Birds and Other Exotic Species

Chinchilla Bedding Danger

Chinchillas are avid chewers who enjoy putting anything and everything in their mouths. Just like Golden Retriever and Labrador puppies this makes them highly susceptible to many different toxicities. When providing bedding for a cage, care should be taken in deciding which materials to use. Products that clump or expand should never be used in a chinchilla habitat as gastro-intestinal obstruction, or blockage, is likely to occur if ingested. Obstruction is life threatening and generally requires surgery to remedy.

Shavings from aromatic wood should be avoided. They may smell and look good to you, but they are much too potent for a chinchilla. The fragrances from pine, eucalyptus, cedar, or sandalwood can stress a chinchilla's respiratory tract and ingestion can cause liver or kidney disease. Chinchillas are generally odorless. Odors should not be an issue if the cage is kept very clean and their dust replaced when feces contaminate it.

Corncob bedding is not a good choice for a chinchilla habitat. It is not only uncomfortable to walk or sleep on but pieces and parts can become lodged in a chinchilla's genital area resulting in considerable irritation and pain. As with other products ingestion can cause a gastrointestinal obstruction.

Woods with resinous or sap properties can cause gastrointestinal distress and obstruction if the gummy material is ingested. In addition, the resin or sap can stick to the fur coat or skin. Maple, fir, and birch are a few examples of resinous woods to bypass.

Cocoa bean mulch should never be used as bedding as it can result in toxicity consistent with chocolate poisoning. If ingested, central nervous system stimulation could occur, resulting in a rapid increase in heart rate, seizures, and death. The concentration of theobromine, the toxic component of chocolate, can vary greatly between each lot of cocoa bean mulch so be sure to avoid it altogether.

Finally, keep in mind that certain types of wood are simply toxic by ingestion. Oleander, hemlock, china berry, and black walnut, among others, can cause rapid death. These should be avoided at all cost.

Always purchase supplies from a reputable dealer and be certain to evaluate their safety before exposing a pet to any new material. A little research can go a long way towards keeping your pets healthy and alive. Low cost is of little benefit if the results are an expensive hospital stay or worse.

Fireflies and Reptiles/Amphibians

Beautiful but deadly, the chemical responsible for the tiny phosphorescence of fireflies (genus Photinus) is responsible for reptile deaths every year.  Bearded dragons are the most frequently reported victim although tree frogs may be a close second. It is thought that the “lucibufagins” responsible for the illumination are cardiotoxins, similar to the toxicity found in some toad and plant species.

Birds and Zinc

Although zinc is an essential factor in the health of a bird, ingesting too much can harm or kill. Acute exposures to zinc can occur through incidental ingestions of metal objects (such as pennies minted after 1982). Chronic exposures can occur if a bird is prone to picking at galvanized steel or iron cages. Small amounts of zinc consistently consumed will accumulate in the liver, kidneys, muscle, and pancreas.

Common symptoms of zinc toxicity can present as excessive urine in the droppings, staggering or appearing off-balance, greenish diarrhea, weakness, weight loss, seizures, increased thirst, decreased appetite, and sudden death. Laboratory tests may reveal anemia, hyperglycemia, and elevated kidney enzymes. Zinc toxicosis can be confirmed with a blood serum test which will measure zinc levels in the blood. Levels of greater than 2 parts per million are considered strong evidence of toxicosis.    

There are treatments which can be utilized in cases of zinc toxicity; however prevention is the best option. Remove sources of zinc as best you can. Galvanized metal which has been electroplated is safe. Galvanized wire (hot dipped) is not. Make sure there is no flaking paint, or white rust on the cage. Check with knowledgeable suppliers before purchasing any new cages or aviaries. Older, antique cages should have the paint tested to ensure its safety.   

Exotic Pet Profile - Geckos

Geckos are not amphibians but lizards. There are almost 900 different species of geckos in existence.

The Jaragu Sphaero dwarf gecko is the smallest measuring only 3/4 inch long.

Geckos love warm temeratures (75-90F is ideal) although a few species prefer cooler evening temeratures.

Most geckos are nocturnal but several species are active during the day and sleep at night.

In the wild, geckos eat worms, cockroaches, crickets and other insects. In captivity, many eat fruit and fruit baby food.

Some species of gecko don't have eyelids but immovable membranes covering their eyes. These species use their tongue to clean their eyes.

Most lizards cannot make any sounds and only hiss, but geckos are able to chirp and squeak. Male and female geckos make different sounds and some scientists think they use them to find each other.

If a geckos tail falls off it can regrow a new one. If a tail is injured but doesn't completely fall off geckos will grow a second tail next to the first one.

Finally, the coolest thing about geckos is their ability to stick to almost any surface. They have about 500,000 tiny hair like structures in each foot that allows them to temporarily bond to surfaces.