Pet Information

QUESTION: It is kind of gray/white…head looks like a praying mantis…6 legs…long round tail…3 or 4 long antenna at the end of the tail…it stays at the bottom of the tank, and yes when I disturbed it, it wiggled, twitched and franticly swam to the surface. It gives me the hebby gebbies to look at.

I have never had live plants in my tank before, and never anything like this in the 15yrs I have fish (no fish in the last 5 yrs) until the bettas. Could it have come with the plants? Does it lay eggs? I’m I going to have more (very creeped out)?

If it is harmless to the fry, should I put it back in the tank with them? They will eat it? This things head is as big as they are…I’d rather flush it!!!

ANSWER:

It sounds more like this, which is a Cyclops (a type of copepod); they range in size from 1-3 mm. It is called a Cyclops because of the single eye spot. This female carries two packages of eggs near the base of her tail.

A little about Cyclops;

HABITAT:

Cyclops live in freshwater, such as ponds and lakes. They prefer areas of still water with a lot of algae.

THEIR PLACE IN THE FOOD CHAIN:

Cyclops are omnivores; they eat algae, small animals, detritus but not usually fish. But weak fry MAY be harmed by these copepods. Some species of Cyclops are not free-living, existing instead as fish parasites, but these are not common. Tropical and native fish enthusiasts utilize the cyclopoids as a high protein live fish food, especially for immature fishes, and in a fair twist of fate, some Cyclops species have been found feasting on larval fishes, particularly in fish hatcheries.

Cyclops are generally eaten by Phantom Midge Larvae and water mites.

REPRODUCTION:

The female Cyclops carries her eggs at the back of her body. There are fewer males than females present in the population, and the males are smaller. Females are often observed while swimming to have paired egg sacs, and most of the species are capable of explosive outbreaks when the water temperature and other conditions are optimal.

CONCLUSION:

Cyclops can also be intermediary hosts to the Guinea worm (which affects humans, but not generally fish) and fish tapeworm. These are rare occurrences for the Cyclops, and many aquarists consider them valuable as a fish food and even sell them. I would not be overly concerned with them for most aquariums as long as good aquarium cleaning methods, such as vacuuming are practiced. The exception would probably be with fish breeding. In this case, vacuuming gravel and rinsing off live plants in a mild bleach solution (live plants can handle a 25/1 solution provided it is rinsed off) would be in order. Keep in mind that these copepods do not like areas of high current and do like a lot of algae, so changing these conditions would go a long way in controlling Cyclops.

For more information and a picture, please visit: Aquarium and Pond Answers

If you have more than one pet to insure, many online companies will often discounts for multiple pets. It pays to learn about pet insurance before accepting an agreement, since few companies stipulate that the pets must be of the same breed to receive the discount. Thus, if the owner has different breeds of animals, such as a cat and dog, then the company may require that the owner agree to more than one policy.

Still, if you must take out more than one policy the company may offer discounts. Bargain hunting is where it is at, since if you search the market you may find better deals. Scores of pet insurance providers offer around 10 percent discounts, but few may offer better-discounted rates. If you are searching for pet insurance over the net, you can get scores of quotes and compare the rates and coverage of each plan in a matter of a few minutes.

There are various types of pet insurance available, including third party liability coverage, which will protect you if you pet harms, destroys property, causes an accident, and so forth. The fees attached to liability are often steeper than paying monthly fees on pet insurance.

Pre-existing conditions may decrease your odds of getting pet insurance coverage. Thus, if you have a pet undergoing current conditions make sure you tell the company ahead of time, since they will often find a measure of coverage to protect your animal. Of course, you may not receive full coverage, but any coverage is better than none at all.

If you have a pet and are insured and the company finds that your pet is undergoing conditions that possibly existed before the coverage was in effect, you may not receive reimbursements. Thus, again it is important to inform the company, even if you suspect your animal is ill. If you stay on top of things, you will often find friendlier providers that will work with you regardless of the pet’s condition. The coverage is needed regardless, since if you animal becomes ill, or is injured then vet expenses are often steep. The cost of vet care is increasing daily, therefore, cover now and save later.

Some pets undergo hereditary conditions, thus making it difficult to find coverage. “Hereditary and Congenital Conditions” are unavoidable and treatment is essential in most instances. If you are unaware of the pending conditions, you may find coverage, however most insurance providers will prohibit coverage for these types of conditions. If you do find coverage and within two weeks, you find your pet has hereditary conditions, then the claims are often voided.

