The links on these pages will open a new window and take you to articles that are important for any pet caretaker to read or if you are considering purchasing a pet.

Gypsy - heartbreaking

"Letter" from Gypsy

If you buy a pet from a pet store or from any other puppy/cat mill breeder and you cannot stomach clicking these links below, then you are part of the problem not part of the solution. Just because you have bought a pet from a “known breeder” does not mean they are “responsible” because it’s proven that they can be the biggest offenders. A perfect example is Gypsy.

If Gypsy is not enough to make the point please continue.
Why you SHOULD NOT advertise FREE TO GOOD HOME!

Veterinarians, rescue groups and clients all ask me how I manage to work with nut-case rescue dogs and aggressive dogs. For almost 30 years I have been working with essential oils which is NOT to be confused with what I call “smell pretty” junk. Luckily, in the past decade or so, true essential oils became available in the United States, which meant that I did not have to travel out of the country to get them. One first has to understand the difference between the types of oils and not the trendy versions that started in the late 1990s and have escalated to untold and untrue proportions.

There are three types of oils and only ONE defined essential oil in the true sense.

1. Perfume grade
2. Smell-pretty grade
3. Therapeutic grade

Perfume grade is obviously your perfume. Smell-pretty grade is the stuff you plug into your walls or use for your laundry, like dryer sheets.

Most oils are cut with the same ingredients they use in dry cleaning chemicals. Not only are they dangerous but smell nothing like real essential oils and offer no therapeutic benefits and they feel greasy. When I do classes I ask people to bring whatever oils they have, almost the entire class brings in their lavender oil. Whether you purchase them from the grocery store or health food stores here is the 99.9% reality. They are fake oils cut with commercial chemicals. Every bottle of lavender oil I have ever seen in my classes says the same thing. Not for internal use or do not ingest. True 100% therapeutic grade essential oils are good enough to with (certain oils excluded). People do please do not be sucked in by the ads on television!

Because of their protein like and lipid-soluble structure are bodies cells and blood can immediately absorb them since they are so much alike. The three things both theraputic grade essential oils have in common with the human and animal body are carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The average single oil, as opposed to a blend which has more, have anywhere between 75 to 400 chemical constituents. There are many types of oil properties such as anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-viral and so on.

Having run Denver Afghan Hound Rescue for almost 30 years, you rarely get in normal dogs. They have been poorly bred in breeder puppy mills, abused, neglected and any other thing you can imagine. Most of the dogs I have taken in were not dogs that could be placed, a rescue cannot keep them all and killing all the ones that had issues was really not a great option. Consequently, that sent me on the path of how can I try to “fix” these kids. The same is true with grooming and training dogs. Whether they were never properly groomed trained or the pet caretakers always let the dog get away with being aggressive the outcome would be the same. The vet always said the dog had to be drugged. Not only is that really dangerous but that also teaches the pets to be fearful and never teaches them anything else.

Pure therapeutic grade essential oils have properties that the fake ones do not. They can alter the DNA structure and brain wave patterns. Combined with flower essences, it is an unbeatable combination. Now, by law, I have to state the following. Not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any physical or mental issue. Not approved by the FDA. Not being approved by the FDA makes me give a great sigh of relief considering that many of the pharmaceutical drugs they approve start killing people and the FDA pulls it off the market. But Hey! I thought you all tested and approved it!

Pure essential oils have been known to work on not only emotional issues but physical issues as well. People are now realizing that everything from aggression, (not brain damage induced) to fear of thunder and separation anxiety can be treated without the use of toxic and damaging drugs. You can use lavender to help stop bleeding, Deep Relief or Panaway for bone injuries, Peace and Calming for doggie nerves and hundreds of others. Deciding what oils matched with what flower essences can sometimes be time consuming at the very least you know you are using healthy, non-toxic methods. One of the best parts is that essential oils and flower essences can cause no harm. The only possible danger is using them incorrectly such as essential oils on your hands then touching your eyes so you should always consult a trained professional as well as always keep your veterinarian informed on what you are doing.

