While the USU School of Veterinary Medicine wishes all a happy Easter, the hope is that you will do so without giving animals as gifts while celebrating. USU professor Dr. Jane Kelly is also president of the Utah Veterinary Medical Association and director of the Central Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. She doesn’t recommend gifting baby animals, including ducks which she knows first hand about the preparation and significant outdoor space they require. “Remember, they do need a pond or other water source to be happy,” Kelly said. “And those ponds tend to get messy and muddy. They’re not ideal for people with pristine lawns and lovely flower beds.” Would-be Easter bunnies also pose challenges. “Rabbits should be handled with care and held properly to prevent accidental fracture of the spine,” explained Kelly. “The hindlimbs should be supported so that they cannot kick out backwards.” Biting, scratching, and disease are also cause for concern. “Ducklings and chicks have been associated with salmonella outbreaks, so care must be taken if young children or immunosuppressed people handle birds,” Kelly said. Chicks and ducklings can be infected with salmonella while asymptomatic. “No matter how cute the bunnies, chicks, and ducklings are,” warned Kelly, “do not kiss them or put them near your face.”
