In this week’s Pet Talk, Maneka tells how herbivorous animals recognise poisonous plants from non-poisonous

By Maneka Gandhi

While eating, how do herbivorous animals recognise the poisonous plants from non-poisonous plants?

Herbivores learn by watching their mothers, and other group members, eating. Herbivores must continuously taste foods, even familiar foods in familiar environments, as the nutrient content and toxicity of plants change frequently. If the food does not cause the animals to feel ill, then they will continue eating the plant. For instance, deer and antelope always nibble a tiny bit of a plant, then pause, and then continue to eat it, or not. As poisonous plants are usually bitter, they will discover that in the first nibble and move on. Elephants need a wide variety of foods  to get all the nutrients. All elephants grow up in the herd and learn from their elders, not only what can and can’t be eaten but also where to go at what time of year to find certain foods. They will even dig up minerals from the ground in order to supplement their diets.

How do fish keep warm in winter ?

Fish are cold-blooded creatures. These take on the temperature of their surroundings. They are hot when their environment is hot and cold when their environment is cold. Fish, who live in areas where the winters are cold, move to deeper waters during the colder months, or migrate to warmer waters. Some fish have a special protein in their blood which acts like anti-freeze to help them survive very cold water temperatures.

The layer of ice that forms on top of a lake, pond, river, or stream provides some insulation that helps the water body retain its heat. During winter months, the warmer water is on the bottom of the pond, as opposed to warmer months when the warmer water is at the top of the pond. So fish in these water bodies gather in groups near the bottom. Some species burrow into soft sediments and go dormant like frogs, but most fish huddle together in the deepest pools and take a “winter rest.” In this resting state, fishes’ hearts slow down, their needs for food and oxygen decrease, and they move about very little. They do not feed during the cold periods.

Can dogs have ice cream?

The first problem with ice cream is that dogs’ bodies are not designed to digest milk after they are weaned, as puppies. Since ice cream is made with milk, feeding your dog ice cream could lead to gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea or vomiting. The second problem with ice cream is that it is loaded with sugar, and feeding your dog sugary foods can lead to weight gain, which can lead to other health problems. Even if the ice cream says it’s sugarless, you need to be careful to read the label to make sure that no xylitol is used, as this sweetener is extremely toxic to dogs.

The final problem with ice cream is that some flavours may actually be dangerous for dogs. Chocolate, for example, can be toxic for dogs because their bodies cannot efficiently process a component of the chocolate: theobromine. While not a major danger if given in small amounts as a treat, for dogs with obesity, diabetes, allergies, or dairy intolerance, ice cream could be a big problem.

If you want to give your dog a summer treat, frozen yogurt might be a better choice. Because yogurt is fermented, it contains less lactose, so it is easier for dogs to digest. Don’t feed your dog a commercial frozen yogurt, since it will be loaded with sugar. Instead, make the yoghurt at home, and put it in your freezer. Although yogurt is easier for dogs to digest, not all canines can tolerate it.

Can cancer be diagnosed in dogs?

Cancer is on a steep rise in dogs and all domestic animals. Common types of cancers, that have been noticed in dogs, include Mast Cancers, Lipoma, Osteosarcoma, Oral melanoma, mammary gland carcinoma, Primary lung tumour and thyroid carcinoma.

According to veterinary oncologist and former President of the Veterinary Cancer Society (US), Dave Ruslander, the signs of cancer in dogs are quite similar to those that show up for humans — lumps, bumps, wounds that do not heal easily, unusual bleeding, any sort of lameness or swelling of the bones and enlarged lymph nodes.

At times your pet may not exhibit precisely these signs, so, if you spot any indication that all is not well, including a sudden loss of weight, you should bring it to your vet’s notice.

Occurrence of some cancers could have a genetic component. For instance, Golden Retrievers, Boxers and Bernese Mountain Dogs show a strong incidence of cancer, indicating a genetic link. However, the extent of environmental factors Vs genetics has not been determined.

A 2015 article, by Dr. Joanne Intile, puts forward pollution, pesticides and environmental tobacco smoke as three important environmental risk factors for cancer in pets. Other risk factors include your pet’s neuter status and your pet’s response to certain injections.

Dr. Intile suggests that regular physical checks at the vet (every 6 -12 months) help early identification of any signs of cancer. Early detection and assessment of any lumps or bumps, on your pet’s body contributes to a better prognosis.

Cancer in dogs is commonly treated by chemotherapy, surgery or radiation — one or more of these could be recommended in combination, or on their own. Treatment really depends on each individual case and a veterinary oncologist will outline the course of treatment.

In India, the Advanced Centre in Treatment, Research, Education and Care of Cancer (ACTREC), located in Mumbai and affiliated to the Tata Memorial Hospital, is dedicated to helping pets in need.