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A pet's death is never easy, and when 7-year-old Cyrus Ballo of Federal Hill lost two hermit crabs within a week, he was devastated. He'd taken great care of them, after all.
His parents, Joanna Pi-Sunyer and Michael Ballo, wanted to continue fostering their son's caring personality and started thinking about a new pet.
Cyrus wanted a turtle, but his mom and dad weren't so sure about the amount of care turtles need to stay happy and healthy. So, after thinking for a little while, they welcomed a corn snake to their home and named him Sneaky, after the song "Sneaky Goes Dancin'."
Ever since, Sneaky has offered entertainment to the whole family. He lives in a tank in Cyrus' bedroom, and Cyrus and his dad enjoy holding and playing with the snake several times a week.
He's about 20 inches long, as thick as a magic marker, and has smooth, soft skin that is warm -- thanks to his heat lamp. There's nothing slimy about this snake.
Family members also take bets on when Sneaky will shed his skin, which he does in private. No one has yet caught him in the act, but they know he's getting ready when his skin turns dull, and they find his old skin on his bedding or draped over the tree limb in his tank.
They enjoy watching him wolf down his frozen mice, which the family purchases at a local pet store. And yes, he swallows them whole.
To have your pet -- including hamsters, snakes, horses, guinea pigs and the like -- considered for Collared, email information to sun.unleashed@gmail.com.
-- Kim Fernandez (Christopher T. Assaf, Baltimore Sun photo /May 13, 2013)
Answer: Dental disease is very common, with the majority of cats being affected by age 3. It causes significant discomfort, difficulty eating and ultimately results in the loss of teeth. Tooth brushing is considered the best method of home dental care and ideally is performed daily. Supplies to have on hand include toothpaste formulated for cats and a pet tooth brush - -these come in various designs. Remember that cats are very inquisitive creatures and enjoy exploring their environment at their own pace. The first step of acclimating your cat to tooth-brushing is getting your cat accustomed to you touching his or her face, lips, gums and teeth. Slowly begin introducing toothpaste, which comes in a variety of tempting flavors. Next, allow your cat to investigate the toothbrush with the paste applied to it. When your cat is comfortable with the supplies involved, begin by brushing along the gum line, focusing on the outer surfaces of the teeth. Keep the experience positive for your cat, and be sure to offer a reward!
As pet caregivers, we have the opportunity each day to positively affect our cats’ dental health, and the rewards are substantial in terms of your cat's overall well-being and health. There are numerous alternative methods of caring for your cat's teeth if your cat is resistant to tooth brushing. Your veterinary office can advise you on options such as diets designed to clean the teeth, oral hygiene chews, rinses or gels, and water additives. It is important that your veterinarian assesses your cat's teeth every six months to monitor for changes. Keep in mind that professional cleaning and treatment is an important and often necessary step that aids in the efforts you are making to keep your cat's smile beautiful!
This week’s expert is Katie John, veterinary technician at the Cat Hospital at Towson. Submit your questions to Sun.Unleashed@gmail.com.
