danger to my dogs? (house, scorpions, allergies)

[ukusagirl39]

I have two dogs and am thinking of moving there fro,m the north east. What are the threats (animals plants insects diseases) that are prevalent there? Is there anything I can do to protect them due to their curiosity when outdoors?

[las vegas drunk]

Heatstroke... pets need to be indoors in the summer.

[ukusagirl39]

they only go out to use the bathroom.

[thegirlinaz]

Heatstroke, valley fever, the usual diseases that dogs could get..
Just make sure they are up to date on all their shots and you should be fine.

[observer53]

In most urban areas, if they only go out for that reason, the risk is minimal. House plants would be more of a problem than outdoor plants. Oleander would be the most common toxic outdoor plant, but dogs tend to leave that alone anyway. Risk from animals? Minimal. There is the occasional coyote in some urban areas, but not a large concern. There are poisonous insects in any city... no particular risk to be overly worried about. People will come on here ranting about scorpions, but the vast majority of people have never seen one in their house or yard, or have seen them only rarely.

Diseases are the same as anywhere, with the exception of Valley fever, but the less a dog is outside, digging and messing around in the dirt, the risk of getting that (which is found in spores in the soil) is reduced.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by ukusagirl39

I have two dogs and am thinking of moving there fro,m the north east. What are the threats (animals plants insects diseases) that are prevalent there? Is there anything I can do to protect them due to their curiosity when outdoors?

Generally speaking, UK . . . dogs adapt beautifully.

As LVDrunk posted . . . the intense desert heat is just that, INTENSE, and many animals, including humans, don't realize the danger until too late.

Unfortunately, there are "threats" to all animals everywhere . . .

[ukusagirl39]

thanks to everyone for their replies! I am glad to hear it though my dogs and I are not looking forward to the eventual valley fever lol

[observer53]

Originally Posted by ukusagirl39

thanks to everyone for their replies! I am glad to hear it though my dogs and I are not looking forward to the eventual valley fever lol

Neither you, nor your dogs, are guaranteed to get Valley Fever, especially if they are indoor dogs. If you live here long enough, you may get it, but you may also be one of the thousands of people who either don't even know they had it, or can't tell any difference between that and some respiratory virus like cold or mild flu. Not to worry.

[ukusagirl39]

Well that is good to know. Thanks!

[twiggy]

Just a note, if traveling during this H1N1 outbreak you might want to know that your dogs can get this.
Strange I know. Other than that, same old stuff, ticks, fleas, skin allergies, eyes water, etc. Places here have very small yards and all are bricked in so your dog shouldn't have to much contact with anything harmful. Valley fever isn't any biggie, there is a small chance you or your dog will get a bad case but probably not. Good luck!