plays? Does he like to play fetch? How about tug of war? My dog loves to wrestle and tries to grab his favorite toy out of my hand. He also loves to play fetch. In fact, he could play fetch all day if I let him. Some dogs love to run and chase you. It just all depends on him and what you're willing to do to play with.

I have an older dog that loves his nap times. This dog could sleep all day under the covers. He is probably the easiest and low maintenance dog I've ever had. He's really never shown much interest in playing. In fact, we have younger more energetic dogs in the house that love to chase and play fight and he just looks at them as if they were nuts. He doesn't quite get what they're doing and never joins in on the fun. So, one day I was making up my bed with clean sheets and I put my hand under the covers to straighten out the bottom sheet when all of a sudden, he lunged at my covered hand when he saw it move under the covers. So, now I started to exaggerate my movements and I got some little growls out of him and little play bites at my hand. It was so cute that I had to laugh at myself because up until that point, I really didn't think he had any playfulness in him at all and it took something so natural as making a bed for him to show me how he likes to play. Now, making up my bed is a real treat for both of us whereas before, it was such a chore. It just goes to show you that you can teach and old dog new tricks...or rather he can teach you.

Author Resource: Written by Vanessa Lea
Vanessa Lea is an experienced internet marketing professional who takes pride in providing knowledge, research and information to consumers seeking guidance when looking for quality products and services online. Her latest website helps consumers in finding the best barbecue grill for their grilling pleasure. This charcoal barbecue review site provides an overall synopsis of testimonials from REAL customers who purchased barbecue grills online and reviewed their product and experience in order to help other consumers make the best choices for themselves. They say the customer is always right so find out what others are saying before purchasing your next charcoal barbecue.

6 Useful and Interesting Tips About Bearded Dragons

Most reptiles found throughout the world range from the weird and wonderful to the just down right bizarre, which makes the fascinating creatures to observe, study and yes even keep in your own home! One of the most unusual and unique lizards out there would have to be Australia's famous bearded dragon. Because they are native to this part of the world, they have some very specific requirements to keep and care for them, especially if you don't live in a dry, hot desert. As a result, there are many things you'll need to be aware of and consider if you're thinking of having one as a pet. If not, I'm sure you'll find the following tips to be quite interesting anyway.

Here's Why They're Called "Bearded" Dragons by Scott Kinmartin

So firstly you need to consider the bearded dragon's natural habitat. They live in a variety of places throughout Australia, but most commonly in central dry desert regions, scrubland and even coastal forests. However it's pretty much hot throughout the year (especially in the north) in Oz. Therefore you should replicate these conditions in the enclosure. You'll need to be aware of the humidity as well as this plays a large role in the health and well-being of captive bred beardies.

Also they need plenty of water. Now I know you may be thinking, "A desert reptile, needing water - really?" But the answer is yes, most definitely! A dehydrated bearded dragon can be prone to health problems in the future.

What makes these reptiles so interesting and unique is the variety of behaviors they display. In fact they were named after the 'inflating beard' demonstration they use when threatened or during mating. Some other behaviors include arm waving, head bobbing and tail curbing, many of which are quite entertaining to watch.

You'll also be glad to know that they have an incredibly placid, child-friendly temperament. This means they make the perfect family pet. They're very active at times as well. Combine this with their amusing behaviors and great personality and they can safely keep the kids (and you) entertained for hours.

These lizards have become incredibly popular in the pet trade. Ever since they were first smuggled out of Australia in the 1970's, they have spread throughout the world and been successfully bred, kept and cared for in captivity. This way you can be sure they'll make a great pet as so many others around the globe would agree.

Finally, you should probably know that bearded dragons are available in a diverse range of species, sizes and colors. This variation in color is also known as a morph and range from red to brown to yellows and everything in between. In rare cases you can even find pure white bearded dragons. They can grow to be up to 2 feet in length (depending on the species), so you'll need to make sure you have plenty of space to accommodate this.

There's heaps more to learn about bearded dragons and many other things which make them the most interesting reptiles to keep. So keep researching and I'm sure you'll be ready to keep your own in no time at all.

About the Author: Written by Lauren Powell
If you want to learn more about bearded dragons, try visiting Bearded Dragon Answers, a free resource on how to keep and care for healthy, happy bearded dragons for years to come.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

The History of the Chinchilla

This exotic animal was named after the Chincha people of the Andes region. The Andes Mountains in South America. Chinchilla actually means "little Chincha". Back around the close of the 19th century, the animals were known for their thick and soft fur.

