As the 4^th of July quickly approaches, you may be wondering how the holiday will impact your pet. The 4^th of July is a particularly dangerous holiday for pets, due to the hazardous substances used in fireworks, as well as the fear that fireworks often invoke in pets. In fact, many shelters state that July 5^th is their busiest day due to the number of pets that get lost on the 4^th of July. It is important to understand the ways that you can keep pets safe on the 4^th of July in order to prevent harm to your beloved pet. Here are a few of the best ways to keep pets safe on the 4^th of July.

Keep them Indoors

Even if your pet is used to being outdoors, it is important to keep them indoors over the 4^th of July. Otherwise, they can become frightened from fireworks and get loose from your yard. Many pets become lost over the 4^th of July. When you keep them indoors, you can help to ensure that they are in a safe, secure location. This can go a long way toward keeping them safe throughout the holiday.

Be Careful About Products you Use

If you’re having a BBQ outside, it is likely that your pet will want to be outside with you! Ensure that you always know where they are if this is the case. It is similarly important to never use products specifically designed for humans on your pets. Even if you think you are helping, spraying insect repellant that isn’t designed for dogs on your dog can cause a substantial amount of harm. The same thing applies to sunscreen. Products that are safe for humans can be toxic and dangerous for pets.

Keep them away from your Drinks

Always keep an eye on your drink and don’t put it anywhere that a pet may have access to it. Alcohol is toxic for pets. This includes beer! You should also refrain from giving your pets food from your plate. Many of the common 4^th of July foods, like onion blossoms, can be detrimental to your pet’s health. Consider keeping healthy treats on hand to help your pet feel like they are being included, without feeding them from your own plate!

Don’t Bring them to a Fireworks Display

Some people think that their pet will feel more at ease if they can see the source of the noise that is frightening them. This is rarely the case. They will often be just as stressed, even if they can see that the fireworks are causing the sound. In addition, bringing them to a fireworks display will cause them to be in a crowded, unfamiliar place, which can simply exacerbate their anxiety. If you are going out to a fireworks display, you should leave your pets at home, where they will be safe. Don’t think that you can just leave them in the car during the fireworks display, either. July is often the hottest time of the year, which can cause your dog to develop heat stroke and other similar problems.

Make Sure they Can Be Identified

Though you may have taken steps to keep your pet secured over the 4^th of July, it is still possible that they will find some way to escape. This can lead to pets becoming lost. It is crucial to ensure that your pet can be identified during this scenario. You may want to consider having them microchipped. You will also want to ensure that they are wearing a collar that has ID tags with your contact information. Make sure that you have a recent picture of them, in case you need to put up flyers.

Keep Away from Glowsticks

A glowstick necklace may certainly look cute on your pet, but you should never put this jewelry near them! They may chew on the glowstick or the glowstick might simply break, giving them access to the internal contents. The chemicals inside of glowsticks are toxic and need to be kept away from your animals.

Never Use Fireworks Around Them

Fireworks should never be used around pets or children. They can cause injury in individuals that don’t know to be careful around them. If you use fireworks around your pets, you can cause them to become injured in addition to being frightened.

Keep Track of Hazardous Substances

Even unlit fireworks can be dangerous for your pets! There are many chemicals and various substances around during the 4^th of July that can be toxic and dangerous for your pets. Keep them away from fireworks, matches, and lighter fluid.

Exercise Early in the Day

Take them for an extra walk earlier in the day on the 4^th of July. Just like with humans, exercise is a great way to reduce stress levels. If they are tired beforehand, it will be easier for them to relax when the 4^th of July festivities start up!

Turn on the TV

Only use this method if they are used to sound coming from the TV. Turning on the TV can help to muffle the more unfamiliar sound of the fireworks, without causing unnecessary anxiety. You may also use music to accomplish the same thing.

Signs that your Dog is Stressed from Fireworks

Learn the signs that your pet is feeling stressed from fireworks. This is extremely common in pets that have noise aversion or are particularly sensitive to sounds. Common signs of stress in pets include pacing, panting, shaking, whining, and trying to hide in more secluded locations.

Preparation can go a long way toward keeping your pet safe this 4^th of July! Don’t let your pet be added to the number of pets that become lost or injured during July 4^th festivities. Keep them inside and away from fireworks. To learn more about the best steps to take to keep pets safe over the 4^th of July, contact our experienced team at Borrett Animal Hospital today!

