June 2nd, 2008
Many if the people who make their own snake or other reptile cages adapt other designs or continue to improve on the designs they have already used.
When you adapt a cage design from basic plan you can use it to make a reptile or snake cage to suit your own needs. You may have a space that is not quite suitable for the size of the original design. You may want to adapt a half built cage, a closet or an old cupboard. You may want to make a specific length, height or width. You may have limited access to materials or you may have an existing stockpile of materials that want to use.
In all cases, it is important to have a clear idea of what you want the finished product to look like and how you are going to construct it.
Detailed plans can contain a lot of important information for building reptile cages, but you should remember they are not definitive. For example many people who have used the “How to Build Reptile Enclosures” book site have altered the plans, in some cases quite significantly, to suit their needs and their skills.
They all acknowledge the benefits of using the book as a launching point for their cage building. They also found it helped them think more carefully about how they might construct a snake or other reptile cage to suit their needs. Then there are the other requirements for reptile cages and care eg heat mats, basking lights, UV lights, misting systems, substrates, decorations such as artificial walls, artificial trees and branches, and how these can be made and placed in the cage.
The book also gives you valuable information about construction techniques, making cages stronger and some useful hints and tips.
The original plans have been many individuals as a starting point for their cages and then adapted them to suit their needs, materials and skills.
You also find tha once you have started to make cages and adpat designs tat your building and design skills improve substantially and you continue to make and adapt your ideas.
Many people do not want to adapt the cages but want to build them exactly as described. There is enough information to allow you to do that to. Either way, a plan is an important part of the building process.
The main thing is to have some fun building something for yourself and your pet (and save a bit of money).
Mark Chapple is the Author of “How to build enclosures for reptiles”. Find out how to build these cages as well as arboreal cages and other cage types. Full color pictures, detailed diagrams and 10 easy to follow, step-by-step instructions.
http://www.reptile-cage-plans.com
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May 28th, 2008
Thousands of dogs are being prescribed Rimadyl by their veterinarians to treat pain, inflammation, and canine arthritis. Many of these prescriptions are written without any blood work done to ensure the dog can tolerate the drug. Learn the facts about Rimadyl and what you should know before administering this drug to your dog.
What is Rimadyl?
Rimadyl was introduced by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in January 1997 to help treat dogs with inflammation and pain associated with surgery or canine arthritis. Rimadyl is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) available as a prescription drug for dogs. The primary ingredient in Rimadyl is Carprofen. It is available as a caplet and chewable tablet and is given to dogs by mouth, or by injection administered by veterinarians. It has proven to be a successful means of relieving arthritis symptoms in dogs.
Is Rimadyl effective and safe?
There is no doubt as to Rimadyl’s effectiveness in treating dog arthritis, but it is the potential side effects that may seriously outweigh the benefits of this drug. Many dog owners feel it has vastly improved the quality of their dog’s lives and, in some cases, even extended their lives. Many dogs have died due to the unexpectedly rapid onset of side effects such as liver failure and/or because the drug’s side effects were not recognized by the attending veterinarian who did not take appropriate action. The Rimadyl labeling includes an extensive adverse reaction section which documents the possibility of a fatal outcome and death.
What Precautions Should I Consider Before Giving Rimadyl?
• Pre-screen the dog before prescribing Rimadyl by performing blood work and checking the liver enzymes.
• Check for warning signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy,
behavioral changes, constipation, and an increase in liver enzymes. It could be an indication of a toxic reaction.
• Rimadyl is not recommended for animals with known bleeding disorders and should not be used if a dog has pre-existing liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or a known tendency towards gastrointestinal ulceration.
• Rimadyl should never be given along with any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, or along with any corticosteroids such as prednisone, prednisolone, or dexamethasone.
• Dog age should be considered because approximately 85% of possible adverse drug event reports received by Pfizer Animal Health have been in dogs 6 years of age or older.
