learn about how we care for our animals
Animal Care at Forest Voice Sanctuary
The information our website provides about how we care for our animals is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. This educational material is provided for your interest, and it may be helpful if you have the species of animals we have rescued, or you are considering bringing one into your family.
The sections below begin with general comments about animal care followed by information about caring for specific species or types of animals.
Gary steadying the head of a sedated horse as a veterinarian works on her teeth.
General comments about animal care at forest voice
Water, Food, and Medicine
We ensure that all our animals have drinking water available. Animals that are outside in the winter such as horses and cows should have more water than they would get by eating snow. Our horses and cows have heated troughs and buckets. They are typically outside during the day and in the barn at night. Our barn is not heated, but the goose, peacocks, goats, and donkey that live in the barn always have fresh water. We also have two heated bird waterers that are sometimes used by squirrels and other critters.
We select feed that matches the needs of each animal. Our senior horses eat a different supplement than our babies. All our horses and cows have free choice hay in order to keep roughage in their guts. Food intended for one species may be toxic to another. In these cases, we are careful to label the feed container with appropriate warnings. Most of our feed is stored in metal garbage cans or repurposed chest freezers in order to avoid rodent infestations. Other than purchased greens, we have not fed our dogs and cats any of the commercial "fresh" foods, which have been implicated in sickening pets with bird flu. Our dogs and cats eat kibble and canned food. We gradually transition from one food to another when making a change. We also try to be consistent in feeding schedules for our animals. They are not subtle in reminding us of when those times!
A significant portion of our animals receive medications. Some are preventive such as heartworm and other medications treat specific conditions such as heart problems or arthritis. We have found that removing a wedge-shaped chunk of a carrot and inserting a pill is a great way to medicate a horse. Some of our dogs receive their pills in dollops of canned food and others like the commercial pill pockets. Cats seem to require the tasty concoctions that are extruded from the small packets to camouflage their pills Because some medications are meant to taste good and given as treats, it is important to store the containers in a place inaccessible to the animals.
Shelter
A rule of thumb we use for our horses is that they can tolerate wind, cold, and precipitation SEPARATELY, but if there is more than one of those conditions, they should have shelter. Our paddocks and pastures are set up so that the horses always have shelter. The cows also have shelter in their paddock and pasture areas, but especially in the winter we bring them in the barn if extreme weather is predicted. Our peacocks have an exterior aviary that has protection from hawks, raccoons, or other predators. At night, they are kept inside the barn and not allowed in the aviary. The same is true for the chickens whose coop is ventilated, heated in the winter, and is a passive solar design. The chickens are locked in securely at night. Weather permitting, they are in an adjoining aviary during the day.
Fences and Gates
Decades ago, we planted seedling trees and bushes offered through the county around the outside of our fences in order to give the impression to the horses and cows that there was a barricade beyond the fence. This has worked well for everyone except a very smart, naughty pony. We use tubular steel panels for the paddock areas and either cattle panels or twisted wire for pastures. Our gate latches are primarily the kind that allow locking and unlocking in both directions. We recognize that either cows or horses are strong enough to get through most fences if they are panicked or spooked. Two years ago, someone ignited loud firecrackers a few days before July 4th and well before dusk causing one of our cows, Twirly Tail, to knock down a fence. Fortunately, she was unhurt, and we saw her immediately when she came to the front of the barn.
Pastures
Once the pasture grass goes through freeze thaw cycles in the fall, we take the cows and horses off the pasture. With few exceptions, we do not let them back into the pasture until the grass has grown enough to graze and the soil is no longer tender. One of the exceptions we made was in mid-winter the horses were allowed a brief romp in a freshly fallen deep snow.
During the grazing season, we mow the pastures regularly as we have found that both the horses and cows are fussy about having to work around taller vegetation.
Together or Apart?
We separate our small, fragile animals such as Chihuahuas from larger animals in order to prevent the smaller critters from accidentally getting hurt. Even an innocent "play with me" paw gesture from a big dog could cause an injury to a smaller dog. Sometimes, the smaller animal encourages the play but does not anticipate a problem. We have known many small animals that act very large! We have to anticipate and avoid the possible bad consequences.
We find that sometimes animals need to be separated either permanently or temporarily. This may have to do with a heat cycle or an animal that is not yet neutered or it may be that an animal needs to adjust to its new situation.