 

Dogs often have incredibly heightened senses, especially when it comes to their hearing and sense of smell. This can cause your dog to react extremely negatively to loud sounds, especially when they are unexpected or unfamiliar. You may not have even noticed the sound that has triggered their reaction, which can further complicate identifying the problem. It is important to understand if your dog is sensitive to sounds. This will help you to identify how you can help them, as well as keep them comfortable and safe, even when you can’t control all loud noises. Here are a few things to consider if your dog is sensitive to sounds.

Signs that your Dog is Sensitive to Sounds

Understanding the signs that your dog is sensitive to sounds can help you to make the best decision for your specific situation. It will help you to identify when your dog is experiencing anxiety due to noise. Some moderate signs of sensitivity to sounds include shaking and clinginess around the owner in response to loud noises, such as thunder. However, there can be far more extreme responses to loud noises, such as panicked running, defecating indoors, and destructive chewing. Many owners are unaware that these bad behaviors are actually caused by a reaction to frightening noises, which can cause them to punish their pet and exacerbate the existing problem. Some of these behaviors may also be caused by separation anxiety, which is another behavioral issue that often requires careful treatment.

Causes of Noise Anxiety

Understanding the causes of noise anxiety can help you to make the best decision when it comes to treatment for the sensitivity to the triggering sounds. In some situations, your pet may have had a traumatic past experience with loud noises. This is much easier to detect than some of the other causes of noise anxiety. Genetic predisposition can also cause your dog to be sensitive to sounds. Breeds that are commonly sensitive to sounds include German shepherds, collies, and golden retrievers. Some dogs may gradually begin to show signs of sound sensitivity that worsen with no apparent cause over time. These cases are often the most difficult to treat. It can certainly be very difficult to determine the underlying cause of your dog’s sound sensitivity. You may want to consider consulting with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist to obtain superior treatment for your dog.

Take Care to Behave Normally

Though it certainly feels natural to coddle your pet when they are upset or anxious, most experts agree that you should refrain from doing so when they exhibit sound sensitivity. If you console your dog, it is highly likely that they will interpret your actions to mean that they have something to worry about and that their fear is not an overreaction. In addition to this, pets often pick up on your own emotions. For example, a dog that is around an owner that is afraid of thunder will likely develop an aversion or sensitivity to the sound of thunder. Acting completely naturally and nonchalant about the situation can help to calm your pet.

Possible Treatments

The most effective treatment for sound sensitivity depends primarily on the specific dog. Not every dog will respond to each technique in the same way. It can be helpful to take steps to change the environment or provide a safe place for them to retreat to. It is useful to provide a place where the exterior noise level will be reduced, such as a kennel covered with thick blankets to provide a sound barrier. The use of pressure wraps is another common treatment for anxiety. These wraps are often referred to as Thundershirts, though that is the brand name of some of the most popular pressure wraps.

Behavior modification strategies are often used to help dogs that are averse to various noises. Desensitization tends to be the most popular behavior modification strategy. This method often involves exposing the pet to varying levels of sounds to allow them to become more comfortable when experiencing the sound. In severe cases, your veterinarian may recommend anxiety medications to keep your pet calm.

Sounds that Cause Reactions

It is important to pay attention to which sounds cause reactions. In general, your pet is more likely to react negatively to unpredictable or unusual sounds. Take thunder, for example. Thunder is an extremely common trigger for pets with noise anxiety. It doesn’t often occur in regular intervals, so it can be difficult for your dog to predict when the next sound will come. In addition, thunder is likely not a sound that they hear on a daily basis. When they hear sounds regularly, they are likely to adjust to it over time. This is one of the concepts behind the usefulness of desensitization strategies.

May Be Caused by Pain

It is important to pay attention to your dog’s sensitivity to sound. In some situations, your dog’s reaction may be caused by physical pain, rather than anxiety. Paying careful attention can help you to determine whether it is a behavioral response or a reaction to pain. Some dogs have extremely heightened hearing, which can cause them to experience high levels of pain when they hear loud noises. Consulting with an experienced veterinarian can help you to determine whether the behavior is a reaction to pain or anxiety.

At Borrett Animal Hospital, we are dedicated to providing your pets with the services necessary to ensure that they remain healthy and happy. A large array of dogs experience sensitivity to sounds on a regular basis, which can cause them to be anxious, scared, or even in pain. Identifying the underlying cause can help you to determine the ideal solution. Some symptoms of sound sensitivity are relatively mild and easy to deal with. However, other symptoms can be incredibly disruptive and can lead to harm to the owner’s quality of life, not to mention the pet’s. To learn more about how to help your pet with sensitivity to sounds, contact our expert team at Borrett Animal Hospital today!

