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March 2013

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{contents}

cover photo: sonya Sellers

A Pet: 6 Adopt 10 Reasons Why Holiday 10 Easter Safety Safety 12 Springitme Tips for Pets

14 The Truth to a 16 Secrets Beautiful Coat 4

d gs cats Texas

publisheR Shannan Parker Tel: 281.781.4727 info@texascatsanddogs.com

editor Tiffany Robinson tiffanyrobinson99@gmail.com

DESIGNER Fran Sherman 314.275.2208 fran@shermanstudios.com

Contributing Writers

1222 28

Tricia Fagan Nadine Joli-coeur Monica Schmidt Rachel De Carlos William Given Dr. Christie Cornelius Susan Randlett

photographer Sonya Sellers

18 Centerstage With Tucker: 20 Trouble “Mom, it ITCHES!” 22 32nd Annual K-9 Fun Run & Walk

24 Snakebite! 26 Spotted By The Pupperazzi 28 Marketplace {March 2013}

ADVERTISE WITH US!

281.781.4727 • Houston@TexasDogsAndCats.com Next Issue: April 2013 Advertiser’s Deadline: March 15th 2013

adoptapet:

10 Reasons Why Pet Adoption is Good for Everyone

By Rachel de Carlos

kay, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going to save the earth, but there are plenty of reasons that adopting a pet is good for you and your own personal environment. Unless you have specific reasons why adopting a pet wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fit into your lifestyle, like being evicted by your landlord or constant sneezing, then here are 10 great reasons for bringing some new energy into your home.

d gs cats Texas

1. Dirty kitchen floors With an adopted pet, you’ll no longer need to kick those bits of food that you drop while cooking to the side. Your new pet will be pleased to dispose of it and even give that spot on the floor a little wash. Your kitchen floor will always look freshly mopped. 2. Cheaper utility bills When it’s feeling chilly, reach for that furry hand and lap warmer rather than cranking up the thermostat. You’ll feel warmer in minutes and will have made your pet feel loved and useful. Yes, they know when they’re being used, but unlike people, they don’t seem to mind.

3. Quiet companionship Tired of not being able to get a word in edgewise, even if you’re just talking to yourself? An adopted pet will sit and eagerly listen to you talk, or rant, for hours. Notice the sparkle in their eyes, the swishing tail, and possibly a raised eyebrow that you’d never get from a disinterested human. The drooling, i’m not so sure about. 4. Perfect sleeping partner Your adopted pet will never poke you in the ribs during the night for snoring. It will snuggle up to you and think you’re purring. In the morning, it will love how you look and smell. It might even

wash your face for you in exchange for you getting up to pour some food in a bowl. Unfortunately, bringing you coffee or breakfast in bed is not something they’re good at. A cat might bring you a treat, but it won’t be anything you’d want for breakfast. Or any meal. The same could be said of some humans’ cooking, though. 5. Great exercise partner Your adoptive pet will always be ready to exercise when you are. If you don’t feel like walking your usual 5 miles (cough, cough) it won’t give you grief about how you’re never going to get fit. It will chase the

tennis ball you missed so you don’t have to (cats may take longer returning the ball, though), and even turn it into a spit ball to get back at that tennis partner who always wins. 6. Allergies If you have friends who like to visit but you’re too nice to tell them “No!”, adopt the sort of pet their family is allergic to. They will grumble, but will move on to mooch at another friend’s house faster than you can say “free vacation”. 7. An excuse for all seasons Whether it’s a gabby 8

neighbor who spends hours filling you in on every aspect of her life when all you wanted was to check the mailbox, or a chatterbox on the phone, your pet will always be the perfect excuse to get away. Even those on the phone can relate to Fluffy coughing up a hairball or Fido needing desperately to go out. When ya gotta go, ya gotta go! 8. Babe magnets Your adoptive pet, when taken out in public, is sure to get you lots of unsolicited attention from the opposite sex. While it actually is your pet they’re interested in, it makes you

feel pretty good for a few minutes, anyway. Who knows, the attraction to your pet might actually lead to something interesting, like a double walkies date. 9. Photo enhancers Are you one of those who stands behind the nearest child or hides behind the person next to you in an attempt to look better in photos? Now you can have your photo taken by yourself, or at least be the only human in the photo. Cover those problem areas with your adoptive pet. Hold it in your arms to cover that spare tire or say “cheeeese”

d gs cats Texas

next to its cute furry face to hide a double chin. No one will have a clue and they’ll most likely be looking at your pet instead of you, anyway. 10. Make your local Veterinarian save longer for that new BMW. Your local vet, who gets paid for putting down unwanted pets, will be pleased to have his income reduced and possibly pay less taxes. The adoptive pets have already been spayed or neutered and are up to date on their vaccinations. They have been tested for certain diseases, like feline leukemia, and

