Vaccinations are shots given to your pets that will protect them from getting diseases. Many of the vaccinations require one or more booster vaccinations, which are shots that renew the effectiveness of the original vaccine. It is very important to get the vaccinations and booster shots on schedule to keep your monkey healthy. The information below will describe what type of vaccinations your monkey needs and when he or she will need them.

When should my monkey be vaccinated?

Clermont Animal Hospital, Inc. recommends that the first temporary vaccination be given when your monkey is seven months old. Booster vaccinations are given at eight months and 14 months.  Adult monkeys should be vaccinated yearly for rabies and every five to seven years for tetanus.

A typical vaccination protocol is provided below to give you a general guideline of the ages that your monkey will need vaccinations:

Age                             Vaccination_________________                               

                        7 months                       Measles and Tetanus

                        8 months                       Measles and Tetanus

                        14 months                     Measles, Tetanus and Rabies

                        Annual Boosters            Rabies (Tetanus every 5 - 7 years)

Will the vaccines cause reactions or side effects? 

Only a small percentage of vaccinated monkeys have a reaction to the vaccine.

Common Reactions

• Low-grade fever
• Lethargy (lack of energy)
•  Loss of appetite (inappetance)
• Irritability

Most of the time these symptoms begin four to 12 hours after the vaccination is given and are gone within 24 to 72 hours. If your monkey is exhibiting signs for more than three days, it is important that you contact Clermont Animal Hospital, Inc. 

Site Reactions

Another common reaction is a bump or swelling at the injection site, called a site reaction. If you notice a vaccination site reaction, please bring it to the attention of our veterinarians. Most of the time these bumps are not a medical concern but in rare cases, an infection may occur at the vaccination site, causing a small abscess (lump) to form.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions to vaccinations are uncommon but can occur. If your monkey exhibits any of the signs of allergic reaction listed below, please contact us immediately.

·         Swollen eyes and/or face

·         Hives or red skin

·         Difficulty breathing (in extreme cases)

Intestinal Parasites

Intestinal parasites, such as round worms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, pinworms and coccidia, are a common problem in monkeys. It is important to identify intestinal parasites as they may cause health problems, and some may be spread to humans or other pets.

Symptoms

Symptoms of intestinal parasites include weight loss, diarrhea, poor condition of fur, and in extreme cases, death. However, some monkeys with parasites do not show these symptoms. Just because you do not see the worms does not mean that they are not there. It is important to realize these worms live in the intestines, so you will NOT see them in the stool of your monkey unless they are dead or dying.

Diagnosis by Fecal Analysis

At each visit we recommend routine fecal examination. Please bring a small amount of stool (poop) with you when you bring your monkey for vaccinations. It is best if the sample is less than 24 hours old.

The fecal analysis shows if there are intestinal parasite eggs or single-cell parasites called coccidia in your monkey’s stool.  This is important to know because many money parasites can infect humans when the eggs are being shed in the stool. It is also important to know that your monkey can re-infect himself or infect other monkeys when eggs are being passed. Eggs can survive in the environment for long periods (in some cases, up to five years) if stools are not properly disposed of. For this reason, it is important to promptly and properly dispose of stool if your monkey has parasite eggs in the stool.

It is important to understand that just because your monkey’s fecal analysis was negative (no worm eggs) at a previous visit, it does not mean that these parasites are not present. Due to their complex life cycle, worms may be present without shedding eggs. It is important to have at least three negative stool samples before we can assure you that your monkey is free of all parasites.

We recommend that this test be run once a year for all adult monkeys.

Can intestinal parasites affect my family?

It is important for you to know if your monkey is currently shedding eggs in his or her stool so you can protect your family. Humans, particularly children, can be infected with hookworms and pinworms from monkeys. This is only a concern if there are eggs in your monkey’s stool. Quick disposal of all stool and proper hygiene can prevent any chance of infection.

If your monkey is actively shedding parasite eggs, it is very important to be as clean as possible in dealing with your monkey. It is also very important to clean up ALL stools to prevent accidental infection of a family member or re-infection of your monkey. If the stool is left in the environment, eggs can survive in for more than a year and can contaminate soil even after the stool has degraded.

Spaying females prevents unwanted pregnancy and eliminates behavior changes that occur when your monkey is in heat (having her period). Spays also prevent certain health problems such as some cancers and life-threatening uterine infections.

When should I get my monkey spayed or neutered?

