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Arizona is a wonderful place to live for both people and their pets. However, pet owners should be aware of a few precautions that can be taken in order to ensure their pets stay safe, happy and healthy while living in the valley.
Heat Stroke in Dogs
 Heatstroke is an emergency that may leave your dog fighting for his or her life. If you notice any of the following signs of heatstroke, take your dog to the veterinarian immediately:
- Heavy panting
- Rapid breathing
- Excessive drooling
- White or blue tongue
- Standing with legs spread in an attempt to maintain balance
- Lethargy
- Unwillingness to move
- Uncontrollable urination or defecation
- Labored, noisy breathing
- Shock
If your dog begins to exhibit any of these signs, you should immediately take him or her to the vet. In the meantime, you can try to cool the dog down slowly by:
- Appling rubbing alcohol to the dog's paw pads.
- Appling ice packs to the groin area
- Allowing the dog to lick ice chips or drink a small amount of water.
To prevent heatstroke, make sure your dog has sufficient shelter/shade from the sun (dog houses retain heat rather than provide shelter), adequate water to drink, and a way of cooling off when the summer sun rises. Keep them indoors if at all possible.
The #1 cause of heatstroke in dogs is being left in a car, even - even with a cracked or open window!
Snake Bites
Be proactive… Learn more about the Snake Bite Vaccine!
Try to identify the snake by taking note of its size, color patterns and the presence or absence of a rattle at the end of the tail.
Look the animal over carefully for fang marks, noting that there may be more than one bite wound.
If bitten on a leg, wrap a constricting band on the affected limb snugly at a level just above the bite wound (on the body side of the wound). This band could be fashioned of a shirtsleeve or other fabric and should be snug but not excessively tight.
Start your journey to the nearest animal hospital while trying to keep the dog as quiet as possible.
Cactus Removal
Keep your pet as calm as possible.
Sedation might be required to remove cactus spines, therefore a trip to the animal hospital is suggested.
Valley Fever (Coccidiomycosis)
What causes Valley Fever?
It is caused by inhaling spores from the mold form of the fungus, Coccidioides immitis found in the dry soil of the Southwest.
What are the signs?
Once infected, your pet may show mild signs of fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy. The pet also may cough, have stiff joints, draining skin wounds, and enlarged lymph nodes. As the disease progresses, the kidneys or liver may fail, the eyes may become red and painful, and the pet may develop seizures.
How is it diagnosed?
By utilizing complete physical examinations and current medical history, the veterinarian is your best tool for diagnosing Valley Fever. Bloodwork and/or X-rays will be necessary for complete diagnosis.
How is it treated?
Therapy consists of long-term treatment with antifungal drugs.
What happens next?
Although Valley Fever can be a fatal disease, early diagnosis and constant treatment can yield the best results.
Water Safety for Dogs
Most dogs enjoy swimming, but some cannot swim, and others may hate the water. Be conscious of your dog's preferences and skills before trying to make him swim.
If you're swimming for the first time with your dog, start in shallow water and coax him in by calling his name. Encourage him with toys or treats. Or, let him follow another experienced dog he is friendly with.
Never throw your dog into the water.
If your dog begins to paddle with his front legs, lift his hind legs and help him float. He should quickly catch on and keep his back end up.
Don't let your dog overdo it; swimming is very hard work and he may tire quickly.
If you have your own pool, make sure your dog knows where the stairs are located. Be sure that pool covers are firmly in place; dogs have been known to slip in under openings in the covers and drown.
If you notice sudden limping while at your pool, check your dog's paw pads for abrasions. Kool decking can cause paw pad abrasions if the dog is running around the pool with wet paws.
Be prepared to give CPR to your dog if he or she struggles in the water.
Remember, all dogs should wear life jackets if they are boat goers.
Never leave your dog unattended near water!
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