In people, theraputic grade essential oils have been known to assist in fighting off bacterial and viral infections, lung infections, skin conditions, blood conditions, mild depression, anxiety and even has kept many cancers in remission. If there is a physical or emotion issue, there is a theraputic grade essential oil. For example, if you are getting the cold or flu the first thing to take is Thieves and oregano internally. If you cannot sleep you can take a capsule of lavender or vetiver. In the kitchen, if you are cooking and do not happen to have the fresh lemon in your fridge, you grab your therapeutic grade lemon essential oil and keep on cooking. I as well as my kids and now many of my patients take theraputic grade essential oils daily.

Every day clients hand me pieces of paper from their vet and say, “Mimi, can you put this in English?” When I was in veterinarian practice, one of the most entertaining things was when people would come in spouting medical terms. For some reason, if they looked it up on the internet or read it in a book, they new as much as someone who spent years in school. Nine times out of ten they had absolutely no idea what they were saying let alone what it meant. They also had no idea how or what parts were connected to what and what each part played upon the other. However, they could parrot just about anything.

Truly, vets spend years in school and many of them, during the first few years, walk around mumbling to themselves. The next few links will highlight some of the common verbiage you will run into — only this time in English.

I will continue to add more medical issues periodically. So, time to crack the e-book and mystify your vet the next time these things come up leaving him or her wondering how you knew what exactly did what.

• Auto-Immune Diseases in Pets
• Common Pet Cancer Names
• Common Joint Issues in Dogs
• Pet Blood Work Terms
• Other Medical Concerns for Pets

Back in the early 1980s, very little was known about the below issues in animals. By the early to mid 1990s, whenever a veterinarian was baffled, almost every dog had an auto-immune issue. I had the misfortune in 1981 of my Afghan Hound, Baby Kaseme, of being diagnosed with Lupus. By 1982 a fellow veterinarian and I knew more about these issues than most vets in the country. Working closely with veterinarians in Europe we were lucky to come up with a very effect treatment program without the necessity of medications using the holistic approach. What our research also showed was that many lab tests were inaccurate as well as many symptoms mimicked those of auto-immune illness. Please research on your own if you hear any of these in relation to your pets. Also, always get a second opinion and look into other treatment options. More and more allopathic veterinarians are warming to the holistic approach and working together it is possible to keep the animals in remission since none of these can be “cured”.

Addison’s Disease

This is an adrenal gland issue of which is located just forward of the kidney. It is made up of two main parts the medulla and the cortex both of which produce hormones. The cortex hormone maker is the one concerned in Addison’s since it produces what is called corticosteroids. In Addison’s there is a deficiency of the corticosteroids hormone. Left untreated animals can die of shock. Blood sugar plummets, potassium soars upward, the heart rate slows causing arrhythmia. Caught early, this can be treated well with medication if you opt for the allopathic route.

Von Willebrand

There are three classified types but what is more important with the pet caretaker to understand and simply put it is a blood clotting disease. It is a very complex issue but one if you are a breeder and have a bred that is predisposed, DO NOT BREED YOUR DOGS! These dogs will hemorrhage easily, sometimes the platelets (we learned this word in the lab test results area) will drop drastically. Allopathic treatment is medication.

Lupus

There are two types of Lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus and discoid. Discoid effects the skin while systemic affects the entire body.

Discoid is usually seen with pigment lose on the nose and can effect the face. Just because you see your pet with a pink spot on the nose do not run and call your vet’s office hysterically screaming I KNOW MY DOG HAS LUPUS. Many dogs pigment on the nose change as they age. As with people, direct sunlight can make it worse but it can usually be treated topically.

Systemic Erythematosus is rather rare, as I unfortunately found out and affects the entire body. It is an auto immune disorder in it’s simplest terms means that the good cells can no longer tell what is good or what is bad so they kill everything in sight even the healthy cells. This results in arthritis kidney disease, skin disease and blood disorders. Let untreated it can be deadly since once an attack happens it will cause damage to a specific organ. Generally every time there is an episode, that same organ goes under attack again. Allopathic treatment is medication.

