Kim McCrone, from AZPetProfessionals, has put together this informative list on the Top 10 Most Un-wanted Pests in the Southwest.
Read on and learn how you can identify, treat, and eliminate these pests from your home (and learn to avoid them while you’re exploring our beautiful land)!
[heading style=”1″ color=”#006666″ style_color=”#006666″]1. Desert Toad [/heading]Aka: Sonoran Desert Toad, Colorado River Toad, Bufo Toad
Last seen: At night, just before or after Monsoon Season
Danger: Neurological toxins on skin glands cause seizure-like symptoms and excessive salivation if a dog licks, bites or plays with the toad or drinks from a water bowl where the toad was sitting.
Treatment: Flush out your dog’s mouth thoroughly with a water hose aiming sideways, not down his throat. If a pet is not back to normal within 30 minutes and continues to salivate, vomit or acts strangely, take to your veterinarian immediately.
(Learn more in our article, Desert Dangers: Toads)
[heading style=”1″ color=”#006666″ style_color=”#006666″]2. Rattlesnakes[/heading]
Aka: Diamondback, Mojave or any of the 17 rattlesnake species native to Arizona.
Last seen: Summer evenings after sunset or warm spring and fall days.
Danger: Curious or aggressive dogs confront snake, get bitten. The venom causes tissue necrosis and sometimes neurological symptoms.
Prevention: Do not let dog run ahead of you on walks. Consider Snake Aversion Therapy. Ask your veterinarian about the Rattlesnake Vaccine.
Treatment: A snake bite is an emergency situation – get your pet to a veterinarian immediately.
(Learn more in our article, Desert Dangers: Rattlesnakes)
[divider style=”5″ color=”#006666″ icon_color=”#006666″ icon_style=”3″ top=”yes”][heading style=”1″ color=”#006666″ style_color=”#006666″]3. Scorpions[/heading]
Aka: Bark Scorpion
Last seen: Outside at night during warmer summer months. Inside your house all year round.
Danger: Scorpion venom contains enzymes which are very painful.
Prevention: Supervise dogs on night walks. Hard to prevent if scorpions are in your home.
Treatment: Watch animal for signs of drooling, swelling at site of sting, tremors, breathing problems, dilated pupils and acting painful. If pet does not improve, take to your veterinarian. Do NOT give your pet any medication from home! Seek veterinary care!
(Learn more about Desert Dangers: The Bark Scorpion)
[divider style=”5″ color=”#006666″ icon_color=”#006666″ icon_style=”3″ top=”yes”][heading style=”1″ color=”#006666″ style_color=”#006666″]4. Spiders[/heading]
Aka: Tarantula, Black Widow, and Brown Recluse (Learn more about Spider Bites in Pets: Black Widows)
Last seen: In dark crevices, holes and wood piles. Often seen in garages.
Danger: Female black widow’s venom can injure, even kill a small pet.
Prevention: Limit pet access to places that may be home to the above spiders
Treatment:
For Black Widow Bites, Onset of clinical signs is usually about 8 hours post-venomation.
Cats are very sensitive and death is common.
- Primary treatment is special anti-venom.
- Seek a 24 hour Emergency Clinic for care. Prognosis is uncertain and complete recovery may take weeks.
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[heading style=”1″ color=”#006666″ style_color=”#006666″]5. Valley Fever[/heading]
Aka: Coccidiomycosis, a fungal spore found in the Arizona dirt. Primary infection affects the lungs and can become disseminated form which spreads to bones, joints, brain and other organs.
Last seen: In the warm arid climates of the deserts of the Southwestern United States.
Danger: Can cause fever, listlessness, cough, weight loss, limping, abscess and seizures.
Treatment: A blood test is needed to confirm the disease. Long term treatment with anti-fungals and follow up blood tests are needed for Valley Fever in Pets.
Prevention: Reduce pets exposure to desert soil and dust from wind. Avoid busy construction sites.
