Mia Carter's Blog

Posted by Mia Carter

My writer's blog is moving!

As of April 1, 2009, I will temporarily lose access to my writer's blog, as I will be leaving my position as Suite101's Pet Care Feature Writer to take up the position of Suite101 Section Editor for Mind & Soul!

I will continue to write a vast array of pet care articles here on Suite 101, in addition to articles on freelance writing and reality television episode summaries for popular VH1 reality series like Tough Love, I Love Money 2 and Rock of Love Bus. But unfortunately, I will be temporarily unable to make any updates to my blog here on Suite101 for a period of time.

You can read answers to pet questions, information on my latest pet care articles and get updates on your favorite VH1 reality shows by visiting my new temporary blog, MiaCarterBlog.com.

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Where Do I Send My Pet Care Questions??

I invite readers to continue to submit their pet care questions in the form of article comments or send pet questions via e-mail to Mia.Carter@Suite101.com

All pet care questions will be answered by email or posted on www.MiaCarterBlog.com

Mia Carter's Other Blogs

I also invite you to visit my other blogs!

You can also check out my Great Life Quotes and Sayings Blog for inspirational quotes, funny quotes and quotes about seasons, pets, happiness and much more!

Check out my article list to read my latest articles here on Suite101!

Posted by Mia Carter

VH1's newest reality show Tough Love premiered on March 15, 2009.

Featuring Matchmaker Steven Ward, the Tough Love cast learns how to overcome relationship challenges and personal issues that stand in the way of meaningful long term relationships.

To learn more about the Tough Love Cast - Abiola, Arian, Jessa, Jacklyn, Natasha, Stasha, Taylor and Jody - check out the Tough Love Cast Profile and Cast Bios.

Tough Love Episode Summaries - Find Out What Happened on Tough Love

Wondering what happened on this week's episode of Tough Love? Check out these Tough Love episode summaries:

• VH1's Tough Love - Episode 1
• VH1's Tough Love - Episode 2
• VH1's Tough Love - Episode 3
• VH1's Tough Love - Episode 4+

More VH1 Reality Show Episode Summaries and Full Episodes of Tough Love Online

Looking for more episode summaries for VH1's reality television shows? Check out the Rock of Love Bus Page and the I Love Money 2 page for full episode summaries and cast bios!

Looking to watch full episodes of Tough Love on the web? Watch unseen footage and full Tough Love episodes online by visiting the VH1 website's full episode video page.

Posted by Mia Carter

On March 21, 2009, I received the following comment on a blog entry titled Pet Rat Care and Health Resources: "We found some wild baby rats under a heap of mulch when cleaning up the yard. The mother left them and we would like to try and hand raise them. They are around 6cm long but their eyes are not yet open. Do you have any suggestions as to what we should try to feed them? We are not expecting them to live but would like to try."

I'd be happy to offer some assistance.

Firstly, though, are you sure they were abandoned by their mother? It's possible the mulch pile was the site of a rat's nest. If you think that there's a chance this is the case, we can care for them for a day or so, make sure they're well fed and well hydrated, and then return them to the area for a little while (monitored, with warmth provided from a sock buddy - a sock filled with rice that's microwaved or a microwavable heat pack) to see if momma rat returns.

If you decide to try this, you can place them in a shoe box with the sock buddy or heat pack and some soft fabric like a T-shirt.. Cut out one of the short sides of the shoe box and put the cover on. You can then place it on a paper bag or newspaper, with flour sprinkled around the area leading to the entrance - you'll be able to see mom's footprints in the powder if she returns. Cover the top and sides of the box with some mulch (this will help insulate it and mom can recognize it as the spot where she last saw the babies.)

You'll want to monitor from afar to ensure they're protected from predators like cats, dogs, etc. You can do this a few days in a row, no more than an hour (if it's cold) or two (if it's warm.) And see if there's any sign of mom if you think she may be around.

How to Care for Baby Rats

In the meanwhile, we need to keep these little guys in good condition. It's actually very possible to raise them, but it takes a bit of work.

You'll have three top priorities:

• Feeding them with Esbilac puppy milk replacer.
• Keeping them warm with a heating pad.
• Keeping them hydrated (usually only necessary in the beginning; the Esbilac will usually give them all the fluid they need once they're treated for dehydration).

The following article on the Rat and Mouse Gazette has some extremely valuable information specific to caring for baby rats: Caring for Orphaned Baby Rats or Mice.

In addition, I have written a series of articles on caring for orphaned baby squirrels. The process is going to be virtually identical. So you may find these articles on my Orphaned Baby Squirrel Page to be helpful.

I wish you luck with these little guys. If you have any additional questions, don't hesitate to post a comment or send an email to Mia.Carter@Suite101.com.

Have a pet question? Send your questions to Mia.Carter@Suite101.com

Disclaimer: I have extensive experience in caring for animals, including sick and special needs animals, but I am not a veterinarian. I can provide information and advice based on research and my many years of experience with pet care and training, but it's not a substitute for seeking medical attention from a veterinarian.