Cushing’s

This is another adrenal gland issue caused by an excess production of hormones. Although the adrenal glands produce a number of hormones the culprit in this one is called cortisol. Cortisol can only be produced when the adrenal and pituitary gland are functioning normally. The two type of Cushing’s is when either the pituitary gland is producing too much of a hormone and the other when the adrenal gland is diseased. Left untreated it can lead to diabetes, congestive heart failure, liver or kidney failure. Allopathic treatment is medication

(Note on author: The advantage of opinions is they cannot be wrong and they cannot be right. Consequently all written material is strictly my opinion based on over 30 years working with animals. I do not believe in “experts” for one finds out quickly that there is always someone who is smarter, better educated and a wider life experience. If I was an expert and knew everything I would opt to be dictator of the world, not working with animals. I do not believe in statistics since for every con argument there are equal pro arguments to challenge those statistics. Consequently rarely, if ever do I use them.

All information is copyright by Mimi Davis d.b.a. Curbside Clippers. (Copyright 2002. All Rights Reserved) Any use must have prior permission.

The cancers below are words you never want to hear either from a human doctor or a veterinarian. Unfortunately I have encountered all of these in my own “kids” over the years as I am certain some of you have encountered in your personal lives. There are more available treatments than there were 25 years ago but not by much. There are medications that can help reduce the pain but all in all I just refer to them as the kiss of death. The important thing is to make sure you ask your veterinarian exactly what the best guess is on treatment. Do what you feel is right for your pet not what is right for you.

Hemangiosarcoma

A cancerous tumor of blood vessel cells of which the common locations are the spleen, skin, liver and most often the heart.

1. Heart-based: The heart is enclosed in a sac called the “pericardium.” When the hemangiosarcoma bleeds, the blood fills up that sac until it is so full that the heart is under so much pressure and has no room to fill with the blood it has to pump. The most common method of relieving pressure and draining blood is by inserting a needle into the sac to drain excess blood. Chemotherapy is the only known option with a low success rate.
2. Spleen-based: People and dogs can live without a spleen. Actually not many people even think about that organ unless something goes wrong. Oddly, for not being a really important part, it actually does a great deal. It is shaped like a loose fist and hangs out in the upper left part of your abdominal cavity and is the largest lymph organ. It filters out foreign organisms that infect blood, removes old or damaged platelets and red blood cells and stores extra blood. Even with taking the spleen out, it is not the best outlook.

Lymphoma

Also called lymphosarcoma -A cancerous disease that affects the lymph nodes and can also move to the liver, spleen and bone marrow. Lymphocytes are the primary cells of the lymph system. When lymphocytes become cancerous within a lymph node, the node swells and hardens. These show up as lumpy bumps on the skin and sometimes by feel you can judge whether it is just a fatty tumor or not. It has the ability of metastasizing, or growing like wildfire. This is tad better news than the others but even in humans prognosis is not all that great. Again chemotherapy is the only known treatment.

Osteosarcoma

Tumor of the bone but as long as it has not metastasized to other areas prognosis can be more hopeful than the above mentioned. Osteosarcoma the most common bone tumor of the dog, usually going after the leg bones and usually in large breed dogs. It is a painful cancer and since the bone is destroyed from the inside out. Amputation of the limb is sometimes the only option

(Note on author: The advantage of opinions is they cannot be wrong and they cannot be right. Consequently all written material is strictly my opinion based on over 30 years working with animals. I do not believe in “experts” for one finds out quickly that there is always someone who is smarter, better educated and a wider life experience. If I was an expert and knew everything I would opt to be dictator of the world, not working with animals. I do not believe in statistics since for every con argument there are equal pro arguments to challenge those statistics. Consequently rarely, if ever do I use them

All information is copyright by Mimi Davis d.b.a. Curbside Clippers. (Copyright 2002. All Rights Reserved) Any use must have prior permission.

Osteochondrosis

This is simply an abnormality in the normal development of bones. Bones grow by initially forming a cartilage template, onto which calcium is deposited to form bone. This can affect the elbow, shoulder, stifle (folks that is a knee) and hock (folks this is the ankle).

