Compare Desert Heat to the Heat of the Deep South (living, vs.)

[themudpuppy]

Are dogs not affected by scorpion stings? I'm even more afraid of my dog getting stung than I am for myself. He has major health problems so it terrifies me that he might get stung by one inside the house when I'm not home to take him to the vet. This dog is like my kid.

I've heard of conditioning dogs against snakes, so I'm going to look into doing that, which will hopefully help him avoid rattlers. We get snakes in our yard here in TN, but not rattlers. He walked right over a snake not too long ago, and I did too, as we didn't see it in the grass, but it was just a big black snake, nothing poisonous. The snake didn't even try to strike us, until I got the hoe out to move it out of the yard. That snake did not want to be moved. I did eventually get him out and put him in the field, but he struck out at the hoe several times in the process.

My dog found some skin that a snake had shed (don't know what type, but it wasn't a typical garden type of snake), and he was very leary of it and backed away from the skin, so hopefully he can sense that they're nothing to mess with. Scorpions will probably be a bigger problem for him, because he does like to investigate bugs.

[themudpuppy]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Speaking of scorpions, I had my AZ derert hairy scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis) out last night for a little walk last night and made a short video of it.

Cool video, but I hope to never see one that close up in person.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by tnp

Are dogs not affected by scorpion stings? I'm even more afraid of my dog getting stung than I am for myself. He has major health problems so it terrifies me that he might get stung by one inside the house when I'm not home to take him to the vet. This dog is like my kid.

I've heard of conditioning dogs against snakes, so I'm going to look into doing that, which will hopefully help him avoid rattlers. We get snakes in our yard here in TN, but not rattlers. He walked right over a snake not too long ago, and I did too, as we didn't see it in the grass, but it was just a big black snake, nothing poisonous. The snake didn't even try to strike us, until I got the hoe out to move it out of the yard. That snake did not want to be moved. I did eventually get him out and put him in the field, but he struck out at the hoe several times in the process.

My dog found some skin that a snake had shed (don't know what type, but it wasn't a typical garden type of snake), and he was very leary of it and backed away from the skin, so hopefully he can sense that they're nothing to mess with. Scorpions will probably be a bigger problem for him, because he does like to investigate bugs.

Well, not trying to scare you, but your dog is a prime candidate to die from scorpion sting. I dont think a sting from any Vaejovis, Hadrurus or Smeringurus species will harm it, but a sting from a Centruroides exilicauda (bark scorpion) might prove fatal. Like I said, Im not trying to be the bearer of bad tidings, but a sick, old dog probably wont make it through a bark scorpion sting.

Regarding rattlers... they are definitely more of a concern than scorpions. A bite from a rattler would more than likely spell the end of your dog. Like you also mentioned, there are some classes you and your dog can attend that will teach them to avoid snakes. Lucky for us, dogs are very smart and will learn very quickly what animals to leave alone.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by tnp

Cool video, but I hope to never see one that close up in person.

Theyre nothing to worry about. That was a Arizona desert hairy scorpion, the largest scorpion in North America. Notice how, even when I was messing with it, that it never once raised its tail in a threatening form? For the most part scorpions are very docile, shy critters. If they sting its because they feel very threatened or have been persistently bothered. Bark scorpions are quick to sting, all other species I have encountered and kept as pets from AZ are not whatsoever.

[themudpuppy]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Well, not trying to scare you, but your dog is a prime candidate to die from scorpion sting. I dont think a sting from any Vaejovis, Hadrurus or Smeringurus species will harm it, but a sting from a Centruroides exilicauda (bark scorpion) might prove fatal. .

Thanks for the warning, Steve. Since the bark scorpion is the one most seen in homes there, that is not good news. I was hoping the sting wouldn't be that bad for a dog. He's a large dog, in case that makes a difference. I guess I'll have to question the landlord (or seller if I buy) very carefully about past problems with scorpions in the house, and also call exterminators to see if they've had any calls for that address, before I sign any contracts. Or find a different state to move to. I'm really hoping I don't have to change plans to move there though, but my dog is the most important thing in my life, so he has to come first.

Is there a bark scorpion antivenin that people can buy for their dogs, to give in case they can't get to a vet in time?

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by tnp

Thanks for the warning, Steve. Since the bark scorpion is the one most seen in homes there, that is not good news. I was hoping the sting wouldn't be that bad for a dog. He's a large dog, in case that makes a difference. I guess I'll have to question the landlord (or seller if I buy) very carefully about past problems with scorpions in the house, and also call exterminators to see if they've had any calls for that address, before I sign any contracts. Or find a different state to move to. I'm really hoping I don't have to change plans to move there though, but my dog is the most important thing in my life, so he has to come first.

Is there a bark scorpion antivenin that people can buy for their dogs, to give in case they can't get to a vet in time?

Well, it definitely helps that he is a large dog!! How large though? German Shephard/Rottweiler/Retriever size? That could make or break the situation. Im almost positive that an old, sick Chihuahua would bite the dust if stung by a bark scorpion. But if a healthy, 30-40 lb young child needs medical treatment from a bark scorpion sting, a small dog would certainly need treatment too.

As for antivenin, Im not sure what vets use (if anything) for dogs. You should call around and see what some vets think and/or recommend.

[sberdrow]

This morning was rather humid, and it reminded me how I hated the heat of Texas. It wasnt quite as bad as texas, in fact not even close, but I still thought it was miserable. I love the dry heat.

Try and attack the weather here, and I think your in for a battle. Most of us love it here.

I don't know how ya'll southerners handle that sticky crap day after day after day.

[themudpuppy]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Well, it definitely helps that he is a large dog!! How large though? German Shephard/Rottweiler/Retriever size?

He's a collie mix, around 75 lb.

I don't know how ya'll southerners handle that sticky crap day after day after day.

Some of us don't handle it well.... which is why we wanna move to AZ.
I don't do much outside in this humidity. I spent time in AZ in the summer for several years and it was too hot to do a lot, but I was able to tolerate that heat much longer than I can tolerate this humidity and all the biting bugs.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by tnp

He's a collie mix, around 75 lb.



Some of us don't handle it well.... which is why we wanna move to AZ.
I don't do much outside in this humidity. I spent time in AZ in the summer for several years and it was too hot to do a lot, but I was able to tolerate that heat much longer than I can tolerate this humidity and all the biting bugs.

No joke there.

Wash DC summers were almost as brutal as their winters.

Admittedly; I have been giving idle thought about moving to the 'Hi-Desert' area of SoCal (Yucca Valley, etc) or even to Charleston, W Va.

The former place is drier than even Phx (but 5-10 degrees cooler in the summer on average) and Charleston, despite it being very green with lots of water coupled with very low housing costs-----the weather there is too similar to DC for me to seriously consider it.

[dsmiles]

Hmmmm! Scorpions, rattlesnacks, dry, extreme heat, can't afford to live there vs. ticks, humidity, and plant life that provides oxygen, stay young looking longer, and can afford to live here. Yeah, I'll take Tennessee, anyday!