Read other blog entries about "Faith": Cancer: Exotic Animals Battle It Too and Blind "Faith," the Fennec Fox

The word armadillo means "little armored one" in Spanish. Their thick, leathery shell is made of keratin (the same stuff as our fingernails) and the 3-banded has two half domes of shell, separated by three armored bands. Their head and tail are covered with bony plates and the headplate pattern is unique to each armadillo — like an identifying fingerprint. These are nocturnal creatures and spend their nights hunting for insects — ants and termites being favorites. They do not dig their own burrows, but instead borrow abandoned anteater holes. Their feet are especially unique. Their front insect-digging claws are so oversized that they walk on the tip of the largest claw — like a ballet dancer. The three center toes on their back feet are fused, like stumpy hooves. They don’t have typical teeth either — they have small peg-shaped teeth that lack enamel. And, they lap up their bugs and rotting fruits with a long sticky, pink tongue.

Tuck was shared with us by another educational facility. He is a quiet and shy Latin gentleman, but is naturally curious and will explore his surroundings looking for something wiggly to snack on. And, he won’t hesitate to quickly tuck into his famous shape to demonstrate his special skill at self-protection. Tuck will be traveling with us this summer to more than 50 free Texas library shows as part of our new "Animal Locomotion" program. Come meet Tuck in person — just don’t take it personally if he doesn’t untuck to meet you!

Unlike other arachnids, such as true spiders and scorpions, these guys have only six legs. Their other two legs have been modified into very long feelers — to help them feel their way around tree bark, under logs, and in the dark caves of Eastern Africa. These nocturnal arachnids eat super tiny insects, using their pincher-like pedipalps to push their bugs into their crushing jaws.

Even though they are harmless to humans, these creatures have been much maligned in modern media. For instance, in the movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, they are described as "lethal" by Mad-eye Moody, who tortures the animal with a curse until Hermione begs him to stop. And, in the TV show  Fear Factor, contestants were forced to eat these creatures, proving that humans are much more dangerous to the cave spider than they are to us.

A fellow wildlife educator was kind enough to share a surplus bunch of these big ol’ guys with us, so be sure to invite one of these stunning fellows to your next event. Let’s see if fear is a factor for you! And, we promise we won’t make you eat it.

This 8-pound, football-shaped, herbivore was sent to us by another wildlife educator who just didn’t have the time to work with him. He is usually found in the savannahs and jungles of central African and is considered by scientists to be the nearest living relative to the elephant (yep, elephant — they share similarities in teeth, leg and foot bones, testes, and other obscure details). They are amazing climbers, using the sweat on their soft, rubbery, footpads to suction themselves to the rocks. They normally live in large colonies of females with only one male (so this guy may be a bit lonely). They spend their days basking in the sun, nibbling on plants. They are extremely cautious — they’ll take a bite of grass, freeze, look carefully around for predators, and if all clear, will relax and chow down. They do not have front teeth — they have 4 front tusks that have squared-off ends and they won’t hesitate to use their powerful bite as protection (okay, I already learned this the hard way, ouch.) They are extremely tidy critters, using a common "potty spot," even in the wild. Their communal outhouse is infamous — it hardens over centuries and becomes fossilized into what is called "African Stone" or "Hyraceum," which is used in perfumery as a substitute for other musky notes like deer or civet — "Hmmm, what IS that mysterious scent you’re wearing?" 

This special guy is still adjusting to people and has been in veterinary care for the last three months to fix some existing health issues. He is gaining trust with each day and will now let us hand-feed and gently pet him. He has a demanding personality and will run you over for his favorite slice of banana. He grunts, squeaks, and hisses, depending on what he’s trying to tell you. He should be ready to meet our fans starting this summer, but first he needs a name befitting this assertive rock climber.

So, get those creative juices flowing and send us some name suggestions. Simply leave a comment here on the blog or post on our Facebook page. If you suggest the perfect name, we’ll brag about you in our next post — and, if you’re brave, we’ll let you hold his banana!

MISTLETOE, especially mistletoe berries, can cause gastrointestinal upset and heart arrhythmia.

HOLLY leaves and berries can cause gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting and diarrhea.

