Thursday, June 23, 2011

Eww, what's that? Or, the things you need to know but may not want to.

     When I take my dogs out for their walks, or to the park to play, I don't like to think about what they're finding out there.  So I was really thrilled (not) when I found a 7 page article on all the cool things you and your dog can catch at the local park.  Some are mild (the old style kennel cough), and some are ugly (parasites, viruses, etc), but all are out there and some smart risk management can help.  The list included viruses (distemper, parvovirus, influenza, rabies), parasites (ticks, fleas, lice, mites, intestional worms, cryptosporidia), infections (fungal, bacterial, tick-borne, musquito-borne), heatstroke and bite wounds, and toxins (plants, pesticides, chemicals, etc).  Researching the active ones that are worst in the area you are going to be is a good place to start.  For instance, Leptospirosis is rare but occurs in isolated water bodies in Colorado; Rabies is active in some counties; plague has re-emerged in the fleas of wildlife; distemper often occurs in raccoons; ask your local veterinarians or officials.  Not every pet is at risk for every disease everytime they step outside!!!, just plan ahead and ask to keep your companions safe.
     Risk management is having your pets vaccines up-to-date (esp Rabies, DAPP, and bordetella), regular check-ups with your veterinarian, and parasite prevention (heartworm and intestinal, and in some cases topical).  Parasite prevention includes keeping your pet away from other animals excrement (read poop), socializing your small puppy with a few pre-vetted companions until they get some immunity built, getting regular dewormings, and avoiding obviously ill pets and their owners.  I also recommend bringing your own snacks and water with bowl.  Sharing bowls is just like sharing glasses, if done at all it's reserved for your closest companions, not the entire world.  Avoiding injuries and bites can be a little harder, but having your dog under full control, being able to call them away from anything, following the rules of the park, and sometimes even using the "shy" fenced off area can all help.   If you see something you aren't comfortable with, don't stick around, you are the final decision maker.  Just like a child your pet depends on you for their safety in this new world of running free and interacting with others; and just like a child some pets will be gung-ho about the experience, while others need more time and training.
      Bringing up the subject of children, before bringing them to a dog park, make sure they are also up-to-date on how to make contact (or not) with the other dogs in the area.  The proper safety training for them is just as important as for your pet.  Not all dogs like children, not all dogs like to be petted, not all are approachable, and some are down-right unfriendly.  Don't go near wildlife, don't go into the water (or even just play in it with your hands) and remember the insect repellant and sunscreen.  You and your children can also pick up interesting things (called zoonotic infection) from a pet or wildlife or insects.  Multiple regulated websites have great lists of these annoying pests.  I prefer a source with some credentials behind them like the CDC, the CSU-Veterinary teaching hospital, your local veterinarian, or the AVMA. 
      With all that said, should you hide from the summer and keep yourself and your pets isolated?  NO!, just employ common sense, research the possibilities out there, and be an informed consumer of all those wonderful sunny parks and recreation areas.  Oh yeah, and keep a first aid kit and your veterinarian's number with you in case of need.  Never hurts to know the number of the nearest emergency vet too, especially when traveling, but that's another posting.

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