“With an adopted pet, you’ll no longer need to kick those bits of food that you drop while cooking to the side. ” are free from fleas or worms. I guess it all evens out for the vet, but the owner and pet are the real winners here for all of the above reasons and more. No matter where you live, there are animal lovers working hard to save pets and find suitable homes for them. If you’re thinking of a pet for your kids or a pet to keep you company, check with the pet adoption services first before

buying an expensive animal from a breeder. The pets up for adoption are often kept in foster homes while waiting to be adopted and are better suited for living in a home than animals raised in cages. They might already be house trained and have experience with children or other animals, too, which means the pet will fit into your lifestyle quicker.

dog daycare & bakery • Cage-Free Boarding • Open 7 Days Per Week

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{petsafety} By William Given

Easter Holiday Safety

et safety becomes an important consideration during springtime celebrations like Easter. Just like children, our pets enjoy getting into the cakes and candies if left within their reach. Unfortunately, any pet raiding the Easter baskets and making off with a chocolate bunny faces the real possibility of poisoning. The Easter holiday is second only to Christmas in posing the greatest risk of chocolate related emergency veterinary visits. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is toxic to animals. It is the caffeine derivative (theobromine) that makes chocolate so dangerous. If a sufficient amount of chocolate is ingested, it can cause significant complications or even death. The symptoms of poisoning include hyperactivity, a racing heartbeat, tremors and even seizures. And though it will not be immediately noticeable, liver damage may also occur. Please keep the boxes of chocolate candy and Easter baskets out of the reach of your pets.

We have an increased tendency to decorate with baskets of flowers and potted plants during the Easter holiday. Some plants and flowers are toxic to dogs, cats and birds. You can ask your veterinarian for a complete list or check out the ASPCS or HSOTUS websites. Be sure to keep your potted plants and floral arrangements out of the reach of your pets. Our pets can be curious and they explore with their noses and their mouths. Other holiday hazards exit and alcoholic beverages are among them. Glasses containing

alcohol are often set down within easy reach of our pets. You can of course minimize the possibility of your petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s curiosity getting him into trouble by providing him with a new toy or treat to chew on while the family is participating in holiday activities such as the Easter egg hunt and the back yard barbeque. It is also a good idea to make a mental note of where all of the Easter eggs and candies are hidden so that the pets do not find the ones that got missed at a later date and get sick.

d gs cats Texas

{petsafety} By William Given

springtime safetytips

for pets

look forward to the annual arrival of spring. The return of spring calls my wife and me outdoors to resume one of our shared hobbies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; gardening. There are some plants and fertilizers that are highly toxic that can cause significant harm to our pets and even death.

For example, the whole of the Lily family is toxic to felines. Any part of the plant, so whether chewing on the petals or even licking the pollen can cause severe kidney damage which may easily result in death. Another plant which can prove hazardous is the Daffodil. Daffodil is the common name for most of the plants in the family of Narcissus. These flowers are very beautiful and contain a toxin known as lycorine. When ingested, this substance can cause acute abdominal pain, severe vomiting, respiratory distress and even seizures. Soil conditioner can also cause 12

significant problems. The most common side effect of over exposure to fertilizers is diarrhea. However, bone meal, blood meal and most rose fertilizers can be especially dangerous. Bone meal can cause the formation of hard concretions in your petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s digestive tract and may result in obstructions. Blood meal is dried, ground and flash-frozen blood. It contains approximately 12% nitrogen and high levels of iron. If ingested, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea and can result in severe pancreatitis. Fertilizers prepared specifically for use on roses contain high levels of organophosphates. These organo-

phosphates can cause hyperactivity, increased drooling, rapid breathing and heart failure. As little as one teaspoon ingested by a 50 pound dog can be fatal. Most pets will be more than happy to spend time with you out in the garden but keep an eye on them. Consider wisely what plants you are going to plant and where. If you have just bedded new plants and recently used a fertilizer, I would recommend you use caution and not leave your pets outside unsupervised. With a few precautions you can ensure their safety.