EVERGREEN BOUGHS such as fir, balsam and pine, although not toxic, also cause minor irritation.

POINTSETTIA, despite its deadly reputation, will at worst cause irritation of the mouth, excess salivation and perhaps vomiting, but still should be avoided.

RED MAPLE LEAVES kill horses!  As little as one pound of dried maple leaves blowing into your horse’s pasture can be toxic. When ingested, these leaves result in a severe hemolytic anemia – it causes red blood cells to rupture, causing weakness, pale gums, an elevated heart rate and shock.

LILY FLOWERS such as the Asiatic, Tiger, Day and Stargazer lily (often found in holiday arrangements) can cause kidney failure in cats after eating just one petal or leaf.

HIBISCUS can cause vomiting and bloody diarrhea.

TINSEL can cause gastrointestinal blockages that can be life-threatening.

BUBBLE LIGHTS contain methylene chloride, a moderately toxic solvent.

LIQUID POTPOURRI is toxic to cats — even a few licks can result in severe chemical burns in the mouth, fever, difficulty breathing and tremors.

TREE PRESERVATIVES, although not toxic, is sugar-based and can nourish grow bacteria that may sicken a thirsty cat or dog.

FIRE SALTS highlight the beauty of the fireplace colors on a cold winter’s evening, but can cause gastrointestinal irritation with vomiting and even convulsions.

IMPORTED SNOWGLOBES contain deadly antifreeze and its sugar-sweet taste is particularly tempting. As little as one tablespoon of ethylene glycol antifreeze can kill a cat and a couple of ounces can kill a dog.

CHOCOLATE contains high levels of caffeine and theobromine, which can cause heart arrhythmia and death.

GRAPES, RAISINS & CURRENTS (and foods with them like fruit cake) can cause kidney failure in dogs.

SUGARLESS GUMS AND CANDIES that contain xylitol, a sweetener, is toxic to dogs — it causes a life-threatening drop in blood sugar and liver failure.     

BONES are dangerous! Hide those leftovers as bones will shatter and splinter and cause pain, intestinal puctures, and death.

HIGH-FAT LEFTOVERS, like gravy and turkey skin, can give your dog acute pancreatitis.

ALCOHOL in tiny amounts won’t cause a problem for pets, but three ounces of liquor in a 10-15 pound animal can depress its nervous system and stop its breathing.

BATTERIES if chewed will give acid burns in the mouth and physical damage from shards of metal.

ROCK SALT can cause irritation of animals’ paws or in their mouths and stomachs if they eat it — pet first aid for rock salt ingestion is simple: feed them a small meal with water or milk.

What do you do if think your pet has eaten something toxic? Contact the Pet Poison Helpline ($35 fee) or your local emergency veterinary clinic for immediate guidance.

Abandoned Babies: One thing we’ve learned at Zooniversity is that "rescue" is not only sometimes unwarranted, often it can be downright detrimental to the animal. A human’s sweet-hearted empathy for a small, young creature makes us want to cuddle it, feed it, warm it in our hands, bring it into our homes for our children to play with—all of which can quickly send an animal into shock and sudden death. And, some animals may appear abandoned, when in fact the animal’s mommy is doing what she normally does from a distance—watching, grazing, food gathering—and the baby is fine where it is. Nature doesn’t always need our good-hearted intervention.

Injured wildlife: Finding a native animal hurt by the dog or a car is another matter. Our advice is to call in the experts—a veterinarian or a state licensed wildlife rehabilitation specialist. In Texas, it is against the law to own or to rescue most local species. Besides, rescuing native wildlife is an exact science that takes years of training and internship in order to do it properly and responsibly. Some veterinarians will accept injured wildlife if they have the expertise, some will not. The other option is a licensed wildlife rehabber—everyday folks like you and me who have spent years studying and training on a specific species of animal and have earned a permit to do this. The State of Texas strictly controls the lists of folks who have earned their rehab permits and each submits detailed rehab reports to the State for evaluation and tracking. This is a regulated thing, so don’t even think about keeping that injured young opossum—their dietary needs are so exacting that your well-intended dog kibble will quickly cripple it for life.

