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Bite Club
Snake Bites If your pet has been bitten by a snake call us immediately at 480-488-6181.
Every year Animal Health Services sees many Desert Dweller attacks and incidences. In order to raise public awareness we have dedicated our "Bite Club" to all the pets that have been attacked or injured by reptiles, animals or dangerous plants/foliage. If you have a picture of your pet due to one of these circumstances and you would like to pass your story along to our visitors, please send it to our pet gallery and we will post it on our Bite Club pages.
With Arizona having 18 of the 30 types of rattlesnakes we are commonly faced with dealing with these desert creatures. It is important to understand how to deal with the rare emergency of a snake bite in one of your pets. Home remedies or across the counter gadgets are not effective in curing snake bites. The best time spent treating a snake bite is looking for your car keys so that you can seek professional medical care as soon as possible.
The longer you wait, the longer the toxin has to work. Treatment is based on aggressive fluid therapy, monitoring for blood changes, antibiotics, and treatment with antiserum/antivenin. Antivenin is the most important aspect because it will neutralize the toxin preventing further damage to the tissues and minimizing blood loss. In animals commonly one vial is all that is necessary to counter the effects of the venom. The latest recommendation is to give the antivenin to all patients because of the unpredictability of the appearance of the bite and the delayed reactivity (6-8 hours) in some patients in response to the toxins.
Poor Boomer was bitten in the nostril by a small 6 inch baby rattlesnake. Notice the extreme facial, muzzle and neck swelling; this is often a symptom of snakebites.
As you can see, Boomer is typically a slender-faced handsome boy!
A snakebite in the leg can cause extreme pain and tissue damage. The healing process takes a lot of time and often scar tissue remains.
This cat was bitten by a rattlesnake in the paw. Unfortunately, an attack from the front usually means it was facing the snake rather than trying to avoid it.
Ways to avoid Snake Bites:
•Snake Avoidance Training -Rattlesnake avoidance training is fast becoming the prevention effort of choice. For professional training contact: Ann Austin 480-488-1588 or AnnAustin@wwdb.org or visit Animal Actors of Arizona
•Clear away undergrowth, debris, tools, toys and similar items.
•Make sure that shrubs, bushes and flower plants do not encroach on your pathways or walkways so you have clear vision of anything in your path.
•Clip bushes so that they are at least 10 inches or more off the ground to remove hiding spots for rattlesnakes. Ultimately the idea is to remove any items that obstruct your view of places snakes could hide and where you may unexpectedly place your hands and feet
•Keep bird food and fallen fruit picked up or make sure to locate feeders on the perimeter of your property instead of close to your home or yard. Rodents are attracted by these foods and the presence of these vectors attracts rattlesnakes. For safety’s sake, always peruse your yard before allowing pets out to play.
•When trail riding or walking keep your eyes on the path and brush. Snakes like to warm themselves on the pavement. Keep a cell phone on you to call in case of the emergency or a bite.
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| Javelina Attacks  
Peccaries (Javelina) are medium-sized animals, with a strong superficial resemblance to pigs. Like pigs, they have a snout ending in a cartilagenous disc, and eyes that are small relative to their head. Also like pigs, they use only the middle two digits for walking, although, unlike pigs, the other toes may be altogether absent. Their stomach is non-ruminating, although it has three chambers, and is more complex than that of pigs.
Peccaries are omnivores, and will eat small animals, although their preferred food consists of roots, grass, seeds, and fruit. One of the ways to tell apart pigs and peccaries is the shape of the canine tooth, or tusk. In European pigs the tusk is long and curves around on itself, whereas in peccaries, the tusk is short and straight. The jaws and tusks of peccaries are adapted for crushing hard seeds and slicing into plant roots, and they also use their tusks for defense.
 By rubbing the tusks together they can make a chattering noise that warns potential predators not to get too close. Peccaries, indeed, are aggressive enough in temperament that, unlike Eurasian pigs, they cannot be domesticated as they are likely to injure humans and pets.
  This poor pet was gored and attacked in the neck by a javelina. Although poor of sight, the javelina have a strong sense of smell and can run quickly. Most dogs are attacked trying to protect their territory, owner or just want to have fun. Unfortunately, it turns out to be dangerous fun.
  The first dog was bitten in the back by a javelina. As you can see it literally ripped the skin from the back.
The second pet was doing the right thing by running away, unfortunately, javelinas are fast and this pet was gored in the behind.
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| Coyote Attacks  The coyote (Canis latrans), also known as the prairie wolf, is a species of canid found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Coyotes are opportunistic, versatile carnivores with a 90% mammalian diet, depending on the season. They primarily eat small mammals, such as voles, prairie dogs, eastern cottontails, ground squirrels, and mice, though they will eat birds, snakes, lizards, deer, javelina, and livestock, as well as large insects and other large invertebrates. Any species of birds that nests on the ground are targeted by coyotes. Though they will consume large amounts of carrion, they tend to prefer fresh meat. Part of the coyote's success as a species is its dietary adaptability. As such, coyotes have been known to eat human rubbish and domestic pets.
Despite being extensively hunted, the coyote is one of the few medium-to-large-sized animals that has enlarged its range since human encroachment began. It originally ranged primarily in the western half of North America, but it has adapted readily to the changes caused by human occupation and, since the early 19th century, has been steadily and dramatically extending its range. Sightings now commonly occur in California, Oregon, New England, New Jersey, and eastern Canada. Coyotes have been seen in nearly every continental U.S. state, including Alaska. Coyotes have moved into most of the areas of North America formerly occupied by wolves, and are often observed foraging in suburban garbage bins.
Due to an absence of harassment by residents, urban coyotes lose their natural fear of humans, which is further worsened by people intentionally feeding coyotes. In such situations, some coyotes begin to act aggressively toward humans, chasing joggers and bicyclists, confronting people walking their dogs, and stalking small children. Like wolves, non-rabid coyotes usually target small children, mostly under the age of 10, though some adults have been bitten. Some attacks are serious enough to warrant 200 stitches.
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| Cactus Attacks   Desert plants can be hazardous to pets! Even though they usually avoid cactus, pets can and will become covered with cactus needles. These needles, not only extremely painful, can introduce infection and sometimes become stuck in the mouth when the animals try to chew them out. Some needles are microscopic so that even when you may think you have removed all of them, there are some still present. The best way to have a thorough cactus needle removal is to contact your veterinarian.
 Poor Elle got the paddle of a cholla cactus right on her eye.
  This pet has gotten cactus needles stuck in his muzzle causing hypersalivation and foaming of the mouth. This is an extremely painful place for needles. In cases like this, most pets must undergo anesthesia in order to remove all the needles without added discomfort.
 This pet has unfortunately tangled with a tough cactus. The whole paddle of the cactus has detached from the plant and is so secured to the pet, even walking and running did not dislodge it.
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| Rabies Alert in Arizona Wildlife
 Rabies Surge in Arizona Rabies Outbreak
Pet owners should make sure their pets' vaccinations are up-to-date and closely supervise their animals in areas with wildlife.
For more up-to-date information visit Arizona Department of Health Services or call ADHS at 602-364-4562 |
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