d gs cats Texas

{puppy101} by Tricia Fagan

truth the

the whole truth, and nothing but the truth

n the early 1900â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, a German horse named Hans traveled around Europe demonstrating his ability to add, subtract, solve for the square root, tell time, and read and understand German. Clever Hans, as he became known, would be asked a question by his owner Wilhelm von Osten. Clever Hans would then tap out the correct answer with his hoof. Hans was correct ninety percent of the time. Amazing!

d gs cats Texas

When Hans approached the correct answer, observers would lean forward, look down at Hans’s foot, and knit their brows together. The United States had its own version of Clever Hans, a horse named Jim. For some reason, Jim acquired the moniker “Beautiful Jim”. I don’t know why he was not “Clever Jim”. Among Beautiful Jim’s accomplishments the ability to read and write, do math with numbers below thirty, and cite bible verses that mentioned horses. Maybe it was the numbers below thirty restriction that made him “beautiful” instead of “clever”. Beautiful Jim traveled around the United States in a custom made railroad car. Moving to the canine arena, John Preston owned a dog named Harass 2. Preston claimed that Harass has exceptional abilities to smell specific human scent sometimes years after the person had left the area, even able to track a person’s path after a hurricane. Quite amazing abilities. Harass’s abilities were used to convict suspects in Florida. Clever Han’s owner did not charge anything for demonstrations. Beautiful Jim’s owner used the demonstrations to raise awareness of the humane treatment of animals. Preston charged the state of Florida $300 an hour for the services of Harass 2. It was easy to believe these animals could perform complicated mental tasks, as they demonstrated their abilities frequently. You could “see it with your own eyes”! It must be true. Despite watching Clever {March 2013}

Hans perform his amazing feats, German psychologist Oskar Pfungst did not believe that horses, even special, “clever” horses like Hans, could do math. With Osten’s permissions, Pfungst performed a series of tests. Pfungst determined that Hans could answer correctly up to 90 percent of the time IF he could see someone that knew the correct answer. If Hans could not see a person that knew the correct answer, he was correct less than ten percent of the time. Clever Hans had learned to watch people very carefully. When Hans approached the correct answer, observers would lean forward, look down at Hans’s foot, and knit their brows together. When Hans finally pawed the correct number of times, observers would look up, unknit their brows, and stand straight, perhaps clapping or smiling at the horses correct answer. Osten was never swayed by the facts. He continued to believe that Clever Hans did all of the math and other tasks Osten asked of Hans. As far as I know, Beautiful Jim’s abilities were never examined in a scientific way. However, Pfungst and I are convinced horses cannot do math. Harass’s owner handler, Preston, was exposed in several courts of law. Some of the victims of Preston’s claims were released when DNA evidence proved their innocence.

This phenomenon happens so frequently that scientists have dubbed it the “Clever Hans Effect”. A study by UC Davis showed that many drug sniffing dogs were subject to the Clever Hans effect. When the dogs’ handlers knew, or believed they knew, where the drugs were, the dogs would react to the behavior of the handlers, rather than the smell of drugs. Knowledge of the Clever Hans effect shapes scientific enquiry. Research protocols must account for this possibility. Researchers must prove their point while eliminating false positives due to the Clever Hans effect. So, what does this have to do with dogs? Think about the things you “know” about your dog. Does your dog really know these things? Or do you believe your dog knows these things. It’s ok to believe your dog understands things he does not, as long as you do not get mad at your dog when he appears confused. Enjoy your dog, love your dog, understand who he really is, and don’t hold it against him for thinking the square root of nine is four (we all know it is two). Happy Training! Tricia Fagan Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed DogS Gone Good www.dogSgonegood.com trainer@dogSgonegood.com (713) 557-1949   15

{pawz-itivelynatural} By Nadine Joli-Coeur

secrets to a

beautiful

coat W

hen was the last time you gave your pet a bath? There is a direct correlation between what is going on inside your petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body and how their coat looks. The three top things to having a beautiful coat are 1) Regular grooming 2) Great food and treats and 3) Add pro or pre-biotic and an omega supplement. Although many foods include probiotics/pre-biotic and omega supplements most of their benefit is reduced by the manufacturing process.

