May 27/2020

Feature:

A zoo has been trying to get 2 pandas to mate for 10 years. When coronavirus shut the zoo down, the pandas finally did

"(CNN) — It seems all these giant pandas needed was a little privacy.

Parenthood might be around the corner for Ying Ying & Le Le, which are longtime residents of Ocean Park in Hong Kong. Zoo officials announced… that after 10 years of attempts at natural mating, & 'through trial & learning,' the 2 have finally succeeded.

'The successful natural mating process today is extremely exciting for all of us, as the chance of pregnancy via natural mating is higher than by artificial insemination,' Michael Boos, executive director for zoological operations & conservation at Ocean Park, said in a press release.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the park has been closed to visitors since late January. Staff noticed certain behaviors in the 2 giant pandas that are common during breeding season, which occurs every year between March & May.

'Since late March, Ying Ying began spending more time playing in the water, while Le Le has been leaving scent-markings around his habitat & searching the area for Ying Ying's scent,'…

                                               

While it is still too early to tell whether a baby panda is on the way, Ying Ying's body & behavioral changes are being closely monitored.

'If successful, signs of pregnancy, including hormonal level fluctuations & behavioral changes may be observed as early as late June, though there is always a chance that Ying Ying could experience a pseudo-pregnancy,' said Boos.

This is big news in conservation efforts for the species that is currently listed vulnerable, one category away from being endangered, according the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. There are only around 1,800 giant pandas that remain in their natural habitat, according to Ocean Park.

'We hope to bear wonderful pregnancy news to Hong Kongers this year & make further contributions to the conservation of this vulnerable species,' said Boos.

If Ying Ying is pregnant, the gestation period for giant pandas ranges between 72 & 324 days. The zoo said it will be sharing updates on her journey to motherhood once more is known."

                                     

Amanda Jackson

April 7/2020

CNN.com  

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May 20/2020

Feature:

Take Paws 

     “NEW YORK- Spring has sprung…For pet owners, it’s…the perfect time to take an

accounting of furry & feathered loved ones.

     From a medication check to grooming, there’s lots that can be done to ensure the well-being of pets as warm weather blossoms.

     ‘Medications for your cat & dog are very much like ours,’ said Rob Jackson, the CEO & co-founder of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance & Foundation…

     Colleen Williams, in a Healthy Paws blog post, urges owners to put pet food bowls & plastic toys into the dishwasher but skip the heated dry setting to avoid meltdown. For heavy duty rubber toys, she suggested a 15-minute soak in one part vinegar to 2 parts hot water for 15 minutes before hand scrubbing.                                                                                

Past- Prime Meds

     Lots of factors shorten the shelf life of pet meds…Jackson said some medications may not show signs of degrading, while others may be discolored or change in consistency or odor. ‘Administering medications that are past their prime can have dangerous health consequences for your pet,’ said Jackson. ‘Some may be ineffective because they’re expired…”

Pet Accidents

     It happens, & sometimes the effects can linger…

     What your eyes can’t spot but your nose may be well aware of is the damage that lingering accidents can do to rugs & upholstery over time. Use an enzyme based cleaner to help ensure pets don’t return to the same spots.

Spa Treatments

     Jackson isn’t talking, necessarily, about an extended at-home grooming session to check for any abnormalities not immediately apparent.

     …When was the last time you took a long look at your pet’s teeth & gums? Presumably, regular vet visits include such inspections, but ther are changes a pet owner is best positioned to detect.

Digital Accounting

     In addition to a pet’s medicine cabinet, Jackson urges owners to tidy up health records & receipts, as well.

     ‘Digitally save invoices & records to a folder on your desktop, or physically locate any paperwork from years past,’ he said.

About Those Toys

     Spring is as good a time as any to take an accounting of exactly what a pet is playing with, what a pet has heavily damaged, & what has been dismissed…”

Leanne Italie

The Associated Press

In The Gazette, Montreal

April 11/2019

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May 13/2020

Feature:
Heads & Tails Adorable
   "The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium is offering online videos featuring its 2 6 week old cheetah cubs, the first to be born via in vitro fertilization.

   The cubs were born to a surrogate mother... They're named Dave & Adrienne.
                           
   According to cleveland.com, the only other reported IVF success in large cats was 30 years ago, which resulted in 3 lion cubs.