Avoid Cascading Troubles
Problems arise. When that happens, we try to avoid inviting a second problem because our minds are focused on the first. For example, a horse has a laceration and, in our rush to get the horse to the barn for veterinarian to examine him, we accidentally leave open a gate, which could allow horses or cows to go to an unsafe location. Or, after the veterinary has cleaned and stitched the wound, we dispose of the bloodied gauze in a trash container that is accessible to our dogs. Dogs are attracted to biologic garbage and may suffer gastrointestinal issues from eating gauze or stitching material. You may find something that had been hiding in your refrigerator that appears to have come from a previous geologic era. Dispose of this moldy food where dogs and other animals are unable to access it. Years ago, we learned this lesson from experience. Our wonderful Rat Terrier, Spritzen, somehow managed to get into a kitchen garbage can that required a foot pedal push to open. She ate some unrecognizable moldy food and earned herself a trip to the emergency vet clinic. It was a close call, but she survived. Her nickname after this episode was Mycotoxin. She had a tough constitution and fought mast cell cancer, thyroid cancer, and bladder cancer --- all of which involved surgeries --- living nearly 17 years. The lesson is that when you face a crisis, be mindful of the safe routines you have established and try to stick to them.
specific care comments
Large Breed Dogs
Large Breed Dogs
Large Breed Dogs
Consult your veterinarian about the ideal food for a large breed puppy to ensure proper growth rate and joint development. Large, deep chested dogs are susceptible to bloat and twisted stomach. Having had a dog that suffered and amazingly survived twisted stomach, we take surgical preventive measures. We always look for the signs of GI problems with our big dogs.
Teeth
Large Breed Dogs
Large Breed Dogs
All dogs and cats need professional dental care. It seems our small dogs have been most susceptible to serious problems in their mouths. Bambi, pictured, was a stray Chihuahua in Mexico (not New Mexico). She suffered from abscessed teeth and fistulas. She has had all her teeth removed. Like our other small dogs without teeth, she eats both dry kibble and canned food without a problem.
Teeth
Large Breed Dogs
Thyroid
Dental problems are not limited to small dogs. (Or even to dogs.)
This big male collie had most of his teeth removed several months ago and acts like he has a new lease on life. He has no trouble eating.
In addition to removing infection from his mouth, the heart and arthritis medication he takes allow him to enjoy life as a geriatric dog.
Thyroid
Thyroid
Thyroid
This fawn Doberman, rescued from a large scale, criminal abusive situation in New Mexico has several medical issues including low thyroid. She requires a daily pill and regular tests to correct the problem and associated symptoms. Ask your veterinarian about thyroid problem symptoms. One of the first indicators we have noticed with our dogs is skin and coat issues. Thyroid level problems are fairly common and easy to treat.
Horses
Thyroid
Horses
Colic is a general term describing gastrointestinal issues in horses. There can be many causes. We are always suspicious if a horse rolls. We want to see whether the horse pops up after the roll and shakes off or whether he goes down continually to roll. The latter may be cause for concern. Loss of appetite, pawing, looking painful, and sweating are other symptoms that may be associated with colic.
Horses
Thyroid
Horses
Horses sometimes misjudge the room they need to roll or lie down and end up getting "stuck" up against a fence or stall wall. This is called getting cast. When horses are in a stressful situation such as this, they may become sick due to the stress. A cast horse requires immediate attention.
Care must be taken in helping a cast horse. It is not safe to grab a horse's legs with your hands and pull. Usually, the task requires two people who will use ropes to help the horse stand up.
Specific care comments
Cats
We make sure cats that have lived as a stray prior to adoption are checked by a veterinarian because of the likelihood they will have a disease. The cat pictured, Phantom Fog Ridgeback, was a shy stray during the winter many years ago. He was afraid of people and only ate food placed far from the house. Eventually he trusted us enough to take him to a veterinarian. Surprisingly, he was chipped but the owners, when contacted, said they did not want him back. Phantom lived nearly twenty years most of which were spent with our daughter's young family in Colorado where he had child and cat companions. While we have seen typical problems including urinary and respiratory issues in our sanctuary cats, Phantom was a veritable living poster for unusual medical diagnoses. The staff at Colorado State University came to know and love him. They said he purred throughout his examinations and treatments. He even was featured in a publication - Stereotactic radiation therapy for the treatment of functional pituitary adenomas associated with feline acromegaly - PubMed . Phantom led a long happy life (in spite of diabetes, acromegaly, heart and other problems) made possible because his family had his symptoms professionally evaluated and ensured he received the best treatment. In return, he brought great joy to everyone who knew him.
