We are very lucky to live in the south part of Santa Clara
County. The open space, the climate and, most of all, the people
make this a great place.
We are very lucky to live in the south part of Santa Clara County. The open space, the climate and, most of all, the people make this a great place.
Yes, we have it good to be able to call this area our home. Country living, or living in an open agricultural area has its challenges. Lots of native wildlife share this region with us. Many species of birds, deer, pigs, coyotes, possums, raccoons and foxes (feral cats, too) all wander through our pastures and yards every day.
For some residents, these are a big nuisance and worry. But to those of us that have spent enough time in the country, coping with wildlife is all a part of living here.
I was having lunch with a friend the other day and we talked about some of these critters. I told my friend that thanks to the wild pigs, I now had to close my driveway gate at night. We have a small three-acre ranch that is fenced to keep our little horses safe.
Earlier this year, pigs had wandered up the driveway and into the garden. I lost half my pumpkin patch while the pigs had a great midnight snack. They also dug up a large section of our lawn that same evening. Don’t get me wrong, I have a real soft spot for pigs (KPIG radio is my favorite station). But when those little porkers got into my garden, they crossed the line. So now our gate is closed every night.
My friend has had problems with deer where he lives. A few years ago, they almost killed all his roses, eating the bushes down to the stalk. He and his wife tried some remedies including one he heard at the local barber shop. He spread hair clippings around the garden. Supposedly this would scare off the deer. It never worked.
We talked about a commercial deer repellant product that smells like mountain lion urine. I never heard whether or not it worked, but who would want that smell in the garden? Instead, my friend finally built a special fence to keep Bambi and friends out of the rose garden. It took a lot of work, but it was worth it. His roses haven’t been eaten and they look beautiful this year.
People complain about noisy coyotes and smelly skunks. A new neighbor down the street is disgusted with all the wild animals in this area. She hates it when someone reminds her that these critters were here long before people moved in.
Between the possums, skunks and deer, her family has lost everything from roses to vegetables and fruit. She’s considering moving back to the big city. She doesn’t want to build that special fence. Too much work and too much worry for her.
Living in the country is a challenge, no doubt about it. But, for most, adapting our lifestyle is worth it. On the other hand, native wildlife can present some very real health problems for our pets and us. Coyotes and raccoons will kill a cat or small dog. And many wild critters carry fleas which fall off onto the ground in our yards. Later, these same fleas are happy to jump onto one of our pets or onto us if they get hungry enough.
Fleas can cause a nasty allergic dermatitis, but more important, they help to transmit tapeworm and the contagious organism that causes deadly Bubonic Plague. Plague is reported in California almost every year and was found in some wild pigs in the hills east of Gilroy only a few years ago.
Also several years ago, a fox family was living along Llagas Creek here in San Martin. They had scabies, a very contagious skin disease. When one was killed on the road, some dogs and cats went over to investigate. They were infected with this skin mite and developed a nasty rash.
Rabies is a deadly and very contagious virus that is often overlooked when we discuss wildlife. But it exists in California, and its principle vectors are bats and skunks. A single bite can be deadly.
So how do we cope with all these hazards? First, make sure your pets are well vaccinated. Second, keep them confined to your yard at all times, and never leave them out at night. Your dog or cat might become a meal for a predator. Keep your pets away from any skunk. And if you see a bat on the ground, call Animal Control or your veterinarian right away.
Finally, never leave food out for any animals. Don’t feed the native wildlife and don’t leave food outside for your dog or cat. Leaving any food outside attracts unwanted guests and is a recipe for disaster. Enjoy life in the country, but always be aware and be careful. And protect your pets from the dangers that exist where we all live.
Pete Keesling is a veterinarian at San Martin Veterinary Hospital and co-hosts Petpourri, a weekly show about pet health on KTEH in San Jose and a bi-weekly column for The Times. If you have any questions about pet care, please mail them to The Times, Attn: Vets, 30 E. Third St., Morgan Hill, CA 95037.
