10 Most Dangerous Creatures for Your Dogs and Cats

Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Fire Ants

A dog keeping his nose close to the ground to explore may suddenly cry out, leap back and start pawing his nose. Chances are that his nose hit a colony of swarming fire ants that deliver burning bites. Fire ant bites aren't as serious as other threats in our list, but they do send dogs to veterinary clinics for sore paws and injured noses. "I've been bitten by fire ants and it's no fun," says Dr. Mark Russak,

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Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Fire Ants

A dog keeping his nose close to the ground to explore may suddenly cry out, leap back and start pawing his nose. Chances are that his nose hit a colony of swarming fire ants that deliver burning bites. Fire ant bites aren't as serious as other threats in our list, but they do send dogs to veterinary clinics for sore paws and injured noses. "I've been bitten by fire ants and it's no fun," says Dr. Mark Russak, president of the American Animal Hospital Association.

Location: South, from North Carolina through Texas; also, southern California, New Mexico.

What to do if your pet is bitten: Check with your veterinarian for treatment; if nothing else, rinse area with cool water to reduce swelling, Dr. Russak says.

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