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DESERT PET SAFETY
The Sonoran Desert is a wonderful, interesting place to live in the summer. But the extreme temperatures, unique native plants and animals mean pet owners need to take specific steps to protect their pets.
Here are 16 ways you can protect your animals.
1. LEAVE YOUR PETS AT HOME WHEN DRIVING AROUND TUCSON. It's not safe to leave them in the car with the air conditioning going, every year we read about an unattended dog knocking a car into gear and away they go. It's not comfortable to leave them in the car with the windows rolled down; that can become dangerously hot and lead to heat stroke. And we don't even need to discuss leaving them with the windows rolled up, do we?
2. DON'T TIE UP YOUR DOG. This is considered animal cruelty and is illegal in Pima County. A tie-out is defined as a chain, leash, wire cable or similar restraint attached to a swivel or pulley. This is punishable by a fine of up to $2,500, 6 months in jail, or both.
3. We have a huge native toad here, the Colorado river toad, also called the Sonoran Desert toad. It emerges from its burrows, usually at night, when the summer rains start. It is highly toxic to dogs, which of course are very interested in it, especially the noise it makes as it digs its way out of its winter burrow. And the toads are of course attracted to water, and may head for your pooch's water bowl. If your dog mouths a toad, or drinks water from a bowl that has had a toad sitting in it, you need to react quickly, this can be a life-threatening situation. Get a hose, and rinse out the dog’s mouth sideways for a full 15 minutes. THEN call the emergency vet for follow-up. I once had to rinse out the mouth of a large very unhappy shepherd, and was leery about what his reaction would be, but he was very accepting, I think the water must provide some immediate relief. Symptoms start with heavy drooling, pawing at the mouth, red gums, whining, and dilated eyes and proceed to vomiting, staggering, irregular heartbeat, seizures, weakness, diarrhea, collapse, and even death. As a preventative measure, especially if you are living in a newly built area with a fenced yard, assume that you have these toads in your yard, and do not let your dogs out off-leash at night during the monsoons. Keep water bowls inside. Patrol your yard daily for their large holes. If you find a toad, wrap it gently in a towel, and place it outside your yard in an area away from pets, and it will go happily on its way. Keep your dog away from ponds and areas where you hear frogs and toads. A dog will not “learn” from this bad experience, and will continue to try to grab toads in the future.
4. Drowning is a leading cause of accidental child deaths in our state. And like children, pets are also vulnerable to drowning. If you feel comfortable doing so, it is a good idea to place your dog in the pool and guide it to the steps several times, so if it were ever to fall in, it would have a better chance of finding its way out. Do NOT do this with cats or other pets, they will just panic. Keep gates locked, and pets away from the pool, hot tub and jacuzzi. If you purchase a pool cover, make sure it can support the weight of your pet if they accidentally walk on it.
5. Don't leave Rover or Puff alone with the hot grill. You may not just have your steaks disappear, you can end up with a burned pet, or a fire. Pets may be attracted to the drippings even after the meat is removed. And while they may beg for a bone or chicken leg, remember bones can splinter in their mouths or intestines and cause punctures.
6. Check the pavement before walking your dog! People who have moved here from other areas, and newbie dog owners are often unaware of just how hot the pavement can be. Before walking your dog, place your hand on the pavement. If it's too hot to keep your hand on the pavement, it's too hot for the dog's paws. If you have a dog that must be out on the hot pavement, then put on dog booties first. These can be purchased at any large pet supply store. I first saw these in use on service dogs at the U of A, who needed to be able to be out helping their people in all weather, and they work like a charm.
7. Remember that our higher temperatures mean both a higher evaporation rate from the water bowl and an increased drinking rate. I recommend using a vacuum style waterer; it is harder to knock over, can hold more water, and keeps it fresh. Tucson water is hard, so calcium deposits form rapidly, and the high heat encourages rapid algae growth. When changing the water, give the bowl a daily quick scrub and rinse before refilling to prevent buildup.
8. Make certain your dog, cat and ferret are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. The Pima County Health Department issued a rabies alert for wild skunks and raccoons in April, and the problem is expected to increase during the breeding season. Rabid javelina, foxes and bobcats have also been diagnosed. The majority of the 35 rabid skunks have been discovered in the area bounded by East Fort Lowell Road to the north, East Speedway to the south, North Houghton Road to the west and North Wentworth Road to the east.
9. Don't leave pet food in bowls outside. Colorado river toads are attracted to dog food. Pet food also attracts problem animals like skunks or javelina, or predators like coyotes, bears, bobcats or mountain lions. This became a serious issue for all of Tucson last year when our park was closed and mountain lions were killed because they were attracted to areas where people were feeding wildlife.
10. The Fourth of July is no celebration for pets, and July 5th is one of the busiest days of the year at animal shelters for lost pets. Many animals which are otherwise calm are frightened by firecrackers. I had a collie jump a 6 foot fence when a firecracker from next door landed in our yard. Well before any celebrations start, place your pets in an interior room, shades drawn, with a radio or TV on to mask outside noise. Make sure they have on collars with ID, and put a sign on the door telling others to keep it closed.
11. Javelina mean business! They may look cute and comical, but they can inflict severe bites. They don't see well, which means it's easy to startle them, and they travel in groups. As with bears, you do not want to get between a mother javelina and her baby! Do not let your dogs chase, bark at, or harrass javelina. When you come into contact with a group while walking your dog, bring your dog close to you and quietly leave the area.
12. Rattlesnakes bites can be deadly, and require immediate veterinary attention. There will be immediate, painful swelling around the bite area. Keep the pet as calm as possible and transport to the vet quickly. If you know your pet was bitten, but you cannot identify the kind of snake, the vet can administer a test to check. The Humane Society of Southern Arizona offers a Snakebite Avoidance Class. Preventative measures include keeping your dog leashed, avoid walking at night in the summer when snakes are more active, and don't allow your dog to investigate brushy areas, rocks or hidden areas when snakes might be. Rattlesnakes are territorial, so if you see one, avoid that area in the future.
13. The rules for Gila monsters are the same as javelinas: leave them alone. Gila monsters are not aggressive, and will only bite after considerable provocation, but the bite is severe and poisonous. Gila monsters hibernate, and are sometimes discovered trapped in the yard of a new house that was built around it during the winter.
14. Tarantulas are only a danger in a B movie. They generally leave their burrows at night, especially during the monsoons when searching for mates. Scorpions, on the other hand, can inflict painful bites. Keep rock and brush piles away from your home, and do not allow your pet to dig under rocks.
15. Valley Fever is a disease caused by a fungus which occurs in the soil in the southwest. It can afflict both humans and many companion animals, but it not transferred between them. It generally causes problems when the immune system is overwhelmed. The severity varies greatly, and there is no vaccine, just treatment. Symptoms include fever, weight loss, and cough, but these symptoms can be caused by other problems as well, and it can mimic other diseases. See your vet for assistance.
16. Letting your cat or small dog out by itself is a sure way to lose it, even in a fenced yard. In addition to coyotes, we also have bobcats, hawks and owls which are plenty big enough to carry off and eat Fluffy. Even in what feels like town, there is wildlife moving along washes looking for a meal.
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