The brown recluse is another predator known to be especially harmful to dogs and humans alike.
Cats especially are known to spark the ire of black widows, which typically only strike when prompted.
Likewise, a skunk, given that they are more common than venomous spiders.
Plus, these more standard critters are known to carry rabies, which is why they warrant caution.
Squirrels also factor into this equation.
If you think your pet may have been attacked or exposed to animal with rabies, seek immediate help.
The condition is a tricky one, in that there are various possible clinical signs of rabies.
VCA Animal Hospitals explains that the disease manifests in two ways, called furious rabies and dumb rabies.
Hydrophobia (fear of water) is not a sign of rabies in dogs.
This is a feature of human rabies.
The dog finally dies in a violent seizure.
Dumb rabies is more common.
Owners will frequently think the dog has something stuck in the mouth or throat.
Care should be taken in examination since rabies may be transmitted by saliva.
Ultimately the dog becomes comatose and dies.
Rabies is very lethal for cats and dogs, andonly a slim minority of infected animals survive.
However vaccination is common, safe and effective.
Unsurprisingly, fire ants are more of a threat to dogs who stick their noses where they shouldnt.
Chances are that his nose hit a colony of swarming fire ants that deliver burning bites.
Update 1/8/20 6:45pm: This story was updated to correctly identify VCA Animal Hospitals.
