The weather is changing and we are seeing more activities outside. That includes dogs and cats spending more time outside. Who wouldn’t want to be outside after the cold and dark days of winter.  The green grass and leaves on the trees are a sure sign of turning the corner towards spring.

The danger I want to discuss today is animals Hit by Car (HBC). Dogs are the most common domestic animal hit nationwide. Male intact dogs are 80% of the victims. In Iowa we have lots of deer stuck by vehicles but that is a whole different discussion. I know the deer far out number dogs in Iowa. Close to 1.2 million dogs are killed each year by vehicles. This is a statistic we can change by considering a few important details.

1.  Spay and neuter your pets. A majority of the HBC dogs are intact. The estrus cycle of female dogs occurs about 2 times a year. The cycle seems to correlate with the days getting longer and the days getting shorter. In other words, during the spring and fall. When a female dog starts her cycle with swelling and bleeding, every time she goes outside to pee her pheromones are carried with the wind for miles. This creates all sorts of trouble for the intact males. A female has a higher incidence of leaving property during her heat cycle since the need to breed is instinctive.
2. Proper restraint is important, so your dog cannot get free during these breeding seasons. I have seen many dogs break out of kennels, backyards, or leashes related to the desire to find a suitor.  People who own intact dogs talk about how miserable they are during these seasons. Some dogs are vocal. Some dogs will not eat. Some dogs are hyperactive. Many people have called asking what they should do not realizing these behaviors are triggered by hormones.
3. Proper training is crucial if you intend to keep your dog intact. The ability of an owner to use voice commands to get their dog to come when called and stay is important. The importance of knowing that your dog will not get aggressive with other dogs because they respect you and your commands. Dog to dog fights happen often with intact dogs. 
4. Good communication amongst all members of the household. During the season it is important that everyone knows the safety guidelines to prevent your pet from getting out of your home or yard. The most common time for dogs to get out the door is when others come to your home. Once they are on the run, they lose all ability to focus and can quickly get into harm’s way of vehicles. This can occur at any time during the year not just during the breeding season.
5. Caution when lowering windows for dogs to look out of. Many times, dogs have escaped from moving cars because they have lowered windows accidentally or owners have given too much space and they have jumped out. Certainly, a way to end up with a HBC pet. Harnesses strapped into vehicles or carriers are a safer way to travel in a vehicle with pets.
6. Always have your dog identified with a microchip so when HBC and brought into a clinic the owner can be reached to discuss the situation and point of care. Dogs can run long distances and it makes finding owners next to impossible. If a dog has a chip the reunion happens much more quickly and euthanasia will not be the first choice based on clinical assessment. 

Survival after a dog is struck by a car is high. The statistics show only 12.5% are euthanized related to multiple fractures or major injuries that are not going to have a successful outcome. The cost of care though to help your dog recover from its traumatic experience can be overwhelming. This can be a cause for euthanasia after a HBC incident. The following articles data from 2001 shows both male and female dogs are involved. This study is 25 years old, and I believe the numbers might be higher now. From this article I cannot determine how many were intact at the time of their trauma. I would agree with its conclusion:

Evaluation of vehicular trauma in dogs: 239 cases (January-December 2001), by Elizabeth M. Streeter

The following link discusses the debate on spay/neuter procedures. I posted this article with a blog in February 2025 on reasons to spay/neuter your pets.  If you are wondering whether you should wait to do this procedure, please do your research and speak to your veterinarian.  There are lots of positive reasons to do this early.

Deconstructing the spay/neuter debate, Humane World for Animals (humaneworld.org)

As you are prepared to take your dog in the car or spend time outdoors with them, please consider the above recommendations. Especially number #1! NEUTER AND SPAY YOUR PETS! This one procedure could save your dog’s life. Stay safe out there and enjoy the warmer weather.

Getting warmer by the day and springtime is pushing through. Really going to need those April showers to bring May flowers. I always love to watch the buds on the trees start popping open and the sound of the birds returning from the winter habitats. The baby calves and lambs running out in the pastures.  Such a great time of renewal and new life.

What can be a concern with Easter upon us is Easter Lily toxicity for our cats. People love to bring Lilies into their home this time of year. They are extremely toxic to our cats if they chew on any part of the plant. A cat can be impacted by licking the pollen or even drinking the water in the vase. It causes kidney failure and death within 7 days. Please keep your cats and Lilies separate. Better yet let friends and family that do not have cats have your lilies.

Another threat to our dogs in springtime is Madison County’s Timber rattlesnake population. The snakes tend to start coming out of their dens to absorb the sunshine during the day. Our dogs are curious and stick their noses where they do not belong and the next thing you see is your dog acting differently. The snake bite is often not visible, but the poison released with that bite creates a quick toxic reaction. Animal Emergency Service in their article “A Guide to Snake Bites in Dogs” has posted these symptoms to be aware of when a dog is bitten by a rattlesnake.

