Summer Dangers: Things That Bite and Sting
As the weather warms, we find ourselves and our beloved pets, outdoors more. Unfortunately, summer brings out some dangerous creatures. I am going to discuss a few and what to do if you’re pet comes in contact with snakes, spiders, and bees.
Poisonous snakes are out now. In the US we find Coral snakes in Arizona and New Mexico and others along the Gulf Coast. Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, and Water Moccasins are here in the south east. The first thing is to be able to identify them. Coral snakes have alternating band of black, yellow, occasionally white and red. If the head is black and the red touches the yellow then it is a coral snake. I have read that they cause only a little risk Remember the old saying “red to yellow you’re a dead fellow”. Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, and Water Moccasins are all pit vipers. These deadly vipers cause about 99% of all snake bites each year. They have facial pits, retractable fangs, elliptical pupils, and a triangular head. Rattlesnakes can meter their venom. They usually strike dogs in the head and face with a deadly dose of venom. THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY!!! The single most effective therapy of a rattlesnake bite in dogs is IV administration of purified Crotalid antivenin. I have also read that there is a vaccination for this also, but the dog may still require Crotalid.
My next creepy crawly subject is spiders. Spiders prefer dark, quiet, and draft less places. I will start with the Black Widow whom lives all over the USA. The females are black in color with a spherical abdomen and the red hourglass marking on the bottom. She is larger and more deadly than the males. Although, the immature females lack the spherical abdomen and take on the color of their last meal, they are equally deadly. Gram for Gram, it is 100% more potent than rattlesnake venom. It is a good thing their size limits the amount of venom delivered. A bite frequently goes unnoticed. There is little swelling or tissue change. The area around the bite may be red and the region may be dully sore. Classic signs are abdominal muscle rigidity and tenderness. The dog needs antivenin from the vet. I am not sure of the antivenin’s name. The Brown Recluse, also know as the Fiddleback or Violin spider, are usually found in the southern half of the USA. The initial bite may go undetected, however, hours later the bitten area will have a mild stinging sensation, generalized soreness, and will itch. As time goes on the area will become red with a dark non-healing center which is dying. Surgical removal is usually recommended.
Dogs may have allergic reactions to bee stings. If your dog is stung; remove the stinger immediately! 100% of the venom is delivered in the first 60 seconds after being stung. Then apply a cool compress. An antihistamine and a cool bath may help to control the swelling and pain. Please call your vet to see what antihistamine to give and the amount. If you notice any respiratory distress call the vet, your dog need help! Most deaths occur within 1 hour of being stung.
These are just a few summer dangers to watch out for and learn what to do before you ever have an encounter. I wish everyone a safe summer.
-Angel Matherly, Charmed Ones Kennel
Poisonous snakes are out now. In the US we find Coral snakes in Arizona and New Mexico and others along the Gulf Coast. Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, and Water Moccasins are here in the south east. The first thing is to be able to identify them. Coral snakes have alternating band of black, yellow, occasionally white and red. If the head is black and the red touches the yellow then it is a coral snake. I have read that they cause only a little risk Remember the old saying “red to yellow you’re a dead fellow”. Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, and Water Moccasins are all pit vipers. These deadly vipers cause about 99% of all snake bites each year. They have facial pits, retractable fangs, elliptical pupils, and a triangular head. Rattlesnakes can meter their venom. They usually strike dogs in the head and face with a deadly dose of venom. THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY!!! The single most effective therapy of a rattlesnake bite in dogs is IV administration of purified Crotalid antivenin. I have also read that there is a vaccination for this also, but the dog may still require Crotalid.
My next creepy crawly subject is spiders. Spiders prefer dark, quiet, and draft less places. I will start with the Black Widow whom lives all over the USA. The females are black in color with a spherical abdomen and the red hourglass marking on the bottom. She is larger and more deadly than the males. Although, the immature females lack the spherical abdomen and take on the color of their last meal, they are equally deadly. Gram for Gram, it is 100% more potent than rattlesnake venom. It is a good thing their size limits the amount of venom delivered. A bite frequently goes unnoticed. There is little swelling or tissue change. The area around the bite may be red and the region may be dully sore. Classic signs are abdominal muscle rigidity and tenderness. The dog needs antivenin from the vet. I am not sure of the antivenin’s name. The Brown Recluse, also know as the Fiddleback or Violin spider, are usually found in the southern half of the USA. The initial bite may go undetected, however, hours later the bitten area will have a mild stinging sensation, generalized soreness, and will itch. As time goes on the area will become red with a dark non-healing center which is dying. Surgical removal is usually recommended.
Dogs may have allergic reactions to bee stings. If your dog is stung; remove the stinger immediately! 100% of the venom is delivered in the first 60 seconds after being stung. Then apply a cool compress. An antihistamine and a cool bath may help to control the swelling and pain. Please call your vet to see what antihistamine to give and the amount. If you notice any respiratory distress call the vet, your dog need help! Most deaths occur within 1 hour of being stung.
These are just a few summer dangers to watch out for and learn what to do before you ever have an encounter. I wish everyone a safe summer.
-Angel Matherly, Charmed Ones Kennel
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