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Exotic Health and Nutrition

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Samantha Goddard

on 25 February 2014

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Transcript of Exotic Health and Nutrition

The causes of ill health in exotic animals: how poor welfare can lead to poor health
It is crucial for the health of all animals that their welfare needs are met, not just exotics. Two of the five animal needs relate to this; the needs for suitable environment and diet. For exotic animals however their are two difficulties, often less is known about their proper husbandry in captivity, and it can be more difficult to replicate their natural environment. The correct husbandry is often found through trial and error, and thus improves over time when more animals of its kind are kept and studied. Animals kept in captivity must be monitored, and any signs of disease or injury (or anything unusual, such as not eating) must be monitored. Record sheets are an ideal way to do this; for each animal symptoms are noted, as well as any action taken such as medication. This ensures details of the condition are recorded, even if they do not seem very relevant. Other care givers are thus kept informed, vets have access to all details, and records can be kept for the future. Mistakes can also be prevented, such as animal care staff changing shifts and each giving a dose of medicine, leading to overdose.
The following factors can affect the health of an exotic animal:
Water pH/salt content/chlorination
Chemicals used in cleaning
Plants in enclosures
Other animals
Substrates .... etc etc

Mental stress
Can lead to illness as well as making the animal unhappy. Inadequate enclosures are an important factor- limited space can lead to boredom if they cannot move around enough, stretch out, climb, fly, dig, bask, hide etc., displaying their natural behavior. Lack of enrichment (things to keep the animal entertained) will leave them bored. This can lead them to harm themselves, such as feather plucking in exotic birds. They may become depressed and stop eating, or overeat, when kept in groups animals could attack each other. Groups can also cause stress, such as if one animal is aggressive to another. They may injure it, or prevent it from eating. Overcrowding could lead to such competition for resources, or it could just be one individual acting in this way towards it's companion. Too many animals in one enclosure also limits the space available to each, and can lead to poor hygiene (eg. fecal contamination of water). Mixing of sexes could lead to competition for a mate, for dominance, or aggressive mating behavior.
Deprives animals of either the total calories or specific nutrients needed for their bodies to function normally. This can cause starvation, immunodeficiency and organ failure, or affect specific functions dependent on nutrients. For example, vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets. Exotic animals may not gain all the nutrients they need from their food alone: supplements may be needed (such as Nutrobal for Calcium) and lighting is also vital. Inadequate lighting can cause malnutrition in green iguanas, and rhinitis or stomatitis in Mediterranean tortoises.
By bacteria, viruses or parasites leads to disease. These are numerous, common examples are salmonella, ringworm and fleas. They can be prevented by proper hygiene measures, ensuring enclosures are regularly cleaned using disinfectants that are not toxic to the animal. For those living in water, this should be filtered and/or regularly changed as required by the species, and additives used if necessary to prevent stagnation and bacterial growth. Special care should be taken with exotic animals which require warm, humid environments, as these are favorable to many bacteria. Live food should be carefully sourced, as they could carry parasites. Bedding should be changed regularly, uneaten food removed, drinking water changed, steps taken to keep vermin out, etc. Wild animals such as rats can injure the animal and cause stress, as well as spreading disease. These can become big problems in captive animals when they are spread to others, including human caregivers, but on the whole can be easily avoided.
(Weil's disease)
Bone Disease
Sarcoptic Mange
Exotic Health and Nutrition
This is a zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic serovars of the aerobic spirochetes
. It can affect nearly all mammals, and is prevalent in warm, moist climates. This is why it is common in tropical regions, and has increased in the UK as more and more exotic mammals are imported from the tropics. In 2005, leptospirosis was passed from Florida to Japan through imported flying squirrels. Some animals can act as asymptomatic carriers, aiding the spread of disease, and spirochetes can also survive a short time in the environment such as soil and water. This, or contact with body fluids of infected animals can pass disease through impaired skin or mucus membranes. Vermin such as mice and rats can spread disease, often when an animal ingests their urine.The incubation period of leptospirosis is normally 5-14 days, beginning with rather non-specific symptoms. In the acute phase, animals may display muscle weakness, fatigue, shivering, vomiting/diarrhea and loss of appetite. Sometimes there is a foul odor from the mouth. The next phase occurs as spirochetes spread to different organs and systems through the bloodstream causing symptoms, eg. conjunctivitis (eye involvement), coughing and difficulty breathing (lung involvement), increased thirst and urination (kidney involvement.
Any of these signs (or indeed other abnormalities) should be recorded daily. This will aid differential diagnosis as well as tracking disease progression. Treatment administered is to be recorded so accurate dosage is given, and any response noted.
The animal should be monitored for worsening of symptoms in particular, as this points to increasing infection levels. For example, worsening kidney infection would see a progression from increased urination to difficulty urinating. Hopefully, monitoring will show a gradual improvement in response to treatment.
To give an accurate diagnosis, laboratory testing can be performed on fluids. These can also be used to monitor treatment response, through a decreasing antibody titer. Usually PCR, serum agglutination, enzyme immunoassay or immunofluorescence are used. Antibiotics are to be given as treatment; streptomycin is commonly used in exotics. penicillin, doxycycline and ceftriaxone are also used.
MBD is a disease resulting from an abnormal calcium to phosphorus ratio, which leads to the softening of bones. This increases the risk of fractures and breaks, as well as deformation. It is the most common disease seen in reptiles. It can be caused by either improper diet (too little calcium and/or vitamin D or too much phosphorus, or substances like oxalates which prevent calcium absorption) or improper husbandry (insufficient UVB light which reptiles need to produce vitamin D, or low temperatures which slow down digestion and thus calcium absorption). A small amount of cases however result from diseases of the liver, kidney or thyroid. Unfortunately this can progress quite far before symptoms are visible, particularly as it is in the animal's nature to attempt to hide signs of illness which would put them at risk in the wild. First symptoms are lethargy, weakness and loss of appetite. As bones soften and deform, visible signs appear. Difficulty walking, abnormal gait, swollen or distorted bones and joints as well as actual fractures are seen. This could be deviation of a snake's spine, or shell pyramiding of tortoises. Radiography shows mineralization of the skeleton (see photos above).
Firstly, it should be noted if the animal is reluctant to move or eat, so it can be observed for further symptoms. If the animal has just been brought into a collection, it should be examined for any lumps or swellings which could indicate MBD and these noted in their records. If MBD is present, any skeletal abnormalities should be recorded, as well as any steps taken to treat disease or alter their diet or living conditions.
The animal should be monitored closely, to check if they are eating without difficulty and moving around as normal. Any skeletal abnormalities should be monitored so action can be taken if they worsen despite treatment. Damage done may never be completely repaired, but if the cause of disease is addressed no further damage should occur.
This centers on changing the diet and/or husbandry of the animal to remove the cause (assuming liver/kidney/thyroid function test come back normal; if not, these should be investigated and treated appropriately). The animals enclosure must meet the needs of the species, eg. have adequate heating with a thermal gradient, and UVA/B lighting. Diet should be changed if lacking, supplements can be given if deficiency is severe, and intravenous fluid can be provided if the
animal is dehydrated.
Sarcoptic mange, or scabies, is an extremely contagious, zoonotic skin disease caused by various species of the ectoparasitic mite Sarcoptes scabei. It is spread through direct contact with the mite, from another animal or the environment. This means that animals housed outdoors are at greater risk of infection, as are those coming into contact with other animals, those in enclosures which wild animals can access, and the immunocompromised. Mites favor hairless areas like the ears. The mites, which can live for 3-4 weeks, burrow into the animal's skin after mating and lay eggs, thus continuing infection if untreated. However, each mite is only infectious for 36 hours. The main symptom is therefore intense itching, causing discomfort and distress in the animal. Scratching and licking of the area seeking relief from the itch causes irritation, fur loss, and secondary infection susceptibility when skin is broken. Allergic dermatitis could also result. Infection tends to be self limiting, but treating will speed up the process. During the infection, the animal must be isolated to prevent infecting others, and their enclosure, bedding etc. must be thoroughly washed and disinfected to remove fomites. A diagnosis can be confirmed by examining deep skin scrapings; skin biopsy can also be performed but these samples are harder to evaluate. Sometimes therapy is simply given and a diagnosis made if the animal responds.
Signs of discomfort or distress in an animal should be noted. Treatment given should be recorded to aid differential diagnosis, and location/movement of the animal too to track any spread infection. The type of medication used should be recorded so it can be referred to in the future, either to repeat a successful therapy or alternate treatments in a collection to avoid mites becoming resistant.
The animal should be examined in particular for skin lesions, as these put them at risk of developing further infection. Treatment of these and the response should be recorded, to prevent them worsening. Signs of inflammation and severe pruritus should be recorded to aid the vet in making a diagnosis where allergy is suspected. The type of treatment and response should be monitored, as this also confirms or disproves the diagnosis of scabies.
Use medicated shampoo (eg. lime sulfur, Selamectin, Ivermectin) to destroy mites on the animal. Fur or hair could be clipped too to help remove mites, and steroids like cortisone can be used systemically in case of allergy or locally on wounds. Anti-itch shampoos can also be used to alleviate the animal's discomfort while these treatments take effect.
Several factors must be taken into account to avoid injuries to exotic animals. Firstly, their environment should be non-toxic, with nothing they might ingest which could be poisonous. Plants should be researched to ensure they are safe for the species concerned, and care should be taken when taking vegetation or wood from the wild as it could contain parasites or mould, and is not easily cleaned. Substrates should be safe if accidentally eaten, and of an appropriate size so it cannot be choked on. Other animals can cause injury; either those kept in the same enclosure (as discussed under Mental Stress) or vermin who may be able to enter if enclosures are not well maintained and monitored. Enclosures should also be properly heated and ventilated and protected from the elements. For those animals spending all or part of their time in water, it's quality is essential. The type of water used depends on the species kept, as many need a particular pH and mineral content. It may need to be filtered and/or heated.
Two zoonotic diseases associated with exotic mammals

