Pick your pet

PETS: Even in the hectic lifestyle we have today, many of us do find at least a moment to spare on behalf of our domestic companions. Most people tend to keep a family dog or cat at home.

Keeping birds and fish is also quite popular with those who have a demanding occupation. Some prefer to keep small pets such as rabbits, domestic mice, and hamsters while those who can offer space and money, enjoy the company of large pets like horses and ponies.

You may be surprised to see what unusual creatures some people keep around the house. For instance, in Australia, the Koala bear is being looked after while in some homes monkeys are being kept as pets. Sometimes a few people even keep dangerous pets such as a lion cub, but this is usually only if it has been orphaned and needs to be cared for.

The most popular pets are noted for their loyal or playful characteristics, for their attractive appearance, for their song. Pets generally seem to provide their owners with non-trivial health benefits as keeping pets has been shown to help remove stress. For instance people with high blood-pressure have been advised to keep fish as pets.

A few animals are capable of adapting to human requirements suffienctly as to be said to be domesticable. Dogs are the classic example of domesticated animals normally suited to being pets. Dogs and cats are common pets, while animals such as reptiles are typically considered exotic pets.

The dog is a loyal companion, who is more amenable to be trained, whereas a cat is more independent, and as such are not generally trained in the way that dogs are. Both can be very intelligent and can form incredibly strong bonds with humans. Some horse-like animals are suitable for human companionship as pets or as work animals, while zebras, otherwise quite similar, are not.

A lot of satisfaction can be obtained from keeping pets, but with it goes responsibility. When you choose a pet best suited for you, always keep in mind that your pet is going to be sharing a part of your daily life for some years. Your pet will give you companionship and fun and in return you must provide food, shelter, exercise, love, and medical care.

Therefore it is essential for you to choose your animal with care, being sure you can look after it properly. Why not take these factors into consideration before making the right choice best suited for you and your pet?

The breed/species/group of your pet

This choice should be taken to suit your needs and personality. Ask yourself this question. Why did you make up your mind to adopt a pet? Is it for company? Protection? For a specific purpose such as getting a chore done? Or merely as something which is good to look at? Your answer to this question would help you decide what type of pet you should choose.

If you want a companion for a child, a Pom, a Labrador or even a Simenese cat seems appropriate. If your need is a guard for your property, then a Doberman or a German Shepherd will be able to fulfil your need. If you need a pet to look after your sick mother, a Spaniel will provide the comfort. The best thing is to consult a vet and get advice as to what breed you should go for.

The time you can spare

If your job is preoccupying and takes up most of our time, it is best not to choose a pet that demands a lot of care. For example, an energetic dog needs to be taken out for daily walks to get exercise or a cat with a beautiful coat needs to be groomed constantly.

Keeping a star tortoise as a pet has become popular among such people. Pet fish and birds demand a lot of time at the beginning as they are delicate and die at a rate if they become sick. Also think about the fact whether you will be able to arrange for your pet's welfare incase you have to leave for a journey that does not permit the company of your pet.

The space you can provide

If your residence has limited room, go for pets of small sizes. Large animals such as a pony or elephant is not compatible! Also if you bring a Great Dane to a small house without a garden, the animal will invariably suffer mentally and will become physically ill. For an environment which lacks space, a small built dog such as a Toy Spaniel seems appropriate. Even some Goldfish in a bowl is an excellent idea.

Affordability

Consider the thought of how much it would cost to house and feed the pet you wish to buy. Would your income be able to uphold the expense? Certain breeds of animals need more veterinary care than others and may be in need of certain vitamins. Thus, it is best to ask advice and let the veterinarian do a check-up of the animal before making the purchase.

Pets can be great fun to keep. We can learn about them as we look after them. They can be our friends when we are lonely and a gift of comfort in our grief. Most of all, pets are a part of our own family.

Ruwini

'Priya Platy' enters Aqua Zone

Prasad Abu Bakr

At the recently concluded 'Min Visithuru 2006' a new variety was introduced into the fold by Priyantha Appuhamy of Priyantha Aquarium, Marawila. Priyantha who won the first prize for the category of breeding new varieties of fish has been in the trade for over seven years.

It has taken Priyantha over two years to bring this new variety into the fore, using about four different varieties of Platys in the breeding process. It is a unique type of fish and there is only one such type in the region and possibly in the world, specially this variety which has red eyes; it is definitely not available in Sri Lanka said Priyantha.

The 38 year old land owner who was a keen collector of fish since his schooling days at Joseph Vas College Wennappuwa, turned into this trade seriously as he found that it gave him job satisfaction and a steady income. Married with three children Priyantha thinks that there is a lot of scope for Sri Lanka to widen itself in the exporting of marine life as there are a large variety which is unique and can be found in this region.

Though there is a variety of fish available for sale at Priyantha's aquarium in Marawila, he deals mostly with Sword Tail, Platy and Molly types of fish. A BSc Graduate of the University of Colombo, Priyantha hopes to take part in the 'Aquarama' International marine exhibition due to be held next year in Singapore.

