Summertime Hazards
Kathryn Skinner DVM
Les Bois Veterinary Hospital
343-2539
This is such a great time of year. Our dogs
know it too. You can see it in their eyes. "Isn’t it time for our
walk and swim???" We can hike, camp, backpack, mountain bike, boat
lakes and rivers or just walk around the neighborhood in the late evenings.
You wouldn’t think of heading out without your dog (and they wouldn’t
think of letting you!). There are some hazards out there though, that could
spoil a perfectly good day.
Snakes:
Yes, rattlesnakes inhabit our foothills and deserts. Many of the most
popular foothills trails pass right through prime rattlesnake country
(Cartwright Road., Rocky Canyon, Hulls Gulch) and most areas in the Owyhee
canyons, South Fork of the Boise River, Lucky Peak, Payette Rivers etc.
During the heat of the day, snakes will seek out the cool areas near streams
and rivers or under rocks, logs or sagebrush. In the cool of the evening
they will head towards areas warmed by the days’ sun, and often will be
more exposed. Snakes don’t want to bite, but they will if threatened, thus
the warning shake of their rattle. Dogs find this rattle very inticing, some
great new play toy. I once saw a dog that was bitten 5 times on the muzzle
(and lived). Just a couple of weeks ago we had a lab in that was bitten on
the muzzle. His nose swelled up to a circumference of 19 inches. Sometimes
the snakes will give no warning before a bite, such as when a dog is
bouncing through the brush and lands on top of one. Dogs are usually bitten
on the front legs or on the head.
The venom contains enzymes and peptides
which cause local tissue damage and swelling, as well as systemic damage to
blood vessel walls and cells. The strength of the venom can depend on the
age of the snake, as well as the time since it’s last meal. Typically,
snakes tend to be more venomous in the spring and fall. Small, young snakes
may have more concentrated venom. Fortunately, the snakes in our area are
not as deadly as ones in the southwestern U.S.
If your dog is bitten, you should get them
to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. If at all possible, carry them to
your vehicle, or have someone go get a vehicle. If that is not possible,
leash them and walk slowly to your vehicle. Activity will mobilize the venom
more quickly into the tissues and bloodstream. If the bite is on the paw,
you may apply a light, not tight, tourniquet on the leg. Do not cut
open the bite or apply ice to the bite.
Snakebites typically will cause extensive
swelling and will be painful. Your veterinarian will likely place an IV
catheter to administer antivenom and fluids to counteract shock. Antibiotics
and pain relievers will be given. Bloodwork is often done to monitor for
blood clotting problems. Sometimes the skin will slough from the area in a
few days. The good news is that the majority of dogs recover.
If you frequent areas with snakes, it may be
worth it to take your dog to snake aversion training, that is usually
offered in the late summer. Though geared towards hunting dogs, it is
valuable training for any dog. Watch for advertisements in the newspaper or
contact your veterinarian.
Heatstroke:
Heatstroke is a serious condition in which a dog’s body temperature rises
to 107 degrees and higher. Normal temperature for dogs is 100.5 to 102.5
degrees. Dogs can become overheated when confined to a poorly ventilated
enclosed space such as a car or camper, when left in the heat with
inadequate shade and water, when exercised strenuously in high environmental
temperatures, or when exercised strenuously with inadequate water intake.
Some dogs are more susceptible to overheating - older dogs, brachycephalic
breeds (bulldogs, pugs, boston terriers etc.), and dogs with heart,
respiratory, kidney or liver diseases. Don’t assume that if you have a
healthy, young, athletic dog, it is immune from heatstroke. Heatstroke can
occur in every breed.
Dogs cool themselves by evaporation from
their tongue and oral mucous membranes during panting, and by radiation of
heat from their skin by dilation of blood vessels near the surface. Dogs
will begin to show signs of heat stress when their temperature rises to 104
to 105 degrees. They will start to pant excessively and their gum color may
be bright red. As their temperature rises to 107 degrees, the cells in their
organs and tissues will begin to die. At this point, they may start
vomiting, have diarrhea, become weak, collapse, and have seizures. If they
do not receive treatment quickly, they may die.
Not everyone carries a thermometer around in
their back pocket, so you should become familiar with how warm your dog’s
skin (on their ears, abdomen, lips) feels. You also should know how pink
your dog’s gums are normally. Check this a few times before you go out for
exercise or into the heat, then check it again after you have been out for a
while. See if you can tell the difference. The most important thing for you
to do if you notice your dog starting to overheat, is to stop whatever you
are doing. If you are at home, get them into the shade and run cool water
over their head, coat and abdomen. If you are out hiking, try to get them to
some water or into some cool grass in the shade and pour what water you have
available onto their lips and tongue. In all cases, get them to a
veterinarian as soon as possible.
To prevent heatstroke, avoid exercising your
dog during the heat of the day. It is best to exercise early in the morning
or late evening. Always carry water or know where water is available
throughout your walks, runs or hiking trips. Never leave your dog in a
vehicle or enclosed truck bed even with the windows open for any period of
time on a warm day (this means temperatures above 60 degrees!). If your dog
stays in the yard, make sure they have shade and fresh cool water available.
If the heat is getting to you, it is getting to your dog too.
Hot Springs:
If you are hiking or camping near hot springs, keep your dog leashed at all
times. To dogs, water is water. They don’t test the temperature before
taking a drink or jumping in. Some of the saddest cases I have ever seen
were dogs burned in hot springs. They can receive 1st, 2nd
or 3rd degree burns from the hot water. Dogs can also pick up the
same mites (swimmer’s itch) that you can get from hot springs.
Cheatgrass: Cheatgrass
is found throughout the foothills, desert, on the Greenbelt, along rivers -
in short, everywhere except the high mountains. It will invade any body
opening (eyes, ears, nose, mouth etc.) or if there is no opening handy, it
will make its own opening (between the toes). Dogs can aspirate cheatgrass
into their lungs. They may get one stuck in the tonsils, where it will
migrate out through the tissues to form an abscess on the side of the neck.
After every trip into cheatgrass, check between your dog’s toes and comb
out its coat thoroughly. If they start shaking their head, holding an ear
down, sneezing violently, squinting an eye, coughing, choking or gagging
after a trip into cheatgrass, you should take them into their veterinarian.
Best advice, stay out of cheatgrass!!
Other safety advice:
Don’t play fetch with sticks. There is a
significant risk of impaling the stick in the throat, chest, or eyes.
Keep Benadryl on hand for bee stings and
spider bites. Call you veterinarian for dosing instructions.
Keep you dog under control around cliffs,
drop-offs, or waterfalls. Yes, I’ve seen dogs that have fallen
or jumped off all of the above.
Never let dogs ride loose in the back of a
pick-up.
If boating or rafting with your dog,
consider getting them a life preserver. If you are in water where you
need one, then your dog does too.
These are a few of my least
favorite things. So have a fun and safe summer with your dog.