This is a rare zoonotic disease with a similar presentation to smallpox, first observed in laboratory monkeys in 1958. It is caused by a virus of the genus
and family
. It seems like any mammal can contract monkeypox, but most cases are seen in tropical areas of Central and West Africa, in primates and rodents. The virus is spread through contact with fluids or skin lesions of an infected animal, inhalation of respiratory particles, placental transfer or contact with virus particles surviving in the environment (enclosures, feeding bowls etc.) The disease appeared in the US in 2003, where native prairie dogs contracted the virus from imported African mammals (Gambian rats) in the same collection. Cases may be fatal, and no specific vaccine is available (although the smallpox vaccination provides a degree of protection). There is an incubation period of around 6-16 days as the virus replicates to a level which produces symptoms.
in animals can begin with lethargy, fever, weakness and loss of appetite (0-5 days). Later they may cough, produce crusty or cloudy pus from the eyes/nose, a bumpy or blistered rash and swollen lymph nodes. Humans display the same symptoms, similar to smallpox but less serious. Presence of swollen lymph nodes helps differentiate between the two diseases.
There is no known
at the moment. Cidofovir and vaccinia immune globulin have been trialed as therapies, but have no proven benefit. Smallpox vaccination can be given a short time after exposure to an infected animal or person, as this may provide protection.The course of the disease is typically 2-3 weeks, and about 10% are thought to be fatal. It can be diagnosed through laboratory tests including cell culture, PCR and ELISA.
centers on controls on importing animals from Central and West Africa, particularly primates and small mammals. Any animals arriving from these areas, as well as those who may have been exposed to, or actually have, monkeypox must be quarantined for 30 days. Barrier PPE should be used in the presence of humans or animals who may be infected, like gloves and overalls. The virus can be killed on bedding etc. by laundering at high temperatures with detergent. The CDC and FDA have prohibited the importation and trade of several susceptible species in the US (see http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2003-11-04/html/03-27557.htm)

Infection with bacteria of the
family (most commonly
C. jejuni
C. coli
) cause gastrointestinal disease in nearly all species, and is zoonotic. Bacteria are shed by infected animals, and disease is contracted when another animal ingests these through contact with their fluids, stools, or the environment (fomites). The main mode of transmission is through ingesting contaminated food and water, but exotic animals are an important potential source of infection as they can be asymptomatic carriers and remain infectious for a long time. Ferrets for example can shed bacteria for 100 days after they themselves recover, and reptiles. Young ferrets or those with nutritional deficiencies are at greatest risk. Once ingested,
can colonize the intestinal tract, leading to GI symptoms.
in animals and humans are predominantly diarrhea and vomiting, with the resulting dehydration, anorexia and malnutrition. Fever and abdominal pain is also common, which could display in exotic animals as increased sensitivity to touch and seeking cool areas. Hamsters and other small rodents can develop 'wet tail'. In prolonged infection damage to the intestinal epethelia can occur, which shows as mucus or blood in the diarrhea. Swollen lymph nodes can also be observed.
centers on antibiotics active against the particular strain of
present, which can be determined through culturing or PCR on stool samples. Many antibiotics are ineffective due to increased resistance, to antibiotic susceptibility on a culture plate is recommended. Some animals can continue to shed bacteria (and so remain infectious) for some time despite treatment due to continued colonization of their GI tract. Fluid loss can be damaging to the animal so plenty of fresh, clean water should be provided. IV fluids and/or electrolytes can be provided in more severe cases.
can be aided by continued fecal testing, to determine whether the animal is still shedding. If so, they can infect people and other animals and so should be kept in isolation. Any animals infected, or possibly infected, should be handled only with PPE which is to be laundered or disposed of afterward. Fomites should be disinfected, and not used for other animals. To avoid new infections, all food given should be thoroughly cooked and adequately stored. Water and food should be regularly changed. Any new animals to a collection should be isolated for a period to minimize the risk that they may carry infection, and vermin should be kept out of enclosures and food stores.

The problem with meeting the feeding needs of exotic animals is that some have not been kept in captivity in large numbers, and so their nutritional requirements are not as well studied. For many species, the National Research Council has published guidelines which can be used to determine a suitable diet, for others it is a matter of trial and error with close monitoring. It can be based on a diet for a similar species. There is a lot of poor information available, and keepers may be ignorant of their species particular needs.
It is often not possible to recreate the diet the animal would eat in the wild. Even if the food itself is correct, there could be other factors affecting their use of the nutrients given such as temperature, humidity and light.
Self selection of food can be a problem in exotics, where they pick out the pieces that they like while rejecting others, which may lead to deficiencies or obesity if selecting high calorie options. Psittacines for example can selectively pick out seeds that are not rich in nutrients. This can be overcome by feeding a pellet diet which contains an even spread of nutrients in each piece. Caregivers should monitor the animals weight; exotics in captivity can easily become obese. This is in fact more common than malnutrition, and can cause complications like atherosclerosis and diabetes. If this is a problem the diet should be examined, amount fed may need to be reduced, or the feed changed to one with a lower fat/calorie content. Activity levels could be improved in some cases by providing more enrichment opportunities in the animal's enclosure.
Supplements of important vitamins can be given when they may be lacking in the diet. Often Nutrobal is given to reptiles in order to balance Calcium and vitamin D3 levels (see MBD). It can be used to dust their live food, making sure it is consumed as it is an appealing food, and can ensure each animal gets the correct amount. Avimix is a similar multivitamin powder used to dust bird food. Supplements should only be given when needed however. Most excesses will simply be excreted, but some can cause nutritional imbalances or build up and become toxic, like selenium, copper and fat-soluble vitamins.
There are specific problems involved in the use of live food. This should be selected according to the size of the animal and their mouth in particular. Those that are too big could stick in the throat of the animal and choke them. Larger and more aggressive live foods like black crickets can attack an animal, and so should not be given to small frogs or salamanders (brown crickets are a less aggressive and smaller alternative). This can also happen when too many live creatures are given as food. Supplement dusting also helps here, as shaking the creatures to distribute powder can daze them. Food animals can also damage the animal internally- such as meal worms. If given to a frog for example, if there are too many present or they are not digested quickly they can chew their way out of the stomach. Crickets in excess can attempt to gain fluid from the eyes of chameleons, causing conjunctivitis and other eye problems. Meal worms could also prove a problem for asthmatic keepers to to their small feces being released into the air. Good live food can also be expensive, like butter worms, but these are very appealing to animals and provide enrichment too for animals who love to pull them apart! If an animal has not eaten, more live food should not simply be put in their enclosure as they could attack the animal, or die and present an infection risk.
Live food must be carefully sourced, and not simply collected from the wild, as wild creatures may carry infection or toxins (like parasites in white striped worms). The best way to ensure quality food is to breed it yourself, but this is impractical for most keepers due to the cost, space and time needed. A quality supplier should also make sure animals bred for food are given a nutritionally balanced diet, not just a cheap feed, or been 'power fed' in order to grow larger. Live foods are often very fatty in content. Live food poses an ethical problem to some people too, these may choose pre-killed but this does not allow the animal to 'capture' it's prey and thus preventing them from expressing a natural behavior (one of their five needs). Live food, and also pre-killed animals like mice and chicks, could present a storage problem. They must be stored correctly to prevent bacterial growth, and not kept in freezers for very long periods.
Live feeding to snakes is less common than using pre-killed, due to the danger of injury to the snake. The correct size of animal must again be used (eg. pinkies, furries), and chickens can be plucked to avoid feathers sticking in the mouth and throat.
Some animals may refuse pre-killed food, particularly if they have previously been fed live animals. To make them more appealing, keepers can grasp them with forceps and wiggle them around to simulate movement (this also prevents bites from enthusiastic feeders!). 'Braining' the animal (breaching the skull) can also make them more appealing by increasing their scent. Scent can also be increased by rubbing the animal with a strong smelling item, like their substrate, warming or moistening them can also make them more desirable.
Food may also be refused if the animals enclosure is at the wrong temperature, if it is too cold their digestion will slow down. Overhandling of reptiles when young could also lead to food refusal later in life. Different foods could be offered in appropriate to increase variety. It could also be that the animal cannot eat the food given, possibly due to it's size. Stress or illness could also be a cause of food refusal, the cause of which should be investigated and treated. As noted in previous sections, anorexia can be a first sign of many conditions.
Competition for food (as well as space, mates, water and other resources) can occur in animals co-habiting, this is particularly common in lizards and turtles. This can mean that dominant individuals gain the majority of the food available, leaving more timid animals malnourished (and possibly obesity in the dominant animals). This will cause stress, with the resultant health risks, and aggression. Individuals fighting over food can cause severe injuries to each other. This can be aided in several ways. Firstly, the offering of multiple food sources. As appropriate for the species this could be multiple bowls of food, or multiple live creatures. Keepers can target particular animals, maybe offering a dominant animal a cricket then giving one to a weaker one while the first is occupied. They could also be split up for feeding. Scattering the food around the enclosure or hiding it can give more opportunities to find food.
Animal groups where one or more individuals shows aggression should be monitored around and after feeding times so keepers can intervene before serious injury occurs. If the problem persists, the group may need to be split up. Aggression can be exasperated by other causes such as mixing of sexes, which can be solved by keeping males and females separate. The giving of excess food does normally reduce competition and aggression, but is not an ideal solution as overeating and obesity can result.
Problems with the Feeding of Exotic Animals
Procedures Used in the Animal Unit of Shuttleworth College to Maintain Health and to Treat and Prevent Diseases
Maintaining Health