[divider style=”5″ color=”#006666″ icon_color=”#006666″ icon_style=”3″ top=”yes”] [heading style=”1″ color=”#006666″ style_color=”#006666″]5. Heartworm[/heading]Aka: A serious, potentially fatal canine disease spread by mosquitoes. More prevalent near lakes, golf courses, swimming pools and irrigated land.
Transmitted: Mosquito bites infected dog then bites another. Infected larvae enters a dog’s bloodstream and develops into adult worms living in the heart.
Symptoms: Cough, listlessness, weight loss, reduced endurance.
Treatment: Expensive and harsh, requires painful injections, restricted activity and possible radiographs. Continued veterinary care for several months.
Prevention: Easy and safe; Annual blood tests that can be performed at your annual exam and monthly preventative medications. Please ask you Veterinarian for more information.
[divider style=”5″ color=”#006666″ icon_color=”#006666″ icon_style=”3″ top=”yes”] [heading style=”1″ color=”#006666″ style_color=”#006666″]7. Canine Tick Fever[/heading]Aka: Erlichiosis caused by the brown dog tick.
Last seen: This particular tick is found everywhere in the United States.
Transmitted: Dog becomes infected when bitten by the tick carrying the organism. It only takes one and sometimes is undetected by the owner.
Symptoms: Non- specific but may include, listlessness, swollen lymph nodes, fever, weight loss, abnormal bleeding and eye/nose discharge. Disease can be chronic, even fatal.
Treatment: Diagnosed via blood test. Treat with antibiotics. Some dogs require blood transfusions.
Prevention: Check dog for ticks, especially when hiking. Use Frontline Plus
Aka Heatstroke, Dehydration
Prevention: Don’t leave dogs outside during Arizona summer. If dogs are outside, provide shade and a tip-proof water bowl.
- Don’t hike with pet during heat of the day.
- DON’T leave your dog in a car, even with windows slightly open, even on a “nice” day; temps in cars can reach 150-200 degrees in minutes.
- Take extra care with overweight, thick coated or short muzzled dogs which are most sensitive to heat.
- Keep pets indoors during the hours of 11-5 pm.
- Keep pets well supplied with water, an automatic waterer will help the water stay cool and free from mosquitoes. Provide plenty of shade for your pet. Check out the Top 5 Dog Summer Health Concerns for more information and infographics on dehydration and heatstroke.
Hot pavement: Keep paws off hot pavement! If it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws!
Sunburn: Pets with pale skin, thin coats and pink noses can get sunburned, even skin cancer.
Be aware that certain sunscreens and zinc are toxic to animals.
- Best prevention: keep indoors.
- Ask for recommendations from your veterinarian or try this specialized sunscreen for dogs.
[heading style=”1″ color=”#006666″ style_color=”#006666″]9. Bodies of Water[/heading]
Aka lakes, oceans, rivers, swimming pools, etc.
Last seen: Everywhere in the greater Phoenix area.
Danger: Pets may jump or fall in but be unable to get out and drown. If in winter, pet can suffer hypothermia.
Prevention: Fence around pool. Show dogs where the steps are and how to get out. Create a ramp or other device to help small dogs and cats. Supervise old, ill or blind animals. Never leave alone around a pool or lake. Be sure your pet is wearing a PFD while swimming in any body of water. Learn more about keeping pets safe on boats.
[divider style=”5″ color=”#006666″ icon_color=”#006666″ icon_style=”3″ top=”yes”] [heading style=”1″ color=”#006666″ style_color=”#006666″]10. Cactus[/heading]
Aka: Jumping cholla, Saguaro, fishhook, prickly pear, etc.
Last seen: Everywhere in Arizona.
Danger: Pain, abscesses, infection especially around face.
Symptoms: If you see cactus on your pet, or if it is crying or limping, cactus may be in paw.
Treatment: Use a large-tooth comb to quickly remove burrs and stickers. More serious cases require veterinary care and treatment.
Prevention: Keep dogs on a leash; do not let them roam in natural desert areas and read Top 10 Threats to Pets while Camping to keep pets safe while camping.
Thanks to Kim McCrone of AZ Pet Professionals for this informative list!