d gs cats Texas

SKIN PROBLEMS If your pet has itchy coat/ pads, waxy ears or icky eyes your pet may have yeast (candida). Many pet that have allergies will experience symptoms such as yeast overgrowth (candida). Yeast overgrowth happens when your pet’s immune system is out of sync. It occurs when you have an under-active or over active immune system. Pets with a weak immune system may not able to kill off the yeast and pets with an over-active immune system is also prone to yeast overgrowth. Steroids may provide relief but may contribute to your pet’s body staying out of sync. The secret is to get their system back in sync. Reduce yeast contributors by feeding low or no grain food and treats and limit any foods that are high in sugars (natural sugar is in sweet potato, apples, bananas). Of course stay away from

processed foods that have any sugars (that is a good idea even when they do not have a yeast issue). For more information research on the internet yeast free diet or stop by your independent pet store and ask questions. The Shampoo FIX - only part of the equation. Your cat cleans its coat daily but their canine counterparts are not always so particular about their hygiene. When bathing make sure to, select a good shampoo, brush and comb prior to their bath and rinse well. I like to bath my pets every two weeks. Brushing and combing prior to the bath will reduce knots from getting tighter. Clean out those ears with a drying solution and trim their nails. If the ears have gunk dry them out first, then use an anti-bacterial solution like vetericyn. Use a hydrating shampoo & conditioner for dry flaky coats. For itchy/greasy coats use a shampoo with tea tree or colloidal oatmeal. The quality of the shampoo is important. Excessive hair loss can be caused by multiple reasons; infrequent bathing, stress, change of weather, allergies and medical issues such as thyroid problems. DIET The healthier the pet, the better the coat. We tend to see pets on a high quality diet and those that include less processed foods such as raw, dehydrated or freezedried have shiny beautiful

{March 2013}

coats. Did you know that the exit points for a pet to get rid of toxins are their ears, eyes and paws and in some their coat (when it becomes greasy). If they have these issues they likely are experiencing allergies which can be caused by a combination of environment and food. We recommend to start with diet first, as it is more challenging to address environmental issues. Start with a limited ingredient diet so that you can get a baseline. Try a protein that they have not been over exposed to (we like rabbit, fish or duck). Once the allergies have subsided, you should add back in slowly other ingredients or proteins and possibly determine what foods they are allergic to. A healthy diet will help keep their immune system strong and help reduce the severity of symptoms if they have a future allergic reaction. If you know your pet has allergies in the Fall and Spring, look to start an allergy product just before or when it starts so that you can help reduce the effects it will have on your pet. For seasonal allergies use the homeopet skin and itch which provides fast relief. If they experience chronic allergies, try Herbsmith Allergi Qi. You will see relief in a couple of weeks as it builds up your pet’s ability to reduce the symptoms (ears, eyes, coat issues) associated with allergies. With a few simple steps you will be on your way to a beautiful coat. 17

{centerstage} 18

d gs cats Texas

Houston CollieRescue

he love of the Collie breed, the need to find good homes for abandoned, lost, or mistreated Collies, and Collies that were in dire need of a new lease on life, is what started Houston Collie Rescue (HCR) in 2000.

Houston Collie Rescue is a nonprofit (501(c)(3) exempt charity organization, comprised of volunteers who give of their time, abilities, and even their homes to help place Collies where they will be well cared for and loved. This organization also helps in extreme emergencies, when an owner is faced with the awful decision that they must relinquish their dog. What better reward could there be than knowing that dozens of Collies which otherwise might have been put to sleep, left out to starve or to run loose in the streets, are instead currently in loving homes. Houston Collie Rescueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motto is to see beyond the dirt, terror, sadness and defeat, to find the true soul that lies within. They never turn a Collie away in need due to sickness or old age. Their mission is to help each and every abandoned, neglected Collie that they meet and to heal each Collie, whether it be nurturing their physical or emotional needs. They serve the Greater Houston, Central and Southeast Texas areas, although they have reached all the way to Puerto Rico to bring a Collie to a new forever home. Everyone remembers beautiful Lassie, but not all their Collies come into rescue with those looks. When you adopt from HCR, the collies have received necessary medical treatment, have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, treated for heartworms/hookworms, fleas and other parasites, and have been tagged with a microchip, recording their name and rescue number into their database in case the Collie would {March 2013}

ever become lost. Most Collies are outstanding obedience and therapy dogs. Several rescued Collies visit schools, hospitals, and retirement homes, spreading knowledge of the breed and bringing comfort to a senior who maybe had to give up their dog. As a rule, Collies are loving and devoted companions. They are gentle with children and with other animals. A Collie will bond very closely with all family members and will reward a loving owner with years of unquestioning devotion and affection. The rescued Collie seems to appreciate a loving family even more. One of the mainstays of Houston Collie Rescue are foster homes, which they could not operate without. Their Foster Home Program is comprised of individuals or families who have either adopted from HCR or have passed a home visit. They offer a loving home environment, allowing the Collies to heal from illness, adjust to family life, and gain socialization when needed. HCR pays for all needed medical expenses, heartworm medication, and can help with food expenses while in a foster home. This is a vital step to getting the Collies adopted into their forever homes. If you are interested in fostering or adopting a Collie, please visit their website at houstoncollierescue.org, where you can apply on-line and also see their available collies looking for their forever homes. You can also find them on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/HoustonCollies. 19