Pet insurance company’s will insure pets and provide coverage for chronic illnesses. However, like many health plans or life insurance policies, if you continue to submit claims the premiums often increase. Policyholders are under obligation to renew the policies annually, however, to receive ongoing treatment for their pet. The Maximum Payout Pet Coverage plans will provide the maximum coverage for pets. If your pet is undergoing ongoing treatment, then this is the best plan for owners. The Maximum Time and Payout plans often have stipulations, including not permitting more than one claim out of a year on the same condition. The Cover for Life Insurance Coverage is helpful also, since it stops ongoing payment to owner by offering reimbursement on multiple visits.

Many claims filed under pet insurance polices often extend 10 days, and then the owner is paid. Few companies have various options, stipulations, exclusions and so forth, therefore, research is needed to find the best affordable plan with the most coverage. The internet has a wealth of information pertaining to healthcare coverage and will offer users the advantage of getting online quotes. The quotes are convenient, since it enables you to compare and contrast the difference in policies and prices. Finally, going online to get quotes will help you save money, since you most likely will find the best plans online with lower premium rates. Furthermore, you can read all the information upfront to learn what your pet is offered with the plans, thus saving time.

The Manchester Terrier is a lively, intelligent dog, fast to learn and easy to train. They can be kept in an apartment as they are active indoors and can get by with frequent long walks. A properly fenced in yard is always best for exercise. Keep the Manchester under control or she may chase almost anything that moves. She should be extensively socialized with children, kids and pets at a young age. She was originally bred as a ratter so beware of her with small pets. She can do ok with older, behaved children. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.

Approximate Adult Size

There are two sizes of the Manchester Terrier, Toy and Standard. The Toy size is 10 to 12 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 6 to 8 pounds. The Standard size is 15 to 16 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 17 to 18 pounds.

Special Health Considerations

Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Manchester Terrier is no exception. Be on the look out for Von Willebrands disease (a problem with blood clotting), over eating, lens luxation and Glaucoma. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

Grooming

The Manchester Terrier has a short black and tan coat which is shiny and easy care. She should be brushed and rubbed down with a cloth regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat and help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.

Her ears should be checked once a week and be kept clean. If you have her professionally groomed, make sure ear cleaning and inspection is part of the package. No water or excess fluid should get in the dogs ears, and do not try to irrigate the ears. Ear cleaning is too complicated and critical to instruct here. Look for hair growing in the ear canal, excess wax, or moisture. If her ears have a discharge, foul odor or she seems to be in distress and you suspect an infection, or tumor, consult your veterinarian.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.

Life Span

The Manchester Terrier can live between 14 and 15 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

History

The Manchester Terrier comes from Great Britain where they were used as companion dogs and ratters. They are thought to be a combination of the Whippet, other terriers and possibly the Greyhound. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1886.

Some Registries

• American Manchester Terrier Club
• UKC United Kennel Club
• NKC National Kennel Club
• CKC Continental Kennel Club
• APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
• AKC American Kennel Club
• FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
• NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
• KCGB Kennel Club of Great Britain
• ANKC Australian National Kennel Club
• ACR American Canine Registry

Litter Size

6 to 10 Belgian Sheepdog puppies

Category

Terrier

Terms To Describe

Muscular, agility, powerful, friendly, intelligent

SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

• Makes a good watch dog.
• Fast learner.
• The toy variety sheds very little.

SPECIAL BAD POINTS

Makes an ok guard dog.

Other Names Known By

Black and Tan Terrier

Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

There are many websites on the Internet that provide access to dog treat recipes. Many of these recipes are excellent resources for providing your dogs with healthy treats that are affordable and nutritious. As with any information that you find on the Internet, however, you should do quite a bit of your own research before using any of the dog treat recipes. This research should include ensuring that each of the ingredients is not harmful to your dog. This is necessary because many ingredients that we would not consider harmful could cause irreversible health problems and even fatalities in dogs.

Raisins are one example of an ingredient that should be avoided in dog treat recipes. Both grapes and raisins have been known to cause renal failure in dogs. Although one or two grapes may not be cause for concern, these products should be avoided in dog treat recipes and you should seek veterinary intervention if your dog ingests either grapes or raisins.

Onions are another such ingredient that should never be included in dog treat recipes. Many people make the mistake of thinking that onion is a great flavor for dog treats but ingesting onions even in small doses can make dogs susceptible to a certain type of anemia. Smaller dogs are especially prone to this anemia after ingesting onions.

Before following dog treat recipes, it is important to review the ingredients to ensure that each one is safe for consumption by dogs. It is important to note that seemingly harmless ingredients can be toxic when consumed by dogs.

