High desert pet health
Owning a pet out here is not the same as owning one in Bakersfield or Los Angeles. These are the things that actually walk through our door, written for this place: the Mojave, the Indian Wells Valley, and the towns in between.
Rattlesnakes and Dogs in the High Desert
A bite is an emergency. What to do in the first ten minutes, and what makes it worse.
Heat, Pavement, and Dogs in the Mojave
Heat stroke kills fast, and asphalt burns paws well before the air feels dangerous.
Valley Fever in Kern County Dogs
A soil fungus endemic to this county. A cough that will not quit deserves a look.
Foxtails, Cactus, and Desert Plants
Grass awns travel inward and do not come out on their own. Cholla is worse than it looks.
Coyotes and Small Pets
Fences you think are high enough usually are not. What to do after any wildlife encounter.
None of this replaces a phone call. If something is
happening right now, call (760) 373-7387 during
our hours, or check the emergency page for the
nearest critical care hospitals when we are closed.