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It is difficult to assess how long your dog has been infected when the signs or symptoms appear. During this season it is very important to frequently go over your dog checking crevices like the armpit of the dog, ears, and all over your pet. These diseases can be fatal if not treated promptly. Be sure your dog is protected and check them often for ticks. Tick season is mostly in spring and summer but in Texas, it ain’t over yet! Top Four Southern Tick Borne Diseases
Professional medical intervention is necessary. Culprits Blacklegged (deer) tick Lone Star Ticks American Dog Ticks
REFERENCES:
“10 Types of Ticks That Can Make You Sick, Where They Live, and How to Identify Them.” Prevention, 6 Feb. 2023, www.prevention.com/health/g27419738/types-of-ticks/. Vsadmin. “Ticks: What You Need to Know.” VetCare Pet Hospital, 29 Mar. 2022, www.vetcarepethospital.ca/ticks-what-you-need-to-know/.
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 When rising temperatures surpass 68°F, it is the start of snake season. There are a total of 12 species of venomous snakes of the 75 snake species in Texas. However, the top four contenders are:
Something really important to consider about these venomous snakes are the myths about them still perpetuated today. Not all snakes are the same, some hide amongst their more innocuous looking fellows. A good example of this is that, all venomous snakes have a spade shape head.
Coral snakes are about 3 feet long with the longest on record reaching nearly 4 feet. In Texas, they measure between 20-30 inches. The weights were not given. An easy way to identify coral snakes is the rhyme, "Red touches yellow kills a fellow. Red touches black, and it's a friend of Jack." Did you know? Almost all venomous snakes have elliptical eyes (cat’s eye pupils), except (again) the Coral snake. I, personally, do not wish to get close enough to see their eyes to make this distinction especially since other things like running away will be foremost in my mind but some of you may need to know this if you have a snake that has taken up residency, say under a pot maybe, and you wonder is it venomous?
Copperheads like semi-aquatic habitats as well as wooded areas and swamps and debris. Even though they spend most of their time underground the habitat for a corral snake is mixed from a water-related environment to a desert including wooded areas and under debris in the suburban areas.
The Cottonmouth pattern is considered a crossband with 10-16 repeating patterns. It’s coloring can vary from brown, tan, yellow-olive, gray or black. It is possible for it to appear almost totally black.
At first look, all three of these snakes have similarities. The water moccasins and the rattlers have thick bodies. Their patterning is similar in that it is not a solid color or banning. The coral snake and copperhead have slender bodies. The crossbands are often more brilliant than the softer tones of a rattler. So how do you minimize the danger of snakes in your yard? Eliminate standing water and food sources such as rodents and insects. Don’t forget bird feeders can feed the snakes, too. Do not leave any pet food outdoors. Tidiness helps to reduce clutter or debris for snakes to hide in or under. Well-trimmed bushes and regular mowing discourages snakes to visit. Check your plumbing and gutters for any leaks or dribbles. Moist, shadowed areas are choice spots. Rock or wood piles need to be redistributed. Although koi ponds are beautiful the snakes will love them, too. Check your home and garage for access through cracks or broken seals. There are plants such as marigolds, holly or lemon grass and others that repel snakes naturally. Have a wonderful and hopefully snake-free season! REFERENCES: About the Author Bethany McKay Bethany is a professional copywriter and editor, et al. “Harlequin Coral Snake.” AZ Animals, 1 Apr. 2023, a-z-animals.com/animals/harlequin-snake/. Clark, Caitlin. “Snakes Are out in Texas- Here’s How to Reduce Encounters with Them.” Texas A&M Today, 13 July 2020, today.tamu.edu/2020/06/18/snakes-are-out-in-texas-heres-how-to-reduce-encounters-with-them/. Peshek, Sam. “Warmer Temps Means Snakes Are Moving, Say Texas A&M Experts.” Texas A&M Today, 30 Apr. 2019, today.tamu.edu/2018/02/26/warmer-temps-means-snakes-are-moving-say-texas-am-experts/. Ward, Hannah. “Cottonmouths in Texas: Where They Live and How Often They Bite.” AZ Animals, 2 Dec. 2022, a-z-animals.com/blog/cottonmouths-in-texas-where-they-live-how-often-they-bite/.
