Problem with zoo animal welfare - Essay Example

? Problem with zoo animal welfare Concern Managing and putting fearful animals in a zoo is a challenge because individuals often confuse the animal’s behavior to aggression. While the Elavil dose can keep the llamas calm, extreme panicky and fear can make the animals miserable and destruct the major business such as attracting visitors (Grandin, T. & Johnson, 2010). A fearful animal can result to scared sick one. While hiding the animal might not bother the veterinarian, frequent anxiety can increase stress causing the animal sickness. For example, constant stress might lead to bladder inflammation which results in increased instances of scratching to offer calmness (Tolin, 2012). In addition, fearful animals invite aggression that might act as a target for other animals. In case the llamas cannot hide from a possible threat, she might use aggression as a means of defense. Llamas do not behave in a bad manner intentionally. In fact, constant fear might make the brain of the animal to hardly think. When overpowered by several fear and panic attack, the llamas will react through hiding, and/or strike out using teeth or claws (McEwan, 2006). In the efforts of the veterinarian to be successful with treating fearful and panicky llamas, she must come up with a plan. At times veterinarians prescribe the use of behavior medications to assist in calming the storm of fear and panic in animals. However, such medications might not meet the intended objective of calming the fearful llamas. It is in agreement that Elavil can assist the nine animals in the zoo to be on the right track in terms of mind, through normalizing the brain chemistry. Consequently, not every drug can work perfect for every situation (Grandin, T. & Johnson, 2010). Therefore, the veterinarian should select the drug that matches with the individual animal and specific diagnosis. In addition, she should never fail to consider the side effects of Elavil oral dose. At times, the procedure of using medications can be complicated, but the animal’s owner should take the chances of improving the fearful and panicky situation of the llamas. Elavil drug can work well when the veterinarian combines it alongside desensitization techniques, counter conditioning and behavior modification for teaching the animal’s new ways for dealing with panic and fear. Concern 2 Isolating the two smaller male animals is not the solution for avoiding the others from getting the coughing and weight loss (Tolin, 2012). The veterinarian enclosed the animals in the four-hectare forested area with the intentions of saving the other animals from getting the disease. At the time the two animals spent in the forested enclosure, the animals felt comfortable, out of fear and panic. This change of environment and comfort gain resulted to the increased weight and fast recovery for the animals (McEwan, 2006). Consequently, the veterinarian had the misconceptions that she solved the problem and took the animals back to the display pen. Little did she know that the root cause of the coughing and weight loss was the environment by which the animals were exposed. Now, what should the veterinarian do to solve the problem of panicky and fearful behavior? Fear aggression refers to a famous and common class of animal feline aggression. A high percentage of llamas inherit the shy gene, which resulted to their aggression once they face frightening environments (Tolin, 2012). For instance, poor socialization can result to fear aggression where punishing the animals make the situation worse. Llamas might develop fear of individuals, odors, certain noises, other animals, places, and end up reacting with aggression. There are several solutions for solving panic and fear in llamas. The veterinarian can check the reactive distance and the tolerance level of the llamas. For instance, the animals might be comfortable in any environment as long as the scary/frightening animal or people stay some six feet away while on the contrary reacts with panic and fear at five feet (McEwan, 2006). Therefore, the veterinarian should avoid the situations through keeping the right distance of the fearful llamas and the visiting triggers. Increasing the hiding spots and quiet areas in another tip for treating the panicky and fearful llamas (Tolin, 2012). For instance, the zoo can use elevated perches like small boxes and shelf space for the animals to hide, while at the same time feeling secure and visible for the visitors to have a clear view. An additional tactic of curbing fear and panic is training the llamas to perform tricks or games because this assists in increasing the bond and animal confidence. Concern 3 The chewing of the branches and biting on the metal posts on the fence by llamas can be an indication of poor nutrition and suffers from a mineral deficiency. Well, practicing a dietary supplement can assist in solving such a major issue (Tolin, 2012). The nutrition program for llamas is essential for a good producing and healthy herd in the zoo. However, the program differs depending on the country, the available pasture and what the animals have been used to take. The kind of nutrition affects the animal in terms of wool quality, conformation, heat stress, stress, milk production, health, birthing and breeding. In any case, the veterinarian should ensure that the diet consists of minerals, vitamins, phosphorous, calcium, salt, fiber, protein and energy (Grandin, T. & Johnson, 2010). An essential factor to put into consideration while feeding and dieting the llamas is consistency and regularity. The chewing of the branches and fence metals might be an indication that the zoo owner is neglecting the rule of five lbs of pasture and hay, as well as, one lbs supplement or grain as some call it while combined with trace minerals. In as much as the nutrition for llamas might seem confusing and complex, it is worth to practice a good nutrition habit to maintain a problem free llamas herd. Most people ignore checking the diet but forget that the problem might hide in the short run and emerge in the long run (McEwan, 2006). Treating the problem that an individual might have prevented is costly in terms of death, birthing problems, among others. The veterinarian should conduct constant protein, phosphorous, selenium & calcium levels check ups using a CBC for IgG. Equally it is essential to keep a body scoring and periodic weighing of the herd. Referencing Grandin, T., & Johnson, C. (2010). Making animals happy: How to create the best life for pets and other animals. London: Bloomsbury. McEwan, G. F. (2006). The Incas: New perspectives. New York: W.W. Norton & Co. Tolin, D. F. (2012). Face your fears: A proven plan to beat anxiety, panic, phobias, and obsessions. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Read More