All animals at Shuttleworth are regularly checked for signs of ill health. The first of these checks happens when a new animal arrives. An 'Intake Health Check' form is completed, which ensures no checks are forgotten and provides a record which can be kept of their condition including any potential abnormalities, and who performed the check. The animal is scored in the areas of attitude, eyes, ears, skin, nose, mouth, musculo-skeletal, genital/urinary and GI tract. This includes sexing when possible and the condition of urine and stools. Particular checks are performed for common conditions in the species concerned. Snakes will be held in a stretched out position so the handler can run a hand along their spine, looking for lumps or curvature which indicate MBD, so the condition can be monitored (previous problems with diet or husbandry should not apply at Shuttleworth!) and treatment given if needed. Primates previously kept as pets would have their temperament carefully assessed (also taking into account information from the previous owner) for signs that they may be aggressive or unused to socialization with others of their kind, so they can be handled as appropriate (warnings of bite hazard, or to be gradually introduced into the existing social group. These records will stay at Shuttleworth for the life of the animal. They also help trace sources of infection, in the rare case that an animal arrives with no obvious symptoms but goes on to develop a condition.
Feeding and other care procedures are followed as appropriate to the species. A new procedure will be developed based on current knowledge in the field if this is a species new to Shuttleworth, or if the animal has any individual requirements. Otherwise existing procedures for the species, found in the folders in the kitchen, are followed with a new record sheet created for the animal. Hygiene and safety procedures are followed in the kitchen to ensure proper storage and prevent cross-contamination, as well as providing adequate care for animals kept there as live food. Food containers for some species are pre-prepared to ensure the correct amounts and sizes are prepared, and ensuring no animal is forgotten. It reduced the risk of contamination possible from inadequate cleaning of food containers, such as if pinkies were defrosted in a container which was then used for fresh fruit and vegetables. Information on food products and supplements is kept there, on or with the product, with everything properly stored (in it's original container where possible) and labeled. This makes it easy to check the right amounts and mode of administration. On the wall above the fresh produce storage area, an information sheet is present for each item showing which animals can and cannot have it (such as no apple seeds for parrots, they are toxic to them). General information is given, like if a particular foodstuff should only be given in small amounts. Iceberg lettuce may appear to be a healthy choice, but causes diarrhea in many species!
A sheet with information about the animal/s is placed next to their enclosure, giving the species, important information and a colored star indicating who is allowed to provide their care. The star system prevents disease and injury to keepers; scolopendra for example have a red star due to their potent venom to avoid inadvertent handling. Giving the species name also ensures the correct care protocols are followed, and listing the individuals present in the enclusure ensures none are missed during feeding and monitoring
Each animal is monitored on a daily basis (minimum) so any abnormalities are picked up quickly and progress tracked. This information is noted on the 'Animal Feeding Record' and includes a health check, time check was performed (am/pm), what has been fed and how much, if the enclosures has been cleaned (spot/full clean) and who performed the check.

As Shuttleworth is a learning facility, problems could occur from the inexperience of those performing monitoring. A procedure could be put in place for recording routine health monitoring by an experienced member of staff, and also for regular vet checks, to ensure these are performed and keeping a record of their frequency. The monitoring sheets are quite basic, but have to be due to limited space on the page and possibly as staff have limited time to perform more intensive monitoring. I would recommend updating these to include a 'comments' column where any abnormalities/problems can be noted. It could also be useful To add in a requirement to list the cleaning product used during full cleans, to track any possible problems from using incorrect chemicals which could go unnoticed.
Cleaning protocols could be introduced in the kitchen, like color coded chopping boards and knives and a cleaning check sheet. There could also be a procedure for regular checking of expiry dates, although this should be done whenever they are used. The information on the fresh produce is excellent and easy to use. One improvement I would recommend is the separate storage of foods which are harmful to some animals so they are not picked up by mistake. Boxes could be prepared with foods for each species, but it would be time consuming to sort and separate each batch of donated food and wouldn't be of great benefit. It is very good that pictures of the products are printed on the information sheets, for identification and easy location of the desired item.
Intake health check forms are very good, as they provide a thorough list of areas to be checked. They don't give any instruction as to how the checks are to be performed, but this is okay as the checks are performed by or under the supervision of experienced staff, and are very species dependent anyway. One other area that could be added to this record is any laboratory testing performed. It could be useful if time and budgets allow to test for common conditions on arrival, particularly those which are infectious or zoonotic like
The biggest problem with the monitoring procedures is the use of wipe-clean record sheets. Although it is convenient to have a laminated sheet, as paper can easily be dirtied or damaged, it could be inadvertently erased ot smudged by hands or sleeves or when putting into folders. It also means that the records are only kept for a short time. This will be overcome soon as Shuttleworth will be using the ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System) from ISIS. This allows all monitoring procedures to be captured and stored electronically, including information on the animal's history, life stages and environment. This allows records to be kept indefinitely, and transferred when animals are moved to and from other institutions. Removing paper records aids the environment, saves spaces, and makes records less easily destroyed. Problems could still occur through incorrect data entry or incorrect use of the system, particularly when it is new. I would recommend procedures be put in place for secure backup of data, training on use of the system and password protected logins for each individual for traceability and security. Devices used for ZIMS monitoring should be used with care, as electronics can easily be damaged in this environment. They should not be left unattended or logged in, and a system could be put in place for logging them in and out to prevent loss or theft. As tablets or other devices will be introduced for this they could be used in other ways too, such as setting alerts when animals are to be fed or monitored, with a message being sent to a senior staff member if something is missed. Other information could be transferred to electronic devices too, such as detailed information on the husbandry requirements of each animal and how to perform health checks on them or check for symptoms. This would be valuable as a great deal more information can be kept in an easily accessible and searchable format, much of it however would still need to be kept on paper so everyone can access them. It would be a big problem if all check sheets and husbandry information required internet access in case of connection failure, especially as we are in a rural area.
Disease Prevention

Biosecurity procedures are in place to help prevent disease at Shuttleworth. Foot baths must be used before entering the animal unit, and impregnated foot mats are placed at entrances to make this easy and hard to avoid (visitors would have to go out of their way to step around or over these mats). PPE is also required for all areas except classrooms- overalls and steel toecapped boots.These measures reduce the risk of visitors carrying infection into the center from outside. Handwash stations with disinfectant handwash and disposable towels are located throughout the center with signs instructing visitors to wash hands thoroughly when entering, leaving and between tasks and animal handling. This prevents both cross contamination or spreading illnesses between animals, and causing distress possible when handling an animal with the scent on another still on the hands (including animals handled outside the center). Students and staff are instructed in other safety measures like taking off jewelery, keeping nails trimmed and tying up long hair. Animals who must not be handled, such as those who are ill or produce toxins, are labeled with a red star indicating that their care is to be performed by experienced staff only. Finally, procedures for induction of new staff and students ensure they are briefed on necessary safety measures.

