It was nice to hear the lightening draw nearer and see the upstart of a nice short down pour. I was glad that it waited until after our morning walk about. Troll Doctor was already out and about enjoying the rain when we got to work.
Friday, August 5, 2011
A Grand Morning
This morning Meade and I resumed our walks with Preecia and Tank. Tank is a dachund, small in body but big in spirit and energy. Like a hummingbird flapping it's little wings a thousand times a minute, Tanks little stumpy feet slapped briskly at the pavement to Meade large Labrador stride, keeping up with our brisk pace without a second thought. As we walked and visited we saw west of us the flash of lightening in the distance and hoped for the presence of rain. An hour later, walk complete, Meade and I headed home for a shower and breakfast. Meade collapsed on the floor for a nap. I could envision that Tank was still on his feet racing around the house!
It was nice to hear the lightening draw nearer and see the upstart of a nice short down pour. I was glad that it waited until after our morning walk about. Troll Doctor was already out and about enjoying the rain when we got to work.
It was nice to hear the lightening draw nearer and see the upstart of a nice short down pour. I was glad that it waited until after our morning walk about. Troll Doctor was already out and about enjoying the rain when we got to work.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Heat wave and Blue Green Algae Growth
My pond is getting very low, and very quick. We have had fish start to die in the pond because of low oxygen and lack of circulation in the pond. My husband has put an aerator in the pond to help the fish. Unfortunately, the intense sunlight and heat has allowed the algae growth to bloom. Meade and Hannah loves to swim in the pond, but now that it has a nice scum layer around its margins, the swimming has had to stop. I have also started to water my horses from a tank so that they are not drinking the scummy water.
What is blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) and where is it found?
Typically called a bloom, blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is an algae overgrowth that turns fresh and brackish water bluish green in color. The algae may produce toxins that are harmful to pets (and people). The bloom or growth commonly occurs in hot weather, especially in late summer and early fall. Higher water temperatures, steady winds that concentrate the algae on a shoreline, and fertilizer runoff in ponds and lakes are known risk factors. Blue-green algae overgrowth occurs throughout the United States and worldwide, especially in warm ponds and lakes receiving runoff from fertilized fields.
Typically called a bloom, blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is an algae overgrowth that turns fresh and brackish water bluish green in color. The algae may produce toxins that are harmful to pets (and people). The bloom or growth commonly occurs in hot weather, especially in late summer and early fall. Higher water temperatures, steady winds that concentrate the algae on a shoreline, and fertilizer runoff in ponds and lakes are known risk factors. Blue-green algae overgrowth occurs throughout the United States and worldwide, especially in warm ponds and lakes receiving runoff from fertilized fields.
What is the toxin and how does it work?
Not all blue-green algae blooms produce toxins. In fact, most don't. It is impossible, however, to tell just by looking at the water whether a toxin has been produced; therefore, all blooms should be considered toxic. Microcystins and anatoxins are the most common toxins produced by blue-green algae. Microcystins are harmful to an animal's liver and anatoxins to the nervous system. Drinking water containing toxic blue-green algae allows the toxin to enter the body and, once there, toxicosis occurs.
Not all blue-green algae blooms produce toxins. In fact, most don't. It is impossible, however, to tell just by looking at the water whether a toxin has been produced; therefore, all blooms should be considered toxic. Microcystins and anatoxins are the most common toxins produced by blue-green algae. Microcystins are harmful to an animal's liver and anatoxins to the nervous system. Drinking water containing toxic blue-green algae allows the toxin to enter the body and, once there, toxicosis occurs.
Threat to animals
Dogs: Dogs, especially those that enjoy swimming in lakes and ponds or are used for hunting, are the most commonly affected species. Dogs with access to unmaintained backyard ponds and stagnant areas of water are also at an increased risk. (Note: The risk to cats is unknown and generally not discussed, because they rarely swim or spend time around lakes and ponds.)
Horses: Range horses that derive their drinking water from ponds and lakes or those with poorly maintained ponds in their pastures may develop toxicity
Cattle, sheep, goats, and llamas: This group of animals may be affected when their only source of drinking water is a pond or lake. Often several animals in a herd or the entire herd are affected.
People: People exposed to blue-green algae often develop a contact dermatitis resulting in irritated and reddened skin. Care should be taken when handling animals suspected of having blue-green algae toxicosis.