Spay Day USA events will take place all over the nation on February 22. What is Spay Day? It is an annual spay and neuter campaign in the USA to help reduce the vast numbers of unwanted pets that are put to sleep each year.

More than 12 million unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters each year. Millions more than this are abandoned as strays in rural and urban areas. The Doris Day Foundation’s annual Spay Day USA is a national campaign to bring these numbers down.

There is absolutely no need for so many of these animals to suffer unecessarily. In many cases, people simply do not even think about the consequences of not having their pets spayed or neutered. If you don’t want a handful of kittens or puppies than take care of it.

If you don’t take care of it and end up with kittens than please find them good homes. So many people just let them roam and only escalate the problem.

If you find you have a pet that needs to be spayed or neutered then check with your local veterinarian. Many veterinary clinics run specials on Spay Day in support of the campaign.

If you’re not going to take care of the kittens that could be then make sure they aren’t born into a life of being unwanted.

Sharing your life and home with a pet can add a lot of joy and pleasure provided you pick the right pet and are able to provide the care needed. There are several ways to find a pet; you can purchase from a breeder, adopt an animal from a shelter or adopt a pet from a breed specific rescue group. Also, you may be able to adopt a very loving, healthy pet through your veterinarian or if you know a senior citizen whose housing situation requires them to give up their pet. Before you decide what type of animal you want, consider your lifestyle. Animals are not toys. They are sentient beings with emotions and pain receptors. They require routine medical check ups, proper nutrition, and have breed specific needs such as lots of grooming (poodles, etc.) or exercise (most types of terriers, etc.). Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do I make enough money to provide food and medical care for a pet? The average annual cost of feeding a cat is approximately $700 (this can vary tremendously depending on whether you feed your cat dry food or canned food and the quality of the food). The cost of caring for a dog can vary even more because the size of the dog determines the amount of food required. Certain breeds, like poodles require professional grooming which can add another $200-$700 in annual costs. If your pet is healthy, veterinarian fees average $100-150 per year, but the first year may be closed to $300 because more vaccinations are required with young animals and you will need to spay or neuter your pet as they reach sexual maturity—approximately 6 months old. Additionally, you may need to license or register your pet to be in compliance with local laws. It’s also good to plan on spending some money on training ($100-500 one time fees), especially with dogs. Like most things, having a pet can have unexpected costs—flea treatment, nail clipping, unexpected medical expenses, pet sitting or boarding fees when you travel, pet toys, treats, and bedding. Your home and furniture are likely to experience a little more wear and tear. If you’re the kind of person who cares more about your couch than a cat, think twice.

2. Am I willing to make a long term commitment to an animal? Most dogs and cats live approximately 10-12 years, but many indoor cats can live 20-25 years, and certain breeds of dogs live 15-18 years. No one can see the future, but if you have a condition or circumstance in your life where you cannot care for a pet for at least the next 10 years, do not purchase a pet whose life expectancy exceeds your availability. Let’s say you plan on moving to Europe in 5 years when you retire and you want to be free—i.e. no pets or responsibilities. You can often adopt an older pet from a shelter or breed rescue site. Or you can volunteer time at the local animal shelter instead of adopting a pet.

3. Is my home environment stable and suitable for a pet? Just like people, pets flourish in a home that is stable. They like routine feeding times and bed times. Are you able to provide these? If you have a home with any of the following conditions please do not adopt or purchase an animal.

a. Someone in the house with a violent temper.

b. You routinely travel for extended periods of time and no one else lives with you or no other person in the house wants to care for a pet. Cats can often do well in a household where you stay away one night a week, but dogs cannot be left alone for long periods of time.

c. You have very young children–wait until they are able to comprehend why they need to be nice to the animal. This varies from child to child, but once your child is 6-7 years old, it may be a good time to add a pet to your home. Just make sure you obtain the type of pet that is best suited for children.

d. You’re being evicted, foreclosure is eminent, or you are going to trail and may have possible jail time.

e. You have a mental of physical disability that requires prolonged hospital stays, or periods where it would be impossible to care for your pet.

f. You have a mental of physical disability and your disease will be aggravated by the extra burden of pet care or an allergic reaction to dander or hair. (Many people flourish by sharing their life with a pet—just make sure someone can care for your pet and that your disease will not be adversely affected).

4. Does your apartment, condo or city allow the type of pet selected? If you rent an apartment, find out what the property management or property owner’s pet policies are before you buy or adopt a pet. If you live in a condominium, you’ll need to check the pet restrictions. The condo management company or your condo association can provide this information. Lastly, check with the city to find out any breed restrictions (some cities will not allow people to house specific breeds).

