THE COASTLAND TIMES1B WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022
Outer Banks
The
By Philip S. Ruckle Jr. thecoastlandtimes.comphilip.ruckle@
Chickens may not tra ditionally be at the top of the list for selecting a family pet, but there are several benefits to having them.More than just back yard roamers marking time until they become a dinner plate item, it may be surprising for some people to learn that chick ens are relatively inex pensive to purchase and own. In addition, they can be quite social, follow you around, some will even sit in your lap and some have been known to come when they hear theirOnename.local owner, Beth Walker on Roanoke Is land, has owned chickens for about five or six years and recommends any one considering having chickens to start with a lot of Walkerresearch.says she was intrigued while watch ing some homestead You Tube videos and decided to give it a try. “Talk with people to see what has and has not worked for them,” advis es Walker. “They don’t really need a lot. They need a safe area where predators cannot get to them, clean water and feed and a place to roost are the main concerns. They really are not as delicate as some people seem to think they are.” Walker says it’s not un usual to allow hens to run free, as she did in the early days of ownership, until something came in and got them. “That was a lesson learned,” she added. “You need to actually lock them up at night. We’ve had aerial attacks, foxes and raccoons get to them. There are many different style coops available. An old shed will work and you can free range them in your yard as long as they have a secure place to go at Walkernight.”says they are just like pets, and recommends anyone in terested to just go do it. “Begin with two to four as a start,” she explains. “After a while they get to be like puppies. They know you are coming with food and some get rather social and follow you around the yard.” They are more than just backyard“Ownershippets.has a ben efit,” she continues. “You get fresh eggs, and others can be raised for meat. They also help with bugs in the yard as well as ver min control. We had rats for the first time this year and the chickens took care of it themselves. They are win-win in my opinion.”Although the Walkers don’t barter, there are some families that pro duce enough eggs or have enough meat to trade items with others. Farm er’s markets are a great information resource for anyone considering this option.Most information sites say chickens require as little as 10 minutes of care a day, plus some semi-annual chores that take a little longer. As for the different col or egg shells, there are no real significant nutrition al differences between the different egg colors. An egg’s nutritional value is determined primarily by what the chicken eats. So most backyard chick ens produce healthy eggs regardless of their color. Currently, Kill Dev il Hills allows three to six chicken hens only, no roosters, with a $25 per mit on the west side of US 158.Manteo also allows up to six female chickens within municipal limits upon issuance of a valid permit.Kitty Hawk does not specifically authorize chickens, but nor are they prohibited. A few are known to be in town without complaints. Duck, Southern Shores and Nags Head do not have any provisions for having chickens. benefits of backyard chickens
Pets WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022 THE COASTLAND TIMES2B SOGGY DOGGY POOL PARTY SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 11am 3pm OPEN TO ALL $10/doggy (cash or check at the pool gate) All proceeds benefit the Coastal Humane Society Emergency Assistance Fund Dog and car wash by donation to benefit our Tidal Waves Swim Team! 3RANNUAL D Outer Banks Family YMCA • 3000 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC 27959 • ymcashr org The joys of therapy dogs
By Gail Sonnesso GEM Adult Day Services, Inc.
