Guidelines For Camping Overnight With Your Pet Dog

 

Hiking with your pet dog can sometimes turn into overnight camp-out trips.  Camping overnight does have rules all to its own though:

●Keep your pet dog on his harness or leash when around other hikers, when you are close to horses or bikers, or when you traverse steep or slippery terrain.

●For a day hike, pack your pet’s poop and then follow proper disposal protocols.  For a longer hike, always obey Leave No Trace rules, that is, dispose and bury the waste farther from the trail, away from sources of water.

●Use camp towels and/or a brush to dry and clean your pet dog allowing him inside the tent.  Make sure that you have gone and trimmed your pet’s nails before going on the trip so that he will not rip open your tent’s flooring.

●Take with you something where your dog can sleep in.  A doggie sleeping bag is an ideal choice, most especially if the weather is cold.

●At nights, attach a LED light or glow stick bracelets to your pet so that you can easily locate them.

Call your pet clinic Fredericksburg TX to make sure that your pet’s preventatives and vaccinations are up to date before taking your pet on outdoor excursions.

Black Widow Spider Bite in Dogs Like Black Labradors

It’s a good idea to always give your dog a check over after he’s been outdoors. If you notice an unidentifiable bite on his body that appears to be inflamed or even infected, call your vet. It may be a harmless insect bite or it could be a spider bite. Spider bites are hard to identify by sight; however, symptoms of spider bites such as a bite from a black widow are very evident. For instance, your Black Lab may present symptoms such as muscle tremors, cramping, abdominal rigidity, severe pain in the back, chest or abdomen, respiratory problems, increased blood pressure, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. Some dogs may show no symptoms at all while younger or older dogs are at a higher risk. Treatment includes hospitalization for supportive care, anti-venom drugs, and monitoring. Side effects from the poisonous bite could last for several months. Call your animal hospital Fredericksburg TX if your dog has these symptoms.