Dogs: Dogs, especially those that enjoy swimming in lakes and ponds or are used for hunting, are the most commonly affected species. Dogs with access to unmaintained backyard ponds and stagnant areas of water are also at an increased risk. (Note: The risk to cats is unknown and generally not discussed, because they rarely swim or spend time around lakes and ponds.)
Horses: Range horses that derive their drinking water from ponds and lakes or those with poorly maintained ponds in their pastures may develop toxicity
Cattle, sheep, goats, and llamas: This group of animals may be affected when their only source of drinking water is a pond or lake. Often several animals in a herd or the entire herd are affected.
People: People exposed to blue-green algae often develop a contact dermatitis resulting in irritated and reddened skin. Care should be taken when handling animals suspected of having blue-green algae toxicosis.
Clinical signs
Specific signs depend on the particular toxin produced. Animals that drink water contaminated with microcystins frequently show vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, and pale mucous membranes within the first several hours after exposure. Death often occurs within 12 to 24 hours of exposure. Animals that drink water contaminated with anatoxins show weakness, lethargy, muscle tremors, rigidity, and seizures within 30 to 60 minutes of exposure. Excessive salivation may occur in some animals. Death from respiratory paralysis quickly follows the onset of signs.
Specific signs depend on the particular toxin produced. Animals that drink water contaminated with microcystins frequently show vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, and pale mucous membranes within the first several hours after exposure. Death often occurs within 12 to 24 hours of exposure. Animals that drink water contaminated with anatoxins show weakness, lethargy, muscle tremors, rigidity, and seizures within 30 to 60 minutes of exposure. Excessive salivation may occur in some animals. Death from respiratory paralysis quickly follows the onset of signs.
Treatment
Treatment is limited and often unsuccessful due to the rapid onset of signs. Early and aggressive supportive care including intravenous fluids, electrolytes, and medications to control seizure should be used. Atropine may be helpful in those animals that are salivating excessively. Prevention of exposure is critical. Animals should be kept away from ponds and lakes with visible blue-green algae blooms. In small, backyard ponds, algae should be removed and discarded. Ponds and small lakes used as water sources for horses and farm animals should be fenced to prevent exposure, and alternate water sources should be provided.
Treatment is limited and often unsuccessful due to the rapid onset of signs. Early and aggressive supportive care including intravenous fluids, electrolytes, and medications to control seizure should be used. Atropine may be helpful in those animals that are salivating excessively. Prevention of exposure is critical. Animals should be kept away from ponds and lakes with visible blue-green algae blooms. In small, backyard ponds, algae should be removed and discarded. Ponds and small lakes used as water sources for horses and farm animals should be fenced to prevent exposure, and alternate water sources should be provided.
Prognosis
The prognosis for animals is very poor once signs have occurred.
For people, the prognosis is very good but medical intervention may be required.
The prognosis for animals is very poor once signs have occurred.
For people, the prognosis is very good but medical intervention may be required.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Hot enough to fry eggs on a rock
In general, I prefer warm weather to cold. Have long said that I could take off enough clothes to stay comfortable (nudist at heart) but I can never put on enough clothes to stay warm (that was before menopause!). That being said, I have to admit that this current heat wave of over two weeks and 100+ degree weather is getting to be unbearable. We plains people of Kansas are not made for the desert temperatures that we have been getting. Actually, the desert would be an improvement since it is an arid place and lacks our current 80%+ humidity. My air conditioner is even panting!
As humans, we can find relief by staying indoors in the AC. However, there are plenty of animals that are left out of doors to endure. It is important that we help our pets survive this heat by providing lots of shade, fresh cool water and even a wading pool. Be sure to change the water several times a day. The water in a bowl heats up pretty quickly and your pet doesn't like hot water to drink any more than you do. A lot of animals do not eat as well during this hot weather. Digestion of food generates heat, so feeding your pets early in the morning or later at night may be helpful. Dogs and cats cannot sweat. They pant in order to dissipate heat from their bodies. A normal body temp. for your pet is 101-102 degrees. When the outside air is already over 100 degrees and your pet is breathing in that hot air, how much cooling do you think they are getting from panting? .....Not much. It is not wise to consider your dog's dog house as enough shade. Inside that house, that is not insulated and lacks any air circulation, the temperature could be equal to outside temperatures or higher. To expect your dog to go inside is sort of like encouraging him to just step into and lay down in an oven! My dog house is under trees, but also has a tarp on it to help provide shade. I have also added a pool inside my dog run for them to lay in.