If you want a pet and are willing and able to provide proper care, the next step is to consider the type of pet whose needs and nature will mesh well with your lifestyle. There are many books and websites with breed specific information. Sadly, the United States kills 4-10 million companion animals each year. This figure will drop substantially, as people consider the requirements of pet care and breed specific needs before they purchase or adopt an animal.

Having a dog that can perform tricks and is very obedient and well trained is a pride and joy of every dog owner. Having a dog that actually listens, hangs on to every word and obeys its master would certainly be loved and rewarded; this would solidly reinforce the relationship. Not only that, a well-trained dog knows how to “socialize” well with other dogs and people.

Dogs are the most well loved pets all around the world; they are welcome in more homes than any other domesticated animal ever. While they are generally warm, loving and loyal, they can be trained to be more obedient. A well-trained and behaved dog is more welcome in any family and is shown more love and attention. The times you spent with each other doing tricks and training equals to a bond that grows stronger everyday.

You will feel confident in bringing your dog almost anywhere, to the beach, park, vacations, if you know they will be behaving well.

Knowing How your Dog Feels

While animals are not considered as sophisticated intellectually as humans are, people can make the difference. Dog training allows us to understand how the dog feels and acts.

Dogs are pack animals, they belong to groups and needs a leader, and we will be their leader. In dog training we will learn how to act like their leader and tell them what to do. When we have established our role as their “pack leader”, the respect and loyalty follows next.

But aside from that, our dog is a part of our family, as every member of the family has their roles to play, so does the dog. A dog training session would let your dog understand his or her role and responsibilities. In knowing this, each one would be comfortable to co-exist with one another providing a good environment and a strong happy relationship.

Our last dog, Joe, was a food addict. He loved food so much, his tastes made no distinction between his food and human food.

When Joe came to us at six weeks old, attempting to keep our new puppy healthy and happy, I bought a bag from each of the many varieties of dog food. When the veterinarian asked me what I was feeding Joe, I told the veterinarian I was waiting to let Joe make that choice; although, Joe did not care, since he did like all food.

The veterinarian said I had done just the right thing, because one food had one kind of nutrition, while another one had another kind and it was a smart idea to let the dog feed on several varieties. This was in 1979, and given the circumstances, probably it was the best that could be done. Our dog, however, took to begging for whatever the kids were eating, and since both boys were in love with him, they fed him anything he asked for.

In those days, Joe’s kind was predicted to live eleven years at the most, but our dog lived to be more than eighteen years of age. So I thought we did something right. Well, maybe.

Maybe, because during the late nineties, I read that euthanized pets and road kill meat were being added to pet food. That made my hair stand at end. I don’t know if this is still true, but I read that this was legal. What if this gruesome mix they put into the pets’ food contained cancer or other communicable pet diseases? It is said that during the processing of the dry pet food, very high heat is used, therefore eliminating that possibility. Anyhow, this practice has horrified me. If I get another pet, I am sure I will cook for him.

Disregarding the horrid practices of the pet food industry, what a pet owner can do, in the least, is to inspect the food packaging before he buys it, especially where moist or semi-moist foods are concerned. If the cellophane is ripped, the can is warped and has lost its shape, it may mean that the food inside may be contaminated.

In addition, the dog owner should always keep in mind that if the dog food label says chicken flavored, the food may not contain chicken at all, but other things and flavoring.

Dry food, because it is made by exposing whatever is inside it to the highest heat, is safer than canned or semi-moist food, but it usually lacks the fats the dog needs for good health and disease prevention. The deficiency of fats can be remedied by feeding the dog some meat, fish (after all the fishbone is eliminated), eggs and milk products.

The harder working and the more energetic dogs need more protein and fat in their diet. If you feed your dog from the food you eat, in moderation of course, most anything should be okay, except for grapes and raisins that can make him sick.

Some dog owners, nowadays, opt for natural foods for their pets. Others choose the raw food diet products that have recently surfaced in the market. Although expensive, the raw food diet is closer to the food nature intended for the canines; however, this is a new approach and its negatives are not fully determined yet. Should you decide on a raw food diet, be sure to get your veterinarian’s opinion first.

Feeding smaller meals throughout the day than feeding the dog only once is better for his digestion. Also, cleanliness of his bowl, adequate fresh water, and the frequent emptying of the stale food are very important.

Giving the animal good, clean food, fortifying it with supplements like doggie vitamins, and keeping him under a constant veterinarian care is the best a dog owner can do for his dog. That way, dogs will thrive on the variety in their food and a lot of love from their family of humans.

