SMUGGLING OF STAR TORTOISE FROM INDIA.

A large-scale network,supported by high international demand for exotic pets, is causing extreme suffering to the animals and threatening the survival of the star tortoise. In one site alone, at least 55,000 tortoises were poached from the wild in one year,for centuries, in rural parts of India, star tortoises (Geochelone elegans) have been traditionally kept as pets in many homes, their owners believing that they bring good luck and fortune. The unique star-like yellow pattern on their shell is making them an increasingly popular target for illegal wildlife trade.The number of tortoises being smuggled is staggering. Wildlife experts have estimated more than 50,000 are illegally collected from just one group of villages each year alone.After being transported to eastern India, the tortoises are shipped off to other Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and China.read more about the illegal trade here;http://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2015/nov/20/fading-stars-indias-illegal-tortoise-trade-in-pictures

Pet owners blamed for increasing risk of MRSA and E.coli by not following animal medicine instructions.

Pet owners who fail to follow their vet’s advice when giving medicines to their animals are increasing the risk of antibiotic resistance of bacteria which can pass between pets and people, Public Health England (PHE) has warned. The government health body, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and animal charity the Bella Moss Foundation (BMF) are calling on Britons with sick pets to ensure they use antibiotics as directed. This comes amid growing concern over antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA, campylobacter, salmonella, and E.coli.Infections caused by resistant bacteria are a major threat to human and animal health, with treatment options increasingly limited, warns PHE. Read more here;http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/pet-owners-blamed-for-increasing-risk-of-mrsa-and-ecoli-by-not-following-animal-medicine-a6738446.html

AVIAN INFLUENZA IN VIETNAM.

Hong Kong bans poultry from Vietnamese province

Meat groups reassure consumers about antibiotics

Meat groups reassure consumers about antibiotics

PYOTRAUMATIC DERMATITIS.

Pyotraumatic dermatitis also called hot spots are skin lesions on dogs that can grow rapidly. This is characterized by licking,biting and chewing of a spot on the skin endlessly.The spot increases in a space of some hours with pus in the spot.The biting, chewing and licking make the spot bloody and oozing pus.The spot looses hair rapidly and gives off an offensive odor. The common causes are 1 )allergic reactions to dust,chemicals and pollen.2) dogs with furry coat are highly susceptible to these spots,because of tangled and matted hair.This makes the coat a good platform for bacteria proliferation because of dead hair inside the skin.3) hypersensitivity in some dogs resulting in excessive chewing,licking and biting. Licking,biting and chewing on dog's coat results in trauma usually contaminated by secondary bacterial infection resulting in pus and pustule formation.The best way to treat this condition are as follows 1) isolate the spots,by trimming the hair and clean the spot with antibacterial soap. 2)apply topical ointment,to stop itching and odor.The use of coconut oil stops the itching immediately. 3)when pus is oozing out, clean pus and cover with topical antibacterial agent. PREVENTION; this will include grooming dogs with long coats regularly.Dogs that are hypersensitive, should be groomed with hypoallergenic shampoos and environment should be clean and free of harmful chemicals.

FACTORS AFFECTING GROWTH OF SNAILS.

Snails will grow when provided with proper environmental and nutritional conditions.The following factors affect growth of snails; these are 1) stress; sudden noise,vibration ,excessive light and excessive touching of snails are stressors that prevent normal growth. 2) overstocking; keeping too many snails per floor space,results in cannibalism , reduced growth and expected turn over. 3)feeding; snails can thrive on fruits,vegetables and compounded ration, but to get the desired growth the snails need to be placed on supplements to boost growth. 4)temperature;the higher the temperature the lower the growth.A temperature above 35 degrees will reduce growth rate of snails. 5) moisture content; the snailery must be moist to assist growth and reproduction,the lower the moisture content the slower the growth rate. All these factors are still centered on bio security protocols, if not ensured the snails will not grow at all and many will be riddled with disease and many more will die.

COMMON SIGNS OF DISEASE IN SNAILS.

Snails are easy to manage and are a good source of protein. The iron content makes it a good supplement for anemic patients.The snails are hardy and not easily predisposed to diseases except when management procedures are wrong. The signs of diseases are 1)inappetence 2) inactivity 3) dryness of the fleshy part 4) nodules on the surface. The predisposing factors are 1) high temperature in the snailery,temperature higher than 35degrees is detrimental to growth and health. 2)overstocking of snails, and stocking different ages together. 3)excessive amount of sunlight in snailery. 4)dryness of the snailery. 5)feeding moldy feed. 6)feeding contaminated feed, feed of low quality. 7) indiscriminate use of chemicals ,detergents and insecticides around snailery. 8) giving dirty water, or contaminated water. The best form of prevention is to ensure strict bio security protocol and provide better environmental conditions.