Life in the Sonoran Desert

Life in the Sonoran Desert holds many pleasures……but many dangers for our pets. The area has many predators…..coyotes, bobcats, owls, hawks….and yes, rattlesnakes. Wild animals are protective of their young and there is no question they will strike out if they feel threatened or provoked. Contrary to popular belief, these attacks are not limited to the nighttime hours and are not limited to small pets. Keeping dogs on a leash at all time when walking…..and not on a loose or extended leash…… or in a fenced or high- walled area when at home can help avoid heartbreak. Never leave a small pet, be it dog or cat, alone on a patio over which so many of these wild animals can jump. Owls and hawks have been seen scooping up small animals, even when on a leash, and cats are ALWAYS safer kept inside.

To the extent possible, keep your pets from digging in the desert, as Valley Fever can be contracted from the spores in the soil. Similarly, don’t allow them to mouth or play with desert toads who secrete a kind of venom that is painful and extremely toxic .

Take your dog to snake-training school. Not much fun to watch, but….these bites can be deadly and at the very least, horribly painful. If your pet is bitten, the best chance for its survival is to take it to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. More often than not, a dog who has been “snake-trained” will not forget the experience of snake school and will remember the scent of the snake….and forget about being curious.

Always check your pet’s paws for cactus needles. Obviously, they are all over the desert floor. If you do take your pet hiking or even walking, always carry a pair of needle-nosed pliers. And on the subject of plants in the desert, ALWAYS check your pet’s ears for Foxtail….the weed that grows everywhere in the Spring, with the “feather-like “ head. Although initially soft and green with a purple-ish top, once it gets into the ears, that “feather-like” head, hardens into needles and oftentimes must be extracted surgically.

And oh so important: Pets need a LOT of WATER and SHADE when it’s hot. Take those walks in the early morning or evening when the temperatures are not as severe and the walking surface will not scorch paws. And NEVER, EVER keep a pet in a closed car as brain damage and/or death can occur quickly.

Home Inspection

When purchasing a home, no matter what…..do NOT pass up a home inspection. And be certain that that inspector and his company are STATE CERTIFIED. A home should be tested for gas leakage and carbon monoxide leakage and the inspector should be utilizing sophisticated gas-company-quality equipment to perform the testing.

Install a CO detector/alarm in the hallway near every separate sleeping area in the home. Be certain that the detector cannot be covered up by furniture or draperies. Note that Carbon Monoxide poisoning symptoms are similar to the flu……headaches, drowsiness, nausea and dizziness.

Blocked c himneys are one of the major causes of carbon monoxide poisoning deaths. Flue pipes or chimneys can have cracks, allowing CO to enter the home, build up and attack whoever is living in it. Homeowners should always have heating, ventilation systems, water heaters and fireplaces cleaned and checked during the colder months. And this should be done entirely irrespective of whether a home is being purchased or not.