Where to get help: Dallas-Fort Worth has an incredible network of wildlife rehabilitation experts. First, start at two websites: www.dfwwildlife.org and www.wildcaretx.org. Both have decision trees and explanations that will help you determine if the animal needs your help or not. If it does, the sites will give you immediate instructions, as well as web links and phone numbers to connect you with a rehabber permitted for that particular species of animal. Licensed rehabbers do this as a personal mission. They are volunteers and they rehab wildlife using their own time and money. Please remember this and be patient while waiting for call-backs. And, please offer to pay them a modest (or sizable) donation to help care for the animal you are handing over to them. They’ll rarely ask you for money, but they will forever appreciate the gesture and your support for their dedicated efforts.

Here at Zooniversity, we’ve accepted donations of animals with all kinds of health conditions—malnourishment, nutritional deficiencies, genetic conditions, systemic diseases, and…cancer. Our philosophy is do treat each animal as we would want to be treated. So, medical intervention is always given, until the animal’s quality of life deteriorates. When we “just know” it’s time for them to move on, then we help them to pass into their next phase of life. These decisions are so heart-wrenching, so difficult, but we will never let any animal suffer.

Why this dark, soulful topic for a blog? Because it’s an inevitable part of caring for exotic animals. And, because we have had to deal with it many times, especially in the last couple of weeks. Four cancer diagnoses in three weeks. It seems to always come in batches. One animal is no longer with us, one is being treated with medication, and two are recuperating from surgery.

“Goliath,” the two-pound African burrowing bullfrog, relished his weekly mouse (yes, he was carnivorous). Then, he stopped eating. Weeks went by. He refused to eat. We kept him warm, soaked him daily, eventually force-fed him protein-rich gruel. He couldn’t keep anything down. We could feel an abdominal mass on one side. Helpless, we felt it get bigger, and bigger. When his weight started to plummet and he showed signs of pain, we considered surgery. Amphibians do not usually survive surgery, so euthanasia was the better option. Necropsy showed the cause: a massive, cavity- consuming tumor that wrapped around every internal organ. The pathology reports are still pending. Rest in peace, Goliath.

“Bailey” and “Q-Tip” are our two fun-loving, frolicking domestic ferrets. At 8 years of age (too old for surgical risk), Bailey began showing signs of adrenal cancer—hair loss, lethargy, weight loss. We’ve opted to treat her with medication to hopefully slow-down the cancer’s progression—monthly Lupron injections and a melatonin implant. Our 2-year old albino ferret, Q-Tip, showed signs of disorientation and lethargy. A quick test determined his blood sugar was too low. Diagnosis: insulinoma, caused by a pancreatic tumor. He is now recuperating well with a belly-line of sutures from the partial removal of his pancreas. His sugar is still a bit low, hinting that perhaps not all of the tumor is gone. Time will tell.

The most distressing case is “Faith,” our adorable, 10-year old, blind fennec fox, who still has a hoard of fans, despite the fact she retired from our shows years ago. We noticed a small, lumpy mass on the tendonous part of her back leg just two weeks ago. We rushed to have it surgically removed. The pathology report identifies it as “spindle cell sarcoma,” a soft-tissue tumor that has also invaded the bone in her lower leg. Prognosis is that is that the tumor will most likely return. Nothing phases Faith. She’s still squealing with delight to greet her keepers, she still wolfs down her food, and she totally ignores her stitches. She is such a good patient.

Cancer is an insidious, unforgiving disease, no matter whom it strikes. Watching, waiting, and knowing the inevitable future, is the worst part for those of us who’ve been given the gift of caring for these animals.

As a professional biologist, I knew better. But, I am also a mother; which means that I too sometimes abandon all sense and logic to appease the pleadings of one of my adorable, and always convincing, children. Meet Simon, the iguana who started it all.

There was Simon, perched lopsided on that branch in that crummy pet store. He was maybe 6 inches long and bright green. His twisted and broken back leg lay at an odd angle and his rounded puffy thighs didn’t match his emaciated tail and torso, a telltale sign of MBD (metabolic bone disease). He was one sick, green iguana hatchling. These guys are farmed in Mexico, Central and South America, over-packed in tight boxes, and shipped by the thousands to pet stores. Once on display, eager children convince their parents to buy them one as a “cool” pet—”It’s like having my own dinosaur, Mommy!” Most hatchlings will never survive a month, let alone a year. Without the proper lighting, heat, humidity, food, and supplements, they almost always die young.