In a dog’s limited lifetime stress reduces the length and quality of that life. The owner’s stress also affects his dog. How is this so? Through the remarkable relationship we have with our dogs we can influence their health in unexpected ways from being catastrophic to beneficial for them. Part of that is through handling our own mental health issues in a healthier manner. One study suggested the direction stress flowed was unclear: dog to human or human to dog? I think it can work both ways. If it is difficult to think of our own well-being while depressed or otherwise stressed, consider the reflection within your BFF (Best Fur Friend) because it will be there. Similar ways are possible to help both friends via a walk together, relaxation, good/solid sleep, eating well, looking at something new, hugs or medicine, perhaps. In addition, please remember the holidays can increase additional stress in our life. Exactly what is in the body that works with stress? Cortisol is called THE stress hormone and is a natural steroid hormone in the body. It works with the brain to control moods and reactions. It also controls blood pressure, regulates sleep patterns, raises blood sugar, and supports increased energy in times of stress. Cortisol manages other things measurably within the body, too. If allowed to remain in a stressful situation for too long, higher cortisol levels can lead to several health problems, mentally and physically. Too much or too little cortisol can have difficult consequences on the body such as developing Addison’s or Cushing’s. Cortisol works with the immune system, as well. Cortisol levels can be measured in a dog’s saliva and in the hair of the dog owner! A yearlong study published in Scientific Reports by Dr. Lina Roth (Linkoping University. Sweden) found that the rise and fall of stress levels during the winter and summer months were mirrored between the dog owner and their dog. The synchronization of cortisol levels in the pair is not completely understood. Another stress-related study was by Dr. Nancy Dreschel of Penn State and was published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science. In summary, she said, “It was hypothesized that stress caused by living with anxiety or fearfulness has deleterious [harmful] effects on health and lifespan in canines.” The effect of chronic depression or stress can be measured in white blood cells, too. Stress actually causes accelerated shortening of telomeres (structures at the end of the chromosome) resulting in advancing the aging process, hence, shortening a lifespan. Telomeres shorten with age naturally but at a slower rate. Shortening a life is one of three stress issues including compromising the psychological and physiological health of a dog. Higher cortisol in dogs is expressed by exhibiting a greater number of known stress-related behaviors.
Finding ways to reduce your stress daily or especially over the holidays can be a challenge within itself. It is our wish for you over the upcoming days to end the year joyfully and be able to share that joy while finding some time to relax with your pets and minimize those stressful moments. Look for those ‘Stress Busters’ to hoard and use as needed!  IMAGE COURTESY OF PNWCDR This article is dedicated to our friend whose precious dog expressed his stress in the center of her bed over last year's holidays. REFERENCES: “17 Signs My Dog Has Anxiety.” PetSwag, petswag.com/blogs/petswag-post/17-signs-my-dog-has-anxiety-petswag. “5 Signs Your Dog Is Stressed.” Dogtopia, 11 Apr. 2019, www.dogtopia.com/blog/5-signs-your-dog-is-stressed/. Coates, Dr. Jennifer. “Is Your Pup Stressed? Watch for These 5 Signs of Anxiety in Dogs.” BeChewy, 2 Sept. 2022, be.chewy.com/behavior-stress-anxiety-10-signs-your-dog-is-stressed/. “Doggie Language.” Pacific Northwest Cattle Dog Rescue, 7 Oct. 2022, pnwcdr.org/training/doggie-language-2. Accessed 12 May 2023. “Dogs Owners Feeling Long-Term Stress Can Transfer It to Their Dogs, Science Shows.” NBCNews.Com, NBCUniversal News Group, 6 June 2019, www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/dogs-owners-feeling-long-term-stress-can-transfer-it-their-n1014451. “Guide to Stress Management for CRPS & Chronic Pain.” Burning Nights, www.burningnightscrps.org/support/news-and-blog/article/stress-management-crps-chronic-pain/. Marafarr. “12 Instant Stress Busters.” Meant2Prevent, 21 May 2021, meant2prevent.ca/12-instant-stress-busters/. Mood, Abbie. “How to Tell If Your Dog Is Stressed: Body Language and Warning Signs.” American Kennel Club, 18 Oct. 2019, www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/how-to-tell-if-your-dog-is-stressed/. “Physical Activity Reduces Stress.” Physical Activity Reduces Stress | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/other-related-conditions/stress/physical-activity-reduces-st. “Signs Your Dog Is Stressed and How to Relieve It: VCA Animal Hospitals.” Vca, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/signs-your-dog-is-stressed-and-how-to-relieve-it. Singfield, Adam. “Workplace Stress (Part 1 of 3): Stressors Shared by Women and Men.” Work Feels Good, 27 Aug. 2020, workfeelsgood.com/workplace-stress-part-1-of-3-stressors-shared-by-women-and-men/. “Stress in Dogs.” Blue Cross, www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/stress-in-dogs. |
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