Cats
Specific Care Comments
Birds
Birds
Birds
Typically, the females of bird species are more likely to have medical issues than males because of egg laying. This is especially true for domesticated species that have been bred to optimize egg laying to the detriment of overall health. One of the most difficult aspects of caring for birds is that they have evolved to display extreme stoicism. They try not to reveal any weaknesses or vulnerabilities. We look for eating, drinking, and sleeping habits when we evaluate whether a bird is sick or not. We also try to maintain a consistent schedule of feeding. Our sanctuary birds are kept in enclosures secure from predators including weasels, fox, coyotes, raccoons, hawks, eagles, and feral cats or roaming dogs. The bird pictured, Snow Duck, was rescued from a neglectful situation and developed strong relationships with people. She was unusually communicative for a duck and had a good, long life.
Birds
Birds
Birds
Some bird species should not be housed together because of diseases and differences in feed. We keep our peafowl separate from other birds. Pictured is one of our rescued peacocks displaying his mating season feathers. We keep their area free from attractive nesting locations. Without a what the peahen thinks is a good spot for a nest, she is unlikely to lay eggs, which is healthier for her.
Birds kept inside the house such as cockatiels, parrots, etc. also exhibit stoicism that makes it difficult to see when they are in trouble. However, with consistent care, some birds will live a very long time. We had a cockatiel, Kirby, who lived 30 years, which is remarkably long for that species.
Currently, bird flu is spreading throughout the country and infecting not only birds but cows, cats, and dogs. We ask our veterinarian for the latest precautions regarding protecting our animals.
Special topics
Undescended Testicle in Mature Donkey
Dusty is a 16-year-old miniature donkey with one undescended testicle and one descended (normal testicle). He is called a jack or jack ass because he has not been neutered. Unfortunately, donkeys are difficult to castrate even when they are young because of bleeding risk. Veterinarians consider an attempt to castrate Dusty unethical because of the dangers inherent in finding and removing the undescended testicle. Removal of the normal testicle would carry risk and serve no significant purpose since he would still be hormonally an intact male. Dusty is very sweet, just like his face would imply, but he sometimes acts like too much of a stallion with the horses.
Dusty with two older mares
Dusty with Sierra and Cheyenne. Dusty is a miniature donkey standing about 36 inches at the shoulder. We rescued Dusty several years ago when his owners needed to move off their farm.
Dusty sunning
Domestic donkeys are descended from wild donkey-like animals that lived in the deserts of Africa. They make efficient use of food and, as a result, become overweight if intake is not closely rationed.
Lightning strikes may turn a tree red
Bright Red Color after Lightning Stike
Bright Red Color after Lightning Stike
Bright Red Color after Lightning Stike
A large cottonwood tree about a hundred feet from our house was hit by lightning a few years ago. The hit occurred during a thunderstorm in the night and sounded like a bomb. Bark exploded off the tree and was thrown a hundred and fifty feet. A portion of the tree trunk was dismembered. After confirming that the tree was not on fire and did not pose a threat, we went back to bed. The next day, all the exposed portions of the tree were bright red.
Red faded after a few days
Bright Red Color after Lightning Stike
Bright Red Color after Lightning Stike
The red color is thought to be due to the creation of anthocyanins, a pigment that can turn tree leaves red. The pigment forms as a result of damage to the tree's vascular system from the electrical current and heat from the lightning. The red color is not typical when trees are struck by lightning but is more likely in certain situations such as high moisture content, which was likely the case with this cottonwood tree.
The vivid red color started to fade after a few days and returned to normal within a couple weeks. The tree lost a lot of branches and some areas of bark were blasted off from top to bottom. Now, four years later, the tree is still alive but is not as healthy looking as it once was. Hopefully, it will be able to survive in spite of the damage.
Recognizing Colic
Concerning Symptoms
No Apparent Symptoms
No Apparent Symptoms
The materials here are not intended to substitute for professional advice.
Colic is a general term for pain in the abdomen usually related to a gastrointestinal problem. This two-year-old filly is displaying several concerning signs that she may be experiencing colic. Her chest is soaked with sweat. She is breathing rapidly, and her nostrils are flared. She has been rolling, as evidenced by the fresh shavings. Her hind legs are extended in an abnormal position. Overall, she looks like she does not feel good. On the plus side, her pulse and temperature were normal. She was evaluated and treated for a minor colic by a veterinarian. Food was withheld. She recovered nicely and was pretty much herself the next day.
No Apparent Symptoms
No Apparent Symptoms
No Apparent Symptoms
Here is the same horse on a different day adopting a normal posture with no indication of pain.
Although she is "healthy as a horse" in this photo, the phrase is somewhat misleading as horses seem to be able to get sick or injured in the blink of an eye! The day that this filly was seen for colic, the veterinarian had seen four cases of colic, and her day was not over. The veterinarian thought the rash of cases might be due to a sudden change in weather from cold to hot, which may have caused the horses to deviate from normal routines of drinking or eating.
Horses require close monitoring.