ACL

This can happen to an animal or human. Everyone has heard of this one but very few know what it stands for. Cranial means anterior hence the A in ACL, Cruciate Ligament. It is the major stabilizing ligament that helps hold the knee together.

Knee Joint

These can break down in either one incident, (dog flying off back porch landing the wrong way eliciting an ear piercing screaming causing mom or dad doggie parent to collide whilst flying out the back door) or partial ruptures. The most effective way to deal with this is surgery if you have tried immobilizing the pet with no positive results. $$$$ Surgery

Dysplasia: words to know —

1. Laxity: Looseness of the hip joint, i.e. loose door knob
2. Subluxation: Partial dislocation
3. Bilateral: Both sides
   This is a genetically inherited issue that affects many large breeds. Most of the dogs have normal at birth hip joints but as with arthritis, deteriorates with age. The object is relieving the dog of pain either with medication or worst and last case, surgery.

Hip Dysplasia

Elbow Dysplasia:

As with the hip version this is also a genetically inherited issue that affects mid to large breeds. There are arthritis symptoms, bone chips and malformed joints. Dysplasia is basically another word for arthritis. Similar treatment as above

(Note on author: The advantage of opinions is they cannot be wrong and they cannot be right. Consequently all written material is strictly my opinion based on over 30 years working with animals. I do not believe in “experts” for one finds out quickly that there is always someone who is smarter, better educated and a wider life experience. If I was an expert and knew everything I would opt to be dictator of the world, not working with animals. I do not believe in statistics since for every con argument there are equal pro arguments to challenge those statistics. Consequently rarely, if ever do I use them.

All information is copyright by Mimi Davis d.b.a. Curbside Clippers. (Copyright 2002. All Rights Reserved) Any use must have prior permission.

The overall lab test for animals is like blood work for humans. It will tell you just about any info you want on organs and how well they are functioning. The blood test acronyms are rather mystifying when you just see letter abbreviations.

CBC – (Complete Blood Count) The most common blood test. It analyzes the three major types of cells in blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The CBC counts these cells, measures hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying molecule in red blood cells), estimates the red cells’ volume, and sorts the white blood cells into subtypes. AKA, are you healthy

RBC – (Red Blood Cells) Responsible for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body. In a low count, it could indicate hemorrhage, parasites, bone marrow disease, folic acid deficiency.

WBC – (White blood cells) Everyone’s main defense of fighting infection. Low levels can suggest high infections or chemical poisoning. Low levels can suggest bacterial infection, blood disorders or a whole slew of other stuff which you then hav to go back to the other blood work to narrow down.

HCT – Hematocrit or PCV (Packed Cell Volume) — not to be confused and transposed to PVC the plastic pipe. Provides information on the amount of red blood cells present in the blood. Low levels can indicate anemia from hemorrhage, parasites, nutritional deficiencies or liver disease.

Hb – (Hemoglobin) Carries oxygen to the blood. Low levels might indicate hemorrhage, anemia, and iron deficiency.

Reticulocytes – Red blood cells stuck in adolescence, i.e. not growing up. Decreased count can sometimes be associated with anemia. Increased count could be associated with hemorrhage or hemolytic anemia.

PLT – (Platelets) The major players in blood clotting. Decreased numbers can indicate bone marrow depression, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, systemic lupus, severe hemorrhage or intravascular coagulation. Increased numbers may be associated with fracture or blood vessel injury.

MCV – Measures the average size of the RBC.

L/M – (Lymphocytes) These white cell babies grow like wildfire when there is a chronic infection.

CA – (Calcium) Blood calcium levels can be associated by diet, hormone levels and blood protein levels. Decreased levels can be associated with pancreatic disorder. Increased levels can be suggestive of tumors or possibly kidney disease.

PHOS – (Phosphorus) As with humans, this level can be caused by kidney issues, diet and others. Decreased levels can be issues with malnutrition, the body not able to absorb foods correctly or certain malignancies. A high count can indicate kidney failure.

Electrolytes – Necessary minerals needed and consist of chloride, sodium and potassium Gatorade is what athletes chug down and people should take with the flue if there is vomiting or diarrhea . Can also indicate a cardiovascular issue.

