Jennifer Andersson Reporting
news@clarksvillenow.com
As we celebrate our own independence as a country, let us not forget those who depend on us – our pets – who will likely not enjoy the fireworks quite as much as we humans.
Fireworks, as beautiful as they are, can be frightening to animals and could cause pet anxiety. Anxiety is seen more often in dogs, said Dr. Brooke Wicks of the Animal Clinic of North Clarksville.
An owner may assume because the animal has been exposed to loud noises such as fireworks in the past, the animal will have no problems with them in the future. Wicks disagrees.
“Anxiety can develop over time,” she said.
Cats and dogs respond differently to loud noises, Wicks said.
“Cats crouch down and wait it out,” she said. “Dogs are more likely to run until the fireworks stop.”
She suggests pet owners keep animals indoors in an area the pet is at ease, perhaps with a pet bed or blanket and another comfort item, such as a toy.
For many animals, this 4th of July may be the first time they encounter fireworks, and may try to get away from them the best way they know how, said Tim Clifton, the Montgomery County Animal Control director.
“(Caged dogs) may hurt themselves trying to get out,” Wicks said. “They might break their teeth, or their kennel, or if they are not in a cage, they can do damage to the house.”
“They often get away from their owner, trying to get away from the fireworks,” Clifton said. “Owners should put their animals inside, and if they have to take their animals outside, put them on a leash.”
“This is our busiest time of year,” he said.
People bring more strays in after a fireworks-laden holiday than they do during other times of the year.
“If the animal has been chipped, we can find out who owns it,” Clifton said. “And if it has its rabies tags on, it’s even easier.”
Keeping pets and owners together is one problem, but weather hazards are another.
Thanks to built-in fur coats, animals are more sensitive to heat than humans.
“The weather is mild this week, but in the summer, pets are at an increased risk of heatstroke,” said Wicks. “When the temperature is 70 (degrees) or more, when animals cannot find shade or shelter or just the stress of activity can make an animal a heat risk.”
She said even a dog’s own barking can bring on heat stroke. Signs of heat stroke include bright red or purplish-blue gums, labored breathing, collapse, vomiting, diarrhea or seizure. If heat stroke is suspected, Wicks suggests contacting a local veterinarian. Several animal clinics in the area have a vet on call 24 hours a day.
Wicks said animals are likely to experience digestive problems this weekend, as they find – or are given – foods prepared for only human consumption, such as hot dogs or potato chips.
Stress of any kind, whether it be fireworks, owner separation, heat, or digestion problems, can create a condition called stress colitis, in which the animal experiences diarrhea or vomiting.
Medicating an animal to avoid these stressors is never the answer, unless it has been prescribed for that animal by a veterinarian, Wicks said.
Wicks and Clifton agree that the best medicine is soft music to drown out the fireworks, and some TLC.
“Music really soothes animals,” Clifton said. “And even better is to put them on your lap and love on them.”