Hermaphroditism in goats
Anna as a young goat
Anna as a four-year-old (now)
Anna as a four-year-old (now)
Two Types of Goat Hermaphrodites
Hermaphroditism is not common in mammals; yet, goats are more likely than most species to exhibit hermaphroditism, also referred to as intersex.
There are two types of hermaphroditism in goats: pseudo hermaphrodites and true hermaphrodites. Pseudo hermaphroditism occurs in goats without horns, called polled goats. Through the process of breeding for hornless goats, a genetic vulnerability developed that causes a relatively high frequency of goats that are genetically female; however, they display ambiguous external gonads and appearance. In certain breeds of goats, up to 20% were pseudo hermaphrodites.
Anna is half Pygmy Goat and half Fainting Goat.
Anna as a four-year-old (now)
Anna as a four-year-old (now)
Anna as a four-year-old (now)
Anna is a True Hermaphrodite
True hermaphrodites are quite rare --- in the one percent range. These individuals are genetically both female and male. They have both XX and XY genes. The cause typically is the fusion of fertilized eggs or very young embryos --- chimerism. Such animals have twice the number of chromosomes than is normal for the species. Appearance of external genitalia varies, but the true hermaphrodite always has both testes and ovaries present in some form.
Anna is among the rare instances of true hermaphroditism. During her first three years, she appeared to be a typical female. See picture of young Anna with tan and cream colors. Now her overall appearance is that of a male goat. Her horns have grown close together, forming a helmet. Her beard is long and lush. She has a ridge of long hairs along her spine and a ruff / mane around her neck. She is much stronger and bulkier than she used to be. Her behavior has become aggressive, and she has to be separated from Elsa. They have other buddies and are not alone.
Because of Anna's masculine appearance, we sometimes call her Einstein due to her intelligent use of scratching tools. Scroll down on Gallery page to see video of Anna using a stick to scratch her back.
Compare Anna (hermaphrodite) above to Elsa (Female) Below
Elsa, 7 years old (now)
Elsa, 7 years old (now)
Elsa, 7 years old (now)
Elsa displays entirely female characteristics. Notice the high and wide horns compared to Anna.
Elsa is a Nigerian Dwarf Goat.
Elsa
Elsa, 7 years old (now)
Elsa, 7 years old (now)
Elsa has a scarce, wispy beard and smooth, short hair throughout her body. One feature they have in common is that their ears were partially frozen as newborns. Unfortunately, Elsa also lost her hind feet on the negative twenty-degree night she was born.
From the death of a giant red oak is borne a rain drop
A Rain Drop Forms from the Death of a Venerable Red Oak
After probably one hundred years, a red oak tree in the forest became hollow and weak. Eventually and inevitably, a storm felled it. Mushrooms grew on the trunk, as shown in the pictures below. The mushrooms release billions of small spores into the air. When these spores are aloft, they may become condensation nuclei that support the formation of water droplets, clouds, and rain. Other particulate matter such as dust, pollen, or pollution may also serve this purpose, yet it is somehow more heartwarming to imagine that a raindrop may have been formed by a mushroom spore from a venerable red oak. The boy in the red oak, prior to its demise, is the young man who took the pictures below and video in the Gallery page for this lesson.
This YouTube one-minute video helps describe this phenomenon.
Mushrooms release spores
The hundreds of fungi on the red oak that fell four years ago each releases thousands of spores. If you look closely at the video linked below you will be able to see some of the fungi releasing puffs of spores.
mushrooms on dead red oak
Mushrooms along the truck
Mushrooms, Lichens, and Moss
Mushrooms, Lichens, and Moss
Fungi has grown readily along the trunk of the dead tree. Photo credit to Talus.
Mushrooms, Lichens, and Moss
Mushrooms, Lichens, and Moss
Mushrooms, Lichens, and Moss
The beautiful rust color of the fungus complements the blue, green, and grey of the bark and other growths. Photo credit to Talus.
Receipes - Vegan, Inexpensive, Simple
Quinoa and Peas
This is a salad-type dish that can be made bland or spicy.
Ingredients:
Quinoa
Bouillon
Lime Juice (I use Key West)
Peas (I use small bag of frozen peas)
Olive Oil (optional)
Hot sauce such as Marie Sharp's
Cook about two cups (dry) of quinoa using vegan bouillon in place of plain water. I use Instant Pot. Add lime juice and frozen peas before quinoa cools. Add lime juice to taste. If using olive oil, also add to taste.
Hot sauce may be added to the entire dish or at the table before eating.
Modifications
Cucumbers are tasty in this dish, but I find that it becomes a bit watery if kept for more than a day or two.
Frozen corn is another option I have used successfully.