Skiing and Your Dog

Winter in Colorado is a funny thing.  Storms can dump feet of snow in the mountains and not a flake will reach the valley and plains.  Such is the case this winter.  The great part is that the feet of snow in the mountains makes for great skiing, on the slopes or back-country, whichever you choose. But if you choose to bring your dog into the woods with you, consider his safety.

A very energentic 11 month old Visla was having fun in the woods with his owners, who were on snowshoes, when a back country skier collided with their dog.  Unfortunately, the dog sustained a severe laceration to his right front leg that needed immediate medical care.  The edge of the ski sliced through the muscle and a nerve, cutting down to the bone.  The owners were able to get him to Central Veterinary Emergency Services where the ER Veterinarian sutured the wound.  This sweet dog lost a lot of blood, but he recovered well and was sent home that evening.  It will be 2 - 3 months before the Veterinarian and his owners will be able to determine the full extent of his injuries and whether he suffered any long term effects from the accident.

Fortunately there is a positive ending to this story, but had his owners been in the back country when this happened he might not have faired so well.

Outside magazine has a great article that describes the steps to train your four footed friend to behave safely around you as you're skiing, but it really depends on the dog. Cross-country skiing is less dangerous, but, as some commentors pointed out at the end of the article, is still best done with a well trained dog.

The moral of the story... enjoy the great outdoors, but consider how well your dog can obey commands before bringing him along.

Toxic Compost Pile

Composting has become a rather common practice as  more people look for ways to "go green" or to simply decrease their food bill.  The booth at the farmers market was busy all summer long describing the various systems of composting and how to get started.  If you are considering starting your own compost pile and have a dog, consider the method that is best for keeping your four legged scavenger out of the pile.

Unfortunately, a largely unknown danger may be lurking in your compost pile.  A substance identified as a tremorgenic mycotoxin could be growing in your pile and if ingested by your dog, could cause a serious or even deadly reaction.  Tremorgenic = shaking, tremors, seizures and mycotoxin = poisonous fungus.  Penitrem A is a type of tremorgenic mycotoxin associated with the Penecillium fungi that can be found in compost piles and spoiled food.

If you see your animal get into the spoiled garbage or catch him eating from the compost pile it is best to get him to a Veterinarian who can induce vomiting, especially if symptoms of poisoning are present.  Symptoms of toxicity include increased heart rate, panting, tremors, very excited or anxious, vomiting, hyperthermia or fever, and if enough has been ingested, or if left untreated, can develop into seizures or even death.

Treatment will include making the dog vomit followed by a dose of activated charcoal (also known as Toxiban) that helps to absorb any remaining mycotoxin left in the stomach.  Then medication will be administered to stop the tremors which will help decrease the body temperature.  Additionally IV fluids and other supportive measures will help flush the poison from the body and make the dog more comfortable. 

Tremorgenic Mycotoxin is not a common household name, but if your dog is caught munching in the compost pile it's one that you know warrants immediate action with a trip to the Veterinarian.  Tell "Lucky" to leave the compost for the garden - he has plenty of delicious food in his dog dish!