Alternatives to Rimadyl
Many alternatives are available to the dog owners which are considered safer than Rimadyl. The majority of these products contain glucosamine and/or chondroitin as the primary ingredient. Studies have proven glucosamine and chondroitin to be effective at alleviating the effects of arthritis, joint pain and inflammation in dogs. Other key ingredients which have shown effective are MSM, Ester-C and Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic Acid is particularly effective in increasing synovial fluid which is very helpful for dogs with Canine Hip Dysplasia. These products use natural substances to achieve similar results without the side effects of Rimadyl. Some of the most popular choices are Free and Easy for Dogs, Cosequin, and Arthrix.
William F. Smith is the owner of a Dog Health site started after his beloved Dachshund; Frederick developed Intervertebral Disc Disease, and subsequently had back surgery. The site offers a successful alternative to veterinarian prescribed drugs and can be viewed at: www.yourdoghealth.com
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May 13th, 2008
Does your dog bark when you have a knock at the door? Follow this simple plan to end excessive barking at the door.
Many dogs will bark when they hear a knock at the door. This is probably to announce the arrival of a new person to their territory. They learn pretty quickly that a knock on the door is quickly followed by a visitor.
But what if a knock at the door was only occassionally followed by a visitor?
Some dog owners have quick success at reducing barking by simply knocking on the door repeatedly throughout the day. With no visitor appearing at the door, the knock sound soon stops being associated with the visitor. At first, the barking will probably get worse. After a few repetitions, it should start to reduce. Don’t lose heart if it doesn’t appear to work for a little while.
When your dog gets really good at not barking when he hears a knock on the door, invite someone around to help out. Just have them knock on the door every minute and not come in unless your dog hasn’t barked. Do this for about 5 or 6 repetitions, no need to overdo it.
You can speed things up by rewarding your dog for being quiet when he hears a knock at the door. A further refinement is to make the knock a cue to lay down on a mat, or to sit quietly by the front door. This is a very polite greeting indeed!
If you have a doorbell, the same procedure applies. If your doorbell has different ring tones, try to set it to use only one ring tone.
This is certainly not the only approach to ending barking at the door, but for the majority of dogs it is the easiest and most effective approach. Try it and see!
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May 8th, 2008
For the first 8,000 years of their relationship with humans, cats pretty much took care of their own breeding. People kept them for one purpose - hunting rodent - and they are already perfectly designed for that. More than 100 years ago, however, we began systematically breeding cats to appeal to our aesthetic tastes. Hair length, color, coat pattern, as well as head and leg proportions contribute to the “look” of specific breeds.
Look at enough cat bodies and faces, and you’ll see two distinctly different types.
Faces are either triangular or rounded. Bodies that are lean and slender belong to the lithe oriental, or foreign breeds. Short legs supporting a broad, compact body are characteristic of a “cobby.” Mixed breeds usually have an “in between” body type.
There are more than 70 distinct breeds of cats that are recognized by formal cat registries. Some registries recognize only about 40 breeds, because they exclude those such as Bengals which are hybrids of domestic and wild cats. Some “breeds” are simply variations of primary types. For example, a Balinese cat is a longer haired type of Siamese cat.
Some breeds have roots that go far back in history. The Japanese Bobtail, distinguished by a short, rabbit-like tail, can be traced more than 1,000 years. The Egyptian Mau cat retains the physical characteristics of ancient Egyptian cats found in ancient paintings.
With an elegant body that is randomly spotted, banded legs and tail, communicative eyes and an ellegant cheetah-like stride, it is no wonder that the Mau attracts such a tremendous amount of attention at shows.
Other breeds reflect new aesthetics. Ocicats and Savannah cats are wild-hybrids — the result of breeding wild cats with domestic cats - which fill a desire for some cat lovers to have a “wild” pet. The Cornish Rex, with its soft, wavy coat and curled whiskers, is a dramatic, visual contrast to the typical smooth-coated cat. Likewise, the “hairless” Sphynx cat is a breed for the esoteric cat fancier.
Because the Sphynx cat has little hair, the cat needs to be bathed periodically. This is an easy task with a cat that has been accustomed to a bath from kittenhood.
