Summer Dangers To Pets | Tips About Cats For A Longer Healthier ...

By Claude West

There has been an increased reporting by local veterinarians that more animals are suffering from rattlesnake bites.? Dogs are at the top of the list and you should be aware of

Rattlesnake

this should you live in a rural area or are taking your pets to a rural area.?? Horses and cats are also on the list but the frequency of bites to dogs is far more.? Though usually not lethal, the venom will cause swelling, blood clotting, and tissue necrosis.? Most pets usually end up in the hospital for a day or two.? Always take your pet to the veterinary hospital if your suspect it has been bitten by a rattler.

The recommendation by veterinarians is to get your dog vaccinated for rattlesnake bites.? This vaccine has been available for several years.? I have not heard of it until lately and it reduces the effect of the snake venom by increasing your dog?s immune response to the venom.? Here in California, the vaccine is effective for Western Diamondback rattlers but does cross-protect your pet from northern Pacific rattlers as well.? You should get the dog vaccinated in the spring before snakes are most active.

Black Widow

In addition to snakes the black widow spider populations are up and incidents of our pets becoming sick from the spider bites is on the rise.? Though usually not lethal provided the bite is away from the head will cause discomfort to your pet.? Most pets when crawling under bushes or rubbish piles to find a cool spot in the summer?s heat will encounter the spiders.? Take your pet to the veterinarian hospital immediately if you suspect a black widow bite.

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Not only snakes and spider populations increased but there is an increase report of

Foxtail

foxtails.? This is the seedpod of a common weed and the pods become tangled into your pet?s fur as they walk through the weed patches.? Because the pod is shaped like and arrow it can penetrate the skin and cause infection.? The real concern is when your pet tries to remove the pods and accidentally eats them.? The pods can block airways causing choking and can cause intestinal bleeding if they penetrate the intestinal lining.? You should brush your pet to remove the foxtails whenever they spend time outdoors.

Summer heat is a time when many pets become ill and even die from dehydration.? Even if your pet prefers to be outside you should provide water and shade or bring your pet inside during the hot afternoons.? Cats will be most susceptible since they tend not to drink allot of water on a regular basis.

These summer dangers to your pet?s health always exist but the wet winter and the severe summer heat this year made it more of a problem than usual.? Please be careful with your pets when they are outdoors.

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Donations will be contributed to the Tri-Valley SPCA This entry was posted in Tip Alerts (Dangers) and tagged black widow, cat, cats, dehydration, dog, dogs, foxtail, horses, pet danger, rattlesnake, summer dangers to pets. Bookmark the permalink.

Source: http://tipsaboutcats.com/2012/08/12/summer-dangers-to-pets/

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