Dog’s infection has surprising source
Dear Dr. Fox: One morning, with seemingly no explanation, our beautiful Belgian Malinois began losing chunks of fur and skin from her back, just behind her shoulders. I examined and cleaned the area, but could not determine what caused the nasty wound.
In spite of my best efforts, two days later, she developed an awful infection. Our vet was also at a loss as to the cause of the wound, but identified it as a burn from an unknown source. Determined to find and eliminate the cause, I meticulously searched our home and yard.
It turns out our barbecue grill was the culprit! Hang- ing underneath the grill is a suspended container, similar in shape and size to a tuna can, to collect fat and juices from the food cooking above. I suspect our dog was lured by the wonderful scent, and while sniffing under the grill, spilled the can of hot juices onto her back.
I felt horrible. I’d never before considered that as a potential hazard. My husband immediately installed a wire mesh guard around the base of the grill.
Recovery was slow and painful, but our dog healed very well. Please warn your readers of this danger.
L.C., Palm Beach Gardens,
Florida Dear L.C.: Your warning to all barbecue owners and operators may help prevent such an accident. Both dogs and cats are also at risk from jumping up on a hot grill, lured by the smell of cooking meat.
The backyard barbecue, in my opinion, should become a thing of the past. Barbecues pollute the evening air with carbon micro-particles that can make asthmatics suffer and cause lung disease. They are at the end-point of consumer- and culture-driven appetites responsible for climate change.
Pass me the roasted organic corn, anti-cancer mushrooms and colored vegetables from a clean hibachi grill! With my late father’s elderberry flower wine or rough cider on a hot summer evening, that would be a feast!
While I harp on, let’s also get rid of the LED lights that attract insects, unplug the UV electric bug-zappers and use citronella candles if you have any biting, flying insects, and turn our “perfect” lawns into more natural, chemical-free habitats.