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There are many animals in the Columbus area that are
dangerous to your pets and you, and with careful,
knowledgeable reading and preparation, you can avoid most of
the problems associated with the animals listed below.
| This Guide is Provided by the Veterinarians of Benning Animal Hospital, LLC |
Actually Columbus has no more dangerous animals than any other area, but many people
that move to Central Georgia are unaware of the dangers local animals can pose to their pets
and themselves.
Dangerous Reptiles- *DEADLY*
Snakes- There are six types of poisonous snakes that can be found around Columbus. They
are more active in Spring and Summer than in Winter months.
Pygmy Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Diamonback
Rattlesnake,Cottonmouths,Copperheads, and Coral Snakes.
Click here for "What to do if your dog is bitten by a snake" or to look at pictures to identify the
type of snake that bit your pet.
What to do: Make sure you walk your pet on a leash, stay on paths, limit dog exploration of
holes and hidden areas, avoid nightime "explorations."
Dangerous Insects-
*DEADLY*
Georgia does have it's share of creepy crawlies, but most are not deadly to humans. Only two,
the Black Widow Spider and the Brown Recluse are deadly to both pets and humans.
Black Widows look like this: Brown Recluse Spiders look like:
If your pet has been bitten by one of these spiders, take them to a vet immediately! You may
wash the bite area with an additive free warm soapy water, or just warm water prior to taking
them in to the vet.
Information courtesy of Georgia Poson Control.
Stinging Bugs -Fire Ants, Saddleback Catepillars, Bees, Hornets, Yellowjackets,
scorpions, and Wasps all can cause irritation, swelling, and allergic reactions. If your pet
gets stung, call your vet for direction.
What to do if your pet gets "stung":
If a stinger is present, remove it by scraping a card across the wound. Do not touch or
squeeze the stinger. This will force venom (poison) into the skin.
You may ice the area to reduce swelling.
Call your vet or emergency clinic and be prepared to give your pet's approximate weight and
the number and types of stings. While these bugs are not dangeous to humans, they may be
deadly to a 10 lb terrier.
Dangerous Reptiles-
Alligators-
Alligators are common to Georgia, and rarely seen even in the Chattahootchie river. Alligators
are endangered species, which means it is best just to avoid them. They grow to over 14 feet
long, and can kill and eat even the largest of dogs and cats. We are currently in a drought in
Central Georgia, and that means that Alligators are more often seen farther from water. Their
bite is often infected, so should your pet ever be bitten and survive, take it to the vet
immediately.
What to do if you think your pet might be near an alligator:
Do not go to watery areas, lakes and ponds that you have not asked locals about safety and
gators first.
Always examine the shoreline for marks called "gator slides" where alligators slide into the
water.
Keep 60 feet or more away from any suspected alligator area. This is considered safe as a
distance. (more)
Contact Fish and Wildlife at (478) 994-1438 to report the sighting.
Dangerous Fish -
Yes... Georgia has dangerous fish, and not just as fried foods...
Catfish actually can cause a minor sting to pets, so if you enjoy Columbus's many great
fishing sites, don't let your dogs or cats get into your catch! If they do, they may get stung,
which could cause swelling and irritation.
What to do when your Dog or Cat gets "stung" by a catfish...
Wash the sting site in cold water.
Soak the area in hot (not scalding) water for 30-90 minutes.
Be sure the hook is not in your pet.
If the dog is painful or the swelling continues, contact your vet.
Dangerous Birds -
Be careful with small cats or dogs (1-5 lbs) as local raptors may see them as prey. There have
been cases of red-tailed hawks or Golden Eagles swooping down to attack unleashed dogs
and cats. While it is rare, we recommend that when walking your smaller pets, keep them
close to you within 20 feet, and keep an occassional look to the sky for Hawks or other raptors.
Here are some reports in the US of Hawk vs Dog attacks-
http://www.wpbf.com/news/14539317/detail.html (3lb Pom)
http://www.doggienews.com/2004/12/hawk-attacks-yorkshire-terrier.htm
Dangerous Mammals-
Armadillos- They can carry a form of leprosy bacterium which is very dangerous. Keep your
pets away from live or dead armadillos!
Bats, Mice, Rats, Racoons, Squirrels and Opossums- Some carry rabies and Lepto,
which can be passed on to pets. The pets can pass this disease to humans, which can cause
serious problems for humans. For more information on Lepto, click here.
Mice, Rats, Squirrels, Weasels- They can have numerous diseases. Also, if they have
ingested rat poison, your animals that eat them may then ingest the rat poison, which in
quantities is normally fatal to dogs and cats if not treated.
Wild Dogs and Coyotes:
Wild Dogs and Coyotes have been known to eat or injure dogs that are left outside at night
or chained without supervision during the day. Make sure that your pet is in an enclosed area,
or has human supervision nearby when outdoors. For outdoor cats, make sure they have
areas to run to for hiding or protection from 2-3 canines.
Also, call animal control if you spot coyotes or wild dogs.
Columbus Animal Control (706) 653-4000
that move to Central Georgia are unaware of the dangers local animals can pose to their pets
and themselves.
