Severum Cichlid - Basic Information About the Breed

They are scientifically known as the Heros severus and commonly called as the green severum, or the Hero cichlid, or even the Banded cichlid. This variety belongs to the family cichlidae of the South American cichlid. Normally they can grow as much as 8 inches in length at maturity and has a life span of approximately 10 years.

They are endemic of South America and can thrive in a 40 gallon aquarium. They do well together with New World Cichlids as tank mates such as the Firemouth, Green terror, Salvini, Texas, Blood Parrots and even Peicos.

SEVERS DISEASE

Severum cichlids came from the Northern American region of Brazil and appear to have a body shape similar to that of a discus. There are two color variations of these species and that includes Gold severum which was developed out of the green severum. They are originally bred from a pale yellow iridescent color without dark band original color. From the word green, green severum possess a greenish body with a good number of bands on its body.

Severum's thrive well with a water temperature of 72 - 84 degrees Fahrenheit, a pH range from 5.1 - 6.5, and a hardness between 3 - 10 inches. Regularly change about 10 - 20% water change weekly or bi-weekly depending on the number of cichlids on the tank.

Breeding information:
Although they are a peaceful species, they still have the possibility of eating small fish when placed together. Furthermore, severums may be quite difficult to breed compared to the other New World Cichlids because they are hard to pair off and also they do not readily pair off with the females. Sexing female or male severums are hardly recognized merely by its appearance. But they also have features that matches that of other cichlid varieties and that is they basically spawn in a particularly clean horizontal surface as well as acting very concern parents to its young. They would patiently guard and take care of their young while growing up.

What is its proper diet?
Severums are omnivorous, they love flake foods, blood worms, brine shrimp, and cichlid sticks which is considered as its favorite. They also like blanched zucchini, earthworms, or marine crustaceans. However, do not feed beef heart or liver for this food is hard to digest and may cause illness. Feed the food only 2 - 5 pinches in small amount and in small quantities a day and not at once. This way the quality of water is kept in a long period of time. By letting your fish fast for one day once a week is also advantageous to your pet. Providing severum cichlid with vitamins and supplements which are added to its food may also be beneficial.

Severum Cichlid - Basic Information About the Breed

SEVERS DISEASE

Important Information About Dogs Giving Birth

A normal canine pregnancy lasts approximately sixty-three days following conception. Signs of pregnancy include increased appetite, weight and breast size. Dogs with false pregnancy can also exhibit these symptoms, however. Veterinarians can usually diagnose pregnancy through abdominal palpation at twenty-eight days or by using ultrasound or X-ray tests.

Once pregnancy is confirmed, it's time to review special feeding requirements and what to expect before, during and after the birth with your veterinarian. You should also be briefed on how to recognize and respond to an emergency.

SEVERS

A few days before she gives birth (known as whelping), the dog may refuse to eat and start to build her nest, where she plans to have her puppies. Unless you introduce her beforehand to a whelping box, the delivery room may be your closet, the space under your bed or any number of places you would probably consider inappropriate.

A whelping box should be sufficiently large to accommodate a comfortable stretch for the dog. It should have low sides and be placed in a warm, dry/draft-free and secluded place. Place towels or other soft material in the bottom of the whelping box. Fresh newspapers are also fine and may be easily removed and replaced as they become soiled during whelping. Once whelping is completed/ however, you should replace the newspapers with something that provides better footing for the puppies.

Shortly before whelping, the dog's body temperature will drop to 99 degrees or lower (normal temperature for a dog is between l00 and 102.5 degrees). By this time, you should have shaved her belly, where appropriate, to allow the puppies to find the nipples. If she has a long or dense coat, you should also shave and clean the area around her genitals.

Approximately twenty-four hours after her temperature drops, she can be expected to enter the first stage of labor, when the cervix dilates and opens the birth canal for the passage of puppies. At this time, she will pant, strain, appear restless or may perhaps vomit. Vomiting is normal at the onset of labor, but persistent vomiting may be a sign of illness. This stage of labor is followed by actual abdominal straining and production of the puppies and placentas.

