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COMMENTARY: The animals we live with
Sybil Erden
Is it possible to give inoculations to my dogs without having to go to the vet's office? How about rabies shots? It is all so expensive! - - J. in Cochise County
According to Arizona Law, only dogs require rabies vaccinations. In order to prove your dog has been vaccinated, your veterinarian provides a certificate of vaccination and/or a "rabies tag" or license. By Arizona law, every dog over the age of 6 months needs a rabies inoculation, followed by one the next year, and then every three years.
In some states, cats also need rabies inoculations, but in Arizona it is voluntary. It is highly recommended that your cats have rabies vaccinations, as rodents are one of the main routes of transmission of this deadly disease.
Other inoculations for cats and dogs...such as parvo, cat and dog distemper, "kennel cough" and more are not required by the state, but are necessary to keep your animals healthy. If you know how to give inoculations, and feel comfortable doing so, you may purchase inoculations at local feed stores or on line through such Web sites as Drs. Foster and Smith or 1-800-Pet-Meds.
In Cochise County it is possible to find "low-cost inoculation clinics" early in the year. Dr. Nancy Leverenz of All Creatures in Benson has several clinics at various locations throughout the county. Check with her, or with your local veterinarian, to find out when a low-cost clinic will be held in your area!
My female Umbrella Cockatoo has recently begun plucking. She never did this before. She eats good quality seed, pellets and fresh fruits and veggies. I even put her in a big dog run during the day for a few hours so she has fresh air and sunshine. Is there anything I can do? - A. in Benson
Many Cockatoos, and other species such as Greys and Macaws, often pluck. In some cases we never find out why...but the first thing you should do is get a complete physical exam for her to insure that nothing is wrong. Sudden onset of plucking can be a sign of illness or distress. You mention that she is in a dog run part of the day. These are normally built using galvanized chain link. Galvinizing is a process by which a zinc coating is put over steel to keep it from rusting. On chain link this coating is a very rough coating, and sometimes has tiny chunks which a parrot can chew on, break off tiny pieces and swallow. This can cause what is called "zinc toxicity" or heavy metal poisoning. It is treatable, so have your vet screen for zinc and other metals when s/he does blood work to make sure your bird is well.
Birds are not at all physically like dogs and cats. I recommend finding someone who specializes in Avians and Exotics. If you need to find an Avian Veterinarian, go to the Association of Avian Veterinarians Web site www.aav.org. There they list members by state.
Send questions about anything animal related to oasisbirds@hughes.net
Remember, I am not a veterinarian. If you have a sick or injured animals, get him or her to a vet immediately!
(Sybil Erden is director of The Oasis Sanctuary for exotic birds located in Cascabel near Redington Pass.)
Is it possible to give inoculations to my dogs without having to go to the vet's office? How about rabies shots? It is all so expensive! - - J. in Cochise County
According to Arizona Law, only dogs require rabies vaccinations. In order to prove your dog has been vaccinated, your veterinarian provides a certificate of vaccination and/or a "rabies tag" or license. By Arizona law, every dog over the age of 6 months needs a rabies inoculation, followed by one the next year, and then every three years.
In some states, cats also need rabies inoculations, but in Arizona it is voluntary. It is highly recommended that your cats have rabies vaccinations, as rodents are one of the main routes of transmission of this deadly disease.
Other inoculations for cats and dogs...such as parvo, cat and dog distemper, "kennel cough" and more are not required by the state, but are necessary to keep your animals healthy. If you know how to give inoculations, and feel comfortable doing so, you may purchase inoculations at local feed stores or on line through such Web sites as Drs. Foster and Smith or 1-800-Pet-Meds.
In Cochise County it is possible to find "low-cost inoculation clinics" early in the year. Dr. Nancy Leverenz of All Creatures in Benson has several clinics at various locations throughout the county. Check with her, or with your local veterinarian, to find out when a low-cost clinic will be held in your area!
My female Umbrella Cockatoo has recently begun plucking. She never did this before. She eats good quality seed, pellets and fresh fruits and veggies. I even put her in a big dog run during the day for a few hours so she has fresh air and sunshine. Is there anything I can do? - A. in Benson
Many Cockatoos, and other species such as Greys and Macaws, often pluck. In some cases we never find out why...but the first thing you should do is get a complete physical exam for her to insure that nothing is wrong. Sudden onset of plucking can be a sign of illness or distress. You mention that she is in a dog run part of the day. These are normally built using galvanized chain link. Galvinizing is a process by which a zinc coating is put over steel to keep it from rusting. On chain link this coating is a very rough coating, and sometimes has tiny chunks which a parrot can chew on, break off tiny pieces and swallow. This can cause what is called "zinc toxicity" or heavy metal poisoning. It is treatable, so have your vet screen for zinc and other metals when s/he does blood work to make sure your bird is well.
Birds are not at all physically like dogs and cats. I recommend finding someone who specializes in Avians and Exotics. If you need to find an Avian Veterinarian, go to the Association of Avian Veterinarians Web site www.aav.org. There they list members by state.
Send questions about anything animal related to oasisbirds@hughes.net
Remember, I am not a veterinarian. If you have a sick or injured animals, get him or her to a vet immediately!
(Sybil Erden is director of The Oasis Sanctuary for exotic birds located in Cascabel near Redington Pass.)
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