PHOTOS COURTESY GEM Mary Lou Fahey and Breezy Golden Pup
Many families have en joyed the love of a “pet dog.” They know about the unconditional love, the happy wagging tail and the joy expressed when your furry friend gets a “treat.” As we age, sometimes being responsible for the care of a family dog is be yond our abilities. This void can be met with a therapy dog. The delights of interacting with a ther apy dog are multiple and varied for all people in cluding those people liv ing with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. I did not know that there are more than 50,000 therapy dogs in the U.S. During my time with GEM, we have met some amazing therapy dogs. We are thrilled that Mary Lou Fahey and Breezy have been volunteering withHowus!does a dog be come a certified pet ther apy dog? I had no idea, so I asked Mary Lou about Breezy and she shared: “I brought Breezy home when she was just eight weeks old. I had spoken to her breeder about want ing a puppy that had the temperament to become a potential therapy dog and Breezy was chosen because of her outgoing, gentle nature. From the moment she came home, we showered her with love and provided posi tive reinforcement for the behaviors we wanted her to“Whencontinue.she was 12 weeks old, Breezy and I began to visit public places to so cialize her to a variety of people, places, noises and environments. We took several classes together, some focused on obedi ence and others just for fun. These included pup py classes, agility, obedi ence, and trick classes. “Breezy earned her Ca nine Good Citizen certif icate through the Amer ican Kennel Club (AKC), as well as other certifi cates. We then success fully passed a test given by the national organiza tion, Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD), which evalu ated her ability to behave appropriately in various situations and my ability to guide and partner with her. Once we complet ed that test, we were re quired to make three fa cility visits where we were observed by a tester to be certain we were both a good fit to become a ther apy dog team. I also took classes at the University of Denver to further my education on dog thera py. As part of the team, it is important that I un derstand dog communi cation, behaviors, welfare and stress so that Breezy has the best experiences possible in our work of bringing joy to those we areWhenvisiting.”Breezy walks in the room, the smiles are everywhere our hands are reaching out to pet her. Breezy accommo dates visiting each of us in turn! At a recent Har mony Café, we learned that Breezy was trained to visit patients and gen tly lay just one paw on the bed. Breezy can also high five and shake hands! We love our visits with Breezy and Mary Lou says Breezy looks forward to “going to work” or what we call her visits with us! People living with de mentia are going through progressive stages and sometimes a live dog is not as helpful as an inter active robotic pet. Meet the “Golden Pup,” a prod uct of Joy For All Com panion Therapy Pets for Alzheimer’s.Companion pets are de signed to bring comfort, companionship and fun to elder loved ones. They have realistic fur and petlike sounds and sensors that respond to petting remarkable effect on indi viduals in the middle and later stages of Alzheimer’s disease. They are calm ing, soothing and bring the person back to a time in their life when they felt useful and had a sense of purpose. Alzheimer’s pet therapy helps individu als escape from a world where someone is always caring for them. Pets pro vide a chance to care for a living therapy dog or an automated golden pup! GEM has a “golden pup” (thanks to the Al bemarle Commission) in our office if you would like learn more. Our of fice hours are on Thurs days from 1-3 p.m. Call Gail at 252-380-3354 or email gsonnesso@gmail. com to learn when Breezy will be visiting or about our programming.
the unthinkable
In case of emergency for that when happens
Warning signs It’s important to be aware of specific warn ing signs as pets grow old. A marked decrease in appetite or thirstiness is a red flag, according to the American Veteri nary Medical Association. It may mean issues with digestion or their pan creas. Regular checkups become even more im portant during this time of their lives. Make sure their exams include an nual blood work, since disease may be indicated by their red- and whitecell counts, and by kid ney and living function. If your older pet becomes disoriented, a visit to the vet may be required to check for cognitive issues. Keep a close eye out for any wound that is slow to heal. That could be a sign of cancer, or an issue with their immune system.
moment
It’s important to be prepared
Natural disasters
Don’t forget to include your pet when prepar ing for natural disas ters. Make sure collars and tags are up to date, and consider microchip ping your pet. This is one of the best ways to make sure you are reunited if the worst happens. Keep their carrier or leash near the door. If you’re un sure what should go in a pet disaster kit, consult your veterinarian. Any exit plan should also in clude a place to stay, since non-service animals are not typically allowed in local shelters or Red Cross evacuation centers. You should also locate an imal hospitals near where you’ll be evacuating in case some sort of medical attention is required in the meantime.
First aid Any time an animal is wounded, first we must determine the extent of the injury. Sometimes, you may be able to ren der all of the care your best friend needs right at home. Others times, it may be necessary to offer some first aid in order to stabilize your pet before transporting them to the veterinarian. You can slow external bleeding, for instance, by elevat ing the wound and then gently applying pressure. Animals who are chok ing may be helped by dis lodging the obstruction with your fingers, or by employing the Heimlich maneuver. Keep needed items like bandages on hand. Planning ahead Discuss emergen cy protocols with your vet, including whether their office provides af ter-hours or 24-hour care. If not, find out which an imal hospital they rely upon for referrals — then keep their contact in formation handy just in case. In certain situa tions, your pet should be brought to the emer gency room right away — like trauma caused by a car accident or a suspi cion that they’ve ingested something employ,lifesavingmineTheyousthereowner,ascanOtherwise,toxic.operatorsoftenworkwithyou,anexperiencedpettodetermineifissomethingseritobeworriedabout.canalsohelpdeterwhichpotentiallytechniquestoasneeded.
