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Rattlesnakes Are Out Already

We have had four rattlesnake bites already.  Vaccination of your dog with Crotalis vaccine puts the equivalent of two vials worth of antivenom into your dog&rquo;s sysem and may just save your dog’s life and a tremendous amount of expense.  If you have rodents in your area that attract hungry rattlesnakes, you pet may be at risk.  Call us for further information, or schedule a vaccination sequence with us now.  As soon as the weather exceeds 70 degrees, snakes will be out looking for food.  I tell clients that when you get on your shorts and tee shirts, look out for the rattlesnakes!

Hot Weather and Heat Stroke

Each year we see pets that suffer from heat stroke and die. It’s so obvious that it could happen “to the other guy” that we slip up and let our guard down. Dogs have no sweat glands (except on their nose and foot pads), so they cool themselves through panting — moving air in and out of the lungs over a wet surface at a fast rate — while maintaining their normal breathing.  If the air is hot and dry, panting becomes less efficient and the pet’s temperature begins to rise above normal.

Heat stroke is more of a problem for short nosed dogs, such as Bull dogs, and dark colored pets, such as black dogs.  Here’s what you can do to prevent heat stroke:

• Leave out extra water.
• Make sure there is shade throughout the day.
• Be ready to use the air conditioned house, an electric fan or swamp cooler during the hottest part of the day (5 pm).

If your pet becomes overheated, place them in the shade and wet their legs and under belly with cool water.  No need to use ice, because this will shock their metabolism just as it does ours.  Take your pet to the veterinarian to verify if it is over heated and if it shows early signs of heat stroke — heat stroke requires aggressive treatment with IV fluids and steroids to avoid complications that can lead to death.