These are all excellent procedures for preventing disease, in the animal collection, human visitors and their animals at home. The problem however is enforcement of these. Inexperienced students in particular may either forget to take these measures or not realize their enforcement, and they are often allowed into animal areas without staff supervision. Experienced animal handlers can also become careless or forget to take these steps, or become complacent.
I would recommend regular reminders for students and staff of the procedures required, with explanations so everyone knows how important they are. Staff measures should carry out spot checks on compliance. More signage would be useful, such as instructions at sinks on proper handwash procedures. It would be particularly helpful to have signs at entrances instructing visitors to use foot baths- there is one at the barn entry but not at the classroom entrance. Instructions on PPE should be updated to include the importance of laundering PPE. Possibly staff and students should be told to only wear their PPE in the unit. They could be made to keep them in the College, but this would be impractical as it would require provision of lockers or storage units, taking up valuable space, and use of a costly laundering service. Air dryers could be installed instead of paper towels, which could carry infection, but again the small benefit is not worth the cost.
Finally, although covered in inductions, disease prevention procedures (and the reasons for them) could be put in a prominent place on Moodle, also allowing everyone to remind themselves at any time. If this doesn't already occur, briefing for visitors like on college open days should be made to make everyone aware what to do and not to do to prevent spreading or contracting disease in the animal unit.
Disease Treatment

All treatments given at Shuttleworth are recorded in the 'Vet Log', which is kept on the vet fridge for easy reference. It notes information on the animal involved including species, name (important so the wrong individual is not treated by mistake), weight (so correct dosages can be calculated) and details of the condition (or suspected condition) with symptoms. Regarding their treatment, care and medication given is noted with the date, treatment duration if known and name of the person administering it. If medication is used, its name, storage information, lot number, route of administration and quantity given is recorded. This is extremely important in a college environment with numerous caregivers coming and going, so treatment is not missed or replicated. Route of administration not only shows how the medication is to be given but could allow, for example, changing of injection site to avoid irritation. The example given in the photo tracks treatment of an alpaca with a jaw infection, stating the treatment needed to clean the area as well as recording the drug and dosage given. These sheets are filed in the 'Vet Book', stored in the vet cabinet, and kept for 12 months. The vet book gives information on all the drugs commonly used at Shuttleworth, and records routine treatments, like the marmoset's annual vaccinations against
. This ensures these are carried out and dates they are due can be easily checked, and records of the drug used can be very useful, such as if a particular batch was recalled by the manufacturer, as it can be seen which animals have received it.

The treatment sheets are very useful, as they give a quick and easily accessible record of disease treatment. I would however add a column for comments, such as possible adverse reactions to the drug. A section to record the animal's health status and symptoms would be useful as, although this could mean replicating the same information on daily monitoring sheets, all relevant information would be together. Noting the location of the medication is very good as it prevents the wrong drug being used by mistake, and the medication being put back in the wrong place. It would be better to add both the drug name and the brand/s to avoid confusion, especially if more than one brand of an identical medication is used (brand and generic forms for example). As another safeguard, a special container could be placed into the vet cabinet and fridge with medications currently in use, this would be cheap and easy as something as simple as an 'in use shelf' sign, or a tub with the name of the animal being treated, would work perfectly. Emergency information relating to the treatment and/or condition would be a good safeguard. It could state signs to look for that disease is taking a severe turn, or possible adverse reactions to a drug (like allergy) and their signs, stating what to do if this occurs. It could be necessary to stop a treatment immediately, contact a vet, or simply increase monitoring. Up to date emergency contact names and phone numbers, with back ups in case these people are unavailable, should be placed in an obvious location such as the vet fridge. This should include what to do during holidays and out of hours, like at Christmas when few staff are in college. The person responsible for care or an emergency number could be printed on treatment sheets- it would rarely if ever be needed, but could be added quickly and could be extremely helpful in an emergency. The sheets and vet book have the same problems as monitoring sheets, being wipe-clean, only stored for short periods, and quite easy to lose. This system should be integrated into ZIMS if possible, and on a database installed on the electronic devices if not. This could also have an alert system built into the calendar to remind staff when treatment is due. It is unclear how the drug information in the vet book is compiled and monitored. A procedure should be put in place whereby a suitably qualified person performs a regular (annual?) review, updating information if necessary to take into account new developments like altered treatment recommendations and products new on the market.
Other legislation applies in order to comply with UK and international law, and is not specific to the animal unit at Shuttleworth. These include CITES agreements, the Animal Welfare Act (2006) and the Zoonosis Order (1989).
The Hot Arid Center:
An Evaluation of Housing, Nutrition and Animal Welfare
Snake Housing
Burmese Python- Custard
Bearded Dragon Enclosure
Reptile Housing
Nutritional Requirements of Exotic Species
The best thing about Custard's enclosure it its size, giving plenty of room for such a large snake to stretch out and move around. I think however that more can be made of this space to provide her with more enrichment and exercise (as she could do with losing some weight!). Currently the enclosure holds one shelf (to which Custard has no access) and a bucket of water. I would add more shelving and 'branches' to allow her access, giving her more places to explore and encouraging her to move around. The heat lamp could be moved from the middle of the back wall to the top or ceiling, on one side to give a warmer area. She could then bask on the area below it. If she could get close to the lamp it would be covered with mesh to prevent burns. This structure could also provide an area in which she can hide. Netting with artificial leaves would simulate the natural environment nicely, while being durable and easy to clean. Food could be given in different areas of this structure to encourage her to exercise.The back wall has some decoration but is not natural looking, this could be extended and improved to cover more space and look more natural. The bucket provides drinking water which also regulates humidity, but looks very artificial. This could be replaced by a plastic pool, which would look much nicer and also allow her to partially lie in it. It should remain at the end of the enclosure helping make this area cooler. The other end being heated gives her a thermal gradient, allowing her to move to the temperature she desires. If budget allows, a pump and filter system could be used to keep water clean and fresh, without staff having to step into the enclosure of a potentially dangerous animal. As there is so much vertical space available, the floor could be artificially raised and the water system placed underneath. An access point could be made between this and the outside. If more space in the room itself were available, I would install a double door system for entry into the enclosure, preventing her escape as currently the door has to be opened quite wide to gain access.
Small snakes of different species are kept here in plastic draws which can be pulled out to gain access. They may look small, but in fact snakes only need enough space to stretch out and contain their food and water bowls, too much can cause stress. As well as feed containers, the enclosures have some vegetation and a hiding place made of a cardboard tube. This is ideal- they have an environment which is close to nature, while being cheaply and easily replaced when worn. The lighting in the room is sufficient for their needs, as it gives them hours of 'day' and 'night'. The drawers allow many snakes to be held in a small space, with the advantage of a long pole being utilized to block off drawers of snakes who should not be handled, such as those shedding. This could be knocked over, so it would be helpful to install something to keep it in place, like brackets or holes at each end. A sign could also be attached to say 'no access' so everyone knows why those drawers are blocked off. It's a shame that more vertical space is not available to allow snakes to climb, but not enough space in the room is available to allow this for so many snakes. It would be nice if the plastic at the front of the drawers was clear, to allow people to view the snakes without needing to open them, both for enjoyment and health monitoring. The less the drawers are opened the better to reduce stress and chances to escape. There is also the chance of injury if snakes got caught in a closing drawer, but this risk would exist in other enclosure types too. These drawers do a great job, but if they were to be replaced I would choose racking with a clear viewing panel like the one in this photo. Plastic drawers are a better choice than glass as there is less glare, glass also provides less insulation which can cause temperature fluctuations. This system also has the advantage of solid sides, which would allow the information sheets to be attached more securely. Food and water bowls in these enclosures are just right, they are shallow enough to allow snakes to partially lie inside to cool down, but sturdy enough so they do not allow easy spillage. There is unfortunately no temperature gradient or basking provision (although the rear of the drawers may be cooler). There is not room to put lamps in each drawer; these snakes should be monitored and if they show signs that they may need warmer temperatures (eg. not eating) or UV light (MBD) they could be moved to a different enclosure for as long as needed. It is correct to keep one snake in each enclosure as keeping more than one together causes stress, dominance and aggression.
This enclosure is a great size- bearded dragons prefer a long and wide enclosure. They have vegetation, rocks and food and water containers as well as a heat lamp. The water bowls are tall enough not to spill, but keepers should ensure that when they are fed live food there is a rock in the water to prevent them falling in and drowning (this also applies to the other reptile enclosures). More could be added without overcrowding the enclosure. More artificial rocks and-or branches could be used for enrichment (could make the search for food more varied) and to provide a basking place. It would also encourage exercise. If this brings the animals closer to the heat lamp, mesh should be added so they do not burn themselves. A more closed in hiding place could be constructed to allow them to hide and cool down. Painting the back wall, or adding a backdrop, would be an easy improvement which would make the enclosure more aesthetically pleasing. It is a shame that the full height of the enclosure is not used. If the money was available, we could split this space into two enclosures one on top of the other. This would also mean altering the door so both enclosures were not open at once, and adding the risk that an animal in the top enclosure could fall. Its good that the entrances here are raised above the floor, as this prevents escape and trapping animals in the doors, making it worth the decrease in accessibility of keepers to the far ends of the enclosure. This may not be cost effective however at the new enclosure would have to be given sturdy enough support, and a second lamp would be needed. Temperature gradient in here should be sufficient as the heat lamp is at one end. As with the snakes, the beardies should be monitored for any abnormalities which could be caused by inadequate temperature/light and the reason investigated and corrected. Its fine that they are kept in groups, although they should be monitored in case of dominance developing.
These shelving systems allow the various reptiles housed here to be kept in large enough enclosures, making optimal use of the space by keeping one above another. The animals inside can be viewed without opening enclosures, and sliding doors give easy access to either end. They have rocks, branches and vegetation to provide enrichment, hiding places and basking spots a sufficient distance from lamps. Lamps would have been better positioned at one end of the enclosures, with the water bowl at the other, to give more of a temperature gradient. The only other improvements I could make to these excellent enclosures is to add a strip of darkened plastic or tape along the tops to prevent glare from the lighting in the room, and a natural-looking backdrop to improve their look.
All of the animals in this room receive a great diet, nutritionally balanced and appealing, with supplements as necessary (like Nutrobal dusting). They could have more variety, but this would be too problematic in a college environment. Weekly diet sheets ensure that the correct food and amounts are given, preventing confusion. As long as all animals are eating, introduction of new foods is not needed.
Husbandry is also of a high quality, given by or under the supervision of trained animal center staff following the care procedures mentioned earlier in this report. It could be valuable to limit the size of student groups using this room at a time, to increase instructor supervision. In a busy class it would be easy for a student to open an enclosure, handle an animal they shouldn't, etc. Students should be encouraged to report any accidents they may have, especially possible injuries to animals, without fear so they can quickly be rectified.
Substrates used are safe and similar to those of the natural environment, eg. sand and bark. Newspaper could also be used (this gives the advantage of making feces easy to inspect) but it doesn't look as good in the enclosures. Important considerations of the substrate is that it is not too absorbent (creating damp areas which could harbor infection) and not easily swallowed. Gravel should not be used as it is easily swallowed- snakes often grab substrate along with prey, other reptiles do too if food is on the floor, particularly if they are you
Reptiles are ectotherms, meaning they regulate their body temperatures through their behavior and environment. Incorrect temperatures affect their bodies ability to regulate body functions like digestion and immune responses. This is why the room is kept warm. Their could however be better provision of temperature gradients, allowing the animal the option to move to the area that suits them. The easiest way to rectify this is moving heat lamps to one side of the enclosure and water to the other, although this isn't always possible. Most importantly, the animals here should be monitored for any unusual activities or signs of illness (particularly MBD). Temperature monitors (with minimum and maximum temperatures reached) should be placed around the room, with someone responsible for the monitoring and recording of these. If allowed by the budget, a monitor could be purchased with an alarm which would alert a responsible person in case it falls or rises out of a defined range.
General Evaluation
Common Marmosets
There are many foods that can be fed to marmosets; fruit and vegetables, commercially available biscuits and jelly, live food and various extras like yoghurt, bread, sunflower seeds and nuts. This allows variation to keep them amused and cater to their tastes and any special nutritional needs, as well as allowing substitution if some items are unavailable. Their diet should provide all the vitamins and minerals needed according to their size- as they are a commonly kept species much research has been done on this and information can be found from various resources such as the Merck manual. Pieces of food should be small, maximum 1cm cubed, due to their small size. Food items can be scattered around enclosures or enclosed in balls, sticks etc. to provide enrichment for these intelligent primates and simulate natural foraging activity. They can be fed once a day, or more often if required to stimulate them. Meat is not needed in their diet. Mouse pups used to be commonly fed to captive marmosets but this has been discontinued due to the risk that they harbor diseases like lymphocytic choriomeningitis.
A particular requirement of marmosets is that they need higher levels of vitamin D than other new world monkeys. This can be gained by feeding marmoset biscuits or jelly specially formulated from them, or adding vitamin D powder to their other food. The amount required will be less if they are kept in outdoor enclosure as they will obtain vitamin D from sunlight.
A typical diet, fulfilling these requirements while being interesting, would be 50% monkey biscuits, 25% fresh fruit and 25% fresh vegetables. In addition a small amount of varying treat items can be given. Butterworms and marmoset gum for example are enjoyed while giving enrichment in a manner that simulates natural behavior.
Axolotls are carnivores, eating a variety of small aquatic creatures in the wild like fish, worms and insects. This diet can be quite easily replicated in captivity, or they can be fed pellets. It's important to give them foods which fit into their mouths as their teeth are suited to gripping rather than breaking apart food. Food should be placed in their enclosure with tongs, as axolotls have poor eyesight and may bite fingers by mistake. Jiggling the food with them can help the animals to find it, if not using live food. If food pieces are too large, there is also the chance that they will be regurgitated. It can take several days for axolotls to digest a meal, and the rate of digestion increases with increased water temperature. Fat and tendons should be removed from meat, as they struggle to digest these. Beef liver can be fed, but not pig liver as this causes regurgitation.
Careful sourcing of food is essential. Live or pre-killed creatures can carry parasites and bacteria, this risk is decreased if bred in fish-free water as they can harbor microorganisms.
Axolotls should be fed several times a week- every other day is ideal to allow time for the previous meal to be digested
A mixture of these foods is a good idea to give the axolotls some variety. For example, two feeds a week could be axolotl pellets or bloodworm cubes. These should be true blood worm and not tubifex worms which are not as nutritious. These are an easy option as they are commercially available and easily stored (pellets at room temperature, bloodworms frozen). For the other two feeds a live food could be used to provide enrichment. Good examples are earthworms or tadpoles. The amount given should be calculated according to maturity and size, ensuring that all individuals are eating. If this is a problem, earthworms may be a better choice as keepers can provide a worm to each individual, separating them to feed if necessary. This diet fulfills all of their nutritional needs, while balancing ease of use with simulation of conditions in the wild.

