Beware of regional health concerns for dogs

So you've got Fido protected from fleas and ticks for the summer and it's time to go on that camping trip with your family, including your furry friend. However, there's a whole heap more in Central Oregon that can harm Fido besides fleas and ticks.

Your furry friend loves to run through the creek and lap up water, but there is danger: the tiny intestinal protozoa giardia is found in nearly all streams, rivers, ponds and lakes in Central Oregon.

A dog can acquire giardia by ingesting an infected cyst in the water through another animal's poop; the most common route of transmission is through feces-contaminated water. Giardia parasites prefer cool, moist environments.

It's alsozoonotic, meaning that if the family dog has it or a human family member has it, the entire rest of the family, humans and animals, can be infected.

Your dog loves to hike the sandy trails with you and sometimes he's off-leash. He enjoys running through the tall grasses, which happens to include cheat grass. Cheat grass is sneaky and enters body cavities (particularly ears, nose and even under eyelids) and penetrates skin between toes and elsewhere on the body causing irritation and infection. If Fido starts shaking his head a lot after a hike, he could have cheat grass in his ears. Have your veterinarian check him over.

They pop up everywhere, in yards, in the woods, in parks and alongside roads. Some dogs, like people, like to eat them, they can be a gourmet delicacy, or deadly poisonous. They are mushrooms.

Common lawn and garden mushrooms are poisonous to dogs. They can cause seizure-like behavior in dogs that ingest them. Mushrooms in yards should be removed promptly before your furry friend notices them. If your dog becomes ill, and you suspect mushroom ingestion, call your veterinarian immediately.

A favorite destination near Sisters is Proxy Falls. It's a great hike for the whole family. Of course Fido will want to go along on that rocky hike too. However, typical ground footing found in Central Oregon can be very hard on a dog's footpads, at nearly any time of year. Lava-rock and gravel, crusty snow and ice can all be very abrasive, causing loss of protective footpads callous and open sores. Be sure to check your furry friend's footpads daily for cracks and sores.

Living in a forested area can also result in encounters with wildlife, even in your own backyard. Coyotes and mountain lions actively seek dogs as prey in Central Oregon, even in some residential areas. Small pets are particularly vulnerable, and some coyotes may be bold enough to hunt during the day. Deterring the presence of coyotes by not feeding deer or other wildlife are effective preventive strategies.

There are lots of mule deer in Central Oregon, and you will find them in your backyard, especially when you have a delicious garden. Both does and bucks will aggressively attack dogs, especially when fawns are present in the summer months. Attacks on dogs by deer can result in fractures, internal injuries, and death.

Venomous rattlesnakes are also present in certain areas of Central Oregon, particularly along streams and rivers. They tend to be timid snakes but do pose a threat to curious or aggressive dogs. Venom, even in small quantities, can potentially cause acute allergic reactions, tissue damage, or infections.

Rattlesnakes should always be considered unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Although many times they detect your presence and flee the area before you notice them, encounters may occur in campgrounds and day-use areas as well as in the backcountry.

Some areas of Central Oregon, including Sisters, have resident populations of raccoons and skunks which can cause problems for any pets.

Raccoons can be ill-tempered with dogs and inflict serious injures including bite wounds. Skunks can inflict their trademark scent which will make your furry friend downright unwelcome in the house until he is de-skunked. If your furry friend gets sprayed, there are many products over the counter that you can use to rid him of the scent without using bottles of tomato juice.

Feeding pets in a room accessible to the outdoors such as a pet door has resulted in raccoons and skunks in the house.

Another common encounter with wildlife that your dog could stumble into is with the slow moving porcupine. And dogs that are overly inquisitive and aggressive are sadly rewarded with sharp quills in the mouth and muzzle. These quills should be removed without leaving fragments under the skin, and a thorough exam of the mouth and throat with your veterinarian.

Have a fun summer with your furry family member tagging along, and remember to plan ahead for the safety of your furry friend.