Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1372915
PET FIRST AID KIT D r. Jonas Watson described it as the most horrifying story he's ever heard about pets in co age country. "During a bad season for wolves, some people lost their pet when it es- caped on them," the Grant Park Ani- mal Hospital veterinarian recalled. "They went for a walk six days later and found his yellow tail. "(Owners) must be aware of any wild- life that may bring them harm. Wildlife is not discriminatory when it comes to pets. Don't leave them una ended." A co age owner at West Hawk Lake said two different neighbours lost their pet dogs to wolves in the last year and a half. "One of them saw a wolf take their dog right in front of them," said Joc- elyn Martin, who owns two dogs and has her son's cat at the cabin. "Things happen in a split second. "That's why we always have ours on a leash and we basically never have our eyes off them." Wilson the cat stays indoors, she said, adding she heard that five cats had gone missing since last fall in the West Hawk area. Not many co agers have fences on their properties in provincial parks, although they can apply to the parks branch to build one. "Fences are typically discouraged in co age developments within Manitoba provincial parks as they may detract from the natural en- vironment," a provincial government spokesperson said in an email. "How- ever, there may be situations where fences are deemed appropriate and may be approved." THREATS TO YOUR PETS Other wildlife that can be a threat to pets include bats, raccoons, skunks, porcupines and fishers. All of them could spread rabies. Owners must en- sure their pets have had their rabies and distemper shots and heartworm pills (mosquitoes carry heartworm dis- ease), Watson said. Owners also have to be aware of non- wildlife threats to their pets' health. "I don't let them drink standing wa- ter, out of streams or water with blue- green algae," Martin said of dogs Demi and Marley. "And I don't let them dig in soil because they can get blastomycosis. "In the end, it's really about supervi- sion. I always call it active parenting." Drinking water with the kind of blue- green algae found in Lake Winnipeg could kill your pet because it's toxic, said Watson, past president of the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association. And both pets and humans can con- tract the potentially deadly fungal in- fection called blastomycosis, he said. An MVMA fact sheet notes exposure occurs with contact of fungal spores in soil that's recently been exposed to air. Lake of the Woods, Whiteshell Pro- vincial Park and Seine River are associ- ated with blastomycosis. STORY CO N T I N U E D ON NEX T PAGE ▲ • adhesive tape • co on-tipped swabs • elastic cling bandage roll • gauze sponges • nylon leash • rubbing alcohol • sterile petroleum lubricant • sterile saline wash • styptic powder or pencils (for nail bleeds) • topical antibiotic ointment (e.g. Polysporin) • towel OTHERS: Diphenhydramine (for allergic reactions), gauge roll, latex or nitrile gloves, muzzle, needle nose pliers, penlight, small scissors, syringes, tweezers. Dr. Jonas Watson recommended owners have these key items in a pet first aid kit, especially at the co age. Demi doesn't mind wearing a life jacket. L A K E L I F E S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 21