Fat-Tailed Geckos
These small reptiles consume a diet of insects in the wild, including beetles, spiders, crickets and locusts. This is a diet easily replicated in captivity, using live creatures to simulate their natural hunting behavior. They will enjoy pinkie mice and waxworms, but these are very fatty and so should be seen as a treat rather than a complete diet. Black and brown crickets or small locusts are ideal as a basic diet, but it is crucial to use those around half the size of the gecko's mouth to prevent them choking. Crickets and locusts should be removed if not eaten to avoid them causing injury to the gecko, but worms can be left in their enclosure.
If improperly fed, feed insect are not very nutritious. Before being fed to geckos they should be 'gut-loaded'- allowed to feed on nutritious food like fruit and vegetables or a commercially available gut-loading mix. The vitamins and minerals contained within are then passed on to the gecko. Waxworms can be fed infrequently, possibly once a week as in the example. Although very desirable, overuse of these can cause the gecko to refuse other food. It is worth using them sometimes to add variety into their diet. As with other reptiles, they are susceptible to MBD and so benefit from supplemented calcium and vitamin D3. A product such a Nutrobal is ideal used to dust their insect feed, making it palatable (twice a week is sufficient). If sand is their substrate, they may eat it if their diet lacks calcium and this can cause intestinal blockage. Calcium powder can also be left in their enclosure if desired. Feeding every 2-3 days is ideal for adults, allowing sufficient time for each meal to be digested.
Along with their diet, it is important that the correct temperature and humidity is maintained in their enclosure, and a UV lamp is provided. These ensure proper functioning of the digestive system and allow them to utilize the vitamins and minerals in their diet.
Giant African Millipedes
These millipedes naturally reside in the dark, damp environment of the leaf litter and soil. They consume this as they move through it, taking nutrients from it. As they have poor eyesight they cannot easily distinguish food from substrate. This means soil used in their enclosures should be a variety which is not toxic to them if consumed, so not potting compost which contains fertilizers. It should also be kept moist, spraying the enclosure is a good way to do this. Leaf litter can also be provided in enclosures to simulate their natural manner of feeding. Artificial leaves are not a good idea as the animals may try to eat them- real leaves can be frozen as an easy way to rid them of any pests or bacteria.
A great variety of soft fruits and vegetables can be fed to the millipedes. Thus whichever is available each day can be used, eg. some lettuce, cabbage, peach and tomato. They naturally eat food that is beginning to decompose and prefer this in captivity too. It should be peeled, cut into small pieces to make it easier to consume, and left for a few days before use until it begins to decay. This can harbor bacteria if left in the enclosure- keepers should only add the amount they know their millipede/s tend to eat in one day, removing any leftovers the next day.
This diet however is low in calcium, which giant African millipedes need in order to molt and form it's exoskeleton. This can either be added to the daily feed in the form of powder dusting or bone shavings (this could make it harder to ensure all is consumed, or each individual gets enough), or cuttlefish can be left in the enclosure and changed as needed.
These intelligent birds require a varied diet, to provide them with stimulation and give them something to look forward to, and one that meets their nutritional needs to prevent both physical and mental illness.
Feeding twice a day is ideal to provide mental stimulation.
One common problem in cockatoos is the self-selection of only their favorite items from the food offered. This can be discouraged by offering a greater variety of desirable foods. A complete diet such as Optibird, a wheat and corn based food, can be helpful in these cases, as well as when obesity or illness mean fat levels should be reduced. It is important to choose a quality brand of complete food. It should be purchased in a container rather than in loose, and stored in a sealed container. This prevents moisture entering, which creates a favorable environment for microorganisms, and protects it from rodents which could contaminate it with their urine.
The best option, to give variety, is a mixture of complete food, fresh produce and a small amount of treats. Avocado and mushroom must never be fed as they are toxic to cockatoos. A selection of fruit and vegetables can be given, depending on what is available. 2 or 3 of each as a minimum is a good rule. They should be washed (some people peel them to remove possible pesticide residues), cut into pieces according to the size of the beak and fed in a separate container. Not too many seeds should be given, as these are very desirable and could lead to rejection of other items. Peanuts and sunflower seeds are also poor choices as they tend to be high in fat but low in calcium and vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is common in birds, and gives rise to increased infection from the animal's decreased mucus production. Foods rich in this vitamin should be included in the diet; examples are broccoli and carrots.
A small amount of treat items can be given each day. It should of course be taken into account if additional food is given while training the cockatoo. Cheese, hard boiled eggs, walnuts and millet are among their favorites.
In most cases, supplements are not needed. If the cockatoo is found to be deficient, or has special needs (like extra calcium for egg laying) it can be added as powder to the food, or drops to the water. Calcium can also be provided through adding a cuttlefish to the enclosure.
Branches of willow, beech or fruit trees are often provided, allowing the cockatoo to strip the bark and eat a small amount as they would in the wild. This provides negligible nutrition but a great deal of fun! Nuts and mealworms are other examples of foods which will provide enrichment to cockatoos.
Angel Fish
Angel fish are a cichlid species originating in South America. When feeding them, other fish species kept must be taken into account if keeping a variety of fish together as is common. Mature fish are to be fed once a day, juveniles can benefit from feeding two to four times a day. A good guideline is to feed as much as the fish will eat in 5 minutes.
Overfeeding is a common problem. Angel fish will not digest any excess food they need, but this means the excess contributes to dirt in the aquarium and build up of ammonia. Giving some extra food however can give all individuals a chance to eat in groups where dominance and aggression is a problem. About half an hour after feeding, a net should be used to remove any excess food from the aquarium.
Angel fish can be fed either commercially available fish flakes or live pre-killed food. A mixture of these is beneficial to give them a variety of taste and texture. This could be alternated, one day of flakes and one day of live food. Live foods indicated include bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp, chopped earthworm and mosquito larvae. Daphnia provide the advantage of consuming algae from the tank. The easiest way to feed these is pre-killed frozen cubes, but they can also be obtained live in bags. In this case, they should be strained through a net and added to the aquarium, the water they come in should not be added. Live foods do however potentially harbor bacteria and parasites. Ground beef heart with gelatine is sometimes given, although this does not really give benefits which make up for the difficulty in preparing it and removing fat. Sponges are sometimes consumed in the wild, and these are a component of some commercial feeds.
A balanced diet like this will provide all the nutritional needs of the angel fish without the need for additional supplements.
Samantha Goddard
BTEC Level 3 Animal Management (Evening)