Clermont Animal Hospital, Inc. recommends that all monkeys be spayed or neutered when they are six months old, unless your monkey is a breeding animal. At this age, they are old enough to handle the effects of the anesthetic but have not reached sexual maturity.  Breast tumors are very common in monkeys.  By having your female monkey spayed before the first heat period, her chance of developing this type of tumor is greatly reduced.

Monkeys can be spayed and neutered at any age, but once your monkey is sexually mature, the procedure is more involved and often more costly. Monkeys who are in heat or are pregnant have a higher risk of problems related to this surgery. Please be sure to discuss this with our veterinarians if you are considering spaying your monkey during these times.

Are these procedures safe?

Spays and neuters are very common surgical procedures. In young, healthy animals, the risk of complications is very low. Our experienced doctors and staff take every precaution to ensure your pet’s safety before, during, and after surgery.

Our surgical suite offers the most up-to-date equipment to monitor your monkey while he or she is anesthetized, so your monkey will be in good hands at Clermont Animal Hospital. All patients are monitored with a heart/respiratory monitor, so that any changes in heart rate or respiration are detected immediately. Other sophisticated monitoring equipment is also available should problems arise. We use water circulating heating pads during surgery and hot air blankets after surgery to ensure that your monkey’s core body temperature does not drop too low. The injectable and gas anesthetics we use are the safest available. This helps ensure that your pet has a quick recovery, and it allows us to do spays and neuters as outpatient procedures for most animals. This way your pet will not have to spend a night away from home. 

Despite the latest in technology and all of the precautions we take to ensure safe anesthesia, every anesthetic procedure has a small risk associated with it. Most anesthetic complications occur when underlying liver, kidney or heart problems exist but cannot be detected on physical exam. These complications are rare in animals younger than one year of age, but we can do pre-surgical blood screenings to aid in detecting underlying problems before anesthesia. 

Will the surgery be painful?

Pain management is an important concern of our hospital staff. We make the smallest incision possible to decrease the amount of post-operative soreness. We also routinely prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to provide pain relief for your monkey after he or she monkey goes home. Most animals experience minimal discomfort and recover very quickly from routine spay and neuter procedures.

Our doctors feel very strongly about the importance of routine testing to ensure the continued health of your monkey, your family and our hospital staff. If you choose not to follow our recommended screening protocol, we reserve the right to deny you further service due to the potential health risks that primates can present to our doctors and staff.

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Tuberculosis Testing

Monkeys can contract the human form of tuberculosis and spread it to humans. For this reason, monkeys require regular tuberculosis testing. This test is first performed at eight months of age and is repeated every six months until three negative test results are documented. After this, testing is recommended every two to three years.

The tuberculosis test is performed by injecting a small bleb of tuberculin into your monkey’s eyelid. This site must be monitored at home for any signs of redness, swelling or reaction to the tuberculin. The site must also be checked by one of our doctors at 24, 48 and 72 hours after administration in order for your monkey to be certified tuberculosis free for health and travel purposes.

Blood Testing

Monkeys can contract and harbor a number of infectious diseases. It is important to run blood tests to ensure that your monkey is not infected. For all new world monkeys, we recommend testing for several types of herpes viruses, measles and cytomegalovirus. If you own an old world monkey, please talk with our doctors concerning specific tests recommended.

We typically run these blood tests at the same time that we give the seven-month vaccinations; however, some monkeys are too small at this age to collect enough blood for these tests. If this is the case, we may recommend delaying testing.

Stool Culture Testing

At the same time that we run the panel of blood tests, we also recommend a stool culture.  Monkeys can carry a number of diseases in their digestive tracts and spread infection through their stool. Some of these infections can be infectious to humans. We recommend culturing the stool for salmonella, shigella, campylobacter, vibrio and yersinia.  These tests simply involve submitting a sample of stool to the lab for culture.

We at Clermont Animal Hospital, Inc. recognize that your monkey is an adopted member of your family and strive to help maintain this relationship. In general, we do not encourage monkeys as pets for most people. They require an incredible amount of attention and commitment. They do not generally handle changes in routine well. In addition, once monkeys reach puberty they can become restless and difficult to control. We encourage you to research your species of monkeys thoroughly so that you can provide your monkey the best care possible. The following provides some general tips as well as sources of further information.

