JULY 17, 2013
The smallest gestures have the biggest meaning
Carrie Singer, founder of Animal Guardian Network, recently received an email plea about a woman with a 12 year-old pitbull named Kiwi. Everyday she would take Kiwi up the street to the grassy park.
As Kiwi grew older she began to suffer from hip dysplasia. When Kiwi would walk she would drag her feet and her nails would become bloody. So Kiwi's mom, who lives on the most limited income, put out a plea for a wagon. She wanted Kiwi to be able to still enjoy their time together each day at the park.
Providing Kiwi with a wagon seemed to be the very least we could do. So a new wagon, bed and toy were recently delivered to Kiwi and her mom (Thank you Robin and Fred for delivering).
Singer said, “Every time I am able to fulfill a request like this it is as if my spirit is renewed and my heart is full once again. It is a gesture that becomes a blessing to all it has touched.”
Their work is only possible with the support of compassionate animal lovers like you! Please Donate Today at www.AnimalGuardianNetwork.org.
Don't forget to visit Treasure Gypsies gift and jewelry boutique, a subsidiary of Animal Guardian Network. All profits from the store go to benefit their programs and services.
They have tons of treasures! Re-bags (gently used designer handbags at incredible prices), gorgeous bling jewelry, fun metal art and sculptures, handmade pottery and jewelry, one-of-a-kind birdhouses, animal lover greeting and note cards, unique pet sympathy gifts, funky lighting and furnishings and so much more.
No sales tax so you can enjoy guilt-free shopping and at the same time help animals in need!
Treasure Gypsies: 6061 E. Cave Creek Rd., Ste. 10, Cave Creek. 480.488.7000 [email protected]. Summer Hours: Thurs-Sat 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Animal Guardian Network: 4815 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, AZ 85331. 623-780-1604 main offices.
BY CLIFF FAVER, DVM | JULY 17, 2013
Bufo Toads
This is one of the desert dwellers that most people who move here don’t know about. It is one of the greater concerns for our pets. This is the time of year that we see the Bufo come out of the mud during monsoon season.
Bufo toads look like a common frog with a lot of warts. They vary in size from small to the size of a baked potato. These toads hibernate in the mud during most of the year and become active after rains or when the ground gets wet by water tanks or sprinkler systems.
They are most commonly seen around plants and non-bug proof lights that attract bugs. “We recommend here at AHS to use yellow bug lights if you plan to have lights on at night to avoid toads as well as scorpions.”
Bufo toads have salivary glands behind the ear holes that carry a toxin which, when ingested by a dog, can be almost immediately toxic. The dog will usually bite down on the toad or try to eat it and the toad exudes the toxin. The toxin is absorbed directly by the mucus membrane (through the mouth). The dog can actually go comatose within 30-60 seconds given there is enough toxin. If the toxin does not make them go down, usually the dog will salivate profusely and vomit. The next thing we usually see is a rise in temperature, commonly up to 107?-108?F (normal is 101.5?-102.5?F) and the heart will beat faster at about 200-300 beats per minute (normal is 120-180bpm). In a small percentage of cases, this will even be fatal.
Home care prior to veterinary care is vital to the treatment of these cases. This involves washing the toxin from the mouth as quickly as possible. We recommend a garden hose (slow flow) to rinse mouth out sideways (never directly down the throat!). It is also important to wet the dog down to cool the dog due to the rise in body temperature. The next step is to seek veterinary care. In a large percentage of cases, if you have done the home care, the dog will be fine with minimal medical care. In the cases that are more severe, treatment may be the difference between life and death. Do not wait to see though! If you wait and it is the severe reaction it may be too late before you get help. Things can deteriorate rapidly.
Dogs can be trained to avoid toads using the same methods as snake prevention. If your pet captures a Bufo Toad, please call us for assistance with poison treatment at 480-488-6181.
Bufo boreas subsp. halophilus photograph courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey. The USGS home page is www.usgs.gov.