Alderton, D. (1992) You & Your Pet Bird. 1st Edition, Dorling Kindersley.
Bartlett, R. D. and Bartlett, P. P. (2009) Leopard and Fat-Tailed Geckos, 2nd Edition. Barron's Educational Series.
Boden, E. (Ed.) (2005) Black's Veterinary Dictionary. 21St Edition, A&C Black.
Kahn, C. M. (Ed.) (2010) The Merck Veterinary Manual. 10Th Edition, Merck & Co. Inc.
Full transcript


Ep. 8: Melancholy Pt. 2

Check out our first shirt at https://shirtoffyourbackaz.com/2017/08/10/keeptalking/
Our friend Erick Jones spent a few years working with kids with mental health issues, so he stopped by to talk about it. We looked through the lens of Job and discussed whether or not Job could have been experiencing a period of depression. How should we approach God when asking for things, and do desperate prayers work any better?

Ep. 7: Melancholy and the Occasional Sadness (Job 6 – 9)

We discuss sadness and Job’s reaction to his troubles. Is sadness justified in light of truth? How does God view our sadness? And why is it sometimes hard to find support? Oh, and we’re close to having our first batch of shirts made!

Bonus Episode: The Unique Need For Youth Ministry

Recorded at West Coast Grace Youth Camp, Phil Long from Grace Bible College and Mike McFadden from Grace Bible Church of Phoenix join us to discuss the history and future of youth ministry. How much does culture influence what we do? Is there a science to youth ministry? And what will it look like 10 years from now? Check out Phil’s blog at readingacts.com and West Coast Grace Youth Camp at wcgyc.com.

Ep. 6: Why Can’t We Be Friends? (Job 1 – 5)

Collin professes his love for real sugar in Mexican Coca-Cola and declares that Elizabeth is probably a better person than most. Did Job have good friends? What do we do when our friends aren’t so good to us? And our youngest boy interrupts to ask for candy.

Ep. 5: Of Nations and Towers, Pt. 1 (Genesis 11: 1 – 8)

Our friend Mike McFadden, Family Ministries Pastor at Grace Bible Church of Phoenix, stops by to discuss Independence Day and whether or not there is a difference between patriotism and nationalism. Can either truly coincide with Christianity? How much does media shape our view of opposing political sides? And, Collin apparently forgets that the Prime Minister of England isn’t Tony Blair anymore.

Ep. 4: Is God Creative? (Genesis 7 -9)

We discuss our recent trip to Legoland in California and Collin compares Noah to Ronnie James Dio. Is creativity a burden or a blessing? And is God creative?

Ep. 3: It Just Flat Out Sucks Being Green (Genesis 4 – 6)

Collin pines for a Monty Python themed Vacation Bible School, much to Elizabeth’s chagrin. Was it envy or jealousy that caused Cain to kill Abel? And what’s the difference? Is social media just making us all envious of one another?

Ep. 2: Fear No Snake (Genesis 3)

We stay up way past our bedtime discussing fear, and whether or not churches use fear the same way some politicians do. If God is omni [blank] , do we actually have anything to fear?

Ep. 1: The Art of Complication (Genesis 1 – 3)

Elizabeth and I take a quick look at the account of the fall in Genesis, and the subsequent complications that have followed. From the death of Chris Cornell, to marriage, to politics and social media, life can be pretty complicated. But do we sometimes further complicate things by our own actions? And where oh where should we eat lunch?

Introduction / Welcome to the Podcast

I discuss the nuts and bolts of this podcast, thank my friends and family for their support, show off my little studio (small corner of my garage), and wonder whether or not some of my decor is actually an idol.

Introduction to Ep. 1 / The Art of Complication

Introduction to Ep. 1. Why do tend to make things so complicated? Do we bring a lot of it on ourselves? How much does Genesis and the account of the fall really affect us today?


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Instrument Improvements of the Nineteenth Century and the Effects on the Wind Band - Essay Example

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There have been many different versions of wind instruments as they too have slowly evolved and improved with the passage of time. It is the intention of this paper to demonstrate how the invention of modern day wind instruments helped to bring the wind band out of the realm of pure functionality, and into the realm of artistic expression. Through the additions and improvement of modern wind instruments, the wind band is becoming another respected art medium. It was through the work of European wind instrument makers that all of the wind instruments gained the ability to play chromatic notes, allowing them to play melodies, and gradually changing the role of the wind band from one of functionality to artistic expression. In this paper, it is argued, wind band while attaining this status by way of instrument improvements, facilitated better scope for individual performance within the band without sacrificing the element of harmony and this was what contributed to the growth of wind bands as an artistic medium. ...
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1Instrument Improvements of the Early Nineteenth-Century and the Evolution of the Wind Band By: Mandee Howell Wind instruments have been around for centuries, since before the time of Christ. The first examples of any type of musical instruments were flutes from the Upper Paleolithic Period (30,000-10,000 B.C.).1 The flutes that existed before the time of Christ look basically the same as flutes today, minus the additional keys that were added in the early 1800's…
Author : ethylstokes