There are two types of chinchillas. The chinchilla brevicaudata, which is also known as the Bolivian, Peruvian and Royal chinchilla, has a short tail. They came from the Andes Mountains in the regions of Chile, Peru and Bolivia. This chinchilla was on the verge of becoming extinct and were known for the exquisite fur. Even with the fur, the population of these animals continued to decrease. The chinchilla lanigera, which is also known as the Chilean, Coastal or Lesser chinchilla, has a long tail.

Now Then, Who's Softer Than Me? by Wes & Eli

This species of chinchilla can be found in Chile. Even though the word "lanigera" means "having a woolen coat", they are covered with hair instead. The hair is soft, sleek and sticks to their skin. There are three types of chinchilla lanigera: The LaPlata are muscular, round and have a short head. The Costina has longer hind legs, slight hump and a pointed nose. The Raton is similar to the LaPlata in they way it's structured. It has a pointed nose and they are of a smaller size.

Burrows or cracks in rocks are where chinchillas reside. They can jump very well and at least up to 5 feet high. When residing in the wild, chinchillas consume fruits, seeds, plants and small insects. As far as breeding is concerned, that can take place at any time of the year. When the female chinchillas do procreate, their average length of pregnancy is 111 days. For a chinchilla, that's a long period of time compared to other animals in that group. Because their pregnancies are so long, their offspring are born with their eyes open and their body full of fur. At the time of delivery, their litter is usually one or two, with the two more times than not are twins.

The first try of breeding started in 1895. In that same year, the first animal was born and each year two litters were born. In the summer of 1896, an unknown disease halted the breeding process. By then, there were 13 animals and all of them succumbed within two months time. Around 1918, there was a resurgence of chinchillas. A man from California was interested in trapping chinchillas so he could raise them as pets.

At first, the Chilean government refused, but as the man kept asking, the government relented. During three year period, only eleven chinchillas were captured. They were brought back and bred in the United States. This process started the first chinchilla farm. This also started the process of the domestic chinchilla.

The interest in chinchilla fur started in the 16th century as international trade. Chinchilla fur is prevalent because it has a soft texture. Because of even color across the board, people like to use it for lining large pieces of clothing or small pieces of clothing.

The fur can also be used to create an entire large piece of clothing. So many chinchillas must be destroyed in order to make a coat because their skin is so small. Because of this, one of the species became non-existent and supply for the other became scarce. People still hunt and kill domestic chinchillas to create clothing, but wild chinchillas are no longer targeted for hunting.

Author Resource: Written by David Peterson
For more information on Chinchilla's, visit Jinga's Pet Article World

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Breakthrough Treatments for Arthritis in Cats

What I love about living in today's world is that there are so many advancements going on. If you have ever had a cat that was diagnosed with arthritis or you think your cat is displaying signs of arthritis, then the good news is that you have a greater variety of options when it comes to treatment for arthritis in cats. It seems that modern medicine has found that it can work in harmony and with success when it comes to combining with the natural remedies and more traditional medicines. There have been some major breakthroughs when it comes to treatment for arthritis in cats.

Xray of Cat Showing Arthritis in Hip by James Quinn

For many years now, NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) have been used to curb the inflammation and pain that arthritis brings. It has had limited success due to the harsh side effects that it causes, especially to cats. However, many veterinarians believe that they can effectively combine the traditional NSAIDS with more herbal or natural remedies to combine and be an effective defense against the onset of feline arthritis. The NSAIDS would be used in far lesser quantities and therefore tolerance should be more acceptable.

The combination of the NSAIDS would be with a group of known safe natural drugs that have been called DMOAAs (Disease Modifying Osteoarthritic Agents). There have already been studies that suggest that these drugs have been successful in the treatment and can be a good preventative measure in the onset of arthritis. The most encouraging aspect of these tests is that they have not shown to have incurred any side effects and indeed will require the animal take a lower dosage of the NSAIDS. It is believed that they are just as successful as the use of NSAIDS on their own.

This is great news for the felines of the world. With a delicate metabolism and a propensity to be sensitive to medication, any drug that delivers zero side effects would be most welcomed. These drugs have also been found to aid in other ailments such as itchy flaky skin (pruritis) and also have some anti-cancer effects as well as being able to prevent an Alzheimer-like condition.

In addition to those breakthroughs, the DMOAAs have proven to be a very effective treatment for arthritis in cats. They can remove free radicals, which are responsible for joint damage, as well as rebuild cartilage and halt the breakdown of the surface of the joint. Clearly, this is a very exciting time in medicine and when it comes to finding a successful and effective treatment for arthritis in cats, then the combination of traditional and modern medicine is a welcomed partnership for many.

Obviously, preventative measures to ensure that your cat gets the best chance at health and life without the risk of arthritis is of optimum importance. While you cannot prevent many types of arthritis, you can certainly treat your cat before the symptoms show. This would therefore enable your pet to live comfortably for as long as possible without the prospect of pain and until there is the next medical breakthrough.