CHOL- (Cholesterol) Too low usually indicates an overactive thyroid gland, intestinal issues. High levels can have many possibilities including under active thyroid, liver disease, and kidney disease.

ALT – (Alanine aminotransferase) An enzyme that is found primarily in the liver and is released into the bloodstream when there is liver damage

ALKP – (Alkaline Phosphatase) An enzyme made in the liver and bone. High levels indicate bone disease, liver disease and low levels can be seen in bone deformities.

TBIL – (Total Bilirubin) Bilirubin is produced when the liver breaks down hemoglobin, remember from above the red blood cells that carry oxygen.

TP – (Total Protein) This is the amount of protein in the blood. There are two major types of proteins in the blood: albumin and globulin. It helps take a look at liver and kidney function.

GLOB – (Globulins) – Decreased levels indicate problems with antibodies, immunodeficiency viruses or risk of infectious disease. Increased levels may indicate stress, dehydration or blood cancer, allergies, liver disease, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes.

ALB – (Albumin) This is a protein synthesized in the liver a commonly known as any protein that is soluble in water. It has many functions but simply maintains the pressure that causes fluid to remain in the blood stream instead of leaking out into the tissues.

BUN – (Blood Urea Nitrogen) This is produced by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Another liver and kidney profile to see if both are working correctly.

CREA – (Creatinine) This is a protein produced by muscle and released into the blood and a major kidney tester.

GLU – (Blood Glucose) This is the sugar fix of the blood. The blood makes this from foods, proteins and fats but mostly from carbohydrates. It is carried to each cell through the bloodstream. This is where you would find diabetes, hyperglycemia or HYPOglycemia.

AMYL – (Amylase) An enzyme produced in the pancreas and salivary glands that helps in the digestion of starches. Elevation of blood amylase is common in pancreatitis. Elevated blood levels can indicate pancreatic and/or kidney disease.

UA – (Urinalysis) Because urine removes toxins and excess liquids from the body it can be helpful in finding many problems including metabolic disorders or kidney disease

(Note on author: The advantage of opinions is they cannot be wrong and they cannot be right. Consequently all written material is strictly my opinion based on over 30 years working with animals. I do not believe in “experts” for one finds out quickly that there is always someone who is smarter, better educated and a wider life experience. If I was an expert and knew everything I would opt to be dictator of the world, not working with animals. I do not believe in statistics since for every con argument there are equal pro arguments to challenge those statistics. Consequently rarely, if ever do I use them.)

All information is copyright by Mimi Davis d.b.a. Curbside Clippers. (Copyright 2002. All Rights Reserved) Any use must have prior permission.

Some of these are minor others can be deadly. The biggest concern in the list is the first one below. If your large breed and deep chested dog begins to vomit water and food, paces and cannot eat or drink, run do not walk to the nearest hospital. I received a “free” Borzoi or Russian Wolfhound from a well-known breeder/judge who wanted to off-load a dog as I call it, so she could breed more. With my background in vet medicine I was lucky and noticed the symptoms immediately. Within 24 hours of my “free dog to a good home” we were in the emergency hospital at 1:00 am and a $2,500 emergency surgery.

Bloat or Gastric Torsion:

Simply put this is were the stomach instead of being horizontal with the body just decides to take a nap and turn over on it’s side. The normal stomach has mucus, gas, food, enzymes and many other things going on inside in order to process food. With bloat, all the stuff in the stomach that makes it work and for reasons unknown stretches to an abnormal and twists size causing extreme pain. This also cuts off the blood supply to the organs the big one being the heart. There are many theories and people with dogs and deep chests know one basic rule. Never feed or water your dog immediately after a walk or before. Rarely does the basic stomach tube and stomach pump work and it requires immediate surgery. The usual procedure is to “tack” the stomach to one of the ribs holding it in place. This is a very life threatening situation so do not think it can recover on it’s own.

p.s. While at the hospital, ask if you can have a sedative along with your dog BEFORE they give you the bill.