Pets WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022 THE COASTLAND TIMES 3B
They’ve given you years of love and devotion, but time has a way of catching up with us all. An older pet may require a special diet, or experience health issues that require more frequent visits to your veterinarian. Common issues In many cases, animals become susceptible to ma ny of the same issues as people do when they get older. Common problems may include arthritis, di minishing eye sight, var ious cancers, dental and weight issues. If you no tice that your furry friend is starting to slow down, it’s important to discuss things with their veteri narian. Discomfort when attempting to sleep, or newfound trouble with stairs or car rides are common signs of trouble. As they become more sed entary, obesity becomes a risk — and weight prob lems may lead to more se rious conditions like heart disease or diabetes. Changing needs Your pet’s diet should change as they do. They have different dietary needs, and will be expe riencing challenges that didn’t exist when they were in the prime of their lives. Changes in metab olism can lead to weight gain, but also to new sensitivity to the weath er — in particular if you live in very warm or cold climates. Exercise re mains important, in par ticular as it relates to pre venting weight-related is sues, but may also need to be moderated to accom modate for their aging bodies. If they’re suffer ing from arthritis or seem more prone to becoming cold, splurge on an ortho pedic or heated dog bed.
Pets are curious by na ture, and that can some times lead them to trou ble. They sometimes eat things they shouldn’t. Traffic and mishaps with other animals are al ways a danger. Threat ening weather can pres ent problems, too. In any case, you’ll need to plan ahead in order to know just what to do in case of emergency.
As our pets age, their needs do, too. Here’s how to be ready.
Caring for older pets
Pets WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022 THE COASTLAND TIMES4B
Raising
spaying or neutering
• For cats, a litter box, litter, and a scoop. A disposable roaster pan makes a great travel litter box, and dog waste bags are perfect for disposing of used litter. • Printed and electronic photos of your pet. Photos of you with your pet can help establish ownership. Make sure all tags have your contact information up to date. Collars and leashes with your number printed on them are excel lent, since tags can come loose.•Get your pet micro chipped to help rescu ers reunite you, and keep the chip information up to date online. Make sure your pet is always up to date on all space.ittheirandusedbelytels,emergencyfectchewingbonestreatsand/orinandelfavoritevaccinations.recommended•Comfortitems:Theirblanket,atowthatsmellslikeyou,favoritetoys.Investatreat-dispensingtoylong-lastingchewlikestuffedbeefandbullysticks–hasacalmingefondogs.•Cratetraining.Manyshelters,hoandrentalhomesonacceptpetsiftheycancrated.Getyourpettoeatingtheirmealstakingbriefnapsincratesotheyknowistheirpersonalsafe
COURTESY HATTERAS ISLAND PET RESORT
• Both paper and elec tronic copies of vaccina tion records and medica tion lists, including dos age information. Don’t forget contact information for your vet and local shel ter. If you evacuate out of town, having animal shel ter and vet information for your destination could also come in handy.
This effective, perma nent birth-control meth od for cats and dogs of fers a range of positive impacts, beginning with reducing the number of homeless pets. They’ll live longer, too. Health impacts This every-day medi cal procedure offers our friends a chance for a healthier life. A USA To day study found that pets lived longer in states that boasted higher rates of spaying and neutering. In fact, neutered male dogs lived nearly 20% lon ger than their unaltered counterparts. Spayed dogs lived almost 25% longer than female dogs who weren’t spayed. De creased aggressive be havior saves lives, and these procedures elimi nate the risk of testicu lar and uterine cancers. They’re less likely to roam, which means few er encounters with oth er animals or a passing vehicle. Unwanted preg nancies can risk the life of the mother, especially over time. Pet homelessness Millions and millions of homeless animals enter animal shelters annual ly, many never to emerge again. One ASPCA study placed the number of eu thanized homeless an imals in some states at hundreds of thousands annually. In all, U.S. shel ters euthanize nearly 3 million healthy dogs and cats, the ASPCA reports. Spaying and neutering has a direct impact on these numbers, literally saving lives. Debunking myths Spaying and neutering does not lead to weight problems for pets. That’s typically the fault of overfeeding and poor ex ercise. Neutering a pet will decrease some un desirable behaviors, be cause of the lowered level of testosterone. But that doesn’t make it a quick fix for other problems. Your pet may still have to take part in other behavioral training, depending on personality, history and physiology. When to do it The traditional age for neutering dogs is 6-9 months. Younger puppies may be neutered as long as they’re healthy. Older dogs may also be neutered, though there is a risk of complications, in particular among the overweight. Check the incision daily to monitor for proper healing. Con tact your veterinarian if you notice redness, dis charge or swelling, or if the incision comes open. Kittens as young as eight weeks old can be spayed orTheneutered.procedure should ideally be done before a cat reaches five months old. They can be spayed while in heat.
