New to Cimarron Animal Hospital? Visit the New Clients page and download a new client form.

New Clients

Stripy Spidy Man meets Foster

Welcome to Cimarron Animal Hospital. We're looking forward to working with you to keep your pets healthy and happy.

Click here to download our new client form. Save time by printing it out now, so you can fill it out and bring it with you when your bring your pet to see Dr. Bohnke.

WELCOME NEWCOMERS TO TUCSON!
We hope that this information on state and local animal regulations will be helpful to our clients who are new to the Tucson area. Also, a reminder about the dangers of rattlesnakes, the dangers of our summer heat, and a local disease called valley fever.

ANIMAL CARE LAWS
Animal care laws protect people and pets. The Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) enforces laws dealing with animal bites, leash laws, public health and cruelty to animals.

Pima Animal Care Center (PACC)
4000 N Silverbell
Tucson, AZ 85745

Licensing Information	520-743-7666
Fax	520-743-9581
Enforcement	520-743-7550

Leash Law

One of our youngest patients prepares for her first trip.

Your dog must be kept in an enclosed yard when on your property. Your dog cannot be off your property unless restrained by a leash. Tieouts are prohibited.

Dog Parks
Udall Park - Tanque Verde Road, just east of Sabino Canyon Road. The dog enclosure is at the south end of the main entry road on the left. . These areas are available to all socialized and friendly canines. Park rules are posted and must be followed. A reminder that your pet should be current on his/her vaccinations against rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and bordetella. It is also important to monitor your pet's activities, and to clean up after your pet.

School Grounds
No person shall bring a dog on school grounds, regardless of whether it is on a leash. Police and service dogs, and dogs participating in formal school events are the exception.

Dangerous and Destructive Animals
The owner of an animal that bites, attempts to bite or destroys property, will be held responsible. All animal bites must be reported to PACC, and the animal must be quarantined.

Cruelty and Neglect

Everyone appreciates the beautiful Sonoran desert sunsets

It is against the law to leave a pet unattended in a motor vehicle, regardless of the time of year.

The Tucson sun is very hot, and temperatures inside of a car can reach 150 degrees in a matter of minutes. An animal can die within minutes if left in a hot vehicle.

The law prohibits inhumane treatment of animals. This includes inadequate food, water, shelter, medical attention, exercise space, ventilation, abandonment, and pets being left inside hot motor vehicles. Report instances of abuse to PACC.

Stray Animals
Report all loose dogs to PACC.

Animal Noise
Investigation and citations, according to law, could occur for animals that frequently bark, howl or make noise that disturbs neighbors.

Animal Waste
Clean up after your pets. Animal waste must be removed.

Animal License Requirements
By City Ordinance, all dogs over the age of three months, must have a current vaccination against rabies. Pima County required all dogs over the age of four months have a rabies vaccination. A rabies vaccine must be administered by a licensed veterinarian. The dog should be licensed by Pima County, and the license and rabies tags should be affixed to a collar and be worn at all times.

City of Tucson residents pay an annual fee of $10.00 to license a neutered dog. The fee to license an unaltered canine is $40.00.

You may obtain a county license at Cimarron Animal Hospital or from the Pima Animal Care Center located on the Northwest side of Tucson. License fees vary depending on the age of the owner, the age of the pet, and whether the animal is neutered.

To license your pet you will need a certificate of vaccination signed by a licensed veterinarian. You will also need the vaccine manufacturers name, type of vaccine used (MLV or Killed), serial or lot number, date the vaccination was given, the veterinarian's name, and how long the vaccine is valid.

If your pet does not have a current rabies vaccination, we can schedule an appointment for your pet to be examined by Dr Bohnke. If your pet is healthy, she will administer the rabies vaccine. We will be happy to handle your licensing paperwork for you.

If your dog has a current rabies vaccination and you prefer to handle the licensing yourself, you need only to return your rabies license renewal form with the license fee. If your pet needs vacination, just bring your renewal form with you. We can fill it out for you.

Senior citizen discounts are available with a photocopy of your birth certificate or driver's license. Special discounts are available for disabled citizens living in the City of Tucson.

TRAVEL REGULATIONS
The state of Arizona requires that your dog or cat be examined by an accredited veterinarian and is healthy. Dogs and cats must have current rabies vaccinations.

The examining veterinarian should issue an original health certificate for each pet that you plan to bring into the state. The certificate should be issued within 30 days prior to entry. Photocopies of the travel certificate must have an original signature of the attending doctor.

Vaccination and travel requirements vary by state. Before you and your pet travel out of the state, you should check with the State Veterinarian in the state of destination, to obtain the requirements for that state.

LOCAL PET HEALTH CONCERNS

VALLEY FEVER ( Coccidiodomycosis)
Because you live in the Sonoran Desert, your pets are at risk for a disease known as Valley Fever, or Coccidioidomycosis. This disease is caused by a fungus which is found in the soil. The disease is acquired by breathing in the fungal spores.

Arizona Dust Storm

There are two forms of Valley Fever, pulmonary and disseminated. The Pulmonary form occurs in the lungs. Symptoms can include fever, listlessness, loss of appetite, anorexia, and a dry, harsh cough.

In the Disseminated form, the infection has spread to other areas of the body such as the bones, joints, skin, brain, liver, and kidney. There may be lameness or limping, swelling of the joints, weight loss, skin abscesses, pain, chronic coughing, incoordination and seizures.

Blood tests and x-rays are used to diagnose Coccidiodomycosis. Treatment should begin immediately and may vary based on the location of the infection and the degree to which the animal is affected. With therapy, the liklihood of recovery is quite good. Recovery in the advanced disease varies with the location and severity. In these cases the prognosis is guarded.

Arizona Dust Devil

There are no preventive measures available other than limiting your pet's exposure to the desert soil and dust as much as possible. Discourge digging and bring your pet in during windy conditions

SNAKEBITE
Each year several hundred dogs, living in the Tucson area, are bitten by rattlesnakes. Most victims survive the bite, but some will suffer permanent tissue damage and even die.

Mohave Rattle Snake

Prevention

Keep your dog on a leash. Those running in washes are in danger of being bitten, and so are you.
Walk your dog on paths and trails.
If you hear a rattle, keep your dog close to you and move away from the snake as soon as you locate it.
Keep your dog away from bushes, holes and rocks where snakes may hide.
Keep your yard clean and free from these potential hiding places.

If Your Pet is Bitten

Western Diamondback Rattle Snake

Try to identify the type of snake by size, color, and the existance of a rattle.
Check your dog thoroughly for bite marks.
Keep your dog quiet.
Call us (886-1125) or the nearest veterinary hospital.
Make sure the hospital has a doctor and rattlesnake antivenun available.
Drive quickly, and carefully, to the veterinary hospital.

TICK FEVER

Brown Dog Ticks