Sometimes, cats are just “ordinary felines.” “Domestic” is the veterinary term used to classify cats of unknown heritage. Cats in these categories are broken into groups as domestic short hair (DSH), domestic long hair (DLH) and domestic medium length hair (DMH). Some people classify cats based on living circumstances; house cat or alley cat, but these are not true breeds.
Hair length and texture contribute to a breed’s “look, ” but color is not a reliable identity factor. Black cats with white paws, belly, and chests are referred to as “tuxedo cats,” but this is simply a description of coat pattern found in both domestic and “exotic” breeds. Tortoiseshell and calico coated cats are sometimes referred to as “ginger,” “marmalade,” or “orange tabby” cats, making them sound like specific breeds. In reality, they are just descriptors, much like “green-eyed Asian” or “brown-eyed European.” While it is true that some cat breeds only come in one hue (Russian Blues and Korats only show gray) most breeds display a range of coat color and pattern.
About the Author
Pet Medication Supplies http://www.pet-medication-supplies.net can help you get the best possible pet health supplies. Advantix, Arthramine, Cosequin, Frontline, Heartgard - find the best deals in pet medication for flea and tick control, arthritis and lyme disease. Upto 50% discount everyday on brand names.
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May 6th, 2008
There are a number of pet odor and stain removal products available to today’s pet owner. Some may differ in how they work, whether they be organic products or absorption products, while others differ in how they are applied. Also, there are different products for old stains, as opposed to newly formed stains.
It is important to remember, that you should use a pet specific odor or stain remover instead of the products you have for human caused household stains.
This is because your pet’s use their sense of smell, which for dogs can be greater than 100 times that of our own. Using their noses, they determine locations that are acceptable spots for relieving themselves, which can become a problem when they determine a spot indoors is such a place. Unfortunately, a majority of Odor & Stain removers manufactured for Human Use, do not eliminate the urine odor that deeply penetrates carpet, wood, and other porous materials inside our homes. While it may remove the stain, even freshening the air or area which has been treated, it will not fool your pet! Because of this, your pet may soon return to this area and relieve themselves again.
Irregardless of what Odor & Stain product you choose, it is best to keep it on hand. The sooner you treat such stains, the easier it is for them to be removed. Stains that go untreated for prolonged periods, like any other, will require multiple treatments, as well as extra time spent on your part to effectively treat them.
Organic cleaners
A safe and effective favorite are organic cleaners. These cleaners use natural enzymes to eliminate odors and bacteria caused by accidents because the enzymes digest the waste, which in turn eliminates the source of odor. A few examples of these types of cleaners are OdorMute, which is specifically made to treat odors while Nature’s Miracle is manufactured to treat both.
Oxygenated cleaners
Fresh N Clean Oxy Strength Eliminator works to safely and effectively remove pet stains and odors from carpets…Forever!! Starts working instantly and leaves a fresh clean scent. These types of cleaners work by pulling the odor and stain to the surface which needs treatment, essentially making them easier to clean.
Cleaning kennels (Hard Surfaces)
While many pet odor & stain removal products work great on fabric, there are also special cleaners devoted to cleaning tiled, concrete, or plastic (linoleum) flooring. Products such as Ken-Care and Kennelsol not only effectively remove odors, but they also work to rid areas which house your dog or dogs from bacteria and viruses such as parvo-virus, canine distemper, and many others.
Remember, you may want to treat regular household odors or stains with these products as well. They usually work better than regular household cleaners to remove things such as feces, blood, and vomit or grape juice, pasta, and other stains or odors caused by everyday household events.
Mike Steele
http://www.dog.com
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April 15th, 2008
The quality of the relationship between a pet owner and his/her pets is directly related to how much time is spent with the pet, training the pet and building trust. Well now, that’s pretty true of human relationships also, isn’t it? Unfortunately human relationships are not as simplistic and can be quite disappointing through no fault of our own. No, the relationship between pet owners and their pets is a world apart from human relationships. The only exception to that is that pets are often like children and I believe we view them as such because we are their caretakers, they give us love and affection in return for our caring for them. Unlike children though, our pets will never outgrow their need for the care we provide to them, at least not in the physical sense, as children do.
