Dear Miss Paws: Q. I’ve heard that from an immunity standpoint animals really don’t need rabies shots every year? Why do I have to get my animals immunized every year? A. Because it’s the law and the ramifications for them not having a current rabies shot can be disastrous. Rabies crop up every year – usually relatively isolated cases – but so far this year, three rabid foxes have raised havoc in Tallahassee, Florida. Two separate foxes bit two individuals in the FSU area. Both people had to take the very painful rabies vaccine. Then a third rabid fox got into a fenced area with four dogs. The fox bit all four dogs and then died. The dogs did not have up-to-date shots which left the owner with several options – all bad. The shelter would quarantine them for 45 days – at the owner’s expense; the owner could quarantine them for 35 days with the possibility that one or all could become rabid; he could have them euthanized. Sadly, he chose the latter. But the liability for a rabid dog attacking a human would be even worse. It just isn’t worth taking such a big risk either for the animals you love or the innocent people that could be harmed!
Dear Miss Paws: Q. Can dogs get sunburned? A. Yes. If you have your dog clipped in the hot weather because they have a long coat, be sure you leave at least ˝ inch of hair to protect their skin. Short-haired dogs and cats, especially if light colored, are also at risk for sunburn. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher that is waterproof. Dogs also get sunburned on the top of their noses and ear tips. It’s probably best to not let them spend too much time in the sun. For a slight irritation from a mild burn, slather them with an aloe cream. Anything more severe should be seen by a veterinarian.
Dear Miss Paws: Q. Where is the best place to get a good puppy? A. Good puppies can come from almost any kind of a background. Pure bred dogs used to be the “best” before the days of puppy mills and interbreeding. Some responsible breeders still exist, they are just harder to find. All of our dogs are mixed breeds – most from people who were desperate to find homes – or strays who were more desperate – usually starving and alone. Somehow dogs like that seem to know that fate is giving them a second chance, and they seem to rise to the occasion by becoming excellent dogs.
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