{meetthevet} By Susan Randlett, Kingsland Blvd Animal Clinic

trouble with tucker:

itches! Mom, it

haley

tucker: scratch-scratch-scratch-scratch-scratch-scratch. “Mom, it itches! Make it stop!” Mom: “Tucker, lots of dogs and cats itch this time of year. We can make it stop, but we also need to find out why you’re itching. Let’s take a look at some things that be causing you to be so uncomfortable.”

d gs cats Texas

With the warm spring weather, grasses are growing, flowers are blooming, insects are hatching, and our pets can suddenly start scratching themselves raw, causing infection and often, even more itching. We can interrupt the cycle, but to really help our pets, we need to find out why they’re itching and do what we can to minimize the effects on our pets’ lives. An obvious first place to start is with a careful flea inspection. If a dog is allergic to fleas, even one bite can make him miserable. One easy check involves parting the hair over the dog’s rear hip area, checking the skin below. If a dog has fleas, this is one place an owner will often find “flea dirt,” little black pepperlike specks which are actually flea feces, consisting mostly of the blood meal fleas enjoyed on the pet. For a dog with a flea allergy, careful, consistent flea control is a must, using effective products regularly to keep fleas out of the environment. Your veterinarian can make recommendations that will best help your pet. If fleas don’t appear to be the problem, a veterinarian will often do a skin scrape and/or impression smear, taking a sample of what is on the dog’s skin that could be causing itching. This sample will be examined under the microscope for mites, or bacteria, or yeast. All of these can be treated, but knowing exactly what is causing the discomfort is key to prescribing the right medication or combination of medications. To complicate matters, bacterial or yeast infections are typically secondary to other skin conditions that can make {March 2013}

If fleas don’t appear to be the problem, a veterinarian will often do a skin scrape and/or impression smear, taking a sample of what is on the dog’s skin that could be causing itching. a dog itch. Like humans, dogs can be allergic to something in their environment, either airborne or food. Everyone knows someone with hay fever. Airborne pollens, molds, dust particles, etc. are inhaled and soon the sneezing and sniffling begins. A simple way to think of skin allergies for pets would be simply saying that the pet inhales an airborne allergen but instead of sneezing and sniffling, the pet gets itchy skin. In fact, the situation is probably far more complex. The allergen is not only inhaled but is in contact with the skin and it is no longer considered accurate to think of atopy as an inhaled allergy. Exactly how we get from particles floating in the air to itching and scratching is not entirely understood but the important issue is that the allergen comes from the air. Some breeds are predisposed to allergies, but any individual dog can find himself suffering. In addition to airborne allergens, a dog or cat can be allergic to something in his food. The food allergy is one of the itchiest conditions known to the cat and dog. Animals eat a variety of processed food proteins, fillers, and colorings which are further processed inside their bodies. Proteins may be combined or changed into substances recognized by the immune system as foreign

invaders to be attacked. The resulting inflammation may target the GI tract or other organ systems but, in dogs and cats, it is the skin that most often suffers from this immunologic activity. Many people erroneously assume itching due to food allergy requires a recent diet change of some sort. In fact, the opposite is true. Food allergy requires time to develop; most animals have been eating the offending food for years with no trouble. Drugs are available that can treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies, as well as suppress the immune system of those for whom allergies are a more chronic condition. It is also often recommended that a dog or cat be tested to see what allergies he suffers from, so that lifestyle changes may be made, food can be changed, or even allergy injections can be prescribed to make our pets’ lives more comfortable. Tucker: “So, Mom, what you’re saying is you can’t just give me a pill or a shot and make it all better?” Mom: “Well, Tucker, pills or shots may be part of what we do, but it may not be all we do. I promise that whatever is making you itch, we’ll get to the bottom of it. We want you to be happy and comfortable!” 21

