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:

1. The Cotton mouth also known as a ‘water moccasin’
2. The infamous Rattlesnake
3. The Copperhead
4. The Coral snake​​​

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. ​

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/. 

surface temperature. Avoid walking on lawns because fertilizer or other yard chemicals can burn a dog’s paw pads. Protective booties are also available for your dog. A dog may not immediately show the pain of burned pads such as limping or licking the pads. Burned pads need to be examined and have running water over them.  DO NOT ICE THEM BECAUSE ICE CAN MAKE THE BURN WORSE.  Call your vet.
 
DOGS AND CARS
In less than 10 minutes a car can become a furnace.  Even if the outdoor temperature is 78° a car’s interior temp can reach 120°.  Imagine what it can be if it’s 90°!  At 100° the interior can reach 170°  Dogs cannot pant or sweat enough to cool themselves down.  Heatstroke is a danger when a dog’s temperature reaches 105°.
 
DOGS AND SUMMER PARASITES
Ticks are one of three external summertime parasites for dogs. Some common tick-borne diseases are:

1. Lyme Disease
2. Anaplasmosis or "Dog Fever"
3. Ehrlichiosis
4. Rocky Mt. Spotted Fever
5. Hepatozoonosis (ACH)
6. Babesuosis
7. Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF),
8. Bartonellosis
9. AIHA or Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia which can be catastrophic.

​Some of these diseases can be transferred to humans by ticks.  Lyme disease is one of the most serious concerns. Ticks can lay over 1000 eggs at one time. The most common ticks are the brown dog tick, deer tick, American dog tick, and the Lone Star tick.  The adult lifespan is about 3 months to 3 years. 

Fleas and mites round out this list. Fleas can lay 20 – 40 eggs in a day for weeks, adult lifespan is about 100 days. When swallowed, fleas become tapeworms. Mites live in the fur and ears.  They can cause intense itching in the ears and skin diseases like mange.

Internal parasites include tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms.  Roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms can be contracted by humans. There are medications that can eliminate all worms in a single application. 
 
DOGS AND TOADS
Toads have dry, bumpy skin and their back legs are not so long.  They prefer to crawl versus hopping around and all toads are poisonous.  The most likely and dangerous time to find a toad is at dawn or dusk from May to August. The places the toads enjoy are gardens, ditches, lakeshores, sandy soil, fountains, and anywhere with water including a dog’s water bowl.  A toad such as Fowler’s toad (2”- 4”) soaking in a dog’s water dish can leave enough toxins behind to make the dog very sick. Usually, toads are only mildly toxic.  When a dog gets a toad in its mouth small amounts of toxin are absorbed through the mucous membranes and the poison goes directly into the bloodstream. It can also cause vision issues if gotten in the eyes. The dog may paw at its mouth or eyes or both and whimper or cry. Inducing vomiting will not help because the toxin is not in the stomach. If your dog eats, chews, or licks a toad call your veterinarian.   If you have to handle a toad, wash your hands.  Take the toad or a picture of the toad to your veterinarian.

​DOGS, PLANTS, AND MUSHROOMS 
The top very toxic outdoor plants in Texas for dogs include aloe vera, amaryllis,  azalea, begonia, caladiums, castor bean, daffodil, daisies, dumb cane, gladiola, holly, ivy, lilies, oleander, Sago palms, Texas Mountain Laurel, tomato plants, tulips, wisteria, and yew.

If your dog has any of these symptoms, call your vet:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Depression
• Seizures
• Liver failure
• Cardiovascular
• Collapse
• Irregular heartbeat
• Loss of appetite, 
• Nausea, drooling,
• Tearing
• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Inability to urinate.

Blood issues:

• Bloody nose
• Bloody stool
• Bruising
• Anemia

Take the plant or mushroom or a picture to show the veterinarian.

DOGS AND HEATSTROKE
Vomiting, confusion, dark red gums, dry or sticky gums, lethargy, tremors, seizures, excessive panting, thick pasty saliva, drooling, and fainting are signs of heatstroke.  This can occur when the body temperature of a dog reaches or exceeds 105°.  A dog’s natural temperature does not allow much room for getting overheated or having hyperthermia when he can no longer self-regulate his body temperature.  The quickest thing to do to help your dog cool down is to get him in the shade or A/C. *NO ICE* Pour only slightly cool or tepid *NOT COLD* water over him or dip a towel in water and lay it over him briefly.  Offer little sips of water.  Call your vet immediately.  If you have sports drinks with electrolytes ask if this would help.  Dehydration and heat are problems.

DOGS AND DISEASE
It's easy to forget about a lot of things with your dog and summertime but do not forget that until your puppy has had his 16 week vaccination, he is susceptible to parvo.  The other night we were at the animal ER and there was this beautiful Doberman puppy brought straight in to quarantine with parvo.  Parvo is a deadly 10-day roller coaster ride.  Central Texas is having a particularly hard time with it.  Older dogs are not affected but they can carry and shed parvo.  It lives for 48 hours on inanimate things.  Wait out this brief period with you puppy at home.  Be safe.

References:
Caplan, Christy. “What Happens When Your Dog Walks on Hot Pavement Is Painful and Avoidable with These Tips.” Pets, 18 June 2019, https://www.wideopenpets.com/pavement-too-hot-for-your-dog/. 

Burke, Anna. “Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms?” American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, 21 Oct. 2019, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-mushroom/. 
​
Wyoming Public Radio | By Ashley Piccone. “The Science (and Magic) of Wyoming's Fairy Rings.” Wyoming Public Media, 14 June 2021, https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/open-spaces/2021-03-12/the-science-and-magic-of-wyomings-fairy-rings. ​

​
​CHECKLIST: 

• Gates: Gates offer protection for all the following:
• Candy: Sugar-Free candy is extremely poisonous for dogs and quick acting especially if it contains Xylitol.
• Xylitol is a very fast poison for dogs
• Food: Share the joy not the food. Many holiday fares have spices, etc., that range from upsetting a dog's stomach to poison.
• Lights: Chewing cords. Puppies love their chew toys and that includes cords.
• Ornaments: Broken ornaments are choking hazards.
• Presents: Bows and ribbons are choking hazards.
• Trees: Trees, artificial or not, pose two problems. Both a fresh tree and an artificial are sprayed with anti-inflammatory material to lessen the chance of a fire. The anti-inflammatory tastes sweet to the dog so they may chew or gnaw on the tree.
• Christmas Tree Pine Needles: which are poisonous in quantity for dogs. The gum/oil on the needle will irritate the mouth and throat. Both of these things can be a serious threat to your pup.
• Quantity: One of our people lost their puppy to pine needle consumption.
• Tape Dispensers: Plastic tape dispensers can crunch, splinter, and become a choking hazard.
• Tree Water: The preservative to add to water. If the dog gets thirsty and drinks from the tree bowl, this is not a good thing for doggies. Use plain water.
• Tinsel: Tinsel is a wonderful, crinkly, sounds fun to play with but it is a choking hazard.
• Wreaths: Can be a chewing hazard the same as trees.​

We hope that all of you have a wonderful Christmas, holiday, or break! May your days be merry, bright, and above all, warm the heart.