ADOG - Spring / Summer Hazards to Dogs

Spring and Summer Hazards to Dogs in Arizona

Written by Dr. Sarah Bashaw, DVM, Hillside Animal Hospital

Spring has Sprung! It’s a good time to start thinking about some of the spring and summertime hazards that the desert can present to your dog. Being aware of some common desert dangers may very well help prevent an emergency trip to the veterinarian.

Rattlesnake season is fast approaching. The approaching warm weather and adequate desert coverage may promote high numbers of rattlesnakes this year. The best way to avoid a rattlesnake encounter is to avoid heavily brushed desert area. However, it’s also the best time of year to go on desert hikes. So what should you do? Keep your dog on leash, and preferably one 10 foot or shorter. Retractable leashes make it tougher for you to control your dog if they try to jump at something. Rattlesnakes also can populate your yard. Keep your bushes trimmed, and snake proof your exterior of the yard by using small chicken wire over holes in fences and at gates.

Rattlesnake training can be very effective at teaching your dog to avoid the sound of a rattle. Professional rattlesnake training is available in the northeast valley.

A vaccine for rattlesnake bites can also help your dog survive a rattlesnake bite. A rattlesnake bite is still an emergency even in vaccinated dogs, but they can recover more quickly and have less dramatic symptoms if they are vaccinated. This vaccine is available through a veterinarian, and we do offer this service at Hillside Animal Hospital in Scottsdale.

Other desert critters can present a danger to your dog. The bufo toad secretes a substance on its skin that causes convulsions when licked. This toad prefers more wet weather, so this is something to watch out for during monsoon season.

Scorpion stings, while painful, are not toxic to a dog’s internal system. Some dogs may have an anaphylactic reaction to a sting, so if you see them get stung observe very closely for any swelling, hives, or vomiting. Bee stings also can cause severe swelling in an allergic dog. These signs should prompt you to take your dog to the veterinarian.

Desert flowers and plants can be very attractive to some dog’s taste buds. There area several plants that are toxic, so it’s best to train your dog to avoid eating plants. Several resources are available online to help you determine which plants are safe to have in your yard.

Cactus can be quite a nuisance if your pet gets into them, especially the teddy bear cholla. Leashing your dog will help eliminate these unfortunate encounters. If one occurs, the best thing to do is seek veterinary assistance. Often it is much safer and less stressful for your dog to have a veterinarian to administer sedation to facilitate cactus spine removal.

Summertime heat is very dangerous, especially to dark coated dogs. A good rule of thumb is that if you start to feel warm yourself, it may already be too warm for your dog to spend a significant amount of time outside. At this point, find some shade and provide some water for your dog. Remember, they are wearing a fur coat, and are barefoot on the asphalt. Asphalt can burn sensitive foot pads. Limit exercise to early morning and late evening hours in the summer.

Watch your kids around water! That includes the canine kids. Some dogs aren’t very adept swimmers and can drown if unattended in the pool. It’s a good idea to try to train your dog to swim to the steps, but if they aren’t good swimmers you should restrict their access to the pool. Good swimmers should still be monitored, as swimming is hard work. Don’t let them overdo it. Watch for limping, as this may be a sign that your dog has scraped a pad on the rough pool decking. Seek veterinary attention if you notice a wound. Also, some heavy swimmers are at higher risk for ear infections. Try to keep your dog’s ears clean and dry, and promptly seek an exam if you notice any discharge or inflammation.

Spending more time outdoors may increase your dog’s risk of contracting Valley Fever. This is an infection with a soil borne fungus that is contracted through inhalation. Signs can include, but are not limited to, a cough, fever, tiredness, limping (if the fungus reaches the bone), inappetance, difficulty breathing, or generalized ill feeling. If any of these symptoms are noted, a veterinary check up and blood testing is in order. Dogs cannot get Valley Fever from other dogs, nor can you contract it from your pet. It is a year-round risk, but it tends to increase in frequency after storms that disrupt the spores from the soil.

Monsoon season can bring on thunderstorm anxiety. This a complex issue that some dogs develop, manifesting itself as fear or anxiety with the sounds and pressure changes that accompany storms. If your dog exhibits even mild signs of thunderstorm anxiety, a behavioral and medical consultation with a veterinarian is recommended.

The hazards listed represent many of the desert dangers to watch out for, but is not an all inclusive list. The staff at Hillside Animal Hospital hope we can help you avoid desert hazards, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Our phone number is 480-391-7297, and we’d be happy to see you and your dog!

This article cannot be re-issued or reproduced without the express permission of ADOG or Hillside Animal Hospital.

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