If you are out hiking in the beautiful Bay Area this summer, there are many dangers that you and your pets could face. For example, we have the risk of rattlesnakes bites, overheating, and dehydration
Rattlesnakes are very dangerous and could harm your pet in the following ways:
The rattlesnake bite is generally “hemotoxic” which means that it exerts its toxin by disrupting the integrity of the blood vessels. The swelling is often dramatic with up to 1/3 of the total blood circulation being lost into the tissues in a matter of hours. The pet could then have sloughing of the skin. The toxin further disrupts normal blood clotting mechanisms leading to uncontrolled bleeding. This kind of blood loss induces shock and finally death. Facial bites are often more lethal as the swelling may occlude the throat or impair ability to breathe. There is a rattlesnake vaccine that is not completely protective, but it may buy you time to get your pet to the veterinarian.
Heatstroke will affect your pet in the following ways:
Heatstroke normally happens when a pet loses their innate ability to regulate their body temperature. Dogs do not sweat all over their bodies the way humans do. Their body temperature is chiefly regulated by respiration, such as panting. If a pooch’s respiratory tract fails to clear heat quickly enough, heatstroke may take place. If an animal experiences heatstroke, you may notice hyperventilation, excessive panting, dry gums that become pale, increased salivation, erratic or rapid pulse, confusion, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, and possibly rectal bleeding. If the dog continues overheating, his breathing efforts will become slow, or worse, absent. This in turn can lead to seizure or coma. Dogs such as Pugs, Boxers, Boston tTrriers, and Bulldogs have a harder time breathing due to their short little snouts, which could lead to them overheating due to not being able to get enough oxygen.
Dehydration will affect your pet in the following ways:
Dehydration is a common emergency where a dog loses the ability to replace lost fluids orally. These fluids are comprised of vital electrolytes and water. The most common symptom of dehydration is the loss of elasticity in the skin. When pulled lightly, the skin will not readily come back to its original place. Another alarming symptom is xerostomia, in which the gums lose moistness and become dry and sticky, and the saliva becomes thick. In advanced dehydration, the eyes sink in and the dog may collapse with shock. In addition, persistent vomiting and diarrhea, illness, fever, heat stroke, and a deficiency in fluid intake can all cause dehydration.