Unbelievably enough, I have seen a few ignorant people with their dogs out jogging, shopping (leaving dog in cars) and even taking their pet to amusement parks! Meade and I have forgone our walks lately due to the extreme heat. The rare outing for walks have been limited to very early in the morning and have even limited how long we walk. I try to avoid asphalt, especially during the hottest part of the day. Asphalt retains heat! and the heat can burn dog's pads. I ask you to walk barefoot down your street during the day and find out what that is like. The heat that rises up from the asphalt increases the temperature around you and your dog, the outside temp. may be 100 but 110 or greater is being emitted from the asphalt surface! Your dog did not ask to go for a trip to Silver Dollar City...leave him at home with a sitter! I wouldn't even take my grandchildren there right now! Finally, leaving your pet in a car, even with the window down? Give me a break, before you do this, try this experiment yourself. Pull into Walmart parking lot, crack a window and sit in there for 30 minutes...I beat you don't last 5 minutes....and you can sweat!
Be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion in your pet. Loud, rapid panting is one of the first signs of heat exhaustion. Other signs include rapid pulse, glazed eyes, elevated body temperature (greater than 103), excessive salivation, excessive whining or agitation, staring or vomiting and white or bluish gums. Only one of these symptoms has to be present to indicate your pet may be in trouble.
As humans, we can find relief by staying indoors in the AC. However, there are plenty of animals that are left out of doors to endure. It is important that we help our pets survive this heat by providing lots of shade, fresh cool water and even a wading pool. Be sure to change the water several times a day. The water in a bowl heats up pretty quickly and your pet doesn't like hot water to drink any more than you do. A lot of animals do not eat as well during this hot weather. Digestion of food generates heat, so feeding your pets early in the morning or later at night may be helpful. Dogs and cats cannot sweat. They pant in order to dissipate heat from their bodies. A normal body temp. for your pet is 101-102 degrees. When the outside air is already over 100 degrees and your pet is breathing in that hot air, how much cooling do you think they are getting from panting? .....Not much. It is not wise to consider your dog's dog house as enough shade. Inside that house, that is not insulated and lacks any air circulation, the temperature could be equal to outside temperatures or higher. To expect your dog to go inside is sort of like encouraging him to just step into and lay down in an oven! My dog house is under trees, but also has a tarp on it to help provide shade. I have also added a pool inside my dog run for them to lay in.
Unbelievably enough, I have seen a few ignorant people with their dogs out jogging, shopping (leaving dog in cars) and even taking their pet to amusement parks! Meade and I have forgone our walks lately due to the extreme heat. The rare outing for walks have been limited to very early in the morning and have even limited how long we walk. I try to avoid asphalt, especially during the hottest part of the day. Asphalt retains heat! and the heat can burn dog's pads. I ask you to walk barefoot down your street during the day and find out what that is like. The heat that rises up from the asphalt increases the temperature around you and your dog, the outside temp. may be 100 but 110 or greater is being emitted from the asphalt surface! Your dog did not ask to go for a trip to Silver Dollar City...leave him at home with a sitter! I wouldn't even take my grandchildren there right now! Finally, leaving your pet in a car, even with the window down? Give me a break, before you do this, try this experiment yourself. Pull into Walmart parking lot, crack a window and sit in there for 30 minutes...I beat you don't last 5 minutes....and you can sweat!
Be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion in your pet. Loud, rapid panting is one of the first signs of heat exhaustion. Other signs include rapid pulse, glazed eyes, elevated body temperature (greater than 103), excessive salivation, excessive whining or agitation, staring or vomiting and white or bluish gums. Only one of these symptoms has to be present to indicate your pet may be in trouble.
If your pet becomes overheated, you must lower his body temperature immediately. Move your pet into the shade and apply cool (not cold) water all over the body to gradually lower the body temperature.
Apply ice packs or cold towels to your pet’s head, neck, and chest only. Let your pet drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes. Take your pet to a veterinarian right away—it could save your pet’s life.
If you see an animal in a car exhibiting any signs of heat stress, call your local animal care and control agency or police department immediately!
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