Published in the June 24 – July 9, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay
Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay
The Fourth of July in Morgan Hill is a time for barbecues, pool parties and the big firework show at the Outdoor Sports Center. But for many local pets, after sunset on Independence Day can be a time full of fear and anxiety.
The loud pops and flashes of lights in the sky on the night of the celebration of our nation’s birthday can be overwhelming. Many pets will try anything to get away from this disturbing noises while others will cower in fear in a corner or under a table. More pets go missing on the Fourth of July than any other time.
Of those who are able to escape, some will be found, while others will remain lost, end up in shelters or worse yet be fatally hit by cars.
But the Fourth does not have to be this way for our pets. There are some steps you can take to help ease your pet’s mind during the festivities and keep them safe and comfortable.
• Keep them indoors: Keeping your pet locked indoors is the simplest way to keep them safe.
Pets who are not accustomed to being indoors may do better locked in a small room or crate. Keep your dog in a place that is comfortable for him, such as their crate or a bedroom. Cats may do best in a quiet, dark room with their favorite bed.
• Stay home: If possible, stay at home with your pet. Having a familiar face around is very comforting to a scared pet and sometimes your company alone is enough to keep your pet comfortable. It will also allow you to observe their behavior, make modifications and adjust plans for the following year if necessary.
• Check collars and tags: A scared cat or dog can quickly escape through a crack in the door and end up on the streets. If they are recovered, make sure there is a way to contact you. Make sure that your pet is wearing a collar with clear identification and contact numbers.
A frightened animal may be able to slip out of his collar, so a microchip is a good way to provide permanent identification. Verify that the contact numbers on the tags and microchip contact data are current. Most pets that escape and are not wearing identification will not make it back home.
• Emergency file: Keep easily accessible records of local contact numbers for shelters and animal control in case your pet goes missing. Also keep on file a current photo of your pet and the microchip number if he has one.
• Sedatives: If your pet has a known history of firework anxiety, contact your veterinarian. Sedatives can be used prior to and during the fireworks show to ease anxiety and help keep pets safe and comfortable.
Make sure that you contact your veterinarian in advance, as an examination may be required to determine which sedative would be the safest and most effective for your particular pet. Also keep in mind that pharmacies may not be open on the Fourth. Have your veterinarian make a sedative recommendations and if they cannot provide you with the medication, make sure you pick it up well in advance of the holiday.
Sedatives work well for many dogs, but typically need to be started prior to any stimuli in order to work. Once the dog becomes anxious, the ability of the drugs to ease that anxiety can be very limited. You should also consider staying at home with your pet if they need sedation in order to monitor them for any adverse effects related to the sedatives.
Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay received her undergraduate degrees in biology, biochemistry and Spanish from the College of Notre Dame, Belmont. She graduated from U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children and plans to return to her equestrian pastime in the near future.