Bladder Stone:

There are a few different types of these and theories on how and why they form but we don’t really care. What we care about is what to do about them and there are two options. In some cases they require surgery to remove. In other cases that is not necessary and a simple diet change can dissolve them. They can usually been seen on x-rays or ultrasound not always by feeling around.

Demodectic Mange:

Although all puppies have this when born and mom takes care of them, for some reason certain dogs do not build the natural immunity. Just like humans we have mites crawling all over us but they are the good guys. These guys take the upper hand and they live inside the hair follicles. It can manifest either in a local area, entire body of just the paws. There are anti-parasite meds that can help in allopathic medicine.

Sarcoptic Mange:
Or the close enough related SCABIES YUCK

What more comical way to get this one than in vet school. Our college dorm had a run of this and there was no lab procedure in animals as nasty as thinking that under your skin there are creatures running around pooping under your skin. .

In dogs, the little heathens do not like fur so they pop a tent in the areas such as ear flaps, tummy, and any place where there is lack of fur. The dogs will also itch beyond belief and it is contagious. They burrow under the skin, lay eggs, hatch and repeat. Although this can be rather difficult to diagnosis it can be treated but it is really a gross pain in the butt.

Bottom line, we don’t care what type of mange it is it is GROSS, those moving mite buggers breeding like bunnies.

Collapsing Trachea:

This is really a very big small dog issue and dogs that yank until they turn blue on a walk. The trachea is just another name for windpipe. It is made up of what would look like a bunch of little “C’s” of cartilage. Trachea’s collapse when that cartilage gets weak and it makes hard work of inhaling correctly. Not much can be done with this except cough suppressants and inhalers. Surgery MAY be beneficial but costly.

Fleas:

We all loathe these things! Colorado never had a very large flea issue. However, over the past 10 years these little buggers are becoming a big problem. Enough flea infestation in an animal can be deadly. On the normal things we see here in Colorado it can present many issues. Flea allergies, worms, the famous cat scratch fever and flea anemia. Since they live off drinking blood like vampires, the female will breed hordes of these eggs within 24-48 hours of “eating”. She will lay hundreds of eggs until she dies.

Dogs that live in high rated areas are now showing a shorter life span and the groomers who did not wear protective gloves and masks have become ill due to the toxins in the flea baths and dips. What I have always told people….if you are putting something so toxic that it kills another living creature, that is absorbed into your dogs blood stream as well. With the constant exposure that many animals had on a weekly basis of baths and dips, they eventually would end up with the cure as bad as the illness situation.

If your pet has fleas, make sure you use the least toxic shampoo available. Purchase the bombs and do your house, since they can live off a host for a period of time. You don’t need to bath your dog, have them lie on the carpet and have one of the heathen buggers jump right back on. Also do not forget to bomb your car and most importantly, READ THE DIRECTIONS! Many of these things require you to leave your house for a few hours

(Note on author: The advantage of opinions is they cannot be wrong and they cannot be right. Consequently all written material is strictly my opinion based on over 30 years working with animals. I do not believe in “experts” for one finds out quickly that there is always someone who is smarter, better educated and a wider life experience. If I was an expert and knew everything I would opt to be dictator of the world, not working with animals. I do not believe in statistics since for every con argument there are equal pro arguments to challenge those statistics. Consequently rarely, if ever do I use them.

All information is copyright by Mimi Davis d.b.a. Curbside Clippers. (Copyright 2002. All Rights Reserved) Any use must have prior permission.

Coyote and Dog

Other than the wolf that is sadly disappearing, no animal that co-exists with humans is more graceful, full of mystique and poetry in motion than a coyote. Regretfully, as with the rattlesnakes their homes are being invaded by God-awful looking developments with equally if not more so God-awful looking cookie-cutter homes. This leaves the coyotes trapped in an urban environment of which they would rather not be in. As with any wild animal, if there is an attack on a human, which is rare, the first reaction of the humans is to kill rather than trap and relocate. As with the wolf, coyotes are revered in many cultures, in the Native American culture they are known as God’s dog.

