Tag: horse

WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?

Well, since our last issue talked about poop, for this issue, we thought we’d supplement that knowledge by exploring the topic of (ugh!) worms and other parasites. Yep, those gross little things that seem to grow for no apparent reason inside and outside of our pets can cause all sorts of complications. If you didn’t care about your pets, chances are you wouldn’t be reading this newsletter, so we want to make sure you have a full kit of information on pet parasites. It will help you better understand where they come from, what trouble they can cause if left untreated, and what the most common treatments are these days.

First of all, nasties like worms, giardia and fleas do NOT grow for no apparent reason. They grow because they were transferred to a host and that new host has a favorable environment in which to set up camp. Didn’t know your pet was so hospitable, did you? And depending on the type of parasite, the transmission and preferred environment can vary; so can the life cycle. There are lots of good articles out there that are written to explain this in detail. We’ll list links to some of our favorites here.

Please bear in mind some of these authors work for companies that sell parasite treatments. TASP isn’t endorsing any particular one and we aren’t suggesting that you necessarily deworm on a monthly basis as some of these articles recommend. Discuss the type and frequency of treatment with your vet; based on your pet’s age, condition and lifestyle, the vet will know how often and what kind of treatment should be administered.

Here goes……

The gold standard for reliable information about just about any condition in animals, including all forms of parasites is the VIN:

VIN

VCA Hospitals published two very straightforward articles about potential transmission of disease (some from parasites) between pets and their families:

VCA Hospitals – Zoonotics in Cats

VCA Hospitals – Zoonotics in Dogs

Perhaps the most comprehensive of all websites dedicated purely to parasites in our pets is (imaginatively called) Pets & Parasites:

Pets & Parasites website

Little City Dogs sells reasonably priced dewormers, flea prevention and heartworm prevention. They also have some really cute blogs about some of the different kinds of worms:

Little City Dogs’ Blog on Heartworm

Little City Dogs’ Blog on Roundworm & Tapeworm

Little City Dogs’ Blog on Tapeworm

Parasites may not be a pretty topic but arming ourselves with good information about them can make a real difference in the quality of life we and our pets can share. So let’s all become parasite warriors for our pets so they and we can live together in harmony .

April 12, 2020 By Melinda Plasse In TASP Blog, TASP's Newsletters Comments Off on WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?

Tip o’ the Day – The Biggest Mistakes New Animal Owners Make

We’ve all seen the movies and read the books about animals and people living happily ever after. And animals really do enrich our lives, no matter what the species. But all living things have physical and emotional needs.  They’re not appliances we can turn on and off as we find necessary. They need the right food, the right medical care and the right enrichment to live an acceptable quality of life…..and most importantly, they need our time and attention. Once we bring a pet into our lives, we become their primary source of these things. They depend on us to know what they need because they can’t always tell us themselves. In this issue of our newsletter, we thought it might be helpful to use the internet to learn in advance what others have to tell us about the animals we want to make a part of our family.

The most common mistakes new animal owners make…….

Thinking of acquiring a cat? CLICK HERE to learn how to avoid the most common mistakes new cat owners make.

You say you’re smitten by the puppy you just met at the shelter? CLICK HERE to learn from the mistakes of others.

You always wanted an equine and now you’ve got the opportunity to achieve that dream. Before you do, CLICK HERE to prepare yourself in advance.

Ferrets, rats, snakes, lizards, turtles……are they all low maintenance pets? CLICK HERE to find out.

Exotic birds are entertaining, colorful, and some can even talk to us. But there’s more to owning a bird than just putting food and water in a cage. CLICK HERE to find out what you may not have considered about owning a bird, before you bring one home.

 

 

December 23, 2018 By Melinda Plasse In Newsletter 5 Comments Off on Tip o’ the Day – The Biggest Mistakes New Animal Owners Make

Grrrrreat Reads – Not about Dogs and Cats

This issue, we’re bringing you some books that are a departure from the subject of dogs and cats. After all, TASP is an All Species intervention group, so it’s only fair that we give some attention to some of the less commonly owned species. It can help us grow our knowledge of animal husbandry and maybe even tempt some of you to venture out and begin a relationship with some of these fascinating members of the animal kingdom.

Part of the True Horse Stories series, Gunner – Hurricane Horse by Judy Andrekson introduces us to a rude, unwanted colt who evolves into a treasured family member. The story follows this southern farm family before, during and after Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent circumstances that change all their lives forever. Inspiring, insightful and difficult to put down, the book can be enjoyed by youthful and young-at-heart readers who appreciate the value animals bring to our lives.

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With “A Chicken in Every Yard,” Robert and Hannah Litt provide a helpful guide to backyard chicken husbandry geared toward urban and suburban dwellers, yet helpful even to those who live in the country. After posing and answering the question, “Why raise chickens,” this book offers a comprehensive collection of advice covering things like planning the financial side of chicken-ownership, proactively researching legal restrictions, selecting breeds, coop design and building, chicken health and feeding, and even a collection of recipes for dishes based on home-grown eggs. Plenty of great photos, tips and a list of resources to use as a launch pad for turning oneself into a responsible and successful chicken aficionado!

 

Karen Patry has written a very useful collection of information about raising rabbits in “The Rabbit Raising Problem Solver.” It’s mostly organized in question & answer format and really helps people who have been thinking about owning rabbits determine whether this is the right commitment for them. So different from other species in their physical and nutritional requirements, rabbits and their peculiarities can be baffling to those new to rabbit husbandry. The Rabbit Raising Problem Solver does a good job of unwinding the mysteries surrounding rabbit care, feeding, health, and management. With more and more apartment dwellers recognizing the value of keeping rabbits as pets, Patry’s book can educate and entertain, with the hope of encouraging successful bunny ownership for even the beginner.

 

 

 

 

September 19, 2017 By Melinda Plasse In Newsletter 3 Comments Off on Grrrrreat Reads – Not about Dogs and Cats