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Toxicity due to high levels of soil boron (B) represents a significant limitation to cereal production in some regions, and the Bo1 gene provides a major source of B toxicity tolerance in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A novel approach was used to develop primers to amplify and sequence gene fragments specifically from the Bo1 region of the hexaploid(More)
Lack of the barley (Hordeum vulgare) seven-transmembrane domain MLO protein confers resistance against the fungal pathogen Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei (Bgh). To broaden the basis for MLO structure/function studies, we sequenced additional mlo resistance alleles, two of which confer only partial resistance. Wild-type MLO dampens the cell wall-restricted(More)
The Rp1-D gene for resistance to maize common rust (Puccinia sorghi) is a member of a complex locus (haplotype) composed of Rp1-D and approximately eight other gene homologs. The identity of Rp1-D was demonstrated by using two independent gene-tagging approaches with the transposons Mutator and Dissociation. PIC20, a disease resistance (R) gene analog probe(More)
Many of the plant disease resistance genes that have been isolated encode proteins with a putative nucleotide binding site and leucine-rich repeats (NBS-LRR resistance genes). Oligonucleotide primers based on conserved motifs in and around the NBS of known NBS-LRR resistance proteins were used to amplify sequences from maize genomic DNA by polymerase chain(More)
Within the cereal grasses, variation in inflorescence architecture results in a conspicuous morphological diversity that in crop species influences the yield of cereal grains. Although significant progress has been made in identifying some of the genes underlying this variation in maize and rice, in the temperate cereals, a group that includes wheat,(More)
Rp1 is a complex rust resistance locus of maize. The HRp1-D haplotype is composed of Rp1-D and eight paralogues, seven of which also code for predicted nucleotide binding site-leucine rich repeat (NBS-LRR) proteins similar to the Rp1-D gene. The paralogues are polymorphic (DNA identities 91-97%), especially in the C-terminal LRR domain. The remaining family(More)
Previous work identified the wild barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum) accession CPI-71284-48 as being capable of limiting sodium (Na(+)) accumulation in the shoots under saline hydroponic growth conditions. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis using a cross between CPI-71284-48 and a selection of the cultivated barley (H. vulgare ssp. vulgare)(More)
A major gene-rich region on the end of the long arm of Triticeae group 2 chromosomes exhibits high recombination frequencies, making it an attractive region for positional cloning. Traits known to be controlled by this region include chasmogamy/cleistogamy, frost tolerance at flowering, grain yield, head architecture, and resistance to Fusarium head blight(More)


This little building on the peninsula of Lake Sylvan is actually a playhouse. There was a fog covering the lake on this particular morning that made the small building appear minimalistic and lonely amidst the gray of the landscape.  The reflection of the tree is what caught my eye.

- Lorianne Ende


Will and Ariel Durant: The Three Lessons of Biological History

Human history is a fragment of biological history. If we are to learn enduring lessons it is best to go back in time. Our view of the world is fairly shallow. We look backward but rarely to a time before we were born let alone the 5,000 years of recorded human history. Organic systems, on the other hand, are about 3.5 billions years in age and offer an even more statistically relevant dataset. So, if we are to look for lessons, the organic systems bucket seems like fertile ground.

How to Build Your Legacy

IMAGINE YOUR FUNERAL. Not the brightest topic, to be sure, but one worth serious thought—no matter what your age. Your family and friends have gathered to honor your life. But what do you leave behind? Beyond the contents of your last will and testament, what part of you remains on earth even after you've passed away?

20 Business Lessons You Don't Want To Learn The Hard Way

Every business owner will have his or her own trials, but here are 20 lessons you don't want to learn the hard way…….

The Best Jobs Require Social Skills

Jobs that require social skills are growing faster and paying more than ones that do not require social skills. Business is not a 'one-person' endeavor. Occupations that require strong social skills have grown much more than others since 1980, according to new research. And the only occupations that have shown consistent wage growth since 2000 require both cognitive and social skills. The findings help explain a mystery that has been puzzling economists: the slowdown in the growth even of high-skill jobs.

Mindfulness leads to being more open-minded

Keeping an open mind, even for the most free-spirited among us, is harder than it sounds. Our minds have evolved to identify, discern, and judge in order to make sense of the world around us. When thinking about a specific task or your career as a whole, you’ll need to make decisions, and some outcomes are certainly more preferable than others. By bringing a little mindfulness to the process, you can cultivate a flexibility and openness that will benefit you in all areas of life.

What Does Non-Judgmental Awareness Really Mean?

left alone the brain will automatically judge things as good or bad, right or wrong, fair or unfair, important or unimportant, urgent or non-urgent and so on. This happens so fast that our experiences are automatically colored right when we get to them, so mindfulness is about being aware of that and taking a fresh perspective.

Mindfulness Atitude, non-judging

Getting Unstuck With Mindfulness Practice

Mindfulness is popular and a very old practice. Science is now unpacking the benefits of mindfulness across many life areas. The idea of being present just where you are and just as you are is a liberating notion. And, it is also difficult to do. Minds don't like being in the present. They prefer to dwell in the past and the future. You can see for yourself if that is mostly true of your experience. It sure is for me. Minds have a hard time being just where we are. But coming back to the present can be enormously beneficial. After all, that is where we are anyway.


To mark the tenth anniversary in memory of the victims of the Twin Towers, in New York, I decided to publish an ancient legend that tells us about the need of people to live in Peace on Earth.
Wars, after all, are always tragically the same.
Same for all, in space and time.
But it seems that men are not interested at all to learn from past mistakes.

Each year, in February, the picturesque scenery of the Valley of the Temples, in Agrigento, is home to a unique event of international scope for which, symbolically, all the peoples of the Earth come together in a big hug, in the name of Peace.

So it’s celebrated the early arrival of spring in Sicily.

Streets and cars under the valley by night...

It’s manifested in the miraculous blossoming of almond flowers, which abound in the Valley of the Temples, wrapping this piece of ancient Magna Grecia in a magical light that warms the soul.

The origin of everything is an ancient and significant Greek myth, a story of war and love.

Almond tree blossom
Legend says that the flowering of the almond tree, is related to love between Acamas, glorious son of Theseus, and Phyllis, a young princess of Thrace.

Acamas, an expert warrior, set sail with the Achaeans to the Trojan War, fighting alongside Ulysses and other famous Greek heroes.

The war lasted ten interminable years, during which Phyllis waited faithfully Acamas.

Concordia Temple
Conquered and destroyed the city of Troy, the Greeks were at last able to travel to their homeland.

But as the survivors returned to their homes and their women, Phyllis did not see her beloved.

So she thought that Acamas was lost somewhere during the war.

Days were passing by for lonely Fillis, until when she was left to die, because of desperation.

Goddess Athena, moved with pity for the tragic end of the young girl, transformed her into a tree of Almond.

But Acamas was only restrained by a failure of his ship, he was not dead.

When he reached home he knew about the death of Phyllis and her extraordinary transformation.

He ran to the hill and hugged lovingly the tree.

Suddenly, the green foliage of the almond tree were covered with white and pink flowers, as if to reciprocate the tender embrace of Acamas.

Even now, in the Valley of the Temples, this miracle of nature is renewed every year in February, remembering to all the peoples of the world the sacred value of Love and Peace.

No matter who you are and where you come from: you’re welcome here, if you bring Peace.

A walk in the valley, among gods and heroes...

In 1997, the Valley of the Temples, in Agrigento (ancient Akragas, founded by Agragante, son of Zeus and the nymph Asterope), was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

It's easy to understand why, walking among the remains of this great civilization.

The gaze of the contemporary visitor lands on the noble ruins of the temple of Castor and Pollux, Dioscuri twins, to rest enchanted.

A little further on there stands the temple of Juno, wife of Zeus, protector of marriage and childbirth.
Even today, some betrothed couples come here to seek the protection of benevolent goddess.

The Temple of Concord, the only one still intact in its grandeur and beauty, was, in its time, Christian necropolis. Here are still visible in the vicinities, the typical burial niches.

The Temple of Hercules, demigod son of Zeus, is the oldest;
but of this now we can see only some columns,
to remember it in its importance and wealth.

It’s inevitable to think about it: southern Italy was considered by the Greeks a second homeland.
Indeed they called it Magna Graecia (Greater Greece).

Wandering among the ancient temples and tombs, we seem to take a walk back in time.

We can imagine to meet ancient priests and vestal virgins inside the temples, or try to follow the common men on their way to bring honor to the gods,
in search of peace and serenity for their home.

Almond milk
250 grams of peeled almonds (which some bitter)
1.250 liters of water
80 grams of sugar
Put the almonds in a bowl with boiling water for a couple of minutes, then depriving them of the cuticle and, little by little, crush in a mortar (if you do not have a mortar you can use a mixer), then collect them into a linen cloth.
Form a pouch, often wet with water, and every time, squeeze with your fingers to collect the white fluid that comes out in a bowl.
Repeat this a few times, until all the almonds and until you have maximized the proceeds pesto (you will put aside).
At this point, diluting the resulting liquid water (if you want to get milk from a stronger taste, decrease the amount of water).
Add the almonds and sugar (already stored after pressing), add sugar and keep in infusion for about two hours.
After the interval filter and collect the milk of almonds in a glass bottle.

1 comment:

Mike said...

You explained greatly your some moment in Greece. I heard many things about Greece nut never got any chance of visiting this place. Thanks!
traveling europe on a budget


EB105 - Mutual Respect, Accountability and Professionalism © Question:   The lack of civility in the workplace is increasing at a disturbing pace. What are the most important values in creating a positive work environment?