Puppy house training is another step of dog training that should obviously be completed at as early an age as possible. It is not desirable to have a puppy that soils every room, but it isn’t difficult and shouldn’t take long to train any puppy. In fact, given the right circumstances and it will take little longer than a week.

Dogs are, by nature, clean animals. They do not like to soil themselves or the floor where they sit or lie down. If at all possible they will choose somewhere less intrusive than that, so it is just your job to let them know exactly where it is ok to use and where they shouldn’t. You have to accept that there will be accidents at first but if you can stick to a consistent routine then you have already won half the battle.

First you should decide exactly where you want your puppy to go. Whether you are willing to allow them to go anywhere in the yard or you have one specific area that you have designated as their spot this is fine. Just make sure you know where this area is. If you don’t know, how can your puppy?

If your puppy does go inside then you should remember that they don’t know they are doing wrong yet. For this reason your reprimand should be firm but not too harsh. A simple one word ‘No’ or ‘Stop’ will suffice but there is no reason to go over the top. Reprimand them and then clean the mess up with as little fuss as possible. On the other hand, when your puppy goes in the area you want them to you should heap praise on them. Let them know that they have done really well and pleased you. They will love the attention and eventually they will associate their action with your reward.

Ensure you have a schedule and remember that a puppy cannot hold it in for as long as a fully-grown dog. Your puppy will nap during the day and when they wake up they will invariably need to go out. For the first few days you will need to get up at least once during the night but in less than a week they should be able to manage the full night without having to pay a visit to the yard.

Stick to a schedule and puppy house training will be a lot easier. Without this structure combined with effective reward and reprimand your puppy will not know what they are supposed to be doing and what they shouldn’t be doing.

We all love our dogs, but did you know there are some diseases that humans can contract from contact with a sick dog? They are fairly rare, but it is a wise dog owner takes action to protect both the owner and the dog.

Zoonotic diseases are diseases caused by an infectious agent that can be transmitted between animals and humans. The one you are probably the most familiar with is rabies. Rabies is a viral disease that can be fatal to both people and dogs if not recognized and treated immediately. Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of a sick animal, usually through a bite. Dogs with rabies can seem like they are acting oddly, or have problems with moving a limb or swallowing. There is no cure for rabies once you have symptoms, only treatment. If you are bit by a dog, follow the advice of your physician and the vet, who may suggest that the dog should be observed for ten days after the bite for any signs of possible rabies infection. The best thing to do is to keep all dogs up to date with rabies vaccinations and booster shots.

Another disease we can contract from our dog is ringworm. Ringworm is a fungal skin disease which is highly contagious, especially for children. It is spread by direct contact but can also be airborne. Your vet can diagnose your dog if it has ringworm by cultures. Your dog may have round, hairless, scaly patches on her skin. If you think your dog might have ringworm, be sure not to let your child touch the dog until your vet has finished treating the dog.

Unlike ringworm, which is a fungus, round worm are really worms, and can spread from dogs to children, especially when the dogs are puppy age. Children need to be taught not to pick up or play with animal feces, and to use good hygiene with frequent hand washing when playing with a dog. Puppies need to be wormed early, and as the adult owner of a dog, you need to be responsible for disposing of fresh waste daily out of the way of you and your children.

Fleas and ticks are opportunists. If they are taking a ride on your dog, they could jump from your dog and onto you, increasing your risk of contracting parasite diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, or ehrlichiosis. Once again the best treatment is prevention by being sure your dog is being treated with antiflea and tick medication, even in the off season. If your dog has fleas, contact your vet and she may be able to advise you on methods of ridding the fleas from your environment.

Be especially vigilant about good hygiene and prevention of potential infections if your family includes people with cancer, AIDS/HIV, organ transplant patients, pregnant women, infants, and children under five, because these groups of people may be more susceptible to infection.

There are some simple steps you can take as a dog owner to prevent potential infections. Hand washing is the one of the most important, especially after handling dog feces. If you have children, you may want to supervise their hand washing.

Try not to directly handle animal feces. Wear a pair of gloves, and wash your hands even after you take the gloves off. Dispose of fresh waste immediately. Kissing your dog, especially children kissing a dog, may not be a great idea. Most importantly, all dog owners should have a close relationship with the vet, and be sure to bring your dog in for all necessary preventative vaccines or treatments. Now roll Rover over for a nice long belly rub. Then wash your hands!

Important: Please consult your own vet or pet professional before using any advice!