Big Dogs in Hot Weather – What Could Go Wrong?

Second in a series

There were no cell phones or GPS in the early ‘80s. I had no idea where Susan and Greg Trujillo lived but not to worry. Take-charge Martha handed me directions to their house while assuring me that she’d reschedule the next 2 hours’ appointments and hold down the fort. Amos and I hit the road to do whatever “Sadie” needed from us.

Big outdoor dogs, especially those with thick, dark coats, worry us the most in New Mexico’s summer heat. Any moist skin irritation, most often in their groin, attracts horse flies, house flies, blow flies, botflies, deer flies, you-name-it flies. They make a quick landing and lay 75 – 150 eggs that hatch, in just one day, into flesh eating maggots. If you think this is gross, you have no idea. Fly strike can kill.

There, on the back lawn, laid Sadie, semiconscious and trembling. She’d had diarrhea; her heart rate was slow. There were a few maggots on the reddened skin of her inner thighs but no serious damage. As I was taking her temperature I heard Amos. “Dr. Nichol – look!” He trotted over holding an open can of “Golden Malrin.”

I remember studying hard during my undergraduate years, completely unaware that later, in veterinary school, I’d be fed information by firehose. Beyond the treatment of diseases of every organ system of multiple species, we took toxicology. Dietary indiscretion and exposure to pesticides and poisonous plants are common problems in animals – who never tell us what they’ve eaten. It’s our job to recognize the signs and make the diagnosis. That day, in the Trujillo’s backyard, we knew for sure. Sadie was suffering from carbamate toxicity.  Her maggots and skin infection were secondary.

Somehow, big dogs are heavier when they’re unconscious. Amos and I hefted one end each and loaded Sadie into the back seat. Just 10 minutes later we had her on the treatment table. Her temperature had spiked to 105 degrees. She was starting to seizure. We had to move fast.

Next week: Manage symptoms, sustain life, treat the cause. OMG!

For help with behavior problems, you can sign-up for a Zoom Group Conference on my website, drjeffnichol.com.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist. He provides consultations in-person and in groups by Zoom (drjeffnichol.com). Each week he shares a blog and a video to help bring out the best in pets and their people. Sign up at no charge at drjeffnichol.com. Post pet questions through my website, drjeffnichol.com/contact/ or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.