Posted by Mia Carter

On March 16, 2009, I received the following question on my article titled Trigeminal Neuritis in the Dog:

"We have a Bernese Mountain Dog, Hayden. Three weeks ago we thought he had a stroke and since has been diagnosed with TN, or, Drop Jaw. We are hand feeding him and his appetite is good. However, he will not take to any devices we have thought up to keep him hydrated. Large size water vessel like are used for rabbits, turkey baster, the hose, holding an ice cube for him to lick are but nothing works. He lost seven lbs last week and the vet thinks it was due to dehydration. Please help as we are running out of ideas as is our vet. Anyone have any ideas to share? Thank You."

This is a very real problem for a dog with TN. A dog with Trigeminal Neuritis or "drop jaw" cannot use the mouth properly to drink water and the result is dehydration, as you've described.

Fortunately, the solution is fairly simple. You will need to give your dog daily subcutaneous injections of fluid. In a smaller dog, this will cost you about $7 per week; in a larger dog, it may cost upwards of $20-$30 per week. It all depends on how much fluid the dog requires.

Subcutaneous (under the skin) fluid injections are simple to do at home. You can get the needles, IV line and a bag of fluid - called Ringer's Solution - from your veterinarian. Purchasing the Ringer's Solution by the case is a huge money saver. You can also get a prescription for the Ringer's Solution and purchase it online if you find it there for a better price.

Once or twice a day, you will give your dog an injection of fluids under his skin, typically at the scruff of the neck because there is extra skin here and the nerve endings are sparse, so it's not a very painful area to inject. The dog's body will then absorb the fluid. This eliminates the need for drinking since the body is getting its hydration in a different and more efficient way.

This is, hands down, the easiest way to prevent dehydration in a dog with TN. Fluid injections dramatically improved my dog's quality of life, as prior to receiving subcutaneous fluid injections, she would spend upwards of 90 minutes per day at the water bowl. Her drinking skills were extremely inefficient and I would have to leave out multiple water bowls since she would deposit gobs of saliva in the water when she attempted to drink. So the injections have literally been a life saver and her quality of life is wonderful.

Most dogs - even those dogs who cry out when they get the needle prick - typically get used to the injection within a week or two. My Miniature Pinscher Kota has Trigeminal Neuritis and she receives daily injections and at first, she would scream and run away when we gave the injections. But within a week, she realized that dramatics weren't getting her out of the fluid injections. Today, she doesn't even flinch when she gets her daily injection of Ringer's Solution.

Actually giving the injections is very simple. You can receive a demonstration from your veterinarian. And, if necessary, you can read my how-to article on giving subcutaneous fluid injections.

If you have any additional questions, I invite you to post a comment under this article or send an email to Mia.Carter@Suite101.com.

Disclaimer: I have extensive experience in caring for animals, including sick and special needs animals, but I am not a veterinarian. I can provide information and advice based on research and my many years of experience with pet care and training, but it's not a substitute for seeking medical attention from a veterinarian.

Posted by Mia Carter

On March 10, 2009, I received the following question on my article titled Feeding a Baby Squirrel: "Is it unsafe for a pregnant woman to handle and care for baby squirrels?"

Fortunately, it is very safe for a pregnant woman to handle a baby squirrel. I will review the reasons for this.

Reason 1 - Baby Squirrels Are Not Likely to Carry Disease

Baby squirrels are very physically fragile. When a baby squirrel becomes sick or ill with a disease, he succumbs and dies very quickly -- usually within 24-48 hours. This short time frame provides little opportunity for the baby squirrel to transmit an illness or disease to other baby squirrels or humans.

In addition, a baby squirrel typically lives a very isolated life, away from other disease-carrying wildlife. They typically remain in the nest; most baby squirrels that require rescue from humans have rarely, if ever, left the nest.

Reason 2 - Baby Squirrels Don't Have Teeth!

Most cases where a human contracts an illness or disease from an animal involves an animal bite. Baby squirrel bites are extremely uncommon for two reasons. Firstly, baby squirrels that require human rescue don't typically have a full set of teeth, which makes a bite that breaks the skin extremely unlikely.

Secondly, we'll consider why many wild animals would bite a human. Pain is one reason, but as I mentioned above, a situation or illness that's apt to cause pain for a baby squirrel is likely to kill him.

Fear is another very common reason for an animal bite involving a human. But baby squirrels, like most other young animals, are not fearful of humans. This fear of humans is developed when the squirrel reaches adulthood. Virtually all baby squirrels are very trusting of humans, making a bite due to fear extremely unlikely.

Cautions for a Pregnant Mother

One area where a pregnant woman should be careful is involving medications. Certain medications that an older baby squirrel may require -- like a parasite medication -- could be harmful if ingested or contacted directly by a pregnant woman. But fortunately, the situation can be easily remedied by wearing protective gloves when handling the medication.

So yes, generally speaking, it is very safe for a pregnant woman to care for a baby squirrel.

To learn more about baby squirrel care, visit the Baby Squirrel Care Page.

Have a pet question? Send your questions to Mia.Carter@Suite101.com

Disclaimer: I have extensive experience in caring for animals, including sick and special needs animals, but I am not a veterinarian. I can provide information and advice based on research and my many years of experience with pet care and training, but it's not a substitute for seeking medical attention from a veterinarian.