Dear Dr. Forsythe: A friend of mine heard that there are now rattlesnakes with no rattles on them in this area. Is this true? If so, how can you tell if a snake is a rattlesnake?
Amanda, Diamond A
Dear Amanda: Thanks for a great question. And since I admitted two pets into my hospital yesterday with rattlesnake bites (one dog and one cat), yours is a timely question, too. Yes, there is a concern about the possible development of a mutation in our subspecies of Western Rattlesnakes in the area. Several people have seen Pacific Rattlesnakes without any rattle! Yikes! Their descriptions have been very detailed and accurate, indicating that they were sure about the sighting. The Pacific Rattlesnake is dark brown or gray or pale yellowish, overlaid with dark blotches with uneven white edges on the dorsum (back). It has lateral blotches clearly visible on all but the darkest specimens. The belly is pale yellow, usually with brown spots. Their irises are usually the same color as their surroundings, brown, yellow, or a pinkish coloring around the slits of the eyes, but if you are close enough to see the color in a snake’s eyes – you are TOO CLOSE! (And you can quote me on that!)
If the rattle is missing, it could be because of shedding or trauma, but the idea of a mutation leading to a new variety of snake with no warning mechanism is possible, and this has many of us a little worried. Please watch your pets carefully when you are out hiking or on trails where snakes might live. And don’t assume that because you don’t hear or see a rattle, you aren’t someplace near a “rattlesnake.”
Dr. F
Dear Dr. Forsythe: I want some advice on breeding designer dogs. I read about Puggles and Labradoodles and I have decided for my senior project to breed a very large dog with a very small one. Please give me advice on which breeds to select and what I can expect. Thanks.
SVHS Senior
Dear Student: Please do not take this the wrong way, but you need to go to your counselor right away, bring my column with you and request an immediate evaluation. Without sounding discouraging, this is a very bad idea. I understand that designer dogs have really caught on, but the idea of you starting a breeding experiment as your senior project is really very scary to me. It is so wrong in so many ways, there just aren’t enough column inches here to elaborate. How about another suggestion? Why not contact a nonprofit such as Pets Lifeline or the Humane Society and volunteer there for a few hours a week? That way you could put your efforts into something positive, get some mentoring from people who are truly dedicated to helping unwanted dogs and cats, and you would learn about what happens when creatures mate before they are ready to. Good luck with the senior project – I hope you find a good one.
P.S. If you still need help, I am available to chat with you and offer some suggestions – just contact my office.
Dr. F
Dear Dr. Forsythe: My Bull Terrier, “Emma,” had her anal glands removed two weeks ago. The surgery was a success and it is so nice to know we will never have to get her anal glands expressed again! I did notice that last night when she barked out, though, she pooped a little bit in the excitement. Is this normal? What is going on?
Emma’s mom
Dear Mom: It is perfectly normal for Emma to be just a little weaker than normal in her ability to control those muscles “down under” for the next few weeks. Try to keep her as calm as possible, so she doesn’t have an embarrassing moment when company arrives. Luckily for your Emma, she should recoup her strength and control over her rectal muscles over the next few weeks and will be in full control soon.
Good luck, Dr. F