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Learn All You Can

To be a good monkey “parent,” it is important that you learn all you can about your monkey.  Take the time to research the species you have chosen. Gather information on nutrition, behavior, training, common problems (behavioral and health) and special needs. Books, Internet Web sites and advice from monkey breeders and owners can provide valuable information. 

Below is a list of Web sites with monkey-related information and links. Please note that these Web sites do not necessary reflect our views or opinions, and we cannot certify facts or information put forth by these sites. If you have questions regarding specific information, please feel free to discuss it with one of our veterinarians.

http://www.monkeymatters.com/

http://www.monkeyzone.com/

http://www.primatestore.com/

http://www.primate.wisc.edu/pin/pets.html

http://monkeybird.mysite.freeserve.com/

http://www.bgasm.com/darwin.htm

http://www.offthewallemporium.com/primates/primate_resources_links.htm

http://mimi.essortment.com/petsmonkeycare_rgay.htm

http://www.simiansociety.org/

http://members.primary.net/~heather/

Getting to Know Your Monkey

It is important for your monkey to feel comfortable in your home and to trust you and your family. Below are some tips for you and your family to follow to help build good trusting relationships:

• NEVER cause your monkey pain as punishment (beating, kicking) no matter how mad you are! This will lead to an aggressive, fearful monkey that does not trust you. 
• Be sure to supervise all young children around the monkey so that they do not hurt the monkey, and the monkey does not hurt them. Monkeys frequently view children as rivals and may bite, scratch or pinch in an attempt to establish dominance over them. Monkeys may also become jealous of attention paid to children and act out as a result.
• Monkeys are often very wary of strangers. Expose your monkey at a young age to as many people as possible to help prevent this fear; however, be cautious of allowing strangers to handle your monkey. Monkeys can inflict serious bite wounds if scared, which may be a liability for you.
• Play with your monkey’s ears, feet and mouth, and rub your hands all over your monkey’s body. It is important that your monkey learns to allow you to do this so that later on you can file nails, check for injuries and administer medication. Be sure to make this fun with lots of praise, treats and play. 
• Hold your monkey in various positions: on his back, high in the air, etc. This helps to build trust.
• Monkeys often perch in high locations as a statement of dominance or avoidance (fear).  Discourage your monkey from perching on your head or on objects higher than shoulder level.

Providing for Your Monkey’s Needs

Now that you are your monkey’s surrogate parent, it is your responsibility to see to all of his or her needs. This section provides a general overview of this. Each species will have unique requirements—be sure to research the specific needs of your monkey species.

Caging:  In general, the larger the cage is, the better. Remember, your monkey will spend a significant amount of time in this cage.

• Cage materials should be easily cleaned and disinfected.
• Monkeys need vertical space to climb. Provide a tall cage with cage furniture that allows for multiple levels and encourages climbing.
• Custom-designed caging is frequently the best option. Companies such as Corners Limited (http://www.cornerslimited.com/) can provide this.
• Provide plenty of enrichment/entertainment, such as toys, swings, rope ladders, etc.  Rotate toys and cage furniture frequently to keep your monkey interested.

Nutrition:  Make sure your monkey is on a proper diet (this varies with species). Speak with your breeder or refer to the Wisconsin Primate Research Center Web site at http://www.primate.wisc.edu/pin/pets.html for nutrition information.

• Be very strict about your monkey’s diet.
• Avoid high sugar, high salt, and high fat treats. Provide other treats only in moderation.

Grooming:  In the wild, monkeys spend many hours grooming themselves and each other. This is a very social activity that promotes healthy relationships and calms your monkey.

• To groom your monkey, use your thumb and forefinger to pick through the hair as if you are looking for insects/parasites.
• Incorporate several 10-15 minute grooming sessions into your daily routine.

Routine:  Monkeys need a consistent daily routine. Everything from feeding to play time to sleep time should be on a regimented schedule. Try to stick to this schedule as closely as possible, even on weekends and holidays. If you must leave your monkey with a sitter, be sure that the sitter follows the routine as closely as possible.

Hygiene:  Monkeys tend to make messes with food, objects and stool (poop). Therefore, it is important to be hygienic. Clean and disinfect regularly, keep your monkey clean and use diapers or clean up excrement immediately. Always wash your hands after handling your monkey.

Training your monkey is another important step in building your relationship with him or her. Training teaches your monkey to follow your commands to do things you want, like return to her cage or stop doing something she shouldn’t be doing.