Author Resource: Written by Kate Rieger
Work to help your cat's weight down and play games with your cat to keep him moving. Exercise keeps his joints lubricated. Finally, consider this natural option as a cat arthritis treatment . Find out how to qualify for product when you visit http://ArthritisCatsTreatment.com.

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Hazards of Cockatoo Dander

Cockatoo dander is produced continuously and is a normal and healthy part of its growth and development. Dander, or flakes of dead skin, falls off as new skin grows in to replace the old. This process allows newer, more resilient skin to take the place of older skin that is less likely to be able to protect the bird from germs and the onset of disease.

In the wild, dander goes airborne into the air and dissipates, or the bird flies miles away. In captivity neither of these things can happen.

Being in This Cage Really Gets My Dander Up ... Literally by JustUptown

Because they are in an enclosed area -your home- dander has no place to go, and the bird cannot move away from it. So unless you actively remove dander from the air, the bird and its humans are forced to breathe air with high concentrations of dander.

For the bird, this is detrimental. Their air passages are so small that it doesn't take much to clog them. Once clogged, they often become ill with disease and infections that are hard to cure. With people, there is generally an increased sensitivity which often produces symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, or congestion.

And for people who already have respiratory issues such as allergies and asthma, the protein in the dander can trigger flare ups that make it all but impossible to keep the bird.

In addition to dander, Cockatoos, who are powder down birds, also produce a white powder to help keep their wings soft. This powder from their feathers is easily sent into the air with movements from the bird and the people who love and care for them.

And this powder and the dander are in addition to all the normal pollutants generally found in a home-dust, dust mites, dander from other pets, mold and mildew spores, as well as seasonal pollutants such as pollen.

Giving your bird clean air has to be a top priority if any of its other care is to matter. And the only way to insure that these particulates do not ruin your health or your bird's is to continuously removing the particles with HEPA filtration.

High efficiency particle arresting (shortened to HEPA) by definition removes particulates as small as.3 microns which is exactly the type of filter that is needed to remove bird-related and household pollutants.

And to be designated as such it has to have demonstrated that it can remove 99,997 out of 10,000 airborne particulates that are.3 microns or greater, with a micron being defined as one millionth of a meter.

Going on the offensive by constantly filtering the air will significantly lower the dander and dust in your air.

Author Resource: Written by Debbie Davis
You can significantly reduce Cockatoo dust and dander with the Bird Dust Air Purifier at http://purerair.com/bird_dust_air_purifier.html

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Setting Up Your Cichlid Fish Tank

Cichlids are known to bring color to a room by its mere appearance. Its behavior also paves way for a very entertaining spectacle. These two reasons are just some of the reasons why more and more people have started to collect and breed cichlids. If you are a first-timer at this, you have to understand some basic cichlid necessities, such as the cichlid aquarium setup.

Flowerhorn Cichlid by Prakash Chakraborty

As we all know, the cichlids in an aquarium need several things in order to enjoy its habitat. Making all of these possible would entail basic knowledge and understanding on your part. In turn, it would lead to an immeasurable degree of health and wellness for your cichlid. Here are some things to consider while you are setting up the new home of your cichlids:

In choosing a tank, you should be very meticulous. This means that you should select a good brand. Aside from this, the dimensions of the tank should also be wide enough for your cichlids to swim around in. Ideally, the tank should have a large volume. Meanwhile, a large surface area for the tank is also required to make your fishes comfortable and healthy.

What sort of decorations to include. It is common knowledge that cichlids or any fish, for that matter, need to live in an aquarium that is similar to its original habitat. This emphasizes the importance of putting plants, gravel and other decors inside the aquarium. Cichlids would also appreciate this because it would give them more ways to divide the aquarium in different territories.

Get your hands on a good filter. Filters are important in an aquarium setup because these materials keep the aquarium safe from pollutants. If you want your cichlids to be healthy, you should prioritize sanitation for their habitat. The best way to do that is through the use of a reliable filter.

Set the water temperature at a desirable level for cichlids. This is essential because keeping cichlids mean that they should receive ample heat. Get equipment that can enable you to heat at least a watt of heating per one liter of water. Once this is secured, you can already be able to respond well to the needs of your cichlid in terms of its habitat.

Cichlids are truly beautiful types of fishes. Do not waste their worth by not taking care of them. The least you can do is to feed them well and to put up an ideal aquarium setup for them.

Author Resource: Larry Pearson is an expert author and cichlid fish enthusiast and has been keeping pet fishes for over 20 years. To learn more about cichlid aquarium setup and how to keep healthy and beautiful cichlids go to www.cichlidfishguide.com and sign up for his FREE Email Mini-Course.

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