There have been many claims by health care providers that having a pet can have a very positive influence on our health. They provide companionship for the lonely, they provide us with a reason to exercise (walking the dog), they have a calming effect upon us when we pet and play with them, thereby reducing stress levels which in turn reduces blood pressure and other bodily indicators of stress. They give so much and require so little in return, it’s almost hard to understand why everyone doesn’t own a pet.
Let me share a personal experience that I believe will show a prime example of how a pet can make a difference in one’s life. If you’ve read other articles written by me, you’ll know that my 24 year old son suffered with brain cancer until his death early this summer. Last fall he began to talk about wishing he could have a Jack Russell Terrier, he said the reason he wanted one was because they are such smart animals. His friend had one and he just admired it so much. So of course, I went in search of a Jack Russell Terrier for him as a Christmas present. My husband wasn’t real keen on the idea at all and I basically had to go against his wishes to get the dog. I did some research to find out more about the breed, it was said that this breed is particularly energetic and require a lot of playtime and exercise. Many times people would get a Jack Russell Terrier and then abandon it because they didn’t have the time or patience for it’s requirements. Well, there was always someone home, so I knew the dog wouldn’t be neglected. I also knew, that even though my son very much wanted the dog, that he would not have the energy to expend on exercising the dog and that task would fall on me and my husband. I’d spoken to my son’s friend and asked where he had gotten his JR, he put me in touch with his cousin who breeds them. Fortunately, her female had just had a litter of pups a month prior to my inquiry and they were almost ready to leave mom. I called and talked to her and voiced some of my concerns about the breed. She understood my concern and said that she bred her JR’s to be much more calm than most, and that they make wonderful pets. I would have loved to make it a surprise, but it was important that my son be able to choose the pup that he wanted, so I took him with me when I went to view the pups.
Who can resist a puppy? You’ve got to be incredibly hard hearted to not respond positively to a cute little puppy that is so full of life and playfulness. The entire litter was adorable! We picked each one up and held them and played with them. I was stricken almost instantly by the runt of the litter which was a little girl who was all white except for a brown patch around her right eye and ear…. kinda put you in mind of the RCA dog. My son was attracted to a totally different pup, the pup he wanted was a male and had a mostly brown and black face and ears, there was a white stripe that came down the center of his face to his nose, the rest of him was white. I asked my son what he found so attractive about this pup and he said it was his eyebrows…. he just liked the way his eyes looked. Well… that was that, he’d made his choice. Although pure-bred, these pups didn’t come with papers which brought the price down to a manageable amount. Normally a pure-bred JR will cost upwards of $500.00, but this breeder was selling males for $300.00 and females for $350.00. I needed a few weeks to get that amount of money together and so I had the breeder mark his choice and told her that I would pick up the pup in about 2-3 weeks.
It was about 10 days before Christmas when I went to pick up the puppy. I didn’t let my son know that’s what I was doing, I wanted to be able to surprise him just a little. My son was sleeping when I got home, he slept a lot due to the radiation & chemo that he was taking. I laid the pup next to him on the bed and woke him up. Needless to say, he was all smiles, he named the pup Chewy, after Chewbacca from Star Wars, my son was a big Star Wars fan. To see a big husky guy like my son melt over a little puppy is a precious site. Although my son really enjoyed playing with the puppy now and then, most of the time he was just too tired and little by little Chewy turned to myself and my husband for attention. He was a smart little thing and ornery as well, both my husband and I couldn’t help bonding with him and making him our baby. We took him with us everywhere, and everywhere we’d go people would oooh and ahhh over him, he was definitely a people-magnet. He got smarter all the time, we were even able to teach him how to shut the door when he came in from outside (we’d let him out and just barely close the door so that he could push it open), he’d come in and then jump against the door until it closed, it was soooooo cute! Every time Chewy learned something new, my husband would beam with pride (me too:). He’d even taken to calling him “the boy” or “my boy”. Who would have thought that a little dog could bring so much joy into a household that had been stricken with sorrow at the prospect of losing a son in the prime of his life. My son enjoyed the stories we told about Chewy’s antics when we’d take him out with us, or when Chewy would show off a new trick he learned.