Most dogs give birth easily, without the need of human help. Each puppy emerges in its own placental membrane, which must be removed before the puppy can breathe. The mother usually takes care of this by tearing off and eating the membrane, and then severs the umbilical cord. After delivery, she will lick each puppy to stimulate its breathing.

Frequent licking, which continues for three weeks or so, also has another vital function: it stimulates the puppy to excrete waste. Without maternal assistance puppies cannot do so. At the time of birth, new mothers are also busy cleaning their offspring, warming them and allowing them to suckle. It is very important for the puppies to suckle soon after emerging from the womb. Suckling lets them ingest colostrum - a milk-like substance containing maternal antibodies which is produced in the mammary glands just after birth. Colostrum helps the newborn puppies fight infection in their early days while their own immune systems mature.

Important Information About Dogs Giving Birth

SEVERS

Addisons Disease Causes Symptoms Information With Treatment

Addison's disease (chronic adrenal insufficiency) is a rare and progressive disorder that affects between one and six in every 100,000 people. It occurs in all age groups and afflicts men and women equally. Addison's disease is caused by the inability of the adrenal glands to make sufficient amounts of regulating hormones. The adrenal cortex (the outer part) also produces important hormones, the corticosteroids.

celiac disease

Classical Addison's disease results from a loss of both cortisol and aldosterone secretion due to the near total or total destruction of both adrenal glands. These glands form part of the endocrine system, which works with the nervous system and the immune system to help the body cope with different events and stresses. It helps maintain blood pressure and water and salt balance in the body by helping the kidney retain sodium and excrete potassium.

DISEASE

When aldosterone production falls too low, the kidneys are not able to regulate salt and water balance, causing blood volume and blood pressure to drop. If ACTH is deficient, there will not be enough cortisol produced, although aldosterone may remain adequate. This is secondary adrenal insufficiency, which is distinctly different, but similar to Addison's disease, since both include a loss of cortisol secretion.

Causes of Addison's Disease

The common Causes of Addison's Disease:

The immune system mistakenly attacking the gland (autoimmune disease)

Use of blood-thinning drugs (anticoagulants)

Infections such as tuberculosis , HIV, or fungal infections.

Invasion of the adrenal glands by cancer cells from another part of the body.

Tumors.

Chronic infections, such as fungal infections.

Hemorrhage, blood loss.

The symptoms of Addison's disease are caused by the failure of the adrenal glands, seated above the kidneys, to produce enough of the hormone cortisol and, in some cases, the hormone aldosterone.

Symptoms of Addison's Disease

Some Symptoms of Addison's Disease:

Muscle weakness.

Depression

Irritability

Chronic fatigue that gradually worsens.

Weight loss and loss of appetite

Nausea , diarrhea , or vomiting

Dehydration.

Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

Polyuria

Increased number of eosinophils.

Restlessness

Treatment of Addison's Disease

Medications to replace the hormones cortisol and aldosterone. Hydrocortisone is often used because it can function like both of these hormones. If another medication is used instead of hydrocortisone (such as prednisolone, methylprednisolone, or dexamethasone), you also will need a medication that can function like aldosterone (usually fludrocortisone). You will need a higher dose of medication during childbirth; when you have an injury, surgery, or a serious infection; or during severe stress, such as the death of a loved one.

Increasing salt in the diet. Because people with adrenal failure tend to lose sodium, you will need extra salt (sodium chloride) in your diet, especially during hot and humid weather and vigorous exercise. However, because people with Addison's disease retain potassium, you need to avoid salt substitutes, which usually contain potassium chloride salts.

Regular medical checkups to monitor symptoms and blood pressure. Your health professional also may need to do lab tests to evaluate and monitor blood levels of potassium, sodium, and cortisol.

Addisons Disease Causes Symptoms Information With Treatment

DISEASE