Veterinarian covers key health risks our ranch dogs are up against "Our dogs are always there for us, and we owe it to them to shield them from any potential health risks." PUBLISHED ON APRIL 19, 2021–Valley Vet Supply

 

MARYSVILLE, Kan. — He went to open the gate toward another pasture on the family’s South Texas ranch, and his dog Hilda, an Australian shepherd, wouldn’t let him take another step — soon, he learned why. Underneath a tumbleweed-like shrub known as Barba De Chivo, was a rattlesnake. “Hilda kept me there long enough that when I made my way to the gate, the rattlesnake was gone. She was protecting me,” recalled President of Valley Vet Supply, Omar Hinojosa. “She was always with me and was my second set of eyes, watching over me — we had some very protective mama cows. Our dogs are always there for us, and we owe it to them to shield them from any potential health risks.”

For key dog health advice, we turned to Paul DeMars, DVM, DABVP, clinical associate professor at Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, who said especially for our ranch dogs, “The biggest risks are parasites and tick-borne illnesses, in which most are preventable. We have some great, easy-to-use and cost-effective preventatives for heartworm, flea and tick control, and parasites.”

Risk No. 1: Heartworm disease

Transmitted by mosquitoes, heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease affecting a number of mammals. Dr. DeMars warns, “With heartworms being spread by mosquitoes, dogs that spend more time outdoors will get more mosquito bites.” Heartworm risk remains throughout the year, as mosquitoes will shelter from the colder months indoors or other protected areas.

Dr. DeMars said, “Every dog should be on a year-round heartworm preventative.” Heartworm preventatives can cost an average of $10 per month, compared to heartworm treatment, which can cost more than $1,000 or the priceless cost of a dog’s life. Make sure dogs never miss an annual heartworm test, and keep them on a heartworm preventative to protect against the risk.

Unlike other worms that are detected in a fecal sample, heartworms are detected through a blood test in a yearly, scheduled veterinary exam. Ensure heartworm testing is included in your pet’s annual exam with your veterinarian, as the earlier heartworm disease is detected, the better the chances for survival, should your dog test positive for heartworms.

Early on, most pets do not demonstrate symptoms, but as heartworm disease progresses, infected dogs may develop a persistent cough, fatigue, decreased appetite and weight loss. Dogs with increased numbers of heartworms are at risk for cardiovascular collapse, as the worms suddenly block blood flow within the heart.

Risk No. 2: Fleas and ticks

Fleas can transmit harmful bacterial pathogens and tapeworms when ingested during a pet’s self-grooming. Fleas also cause anemia and intense itching in pets. Some dogs may also develop flea allergy dermatitis, which results from an allergic reaction to flea saliva.

Like fleas, ticks also transmit harmful bacterial pathogens. One of the most dangerous and common tick-borne infectious diseases in dogs includes Ehrlichia Infection, which can cause lameness, eye issues such as blindness, neurological problems, weight loss and swollen limbs. “The most commonly recognized sign is low blood platelets (colorless blood cells that help blood clot), which then cause bleeding if the platelets are low enough,” warned Dr. DeMars. Among other diseases, ticks also transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease.

It could take as long as 21 days for a pet to show signs of disease. In the case of Lyme disease, it can take as many as five months before signs become recognizable. Watch pets closely for changes in behavior or appetite, if there is any concern they have been bitten by a tick.

Common tick- or flea-borne disease symptoms:

• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Fever
• Enlarged spleen or lymph nodes
• Weight loss
• Gum discoloration
• Joint pain
• Swelling or stiffness of joints

There are several types of flea and tick control products, including oral or topical medications, powders and sprays, collars, or shampoos and dips. “While older topical products exist, newer products are even more effective,” said Dr. DeMars.

Risk No. 3: Intestinal parasites 

There are many different types of worms in the environment that can affect our dogs. Regularly deworming with a wormer that is specifically developed for dogs is the safest option to relieve their parasite burden. Learn about the four most common worms in dogs, below.

1. Hookworms attach themselves to a dog’s intestines and generate thousands of eggs within days. Your dog can come in contact with them walking through contaminated grass and soil. Signs can include diarrhea, weight loss, poor coat, slow growth and dehydration.

