For the public

Sugar Glider Enrichment

Sugar gliders are best to get around 8-12 weeks after they emerge from the mother’s pouch.  This is the best age to socialize them with humans and get them used to being handled.  The process may take many weeks to fully socialize them to humans.  Sugar gliders live for about 7-10 years in captivity but have been known to live as long as 12-15 in some cases.  They are nocturnal in the wild, however they can adjust to any schedule in captivity.

Gut Loading

“Gut loading” refers to the practice of feeding insects a nutritious diet before they are eaten by your pet.  Most commercially-available prey insects are deficient in many nutrients that our insectivorous pets require.  Gut loading enhances our pets’ nutrition in two ways:

Marek’s Disease in Poultry

Marek’s Disease is a highly contagious viral (Alphaherpesvirinae) disease of poultry and can be found in both commercial and backyard birds. The virus is airborne and spreads through feather dander and feces. The virus is prevented by vaccinating birds while in the egg or shortly after hatching.

Water Quality for Reef Aquariums

A reef aquarium filled with many different species and types of coral can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. Water quality is the most important aspect of keeping a thriving reef environment that is both suitable for the fish and invertebrates while keeping the tank visually pleasing The primary aspects of water quality do not differ much from keeping fish-only aquariums. However, the addition of corals will add a new dimension with more parameters to monitor for healthy, growing, and vibrant corals and fish.  These include calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, phosphate, pH, ammonia, salinity, and temperature.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Chickens

Veterinarians who work with chickens know that the prevalence of cancer in the reproductive tract of a hen is high. Some studies found that about 45% of female chickens develop reproductive tract cancers, usually after a hen is 2 years of age. In the beginning, egg production may not be affected but as time goes on these can be a decline in eggs and worse, cancers can spread to involve other organs. Ultimately, they will take the life of the chicken.

Greens and Vegetables for Herbivorous Reptiles

Here are recommended vegetables and greens for reptile diets. 
 
Choose a variety of the follow to feed daily -
Spring Mix, Field greens,  Dandelion greens, Collard greens, Endive, Escarole, Mustard Greens, Squash (acorn, butternut, hubbard, scallop, spaghetti, summer), and Turnip greens. Also  Shrubs/Cultivated plants (hibiscus, cape honeysuckle, mulberry, strawberry bush, grape leaves, viola, violet, pansies, poppy, petunia, geraniums, etc.), Alfalfa (plants), Cactus pad/leaf (prickly pear), and Lettuce (red leaf, romaine)
 

Bearded Dragon Nutrition

Proper nutrition is a very important part of caring for your bearded dragon. Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat a combination of both prey items and plants. Studies in Australia of wild adult bearded dragons show the eat approximately 90% plants and only 10% prey items and juveniles each equal amounts of each. Similar percentages should be attempted in pet bearded dragons using this feeding guide. 

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