Common Timber Rattlesnake Bite Symptoms in Dogs

• Immediate Localized Reaction: Rapid, severe swelling and swelling at the bite site (often face or legs) that can continue for up to 36 hours.
• Severe Pain & Distress: Intense, immediate pain, vocalizing (yelping/whining), and swelling.
• Bleeding & Bruising: Irregular bleeding from the bite wound, nose, or mouth, often leading to deep bruising (hemorrhage).
• Neurological Weakness: Tremors, muscle shakes, weakness, wobbliness (ataxia), or sudden collapse.
• Systemic Symptoms: Lethargy, dilated pupils, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and trouble breathing.
• Severe Complications: Paralysis, inability to control bladder/bowels, or dark/bloody urine.

In our practice we see dogs with rattlesnake bites annually. I would like to say once they get bitten you will not have to worry about it happening again. That is not true. We had one dog that was bitten and 4 years later it happened again. Larger dogs such as the labrador retriever pictured in these photos, seem to have a better chance of survival if treatment is pursued quickly.

Important things to remember. Do not try to suck out the venom like you see on TV.  If you attempt this you could cause a toxic reaction for yourself.

Seek veterinary care immediately. This is especially critical for small dogs since they will be overcome by the poison more quickly.

Bite wounds are difficult to see initially because of the razor-sharp fangs of the snake and the wounds are covered by hair. You might see a drop or 2 of blood from the wound if you examine them closely. In the above photos you can see the wound after a few days. The toxicity of the venom will cause a sluffing of the skin around the bite wound temporarily.

I have reposted some information about the Timber rattlesnake behaviors. They are consider shy and really do not cause issues unless provoked. They breed in the late summer months so often will be more active around that time. Also with the changing of the seasons you can see them “sunning” themselves to gain some heat from the sun.

Reposted from Google search (KCCI and Facebook): Timber rattlesnakes are present in Madison County, Iowa, particularly around limestone bluffs, timbered areas, and near Pammel State Park in Winterset. While rare, sightings occur—sometimes near homes—due to their preference for these habitats. They are a protected, generally docile species that rarely bite unless provoked, often feeding on rodents. 

• Hotspot: Pammel State Park in Winterset is a known location for timber rattlesnakes.
• Protection Status: Timber rattlesnakes are protected in Iowa, but can be removed or destroyed if they are within 50 feet of an occupied, inhabited dwelling.
• Encounters: Residents have reported multiple, safe removals of rattlesnakes from private property in the rural Winterset area.
• Behavior: They are not typically aggressive and prefer to flee or blend in, but will rattle when threatened.
• Appearance: These snakes are large, often 3-5 feet long, and are identified by a heavy body and a rattle at the end of the tail. 

If you find a rattlesnake in the area, it is recommended to contact the Madison County Conservation Board to have it safely relocated rather than killing it, as they play an important role in the local ecosystem.

Taking a break from winter and veterinary medicine to enjoy some family time. I haven’t shared much lately about my family. As all grandparents know, hanging out with grandchildren is the best part of growing older. I remember people saying how amazing it was to have grandchildren and so much better than raising their own kids. I questioned if they loved their kids? I loved raising our 4 kids and would do it all over again if given the chance. Then about 5 years ago, I experienced being a Nene for the first time. As that little girl grew up and started to say Nene, I melted. I understood what others had told me for years. My husband and I are all in on being available whenever called upon to watch our 2 granddaughters July and Vienna. We had a trip to Arizona in November to enjoy time together as a family. It was wonderful to be all together since that rarely happens anymore.

The one thing I heard was my granddaughters missed the ocean. So that is where we are now. Already had this trip to the Florida gulf planned for my husband and I, why not bring the granddaughters. I know from experience how quickly the years fly by. Why not take this opportunity before July starts school to enjoy the ocean and all its wonder.

Our quiet vacation has now turned into 5 adults and 2 children for a week on the gulf shores. I sure hope they will have a warmer February like we have been experiencing here in Iowa. The girls will want to be on the beach and wind, rain, and cooler temperatures can hinder that. Whatever the weather we will be making memories to last a lifetime. I may need a vacation after our Florida vacation to rest up and
recuperate.

I will return next month with more veterinary information but for now I just want to enjoy the warm weather and time with family. Our days are getting longer, and we move the clocks ahead on March 8th. All great signs of turning the corner towards spring. Watch for the trees to start budding and spring flowers popping out of the earth. Take time to appreciate the warmth of the sun. Look for the baby calves and lambs in the pastures as you drive by. Spring can be a time of new beginnings not only for plants and animals but for people too. Find those little things that you can be grateful for and realize how blessed we are to experience the changes of the seasons in such dramatic and beautiful ways.

HAPPY SPRING TO ONE AND ALL.