{animalcauses} by Monica Schmidt – Houston Humane Society

32nd Annual

k-9 fun run & walk I

t’s time for Houston Humane Society ’s 32nd Annual K-9 Fun Run & Walk. The event includes a 1 mile competitive run or the relaxed 1 mile non-competitive jog & walk. Be sure to join us at Hermann Square, 900 Smith St., Sunday, March 24th. Register online now at www.houstonhumane.org or register race day beginning at 8am. The race begins at 10am, and the post race party follows.

d gs cats Texas

At the fun filled postrace party, dress to impress and compete in our doggie costume contest, join the Alumni Parade if your dog was adopted from HHS, or simply enjoy refreshments, a multitude of pet friendly vendors and activities for the whole family. And be sure to stop by the Texas Dogs & Cats Magazine booth to say “Hi”. Your support and participation raises money and awareness for the many animals saved and cared for daily at the HHS shelter. Dog participation is encouraged, but not required. Entry fee includes a limited edition April Murphy designed race shirt, dog-danna, and race goodie bag. For more info or to sign up, go to www.houstonhumane.org Safety tips to keep in mind when you take your dog to

events: Prepare before you go! Make sure your pet is up to date on all vaccinations, including Bordatella if you plan to attend pet related events this season. It’s also a good idea to update ID tags and invest in a microchip if you don’t already have one. Always use a standard leash. Retractable leashes can pose a threat not only to your dog, but to those around them! It is easy for your pet to get too far away from you; many retractable leashes have leads up to 20 feet! Also, the thin black cord can easily become tangled around other pets and even trip people. Be alert! Your dog may be well behaved, but remember that other animals add an unknown variable. Be sure to keep an eye on your dog at all times, and err on the side of

caution when it comes to your pet’s safety. Give your dog a break! Even the most well adjusted pet may need a short break or respite from the festivities. Pay attention to your dog’s body language. If you notice stress or anxiety, walk them away from the crowd and noise to give them a chance to calm down. Sometimes a small break is all it takes to set things right. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate. Although most events include water stations for dogs, you may want to think about bringing along your own travel bowl or water dispenser. With all of the walking around, excitement, and playing your pet is sure to do you will want to make sure they have access to fresh water at all times.

SSSSSSnakebite! by Christie Cornelius, D.V.M.

ost snake bite envenomations we see in Texas come from poisonous pit vipers (rattlesnakes, cottonmouth moccasins, copperheads) and coral snakes. Bites from these snakes can pose serious health risks, including death. If your pet is bitten by a poisonous snake, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Pit vipers possess large arrow-shaped heads, pits below and between the eyes, elliptical pupils, rough scales and fangs in the upper jaw. When an animal is bitten by a pit viper, you will see two puncture wounds in the skin (fang marks). Signs of a local reaction appear quickly ,and include swelling, excruciating pain, redness and hemorrhag24

es in the skin. The first signs of envenomation can vary and include: extreme restlessness, panting, drooling and weakness, followed by diarrhea, collapse, and sometimes seizures, shock or even death. Coral snakes are rather small with a small head, black nose, and vivid-colored bands of red, yellow, white and black - the red and yellow

bands are always next to each other. Fangs are present in the upper jaw. Coral snake bites generally produce a less severe local reaction, but the pain is still excruciating. Look for the fang marks. Coral snake venom primarily is neurotoxic. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, urinary incontinence, paralysis, convulsions and coma.

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If your pet is bitten by a snake: 1. Identify the snake if possible 2. Restrict movement of the pet 3. DO NOT incise the bite wound to aspirate the venom, and DO NOT apply a tourniquet without veterinary assistance 4. DO NOT apply ice to the area. 5. Seek veterinary attention. Supportive treatment: Antihistamines may be administered and IV fluids given to help prevent low blood pressure. Oxygen is given if needed. Antibiotics are used to prevent secondary infections. Pain medication is provided as necessary. Laboratory test to check for bleeding problems and organ damage will be performed. Blood transfusions may be necessary in cases of severe bleeding disorders. Antivenin may be administered, and is used at the discretion of the attending veterinarian. To be most effective, antivenin should be given within 4 hours of the bite. Prognosis: A significant factor in the outcome of a venomous snake bite is how much venom was injected, but there is no way to determine that amount. Dry bites generally carry an excellent prognosis. If a large amount of venom is injected, a dog may not survive, despite very aggressive treatment. Irreversible effects from venom begin immediately after the animal is bitten, so speed of treatment is critical. The sooner an owner seeks medical treatment for their animal after a snake bite, the better the prognosis.

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