There was my son, six years old, with his blond head turned to the side, staring at the pitiful, little green lizard. He didn’t beg for a pet. No, that would have been too easy for me to turn down. “Save him, Mommy. He’s too skinny and he looks so sad. Can’t we take him home and save him? We can’t let him stay here to die!” Now, I was in trouble. He aimed for the heart, bulls-eye! How could his Mommy not rescue this pitiful baby lizard? I knew better…I really knew better.

We named him Simon, after a Saturday Night Live Mike Myer’s character that my son liked. “He won’t eat his iguana salad, Mom.” Nope, wouldn’t touch a bite—lizard anorexia, too. Great. Weeks of vegetable baby food, hand-fed through a syringe, drop-by-drop..and calcium supplements…and heat lights…and sunshine. I knew better. Simon would live. Simon would live a long, long, time.

Fast forward 15 years. My 6-year old boy is now 21-years old. He’s away at college studying to be a wildlife biologist (surprise). And, I am here, still taking care of Simon.

As you can see, Simon is now one BIG lizard, about 4-foot long. He is a favorite stage star for Zooniversity’s educational shows. You might recognize him. His image is part of our company logo. There he is, draped across the top of our company name, looking very green and very regal. But, don’t take that as an endorsement for owning an iguana as a pet. Far from it! Iguanas are the #1 most abandoned pet in the exotic pet industry, and for good reason.

If you do your research, and invest a ton of money into proper caging, lighting and heating, you too can raise an iguana to adulthood. But, we do not recommend you try this at home. You see, adult iguanas do NOT make good pets. They are naturally territorial and they will defend their branch or tree with a quick scratch or tail whip. If they get a bit too amorous with their human, they can bite (part of natural mating behavior), and they do NOT let go. Their strong, muscular legs and razor sharp claws can climb trees, or your body, in an instant, leaving a trail of damage behind. And, of course, if you are silly enough to let them crawl and climb across your human furnishings, they can leave an invisible trail of salmonella for your family to enjoy. These are NOT good pets.

Simon was our first exotic rescue. More rescues seemed to find us, LOTS more. All those mouths to feed and all those vet expenses to pay, generated the idea of a wildlife education service—and Zooniversity was born. Today we are caring for more than 50 species of rescued exotic animals at Zooniversity, most of whom are unwanted or abandoned, former pets. We think it’s only fitting that Simon be our mascot and part of our logo. After all, he is the iguana who started it all.

I’d like to be a joey wallaby. I’d spend long hours sleeping peacefully in a fuzzy pouch, stretch my oh-so-big feet upon waking, guzzle milk when I was thirsty, delicately nibble on hay and grass when hungry, hop-hop-hop faster-faster-faster at play time, and “huff” for my humans to give me some always needed attention and cheek rubs.

Such is the life of our little joey wallaby, “Sydney,” who came to Zooniversity last Fall for foster care. Her first month was a challenge, tough on her and tough on us, but she soon taught us how to care for her needs. At 9-months old, she has reached all the important joey milestones: how to leap in (and out) of a man-made pouch, how to hop at full speed without hitting walls, how to mess-up a play pen in less than an hour (stinky…whew), and how to intimidate the zookeeper’s terrier by hopping full-speed straight at him.

Sydney has also stolen many hearts. She attends almost all of our school and birthday programs and is now a seasoned traveler. She’s learned to pop her head up out of her pouch on cue to meet our audiences. She basks in the oohs-and-aahs and relishes all the head and belly rubs she gets from admirers of all ages.

She is a star, and she knows it. But stardom is short-lived. She is getting bigger. She is drinker fewer bottles and needing fewer cuddles. She is needing more space to hop and more time in the sun. She is growing up and, regardless of my protests, she will be a “big girl” soon and will be ready to be returned to her mob. That will be a new world, a new set of challenges, a new series of milestones. And, like any mother, I can only hope I’ve prepared her well for life in the big world.