Dangerous Reptiles- *DEADLY*
Snakes- There are six types of poisonous snakes that can be found around Columbus. They
are more active in Spring and Summer than in Winter months.
Pygmy Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Diamonback
Rattlesnake,Cottonmouths,Copperheads, and Coral Snakes.
Click here for "What to do if your dog is bitten by a snake" or to look at pictures to identify the
type of snake that bit your pet.
What to do: Make sure you walk your pet on a leash, stay on paths, limit dog exploration of
holes and hidden areas, avoid nightime "explorations."
Dangerous Insects-
*DEADLY*
Georgia does have it's share of creepy crawlies, but most are not deadly to humans. Only two,
the Black Widow Spider and the Brown Recluse are deadly to both pets and humans.
Black Widows look like this: Brown Recluse Spiders look like:
If your pet has been bitten by one of these spiders, take them to a vet immediately! You may
wash the bite area with an additive free warm soapy water, or just warm water prior to taking
them in to the vet.
Information courtesy of Georgia Poson Control.
Stinging Bugs -Fire Ants, Saddleback Catepillars, Bees, Hornets, Yellowjackets,
scorpions, and Wasps all can cause irritation, swelling, and allergic reactions. If your pet
gets stung, call your vet for direction.
What to do if your pet gets "stung":
If a stinger is present, remove it by scraping a card across the wound. Do not touch or
squeeze the stinger. This will force venom (poison) into the skin.
You may ice the area to reduce swelling.
Call your vet or emergency clinic and be prepared to give your pet's approximate weight and
the number and types of stings. While these bugs are not dangeous to humans, they may be
deadly to a 10 lb terrier.
Dangerous Reptiles-
Alligators-
Alligators are common to Georgia, and rarely seen even in the Chattahootchie river. Alligators
are endangered species, which means it is best just to avoid them. They grow to over 14 feet
long, and can kill and eat even the largest of dogs and cats. We are currently in a drought in
Central Georgia, and that means that Alligators are more often seen farther from water. Their
bite is often infected, so should your pet ever be bitten and survive, take it to the vet
immediately.
What to do if you think your pet might be near an alligator:
Do not go to watery areas, lakes and ponds that you have not asked locals about safety and
gators first.
Always examine the shoreline for marks called "gator slides" where alligators slide into the
water.
Keep 60 feet or more away from any suspected alligator area. This is considered safe as a
distance. (more)
Contact Fish and Wildlife at (478) 994-1438 to report the sighting.
Dangerous Fish -
Yes... Georgia has dangerous fish, and not just as fried foods...
Catfish actually can cause a minor sting to pets, so if you enjoy Columbus's many great
fishing sites, don't let your dogs or cats get into your catch! If they do, they may get stung,
which could cause swelling and irritation.
What to do when your Dog or Cat gets "stung" by a catfish...
Wash the sting site in cold water.
Soak the area in hot (not scalding) water for 30-90 minutes.
Be sure the hook is not in your pet.
If the dog is painful or the swelling continues, contact your vet.
Dangerous Birds -
Be careful with small cats or dogs (1-5 lbs) as local raptors may see them as prey. There have
been cases of red-tailed hawks or Golden Eagles swooping down to attack unleashed dogs
and cats. While it is rare, we recommend that when walking your smaller pets, keep them
close to you within 20 feet, and keep an occassional look to the sky for Hawks or other raptors.
Here are some reports in the US of Hawk vs Dog attacks-
http://www.wpbf.com/news/14539317/detail.html (3lb Pom)
http://www.doggienews.com/2004/12/hawk-attacks-yorkshire-terrier.htm
Dangerous Mammals-
Armadillos- They can carry a form of leprosy bacterium which is very dangerous. Keep your
pets away from live or dead armadillos!
Bats, Mice, Rats, Racoons, Squirrels and Opossums- Some carry rabies and Lepto,
which can be passed on to pets. The pets can pass this disease to humans, which can cause
serious problems for humans. For more information on Lepto, click here.
Mice, Rats, Squirrels, Weasels- They can have numerous diseases. Also, if they have
ingested rat poison, your animals that eat them may then ingest the rat poison, which in
quantities is normally fatal to dogs and cats if not treated.
Wild Dogs and Coyotes:
Wild Dogs and Coyotes have been known to eat or injure dogs that are left outside at night
or chained without supervision during the day. Make sure that your pet is in an enclosed area,
or has human supervision nearby when outdoors. For outdoor cats, make sure they have
areas to run to for hiding or protection from 2-3 canines.
Also, call animal control if you spot coyotes or wild dogs.
Columbus Animal Control (706) 653-4000
This information is provided for educational purposes only, please see a licensed professional, such as a Veterinarian to find
out more about these topics. Copyright 2008 Benning Animal Hospital, LLC, all rights reserved. Some Images used with
GFDL-GNU License or by permission of www.stockphotos.com.
out more about these topics. Copyright 2008 Benning Animal Hospital, LLC, all rights reserved. Some Images used with
GFDL-GNU License or by permission of www.stockphotos.com.
| Call us at (706) -689-6240 www.benninganimalhospital.com |