once
By Elaine Hooper Hatteras Island Pet Resort
Make sure your pets are prepared for hurricanes
Spaying and neutering pets for a year actually costs more than them
Hurricane season is up on us, which means it is time to update your pet’s go bag! In the event you must evacuate with your pet, it is important to pack the essentials. While medications, food and wa ter supplies, and first aid kits are the same as the items we would pack for ourselves, there are some important pet-specific items to have ready.
Boarding your best friend all set for a fun getaway, but what about your pet? with those scraps doesn’t love spoiling pets? scraps isn’t the best way.
Who
Saying goodbye With proper research and pet preparation out of the way, all that’s left to do is drop them off at the boarding facility. You both may be anxious or sad when it’s time to leave, but don’t make it a long goodbye. Maintain a calm and happy demean or. Emotional scenes can spark separation anxiety or other changes in be havior, making for a more stressful situation while you’re away. Go over your pet’s needs with staff one more time, including food and medi cation routines, then leave your contact information and exit for your big trip. Many kinds of “people” food present serious dan gers to pets, sometimes even putting them at risk of death. Here’s a look at what you should avoid.
Sharing table
The three Cs The American Society of the Prevention of Cru elty to Animals has pin pointed the Three Cs as presenting the most se rious risk to your best friend: Chocolate, caf feine and coffee. All of them contain methylxan thines, a substance that when ingested can cause diarrhea and vomiting, excessive urination and thirst, panting, hyperac tivity, tremors, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures and sometimes death, the ASPCA reports. Baking chocolate is particularly risky, as it contains the highest amounts of meth ylxanthines. Darker choc olates are more danger ous than milk chocolate. Other dangers Uncooked yeast-based doughs are harmful be cause they can rise inside your pet’s abdomen, caus ing gas to build up in their digestive system. The im pacts can range from quite painful to deadly, if the stomach were to rup ture. Even cooked yeast should be severely limit ed, according to the AS PCA, which recommends doughy treat constitute not more than 5-10% of your pet’s caloric in take each day. Raw eggs and meats can contain Salmonella and E. co li, both of which can be very harmful to your pet. Bones are a choking haz ard, in particular those that splinter. That can lead to a life-threatening puncture in the digestive tract. What’s OK Some table scraps are usually fine to give your pets, but only in very small doses. Small, lean strips of cooked turkey, pork, beef or fish — but without bones, and with out the skin. Raw vegetables like car rots, lettuce, celery and cabbage hearts are fine — but not garlic or onions. Raw pumpkin makes for a fun fall treat. Peanut butter is fine too, in small portions. They shouldn’t be given anything with raisins, alcohol or maca damia nuts, either. Obesity has become pri mary nutritional issue with our pets. When you give them a treat, you are adding to his daily caloric intake — and he probably doesn’t need them. If you think your pet as eaten something danger ous, immediate call your veterinarian — or con tact the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Careful
You’re
Pets WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022 THE COASTLAND TIMES 5B In most cases, the Hu mane Society of the Unit ed States recommends boarding while you’re on vacation, rather than tak ing a pet along or hav ing someone check in on them occasionally.
Less stress When a pet owner takes a trip, a facility that spe cializes in their care will provide more one-on-one attention than they’d re ceive if left at home for most of the day. They’ll be specially training in case of emergency. Your pet will also avoid the stress of a long ride in a car or plane, an experi ence that can sometimes be nerve-wracking for you, too. Unfamiliarity with their surroundings and price can sometimes stand as impediments, so shop around and then try to be consistent once you’ve found a place that gives your furry friend the smoothest possible transition. Particularly concerned owners may want to specifically look for facilities that feature pet cams or more regular check-ins. Some even pro duce daily reports. Smart selection Costs can vary depend ing on services, length of stay and your locale, so you’ll need to make boarding your pet a part of the overall budget ing process for the trip. Ask your veterinarian, friends and family, and the experts at your local animal shelter for recom mendations. Once you’ve narrowed the list down, then schedule meetings to get a feel for how they handle the process — and bring your pet. Pay close attention to issues like temperature, ventila tion, outdoor play areas, general cleanliness and staff knowledgeability. Once these concerns are addressed, the decision may simply come down to feel. Does your pet seem comfortable?