Repetition

Monkeys need lots of repetition to learn new things. With young monkeys in particular, it is important not to “schedule” a training time, but rather work training into all aspects of daily routine. For all new commands that you want to teach your monkey, it is important to choose a one-word voice command and a simple hand command. Remember to be consistent—make sure that all family members use the same command every time. 

What commands should I teach my monkey?

The first commands your monkey should learn are “home” (to get your monkey to return to it’s cage) and “no” (to stop your monkey from inappropriate behavior). We suggest working with your monkey on these commands as soon as possible. The earlier your monkey learns these basics, the sooner you can work on more complex commands.

To teach your monkey to return to the cage:

• Give the “home” verbal command and hand signal.
• Gently encourage your monkey to enter his or her cage (home). 
• You can use a trail of treats leading into the cage or show your monkey that you are placing a treat in the cage to encourage him or her to enter.
• When your monkey enters the cage after the command, give a treat and lots of praise. (Be sure to break all treats into tiny pieces so your monkey doesn’t get a tummy ache from too many treats). 
• Remember that repetition is the key. Practice with your monkey before meals, before playtime and every other chance you get. Do not make your monkey stay in the cage every time you give the “home” command. By allowing your monkey to return to play he or she will learn that the command is not a “punishment” or an end to interaction.
• Try to avoid using isolation in the cage as punishment until your monkey consistently follows the “home” command.
• Make the cage an inviting place for your monkey by rotating toys, changing cage furniture and keeping the cage in a busy area of your home.

To teach your monkey the “no” command:

• Give your monkey a sharp “NO!” whenever he or she is doing something bad. Tone of voice is very important—use a deep loud voice and a firm tone.
• If your voice does not stop your monkey immediately, try shaking a can of pebbles or squirting him in the face with a spray bottle or water gun. 
• Once you have your monkey’s attention, gently but firmly redirect your monkey’s energy and interest to something more appropriate. 
• This command can be used when your monkey nips, displays destructive behavior or when your monkey gets into mischief.
• If your monkey persists in the inappropriate behavior, use a “time out” for punishment. 

-        Once your monkey has mastered the “home” command, you can simply command him or her to return to the cage. 

-        Until your monkey reliably returns to the cage, use a bathroom, carrier or dog crate for the time-out to avoid negative associations with the cage. 

-        Be sure to make the time-out short (one to five minutes). This is just long enough for the monkey to associate the isolation with the inappropriate behavior and your angry tone. 

-        Giving extended time-outs or ending playtime completely may result in obstinate or belligerent behavior when a verbal reprimand is given.

• NEVER use physical punishment. This will cause monkey aggression.
• Be consistent but not overbearing. Don’t reprimand your monkey for a certain behavior sometimes but not others. This confuses your monkey. However, choose your battles. If you are too strict and reprimand you monkey too often, he or she will start to ignore your corrections.

Further Training

Helping Hands—Monkeys are very intelligent and can be trained to do a wide variety of tasks. Helping Hands, an organization that trains monkeys to help paralyzed people teaches monkeys a wide variety of tasks from fetching objects to using light switches to working CD players and televisions. You can find more information at http://www.helpinghandsmonkeys.org/. 

Performing More Complex Tasks: Here are a few hints to training your monkey to perform more complex tasks on command:

• Break each command/task down into a series of small steps. Teach your monkey the task one step at a time. 
• Choose a simple (one-word) hand command and a voice command for each task.

-        Start with basic obedience commands: Just like a dog, you can train a monkey to sit, stay, come when called, etc. If your monkey obeys basic commands, he or she will be much easier to train to perform more complex tasks.

-        Move on to simple commands: Once your monkey is relatively obedient, move on to simple tasks such as retrieving objects. Only move on to more complex tasks once your monkey is proficient in learning the easy ones.

• Use positive reinforcement. Give a small food or drink reward and plenty of praise or positive attention each time your monkey does what is expected.
• Do NOT punish your monkey when he or she fails or ignores your command. Simply do not give the treat and positive feedback.
• Repetition is the key. Practice the command every day and multiple times throughout the day. Keep “lesson time” age appropriate (for young monkeys, five minutes at a time is good to start with, increasing gradually to a 30 - 45 minute sessions fully mature monkeys).
• Be persistent and patient. Your monkey is not going to master a task overnight or even in a few short training sessions. If you don’t stick with regular training he or she will never learn the task adequately.
• Review frequently. Once your monkey learns a task or trick, he or she will soon forget it unless asked to perform it regularly and frequently.