The event which takes place once in every two years was visited by Priyantha when it was held last in the capacity of an observer. 'Min Visithuru' which is an annual event here organised by the National Aquatic Culture Development Association in collaboration with the Export Development Board has opened the way to many serious ornamental fish breeders to break into the export market.

Priyantha said that his main avenue of business is to supply exporters with their choice of fish, which are mainly Molly, Sword Tail and Platy varieties that makes seven per cent of the export market of ornamental fish. According to Priyantha the major variety that have found in export market globally is the vast varieties of Guppies, that are mostly reared in a large scale by the main exporters themselves.

However Priyantha said that he has found great satisfaction in his work as a professional fish breeder, specially after he won this year's award for breeding a new variety, which he named after himself 'Priya Platy'.

Pictures by Sudath Nishantha

Flower of the week

Roses earned the foremost position among garden and flower enthusiasts because they possess such a wealth of colour form and fragrance. It has wide range of colours such as red, yellow, pink, white, orange etc. Roses can be rightly taken as the "Queen of flowers". Different roses symbolizes different meanings though in general it's for love and friendship.

In a tropical country like Sri Lanka, roses can be grown at an altitude above 3000 feet (935 m). Some of the varieties can be even grown in low elevations, but growers should be prepared to give good attention and care.

For potting rose plants a mixture of four parts good loam, two parts leaf mould, one part cattle manure and half part sand is suitable. Small pieces of broken tiles at the bottom of the pot makes it more friable.

Pests which attack roses are aphids, scales, mites and white ants. Except the white ants, other insects can be controlled by spraying the plants with Diazinon 60. White ants are controlled by the use of chlordane. Planting varieties of roses will bring grace to your home garden. These are a few tips to make your rose garden more beautiful:

* Water early in the day as possible.

* Watering at night might lead to fungus and deseases.

* Feed on a regular schedule basis.

Anushka

Pet Clinic

Parvo Virus Infection

During different parts of the year, different problems erupt regarding animals. Some illnesses occur due to the change of the climate and environment. Depending on the time of day, sometimes the cases differ. For instance, traffic accidents are more common around 8 to 9 p.m. and perhaps early in the morning.

Parvo is a virus infection. Generally it affects the digestive tract, the gut and the intestines. The danger of this virus is that the entire surface that is there to absorb the material from the gut, is kinked off. The animal will pass out a very bloody, foul smelling substance. It is infectious so that other dogs can get it, at a rapid rate, but no other animal, including man has been reported to have got it from the dog.

If pups are infected with the virus, it is highly dangerous as not only the intestines but also the heart can be affected, causing death. Protection can be assured either by vaccinating the pups directly or through the mother. When the mother is vaccinated, the protective anti-bodies go through the milk as the pups suckle their mother.

Therefore the pups are protected because they have the protective agents within them. However, if the mother was not vaccinated, and if there is an outbreak of the virus, a lot of pups can die of heart problems.

This is the reason why dog owners are concerned in vaccinating the female when she is pregnant. Most breeders want to make sure that the pups are vaccinated at six weeks and immediately after, they try to dispose of them. This method is not suitable as it takes up to three or four days for the protective anti-bodies to develop.

Parvo infection is fairly difficult to treat. If the treatment begins early, then the chances of curing are better. It is important to keep in mind not to give any food or liquids to the infected animal as it will worsen the condition by making the animal vomit. Any form of food or drink will stimulate the nerves and then the intestines will become active, for the drugs to take effect, the intestines have to be dormant.

If you are a responsible pet owner, the best thing to do at the slightest sign of diarrhoea is to consult a veterinary surgeon. Try to manipulate the management conditions first without trying to get into serious medications. If things do not improve, then treatment can be started.

Is your pet's health becoming a headache for you? Do you have a problem with your pet's behavioral habits but there is no one to advise you? Well, here is an answer to all your problems. Your pet - be it a cat, dog, fish or even an elephant - you are welcome to write or even e-mail us to the addresses mentioned above. Dr. Dangolla will be able to provide answers and advice for your benefit at our "Pet Clinic".

Ruwini

Gardening Tips - How to make compost fertiliser?

Leaf, organic and parts of crop can be taken to make compost fertilizer. Water is a compulsory aspect.

Water should be added within the range of 40% to 50% of the substances to keep the wetness of the manure. Afterwards the manures should be covered either with polythene or clay. Make sure that there is no contact made directly with the air.

The substance will take two to three months to decay.

Afterwards the compost should break into pieces and can be used as fertilizer. There are several methods to prepare the compost manure. It can be changed accordingly with the weather, substances and a person's need.

Using compost fertilizer would benefit the garden as well the environment we live in.

Handy Hints

Even though you may be a cat lover, getting all that cat hair off your valuable settee can become quite a headache. Just try this method and you would be able to keep the cat off your favourite chair. Cats hate plastic coverings! Cover the cushions until your cat realises the chair is prohibited property.