That Sizzling Sun Did you know that dogs, especially short haired or those with little hair, get sunburned? If you walk your dog this summer, try to do so in the early morning or late at night, taking care to put sunscreen on her sensitive areas (tips of ears, and nose). The pavement gets very hot during the day and can burn the pads on their paws. You can purchase doggie paw booties to keep paws cool. And always take a bottle of water with you on your walks for squirting sips in your dog’s mouth.This should go without saying, but it does bear repeating: never leave your pet in the car, even if it’s parked in the shade. Temperatures inside cars can rise to 150 degrees in a few minutes, causing brain damage and even death in a matter of minutes. Under Arizona State Law, intentionally leaving an animal unattended and confined in a motor vehicle is considered animal cruelty. Don’t put your dog in the back of a pickup, as the surfaces are mainly all metal and absorb the summer sun. Heat exhaustion is common in dogs. Early signs include rapid breathing, heavy panting and salivation. Other signs are bright-red gums and eyes, fatigue, muscle tremors and staggering. If you see a dog experiencing heat exhaustion, take him to a cool, shady place, and apply wet towels or cloths to keep the dog’s body cooled down. Do not submerge in water. Try to give the dog small amounts of water and call a vet immediately. Symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke in cats include excessive panting and drooling; a glazed distressed look; wobbliness; a swollen tongue and possibly diarrhea. Cool the cat down by running water over the cat with a hose or place the cat in a tub, being careful not to submerge the head and call a vet immediately. Do not try to force the cat to drink. Certain breeds, such as boxers, bulldogs, pugs, Boston Terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus have poor panting mechanisms and are more susceptible to heat. These dogs should be kept indoors in air conditioning whenever possible. Dogs with heavy fur should be trimmed but not completely shaved down for the summer as they have a hard time keeping insulated and are more prone to sunburn. Puppies up to six months; overweight and older dogs are also at risk for heat-related illnesses. Arizona law requires that chained animals have access to shade and water. If you must keep your pets outdoors, provide them with a continuous supply of cool water, and keep the water bowl in the shade. Tie a bed sheet or place a tarp over the top of a dog pen, dog house or rabbit hutch to provide as much shade as possible. Sadly, the past two weeks of temperatures of 110 degrees or higher have claimed at least a half dozen dogs’ lives in Maricopa County. All of these deaths were preventable, according to the Arizona Humane Society. Animal cruelty is a serious issue and people who cause an animal to suffer pain or discomfort can be charged with a crime. If you witness or suspect an act of cruelty in your community, such as animals chained with no water or shade, animals left in vehicles, abandoned animals, poisoned animals or abused animals, contact your local police department immediately.
Those Slithering Snakes Snakebites are a fact of life for dogs and humans in a wide area of North America. Venomous snakes bite about 8,000 people annually in the USA, but according to most estimates, only 12 to 15 of these bites are fatal. Fortunately, if your dog happens to be bitten by a poisonous snake the odds are in favor of a complete recovery.To avoid potential snakebites while out walking, keep your dog on a leash. Don’t allow your dog to explore holes in the ground or dig under logs, flat rocks or planks. Stay on open paths where there is an opportunity for snakes to be visible. Keep nighttime walks to a minimum; rattlers are nocturnal most of the year. If you hear a rattlesnake, keep your dog at your side until you locate the snake; then move away. Off-trail hiking with an unleashed dog may stir up a snake and you may be as likely a victim as your dog. If your dog seems unusually curious about “something” hidden in the grass, back off immediately until you know what it is. If your dog is bitten, try to identify the snake by taking note of its size, color patterns and the presence or absence of a rattle at the end of the tail. Look the dog over carefully for fang marks, noting that there may be more than one bite wound. If bitten on a leg, wrap a constricting band on the affected limb snugly at a level just above the bite wound (on the body side of the wound). This band could be fashioned of a shirtsleeve or other fabric and should be snug but not excessively tight. The compression around the limb will slow the spread of the venom. The dog may lose the limb but that is better than losing his life. Finally, get to the nearest animal hospital while trying to keep the dog as quiet as possible. Venomous snakebites cause severe pain, cell death, numbness, diminished function and, occasionally, loss of a limb. Snake venoms inflict local effects such as inflammation, damage to blood vessel lining, clotting defects and localized tissue destruction. Some venom can also cause neurotoxicity and interfere with nerve transmission resulting in paralysis. To combat a snakebite, antivenin can be used. Antivenin is a serum that is commercially produced to neutralize the effects of the injected venom Since it is pricey, costing upwards of $1500, it pays to be proactive when it comes to snakes. Pets can now be inoculated against the bite of a diamondback rattler. Depending on the weight of the pet, up to three shots may be needed, to be followed by an annual booster shot. The drug has been approved by the USDA and the FDA, with minor side effects.
That Scorching Smoke Fire season is here and everyone – including companion animals – must be prepared for disaster. If you live in a potential “hot spot”, the Arizona Humane Society is urging you to take your pets with you if you must evacuate.As the designated responder for companion animals during state-declared emergencies, the Arizona Humane Society will establish temporary shelters for pets that are displaced.Set aside a leash for your dog and a well-ventilated carrier for your cat or other small animals. Keep these items in one place so you always know where to find them – especially in a hurry! You’ll also want to prepare a small, easy-to-carry “emergency kit” (backpack or tote bag) for your pet pre-packed with your pet’s medication; a small bag of his food; a bottle of water; an extra leash; a towel or blanket for bedding; paper towels/plastic baggies for quick clean-ups; a favorite toy; a brush; and other necessary pet supplies. Pack enough for at least three days.
What You Can Do to Keep Pets Safe • Familiarize yourself with your state laws on animal cruelty• Report any abuse or cruelty you witness to your local police department• Memorize your vet’s phone number, input it in your cell phone address book, and add to your landline’s speed dial directory• Micro-chip your pets to help identify lost pets and locate owners more efficiently; make sure information is kept current with micro-chip registry• Keep well-fitted collars and ID tags with current information, including back-up phone number such as cell phone, on your pet• Provide your dog with a safe place during storms – not outside. Your dog may want to rest in a crate in a quiet room.• Get your pet inoculated against diamondback bites, with the initial vaccination occurring before Spring• Learn CPR for petsUsing common sense, and taking some of these tips into account, you can to keep a happy, healthy pet safe in our desert climate.
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