SAVE A STAMP! SUBSCRIBE THROUGH OUR WEBSITE THECOASTLANDTIMES.COM
Getting started Most schools require a bachelor’s degree, and it must include specific courses. Ask a guidance counselor for more specif ics, or research prerequi sites using the Veterinary Medical School Admis sion Requirements page at applytovetschool.org. Beyond class, the typical applicant arrives hav ing already accumulat ed hundreds of hours of experience working with animals, according to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Col leges. Most schools em phasize work done under the direct supervision of a vet, including various job shadowing programs and internships. Gaining this kind of diverse experience aids in getting accepted, but it will also help you decide if being a veteri narian is the right career path for you. Attending school If you’ve already got your eye on a particular school, contact their ad missions office directly. If not, applying through the Veterinary Medical College Application Ser vice ensures that your candidacy is announced to multiple schools. In clude recommendations from the vets you shad owed or interned with, as well as an essay detailing your passion for pet care. Most doctor of veterinary medicine programs span four years. The first two are devoted to coursework in labs and classes, begin ning with basic scienc es and then moving into more complex studies like neurology. Curricula vary, but by the third year most then move into situations where you’ll gain more practical experience. The final semesters are spent in clinical rotation, with hands-on training. Final steps You’ll have to pass the North American Veter inary Licensing Exam ination before becoming a doctor of veterinary medicine. Beyond your four years of study and training, you may want to bolster study habits by enrolling in prepara tion programs specifical ly aimed at the NAVLE. They’ll include helpful aids like practice ques tions as well as mock tests. The test can be tak en in either the fall or spring semesters of your final year in vet school. Waiting until the spring allows more time to pre pare, while taking the NAVLE in the fall al so provides the option to retest if that becomes necessary.
Name: DaytimeAddress:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________TelephoneNo.:_________________________
It’s a multi-step process but at the end you’ll have the preparation, train ing and knowledge you need as a doctor of veter inary medicine to expert ly attend to the health and wellness needs of a variety of animals.
Don’t forget the leash your dog isn’t just the law — it’s good for them
Leashing
There are almost as many leash choices, it seems, as there are breeds of dogs. Ask your veterinarian for help in deter mining the leash that best suits your pet. Web searches and discussions with friends and neighbors may also help you narrow it all down. If correct ly used, a leash can help effec tively control your dog so trou ble is avoided. Many pet owners employ a retractable leash, since its spring-loaded design also al lows a big more freedom during your regular walks. A button on the handle typically deter mines cord length. Just remem ber to keep the leash short when you walk near streets or in ar eas with lots of people and oth er pets. It takes a moment to retract your leash back a safe length. What to avoid It’s much safer to buy a con structed leash than to use a slip lead, where a flat leash has a metal ring at the end. The end of the leash passes through the ring, then is looped over the dog’s head. But accidentally over-pulling on a slip lead can damage your pet’s neck or wind pipe, the American Human So ciety warns. The slip lead should only be used in emergency sit uations, such as when a regular collar breaks.
Becoming a vet
If pet care is more than a hobby, consider becoming a veterinarian.
Best choices
A leash protects your best friend in a number of import ant ways. They won’t be able to sprint into traffic, or inad vertently get lost after running away. Leashes are also an im portant tool in creating a re ward system. They are a number of choices available, however, so review all of the options before deciding which one is right for your pet. Why it’s important Leashing your dog is usually part of the local system of law. They also serve as a “good neigh bor” policy, preventing your pet from bothering others or tres passing. It keeps them from jumping onto people, or become entangled with other dogs, too. Animal bites and accidents with moving vehicles are greatly re duced, while leashes also aid in improved behavior. You’ll ex perience improved companion ship too, since a leash-obedient pet is more pleasurable to spend time with. Leashed dogs also aren’t as likely to be exposed to things like distemper or parvo.
Pets WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022 THE COASTLAND TIMES6B A 12 subscriptionmonthto THE COASTLAND TIMES is only ForPasquotankDare,$$47.37anda6monthsubscriptionisonly26.89forHyde,Tyrrell,Currituck,Camden,andWashingtonCounties.allotherrates,pleasecall252-473-2105. Mail this form, along with payment, to: Circulation Dept. THE COASTLAND TIMES, PO Box 400, Manteo, NC 27954
