Keep Your Animals Safe On July 4th!

The Fourth of July can be one of the most dangerous and
frightening holidays for animals. Loud explosions are terrifying
to animals who don't understand them.

With proper planning and some common sense, your companion
animals can remain safe and secure on Independence Day. Here are
some tips:

    * First and foremost, leave your animals at home when you go
to see fireworks! Resist the urge to take your companion animal
to fireworks displays.

    * Before you leave home for the fireworks, make sure your
animals are indoors in a sheltered, quiet area. Some animals
become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you've
removed any items that your companion animal could destroy or
that would be harmful if chewed or swallowed. Leave a television
or radio playing at normal volume to keep him/her company.

    * Make sure your animals are wearing identification tags
(and it's even better if they're also microchipped!) so that if
they do become lost, they can be returned promptly.

    * Do not leave an animal in your car. With only hot air to
breathe, your animal friend can suffer serious health effects,
even death, in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do
not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity
for your animal to be kidnapped.

    * If you know that your animal becomes seriously distressed
by loud noises, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th
for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will
experience during fireworks displays.

    * Never leave your animals outside unattended, even in a
fenced yard, and especially not on a chain. With explosions
occuring, animals who normally wouldn't leave the yard may
escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain,
risking injury or death. (There are lots of other reasons to
never leave your dog chained! Contact us if you want more
information about the negative effects of chaining dogs.)

    * If you find somebody else's companion animals running
at-large, either take them to the address on the tag, if you
feel comfortable doing so, or bring them to the local animal
shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited
with their human families.

And our friends at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center offer
the following additional tips:

    * Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where animals can
reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison
animals. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated
and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from
respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.

    * Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to
your animal that is not labeled specifically for use on animals.
Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling,
vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of
insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological
problems.

    * Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of animals'
reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could
potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty
breathing-or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid
can be irritating to skin, and if ingested can produce
gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system
depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia
and breathing problems could develop.

    * Keep animals on their normal diet. Any change, even for
one meal, can cause severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is
particularly true for older animals who have more delicate
digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind
that foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes &
raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to
companion animals.

    * Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out
of reach. Ingestions can produce stomach irritation and possibly
even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils
could cause aspiration pneumonia in animals.

    * Never use fireworks around animals! While exposure to lit
fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and/or trauma
to the face and paws of curious animals, even unused fireworks
can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic
substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy
metals.

 

EVERYONE HAVE A HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!  And to our neighbors up north, A belated HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!  [DM is Canadian]
 
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