I think God had a two-fold plan in bringing Chewy and us together. Plan 1 was to bring some joy into my son’s life and 2, he was giving my husband and I something to ease the emptiness that was left when my son passed away. His plan was such a blessing. Chewy can never replace my son, but there’s something about his character that is so familiar. No, I do not believe that my son’s spirit reside in the dog. As I said before, to my husband and I, Chewy is very much like a child and so it’s not unusual that we would associate some of the corny things he does with those of a real child. The one thing that he and my son have in common is that they both have the ability to make us laugh. My son was a real cut up most of the time, he loved to make people laugh and so does Chewy. They say that laughter is the best medicine, don’t they?
When I look at the impact that a little dog has had on me and at a very difficult time in my life, it’s easy to see what a difference a pet can make. Not everyone is cut out to be a pet owner, but for those who are lonely or suffering some kind of loss, it could be just the thing they need to get them over the hump.
——-Sharon B is a registered nurse and internet developer. She contributes to http://www.fitandwell.com. One of the newest ventures Sharon is starting is selling products on ebay. She started this business from the information she received at http://www.buyingwholesale.com.
Chewy now has a sister!
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April 11th, 2008
“Can I have a puppy? Please, oh please, I’ll take care of it and look after it and everything”
Just what do you say to your kids when they ask for a pet? It is perfectly true that growing up with a family pet can teach children responsibility and to develop their social skills. Also cultivating good feelings towards pet animals helps kids to develop a sense of self esteem and help them to establish trusting relationships with other human beings. But before you give in to your kid’s demands for a pony, rabbit, salamander, kitten, boxer, python, or macaw, there is plenty for you to consider.
The first thing to keep in mind is that no matter how much your kid promises that she or he will be the one to take care of the pet, some if not all of that responsibility will fall upon you. That is an inevitable, inescapable fact. No matter how good the child’s intention is, there will be some, and perhaps many, occasions when other things take priority in their minds and the pet is unintentionally neglected. That is, the pet would be neglected if you were not there to step in, because somebody has to.
Secondly a child may sincerely believe that the thing that they most want in the world is a cute little black and white kitten, just like their best friend of the moment has. The child has really convinced themselves that they want a kitten, and a kitten will hold their interest for ever and ever. And so it would, until their new best friend of next week gets a pet lizard which is just sooo cool. So you will want to make absolutely sure that the pet that your child is demanding will be a long term passion, and not just a fleeting interest.
It will be a good idea to discuss the idea with the whole family. How do they feel about yapping dogs, hair shedding Persian cats, squawking parrots? If one of your children is allowed their very own pet hamster, will all of the child’s siblings demand a pet of their own too? Does anybody in the family suffer with an allergy that would make sharing their home with a certain animal intolerable?
Is the type of animal your child is asking for suitable for your family, and your family’s life style? A dog that needs two trips to the park every single day may not be suitable for a family who is away from the house all day. And no matter how much the child promises that they will walk the dog, there will be times that they will fail to do so, (and times that you may not want them to, after dark for example). Choosing pets for kids is not easy, often the type of pet that they plead for would not be the best match for their age and experience with animals.
You should also consider cost. Not only the cost of acquiring a pet, but more importantly the cost of taking care of it. All animals involve a financial commitment, food, vet bills, pet care products etc. You don’t want to acquire a pet for your kid only to find that you don’t have the financial means to keep it. Small pets for kids often have less costs involved in looking after them than larger pets do.
There are many other things to consider when choosing pets for kids, but hopefully this short article will have prompted you to think about the fact that buying an animal for a child, is not the same thing as buying a kid a cell phone or a bicycle. Pets are living breathing creatures, they need care, they need commitment, they need love.
About The Author
Larry Chamberlain lives in London, England, and has had a lifelong fascination with domestic cats. His web site - http://www.best-cat-art.com - provides information about all that is best in cat art. Also pages about cat and kitten care and information on cat breeds and types.
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