Coyote

Whether you frequent off-leash state park areas or even the middle of the suburbs you will run into coyotes. There are a number at Cherry Creek State Park, off Quincy Avenue in Cherry Hills on the Highline Canal and various other places. When at Cherry Creek off leash dog area many people think they are cute, which they are or more often than not when warned about sightings respond with, “my dog can take on a coyote”. WRONG! Coyotes kill dogs and cats.

The nickname of Wiley did not just come about with the cartoon Wiley Coyote, there is a reason, a reason that would put military around the world to shame. Animals have been around much longer than humans and have learned to adapt in a fashion humans could never attempt to achieve. Animals are the consummate hunters using ploys, scouts and ambush to a science. Coyotes and wolfs are masters of illusion and deception. If horses and deer fear coyotes, people with pets should follow that example. Coyotes are extremely territorially and mate for life. Below is Coyote/Dog etiquette.

1. Always keep you leash with you! A pet has no idea that a coyote is not a playful dog and no matter how well trained your pet is, as with a rattlesnake they are going to want to find out what that “new” animal is. When you see a coyote, immediately put your pet on a leash.
2. Do not let your pet chase a coyote. Below is not a very calm coyote when approached by this Airdale Terrier, nor a very smart person who allowed it. Although coyotes in some places are solitary most travel in packs of 2 or more. Coyotes are very territorial and use scouts or dummies as ambush. While you and your pet are thinking, it’s only just one, that one coyote is usually used as bait to lure the pet closer, while the others are waiting where you cannot see them. Equally, they carry all types of illness that you do not want your pet to get such as mange, heartworm, distemper and possibly rabies.
3. Outsize a coyote by making yourself look larger than you are. Extend your arms out to the side, yell with a harsh voice. If there is something handy, throw it in the direction of the coyote, (not directly at them).
4. Be mindful, not mindless. Many pets disappear at Cherry Creek never to be found again mostly because most people pay no attention to their surroundings. When you are out at an off leash area such as Cherry Creek, people are yakking on the phone, talking to others and have no idea where their dog is. Unfortunately the last thing they are doing is being responsible by paying attention to their pet sometimes being half a mile away, then stopping and asking where is my dog. Always keep your pet within visual and vocal distance. If you cannot run to them in 10 strides, the dog is too far away from you. Always look ahead of you, behind and to either side. Coyotes do not announce their presence with, excuse me, do you mind if I sneak up on your blind side?
5. Never, ever if you see pups let your pet or yourself go near them, mom and dad are not far away and will defend them to the death.

How do you tell from a distance the difference between a coyote and just another dog running in the park?

As with humans, dogs have an upward bop or bounce when walking. If you stand under a piece of plywood above your head you will not hit your head. As soon as you take a step your body lifts upwards and you will knock your head on that piece of plywood just as a dog would. Coyotes when walking or running look as if they are floating on air in one sleek, smooth flat motion as pictured below. There is rarely a bop or bounce. Many times their heads are not up but level with their backs when moving and tails are not upright. You cannot bank on behaviour or the colour and markings since many look almost like mixed mutts. Last but not least, please respect their home since they were here first. They are beautiful beings that have a very important place in the ecosystem and have just as much right to be here, if not more so than humans.

Although helpful to any, this information is basically for all former Californians since Colorado natives (few and far between) plus folks that have lived here for years already know about CO snakes.

There are two off-leash state parks in the Denver/Metro area, one is Cherry Creek State Park the other is Chatfiled State Park. The other leash park is Roxborough State Park very near Chatfield. Also known for rattlesnakes frequently in people’s backyards. Rattlesnake problems happen a great deal to people who have moved here from California illustrated by the following story.

As soon as the weather starts to get nice, my kids are banned from either park much to their dismay and we do not return to either until it starts to freeze. Two years ago I broke the rule feeling sorry for the kids and off we go to Chatfield. Armed with my umbrella, (great weapon for either wildlife or human wildlife) we are almost to the car. Having spent the entire walk holding my breathe and very happy the kids have made it safely until…

Eight feet from the car, Mr. Moose decides to stray off the paved path to the bushes to sniff. I hear the rattle before I see the snake. Mr. Moose not being really a dog listened when I said in the MOM voice, “Moose, back up slowly and don’t turn around or run.” He did exactly what I asked which is unusual but he knew this voice was different. As he was slowly moving backwards the snake started to coil.