2. Roundworms thrive in contaminated soil and feces and are often found in young puppies, as well as adults. Signs include diarrhea, blood in stools, weight loss, poor hair coat, vomiting, lethargy, swollen stomachs and even colic.

3. Whipworms reside in infected soil and especially present risks when dogs dig in the dirt. Signs can include severe diarrhea, weight loss, bloody or mucus-covered stools, blood loss, dehydration, anemia, or worse.

4. Tapeworms can be seen caught in a dog’s fur around their rear. Often, they are transmitted through fleas, as the flea ingests the worm larvae and then the dog ingests the flea; they’re also transmitted through infected soil. Signs can include diarrhea or bloody stool, change in appetite, poor coat and weight loss, abdominal pain and scooting (less common).

Dr. DeMars also shared the importance of arthritis acknowledgment and prevention. Watch for signs of arthritis, like limping, abnormal posture, reduced activity or mobility, decreased muscle mass or abnormal grooming, as arthritic pets often lick, bite or chew on painful areas.

“The older pets get, the more likely they are to have arthritis problems; however, arthritis can occur earlier in life and happen at any age,” said Dr. DeMars. Do not wait until your dog has a serious arthritis problem to discuss the issue with your veterinarian, urges Dr. DeMars.

“Sometimes, people have a misunderstanding they have to wait, but if an animal is no longer moving or rising as well as they once were, there are effective medications their vet can prescribe to help with mobility issues. Even if they think it’s just normal behavior from aging, like a change of attitude, appetite or mobility – bring it up with your veterinarian. It never hurts to say, ‘What do you think about this, Doc?’”

Special joint mobility diets, prescription medications and supplements also can support aging, arthritic dogs. “We’re lucky to have many more tools available today than when I was growing up, so we can give our dogs the best in preventative health care,” said Hinojosa. “We can take steps to keep them healthy and happy so they can live out as many days as possible alongside us on the ranch. They are part of the family.”

Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Week Week highlights the importance of healthy forests PUBLISHED ON APRIL 11, 2021 - Morning AgClips

 

 

 Forest landowners are an important part of Texas agriculture and the stewards of this resource. (robert thigpen, Flickr/Creative Commons)

 

TEMPLE, Texas — The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, Association of Texas Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Wildlife Association, and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association have partnered to highlight Soil and Water Stewardship Week and the importance of voluntary land stewardship in Texas. The statewide campaign is April 25 through May 2, 2021, and the focus this year is “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities.”

Forest landowners are an important part of Texas agriculture and the stewards of this resource. They work closely with their local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS) district office to implement conservation practices that promote the health and sustainability of forests and forest ecosystems. These privately-owned forests contribute significantly to the Texas economy and provide numerous environmental and social benefits.

If recent events have taught us anything, it is that forests are extremely important. From the unprecedented shortages of daily supplies like toilet paper, to the health benefits of being around trees and nature during stressful times, forests improve our quality of life and our communities.

To truly have a healthy forest, proper management and conservation is needed. Thankfully, many forest landowners in Texas are implementing beneficial conservation practices such as strategic tree plantings, prescribed burning, brush management to remove diseased trees and invasive species, native grass management, wildlife management, and even bee propagation to stimulate pollination. In certain instances, livestock can be included as part of a prescribed grazing plan to strategically manage the leaf litter, soil, and underbrush in a forested area, which can ultimately assist in preventing wildfires. Without these sustainable management practices, problems such as soil erosion, insect and disease outbreaks, invasive species encroachment, declines in biodiversity, and even catastrophic wildfires can occur.

Trees filter air, reduce ambient temperatures, absorb carbon dioxide, and produce oxygen. They help conserve energy by casting summer shade and blocking winter winds. Tree roots hold the soil in place and fight erosion. Trees absorb and store rainwater, reducing runoff and sediments after storms, which also helps recharge groundwater supply and prevent flooding.

Essential products made from trees include paper products and lumber. Trees also offer habitat and food to birds, insects, lichen, fungi, mammals, and reptiles. Finally, trees increase our quality of life through a relaxing effect, reducing stress.

This campaign aims to bring more awareness and support to voluntary land stewardship because the way we manage our resources on private lands directly impacts our forestry resources.

The Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board is proud to collaborate with conservation partners across Texas to promote the importance of land stewardship.

With proper management and the implementation of conservation practices, Texas forest landowners are improving and sustaining healthy forests. These forests not only provide healthy trees for production agriculture but allow for healthy communities of organisms in the soils, healthy communities of wildlife, and in some cases, provides healthy livestock for your own community. Your local SWCD and TFS district office have been assisting forest landowners and agricultural producers with conservation practices for almost 85 and 100 years, respectively.

Partnering organizations in the “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities” public awareness campaign includes Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas, Ag Workers Insurance, Ducks Unlimited, Earthmoving Contractors Association of Texas, Exotic Wildlife Association, Independent Cattlemen’s Association of Texas, Plains Cotton Growers, Project Learning Tree, San Antonio River Authority, South Texans’ Property Rights Association, Texan by Nature, Texas A&M AgriLife Blacklands Research and Extension Center, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council, Texas Agricultural Land Trust, Texas Association of Dairymen, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas Conservation Association for Water and Soil, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Forestry Association, Texas Grain and Feed Association, Texas Grazing Land Coalition, Texas Hemp Growers Association, Texas Independent Ginners Association, Texas Land Trust Council, Texas Logging Council, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Poultry Federation, Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association, Texas Water Resources Institute, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

For more information on “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities”, please visit www.tsswcb.texas.gov.

–Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board

Texans could see severe weather in April, May By Jennifer Whitlock Field Editor - reprinted from Texas Agriculture Daily - Texas Farm Bureau

 

 

 

Gusty winds blew spring weather across Texas in March, but April and May could bring severe weather, according to Tom Bradshaw, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS) in Fort Worth.

“Wind was the big story during the month of March. That contributed to some breakout of wildfires across the central and western parts of the state. It was also a very dry month with precipitation values well below 50 percent of normal across most of Central, South and West Texas. Really, the Panhandle is the only part of the state that had any kind of appreciable precipitation last month,” Bradshaw said in an interview with the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network. “But when we look at the severe weather climatology for the state of Texas, the two months that really stand out are April and May.”

Being prepared for severe weather is important in this volatile time from mid- to late spring.

Bradshaw noted from mid-April through the end of May, Texas often sees an increased frequency of strong frontal passages with supercell thunderstorms forming ahead of the fronts. Dry line activity can form and contribute to the development of large hail and damaging winds. And it also creates potential for tornadoes and flash flooding.

Texans should have a severe weather safety plan in place and be ready to act when there are alerts about severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and flash flood watches or warnings in their area, he said.

A weather watch may be issued hours before a storm develops and indicates conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms or tornadoes. Bradshaw recommends residents continue to monitor the situation and check weather information frequently for updates or changes.

A warning precedes an actual weather event. When a tornado warning is issued, it contains information that lists the cities and towns in the path of a tornado.
Because of the way radars work, however, NWS information says times and locations may be off by minutes or miles, and storms can move unpredictably. So, a warning in one area does not mean residents in nearby locations should drop their guard.

As part of “spring cleaning,” emergency safety plans should be reviewed, and preparedness kits should be inspected.

“Folks need to have their severe weather safety plan dusted off, and they need to be ready to do what they need to do when they receive information about severe thunderstorm or tornado watches or certainly tornadoes or thunderstorm or flash flood warnings for their area,” Bradshaw said.

Meanwhile, the Texas drought monitor still shows extreme drought and exceptional drought in West Texas, Far West Texas and South Texas.

As of March 30, 89 percent of the state was in some stage of drought, according to the United States Drought Monitor. Bradshaw said he hopes traditional April showers will break some of those drought patterns.

“Climatologically, April tends to be a little wetter month for the state of Texas. We are hoping that we’ll see more fronts coming down into the state and forming showers and thunderstorms across the area. But the long-term forecast continues to show below-normal rainfall potential for the state,” he said. “Unfortunately, temperatures are going to be above normal. According to the outlook, once we get into April, you start seeing a lot of 80s and even 90s start creeping into the picture across most of the state toward the end of the month.”

NWS has information on severe weather safety and survival, including steps to take when a watch or warning is issued.

For more information on building an emergency preparedness kit and to learn more about wireless emergency alerts, visit ready.gov.