   'These 2 cubs may be tiny but they represent a huge accomplishment,' said Dr. Randy Judge, the zoo's vice-president of animal health.   
                                                   
   The first clip, available on the zoo's Facebook page, vice-president of animal programming Suzi Rapp introduces meat into the cub's diet. The zoo is the location for the TV series Secrets of the Zoo, airing on National Geographic & Nat Geo Wild."
                                             
Melissa Hank
The Gazette, Montreal
April 6/2020

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May 6/2020

Feature:
A New view of Some Old Dogs
   "Who needs to teach an old dog new tricks when said dog can loaf around & become internet famous?
                                  
     As more people turn to the web while practicing social distancing at home, a sanctuary for senior dogs is livestreaming its canines- & raising awareness about the traditionally hard-to-adopt group.
                                                               
     'Here in the cosy Gathering Room, the mature & loving senior dogs of Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary eat their meals, play, & snuggle together,' the sanctuary says on its webcam's website, hosted on explore.org.
                                                  
   The Tennessee sanctuary also has a network of people willing to provide foster care for its canines. 
                                     
     Mature dogs often aren't adopted because of their shorter life spans & high medical costs."
                             

Melissa Hank
The Gazette, Montreal
March 30/2020

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April 29/2020

Feature:

Why Do Cats Chew on Things?

“Unlike dogs, which are notorious for their love of chewing, cats aren’t particularly known for nibbling on much other than food. However, chewing is a somewhat common behavior in cats. ‘Consider a cat’s prey,’ says Dr. Carlo Siracusa, clinical assistant professor of behavior medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia. ‘Cats have to chew on their prey to disassemble the bodies & eat. It’s a behavior that can very easily enter other areas of a cat’s life.’

Cats may chew on everything from plastic bags & wires to wood & certain types of fabrics. While the behavior on its own shouldn’t necessarily be cause for alarm…if a cat’s urge to chew becomes compulsive, it can lead to serious issues.

                                         

The Chewing Spectrum

Dr. Nicolas Dodman, a pet behavior expert, professor emeritus at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University…says that chewing in cats occurs on a spectrum, much like other behaviors. ‘There is no such thing as normal or abnormal behaviors,’ he explains. ‘Everything is on a spectrum. So at one of the spectrum you may have cats that don’t chew at all, unless they’re eating their kibble. But at the other end, you’ve got a cat that is completely obsessed with eating fabrics, shower curtains, & shoelaces…’

…Wires, in particular, can be very hazardous when a pet parent is dealing with a cat who chews…

                                                

Why Might Cats Chew

Chewing behavior comes pretty naturally to cats, & Siracusa says they may become more pronounced in indoor cats due to their lifestyle. ‘Cats’ instinctual feeding & exploratory behaviors are tied to chewing,’ he explains. ‘But cat food…is not a natural food for cats. When an animal is set up to perform a certain behavior by instinct, but you change that animal’s environment, that behavior doesn’t go away. It persists.’

As such, some chewing by cats can be expected; it’s just when the behavior becomes compulsive that owners should start taking notice. Dodman likens more serious chewing to obsessive compulsive disorder in humans. ‘A lot of the more extreme chewing behaviors are brought on by anxiety,’ he says. ‘You tend to see it more in high-strung breeds like Siamese cats, or just cats that have anxious, nervous, or fearful dispositions. It’s much less common in the more laid-back breeds, like Persians.’

Dodman also notes that anxiety can also manifest as suckling or hair-pulling behaviors, which studies have shown are often seen in cats who were weaned too early…

                                              

Addressing Chewing Behaviors

If a cat does exhibit compulsive chewing behaviors, there are several options for owners. The first is to redirect the behavior with toys or even chew treats. ‘Many cats do settle down when provided with a toy that they can chew on,’ Siracusa says. ‘The toys stimulate the predatory behaviors &, in many cases, it will satisfy the urge to chew.’

This approach tends to work best with cats who are only occasional chewers. If the cat is compulsive, then further action will need to be taken. In more severe cases, Dodman has prescribed mood-stabilizing medication. ‘Anti-obsession drugs, like those in the Prozac family, work really well when treating compulsive disorders. They help reduce anxiety & just stabilize an animal’s take on the world. So if your cat is stressed or anxious because you’re at work all day, over time, these drugs will help prevent them from becoming upset,’… so if a cat has compulsive chewing behaviors, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian'”

                                             

Kate Hughes

Petmed.com

Jan 29/2018

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