As any stupid mom of any species and not thinking of the consequences, I throw myself in front of danger protecting my kid. Armed with the umbrella I jump in front of Moose and open the umbrella in front of the rattlesnake as it is getting ready to strike so it can sink it’s fangs in the umbrella not Moose or myself. The rest of the story we will leave out but neither Mr. Moosey nor I was hurt

I take Moose back to the car where I am shaking and hyperventilating but realize that other people need to know there is a heathen rattlesnake where dogs will sniff. I start to tell people and they naturally veer off to the opposite side. Then someone says, “Oh, it’s just a King snake.” The first words out of my mouth were, “From California are you?” “Yes, how did you know? “Because only Californians say that”.

No matter what I tried to tell the group they knew better and let their dogs run into the same area where Moose and I almost got bitten. Sure enough one of the dogs got nailed and the last I saw was a man running the dog to the car when they realized it was not a King snake. Naturally, they would not listen even when I was screaming DON’T LET THE DOG RUN!!

Rattlesnake

All of you from California pay attention here. WE DO NOT HAVE KING SNAKES IN THE METRO AREA! THEY ARE ONLY ON THE SLOPES! The reason CA people think that when they hear a rattle it is a King snake is because King snakes are common in California and also make a rattle sound in their throat.

Rattlesnake

You may ask the Division of Wildlife or any herpetologist in Colorado and they will tell you the same thing. Unless it is a pet that got loose, you will never find a King snake at Chatfield, Roxborough, Cherry Creek State Parks or anyplace else in Denver/Metro area.

We have many species of rattlesnakes in Colorado of which I have included some pictures, but since there are so many different types in CO, search on your own if so inclined.

Rattlesnake

As much as I dislike snakes and not since I have been bitten twice by rattlesnakes, they deserve a home also. Their homes are being taken away as with all wildlife and we live in an age that when a wild animal moves into housing areas which was once their home and they attack the first impulse for a human is to kill it, not move it out of harms way. With the mass amount of humans populating the earth, more roads being built, more houses being built and God only knows we need more malls and strip malls the wildlife, including the snakes have no place to go.

King Snake

When a dog gets bitten by a rattlesnake the survival rate depends on the size, age and health of a dog. A client’s 25-pound terrier mix was bitten 15 years ago and survived but we all knew it was because he was a little monster. The vet told the people that the snake probably died from biting the dog.

King Snake

Generally if you have a 60-pound dog, younger and in good health they have a good chance to survive. Conversely if you take that same 60-pound dog who is old, has a lot of medical problems, odds are not as good.

You will always hear the “experts” say, to keep your dog safe, keep them on a leash. Not only is that the most stupid thing to say I have ever heard but extremely inaccurate.

King Snake

So, if I am in a place with a high potential for rattlesnakes and my dog is running amok they can get bitten. But of course if they are in the same area on a leash and sniff under a bush or in tall grass they won’t get bit. This “expert” advice is a pile of dog poop. DOGS SNIFF ON WALKS! What are you supposed to do, take the dog for a walk and not let them pee or sniff?

See Emergency Care for info on:

• Emergency hospital directions and phone numbers
• Where the snakes hang out
• What to do when you encounter a rattlesnake

Back To Pet Safety

(Note on author: The advantage of opinions is they cannot be wrong and they cannot be right. Consequently all written material is strictly my opinion based on over 30 years working with animals. I do not believe in “experts” for one finds out quickly that there is always someone who is smarter, better educated and a wider life experience. If I was an expert and knew everything I would opt to be dictator of the world, not working with animals. I do not believe in statistics since for every con argument there are equal pro arguments to challenge those statistics. Consequently rarely, if ever do I use them.)

All information is copyright by Mimi Davis d.b.a. Curbside Clippers. (Copyright 2002. All Rights Reserved) Any use must have prior permission.