HELOISE First trip for new pet should be to the vet
Dear Readers: When people decide to get a puppy, many choose them through newspaper advertisements from private breeders. Although most people have a pleasant experience and their pets are happy and healthy, you do need to keep in mind that there are some instances when it doesn't turn out quite as well.
One of my assistants bought most of her dogs through newspaper advertisements, but the last dog, an adorable Chihuahua, was not the healthy little pup she thought he was. A couple of weeks later, Peso began to lose his fur. She immediately took him to the vet and, after several tests, found out he has a genetic form of mange. Due to this disorder, he cannot be bred, and the treatment lasted several weeks and cost hundreds of dollars.
The breeder never mentioned the genetic problem, so the moral of this story is to make sure you get a 24- to 48-hour return agreement so you can immediately take the dog to your veterinarian for a thorough checkup. In Kelly's case, she became very attached to Peso and would not give him up after his diagnosis. Heloise
Dear Readers: Avalon Ingram of Grapeland, Texas, sent a photo of her cat nursing one of her baby kittens and a baby opossum! Avalon said her pet also nursed a puppy, too. She had her for 15 years and always just called her Ole Cat.
Visit my Web site, www.Hel-oise.com, and click on This Week's Pet to see this adorable old photo. Send your favorite, unusual pet photo to: Heloise/Pet Photo, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279. Heloise
Dear Heloise: A few months ago, I read a hint in your column about saving an injured bird and placing a strainer over it to keep it safe from predators. I have another way that I learned from an expert and have used to save many birds.
Take a small, sturdy box (a shoebox will do). Punch a few holes in the sides and place the bird in. Put the box in a quiet place for about an hour. Check on it, and if the bird is quiet, wait for another 1/2 to 1 hour, then check again. After a couple of hours, take it outside -- if the bird is better, it will fly away. Birds heal quickly if given a chance. It's a wonderful feeling to see them fly away. Joan Bird, Hickory, N.C.
Dear Readers: If you are new to raising fish, find out what types are live-bearing rather than egg-laying fish. It's important to know the difference, because live-bearing fish should not be around their newborns.
Either remove the babies to another tank or go to a pet store and buy a separate container that is made specifically for breeding fish, because adults are known to eat their offspring. The container is put inside the aquarium to keep them separated. Move them back with the adults when they are larger and no longer "fish food" for the adults.
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
King Features Syndicate