Larry:  This is one of the most common topics of discussion with my friends and colleagues. The foundations of mutual respect, accountability and professionalism are not being taught in our schools and homes - as they once were - and this is creating major problems for suppliers and consumers alike.  It is part of a social trend that has very significant consequences for productivity and profitability.  The following thoughts might be helpful in giving it some perspective

Mutual Respect: Treat People the Way You Want to Be Treated
One of the first things I observe when I visit a new client is whether or not people treat one another with respect.  It is an important measure of the overall business environment because the license for bad behavior starts at the top of the organization.  If people act in unrestrained ways it is because they feel entitled to indulge themselves.  It may mean that they are reacting to poor leadership traits such as tyranny or greed; or they may be acting badly because of the leader’s general lack of interest in them.  But when the employees treat one another with respect, it usually means that their leader is modeling the right values and is treating others the way he or she would want to be treated

Accountability: Upgrade from Loyal to Faithful
Loyalty is often referred to as an essential attribute in individual relationships and corporate human relations.  But it falls short of the concept of “faithfulness” because loyalty too often requires us to restrain ourselves from discussing the truth.  To be faithful, we must be unwavering in our commitments, always keep our promises, and never allow anyone to harm the person we serve, just as loyalty requires.  But faithful people also have no fear of speaking the truth, especially to the one we serve.  When someone expects us to obey without question, they are asking us to silence our conscience when we see and hear things that are wrong.  This is the foundation for tyranny.

Professionalism: Set a Clear Standard for Doing Things Right
As any sports coach will tell you, greatness is not found in the grand strategies, but in the disciplined execution of the fundamentals.  The great athletes, artists, musicians, scientists, lawyers, architects, and so on, have at least one thing in common: They have all mastered the fundamentals of their vocation.  This qualiﬁes them to compete at a higher level with all the other professionals who have mastered the same fundamentals.  Watching someone perform at a high professional level can be very moving.  It causes us to think, and dream and set higher goals.  So if you believe your calling is to be a professional manager, it should be very encouraging to discover that the great managers like W. Edwards Deming and Philip Crosby built their careers on the mastery of simple fundamentals.  But if you just want to be the very best you can be in your chosen vocation, a professional who makes a difference, then the ethical decline in the workplace is presenting you with an opportunity to shine.


Beginning Your Own Enterprise

The Enterprise Present is where businesses like yours find the following gear. It’s a free enterprise exhibition to attend and offers a wealth of opportunity, advice and information crucial for ongoing business growth within a challenging economic system.

Everyone knows that we gown a method for the seaside, one other approach for church, funerals, weddings, and so on. One would hope that as a lady matures, so does her sense of favor. Gracefully say goodbye to the micro minis you wore at sixteen, skimpy half tops and very low rise pants that expose your midriff, seductive plunging necklines and sausage tight clothing that desperately cling to the bygone days of your youth.

A Pewaukee-native, McIntosh was a standout tackle for the Badgers football workforce coached by Barry Alvarez between 1996 and 1999. McIntosh earned All-American standing in 1999 season. He was a key member of both Wisconsin’s 1999 and 2000 Rose Bowl championship groups earlier than he was selected as a first-round NFL draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2000. He’s also a member of the College of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame after he was inducted in 2014.

I do hope you get some good individuals out of this name. Some prime candidates will disappoint you, some poor ones delight you, however at least let none of them bore you. At the least let us hope that a minimum of one person apart from you will get one thing out of the experience. I’m unsure how I missed this final 12 months. I’d love to hear any experiences/lessons discovered from the experiment. Though I’m only 22 on the inside, my body has grown into much over 50. These dresses are stunning!

I based Dark Matter Consulting in order to assist shoppers to get probably the most out of their time. This includes each time management and productivity, as well as discovering and dwelling in line with values and life goal. This section can be damaged down into two elements, the primary sharing your historic monetary data and the second detailing your potential monetary data. A change in police priorities is just one elements in a profoundly altered financial system.


Monday, September 29, 2008

The NUSAF YOP evaluation thus far ...

This evaluation has thus far consisted of the design process and first phase of the baseline, conducted in February to March 2008. I will briefly outline both of these in this post, starting with a short description of the NUSAF project.

1. Introduction to NUSAF

NUSAF is funded by the World Bank and Government of Uganda in order to target the north of Uganda, which has thus far significantly lagged behind the development of the rest of the country, in part due to a 20 year civil war based in Acholiland.

To this end, NUSAF has created a grant program to target community based development. Each district in the north is responsible for the funding of projects within a given budget, including large scale construction (such as roads and bridges) and group project grants to increase livelihoods through vocational training and tool purchases. Group projects normally consist of 15-30 members identified by communities as vulnerable and are given on average $10,000.

One component of these group projects is the Youth Opportunities Project (YOP), designed for youth aged 15 to 35 (in the north, youth is considered a broad range of ages). This is the program we are evaluating.

YOP groups that apply for funding from NUSAF go through a rigorous vetting process. Their first step is to bring their proposals to the district headquarters, who reviews the paperwork and passes those deemed most needy to the head NUSAF office. There the groups go through another auditing process, and a final selection of groups is decided on to fund. When the groups recieve funding in a group bank account, the money is their responsiblity to use according to their budgets for training and purchasing tools. A later follow-up by the NUSAF district offices ensures the money is being spent appropriately.

2. Evaluation deisgn and methodology

As there has been more interest in the program than available funds, we are faced with over-subscription, and thus have the opportunity to run a randomized impact evaluation. A total of 530 groups were identified for funding. Of those, 265 were randomly selected for funding, with the remaining 265 acting as a control.

As each district is constrained by their own funding, randomization was done at the district level. Groups were given a random number and sorted by that number. Groups were then selected for funding until the full funding limit was reached. For most districts this meant funding between 40% to 60% of groups.

The adavantage of a randomized treatment and control group is that it helps to control for unobservable characteristics between the two groups. When running statistical tests, it is therefore more likely that the two groups are comparable, and thus ensuring we can identify the effect of recieving NUSAF funding. There is of course no way to ensure that all unobservable differencees have been eliminated, but we can test this for observables from the baseline.

3. Phase 1 baseline questionnaire

The first phase of the baseline was conducted before the groups were told if they are to be in the treatment or control groups in order to avoid biases in responses. Some simple questions were asked of the entire group in order to identify the group characteristics. 5 random individuals from the group were then chosen to be given a detailed questionnaire.

The individual questionnaire was modeled on the SWAY interviews and was conducted in private with detailed questions on household composition and demographics, income, work history, conflict history, psycho-social well-being, community group participation, loan history, risk preferences and health.

When the baseline was completed, balance tests were conducted to ensure the answers from people in the treatment group were not statistically different than those in the control. Most of the tests suggest that there are no significant differences.

Of course, it is important to note that, unless we have reason to believe there are non-linear effects of differences between the two groups, we can control for any differences and still get a consistent estimation from OLS. Using a baseline in conjunction with a randomized design helps to ensure there are no major biases in the results, but of course it cannot guarentee it.

The final empirical goal will then be to take the results of the baseline, in conjunction with the follow-up of both the treatment and control groups, and statistically determine the average treatment effect of being funded by NUSAF.

4. Cross-cutting design

In addition to the normal structure of this impact evaluation, we have added an additional cross-cutting design component in order to identify some of the potentially important determinants of success in NUSAF.

The funded youth groups have thus been further randomly split into three additional experimental groups of approximately 90 youth groups each. The first group is treated by NUSAF according to standard opperating procedures. The second and third are given funds to hire an additional facilitator for the groups as recieving consistant support from an outside agent was suggested as a potentially important indicator of group success.

One set of groups contracts with a person of their chosing from the community and, pending an evaluation of services, pays this person 150,000 USH ($100) at the end of 6 months. The other set also chooses a person from the community, but it is up to the districts to evaluate and pay this person.

As this is another randomized experiment, this allows us to identify the impact of these two additonal components in much the same way we are doing with the full evaluation. We hope then to be able to determine not just if and how much NSUAF impacts peoples lives, but what some of the determining factors may be.

5. Phase 2 of the baseline

The next phase of the baseline is set to begin at the end of October through the beginning of December 2008. I am now in Uganda finalizing the preperation. This blog will be updated with documentation of the next phase, with more details to come.

1 comment:

bathmate said...

As always an excellent posting.The


Messages Christmas Wishes Ideas for Virgo Zodiac: many good wishes for Christmas and the coming year!

Virgos often have a difficult time finding love because of these two conflicting aspects of their personalities. For this reason, most astrologers would encourage you to consult a psychic. They can help to filter through all the confusing signs that come from your ruling planet of Mercury.

Virgo men is likely to have trouble relaxing, and often hates wasting time, or sitting idle.

Enjoy Our Messages Christmas Wishes for Virgo Zodiac

2. Wishing you a Joyous Holiday Season and A Very Happy and Peaceful New Year.

10. Christmas cheer and the glory
Christmas cheer and the glory of it,
Is sinking in bit by bit,
Yes it's that time of the year,
When we can sing aloud and cheer,
Christmas is here!

11. Christmas Greetings! With many good wishes for Christmas and the coming year.