 

It can be extremely difficult to detect the early stages of cancer in your animals. Unfortunately, it is incredibly important to detect cancer in the early stages in order to provide the best chances of successful treatment. The more cancer settles in, the more difficult it will be to treat. This makes it extremely beneficial to understand the common signs of cancer in animals. When you familiarize yourself with the signs of cancer, you may be able to detect cancer in the early stages. This will go a long way toward providing your pets with the care that they need, when they need it.

Abnormal Swellings or Growths

It is important to regularly examine your pet’s skin and body. If you notice any new growths or masses under or on the skin, it is likely an indication of cancer. It is similarly important to keep an eye on changes with any existing growths. In most situations, your veterinarian will suggest that you have abnormal growths removed and biopsied to locate cancer in the early stages and protect the health of your pets.

Difficulty Eating or Swallowing

When there is a growth located on the throat or in the mouth, it likely becomes extremely difficult for your pet to eat or swallow. This can lead to an array of other issues. Pay attention to your pets when they are eating. If they exhibit signs that indicate that they are having difficulty eating, it is possible that they have a cancerous growth in an unpleasant place.

Unexplained Weight Loss

Not only will a pet seem to have difficulty swallowing, but they may exhibit unexplained weight loss. Certain types of cancer can cause issues with the digestive system, while other kinds can make it difficult for them to eat. Cancer often results in both weight loss and a loss of appetite.

Sores that Don’t Heal

Sores can occur due to an accident or injury, such as scratches from a bush or other occurrence. However, it is important to pay attention to sores that are extremely persistent and don’t heal over time. Long-lasting, persistent sores may indicate cancer. They tend to be persistent and long-lasting, because they are caused by the cancer rather than an external occurrence.

Bleeding or Discharge from Body Openings

Bleeding or discharge from various body opening may not always be an indication of cancer. However, it certainly can be, especially in combination with other signs of cancer. For example, not all nose bleeds indicate nose cancer, but nose cancer often causes bleeding from the nose. It is particularly beneficial to ensure that this sign is in combination with other signs to protect the health of your pet.

Persistent Lameness

Lameness isn’t always an indication of cancer. In fact, the majority of pets that experience lameness do not have cancer. Arthritis, prior injuries, and many other things can lead to persistent lameness. However, lameness can also be a sign of bone cancer. Bringing your pet in to see a professional can help to identify the cause behind your pet’s lameness, as well as identify a specific plan to help increase the comfort of your pet. If you notice that your pets seem far more stiff than usual, you may want to bring them in to our office.

Difficulty Breathing, Defecating, or Urinating

The areas where cancerous growths can occur can be uncomfortable and even incredibly dangerous. Cancer can also cause disruption to their systems. When your pet has difficulty defecating, urinating, or breathing, it is possible that your pet has cancer. Even if cancer isn’t the culprit, it is still important to bring them in to see a medical professional. Any issue that makes it difficult for them to breathe or defecate is a serious threat to their health.

Offensive Odor

Pay attention to offensive and unpleasant smells coming from your pets. Just like how bad breath can indicate more serious health conditions, other smells can indicate a health concern with your pet. For example, some odors can arise due to the presence of bacteria, others can indicate severe infections. It is important to take the steps to obtain medical treatment if your pet suddenly starts emitting offensive odors.

Reluctance to Exercise

Cancer can cause extreme fatigue and loss of energy. It can also be an incredibly painful experience for your pet. All of these factors in combination tend to result in a pet feeling extremely reluctant to exercise. If your dog, who used to love walks, suddenly starts hiding when you pull out the leash, it is possible that there is a serious health issues that is interrupting their energy levels.

Discolored Patches of Skin

It is important to regularly examine the skin of your pets. Discolored patches can be an indication of cancer. Scaly patches of skin may also indicate that your pet has an issue with their skin.

Signs of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is another type of cancer that pets can experience. It is important to understand these signs in order to protect the health of your pet. Tumors and new growths often indicate the presence of skin cancer. You should also pay attention to areas where your dog continuously licks or scratches. Patches of skin with cancer will be extremely uncomfortable, which tends to cause pets to scratch or otherwise mess with the area. Though the fur from pets may help to protect them, keeping your pets in the shade or otherwise helping to protect their skin can help to keep them safe from skin cancer.

Here at Borrett Animal Hospital, we are dedicated to providing you with all of the services that you need to protect the health of your pets. If you suspect that your pet has cancer, it is critical to bring them in to our office to have it identified in the early stages. Our expert team can help to provide you with guidance regarding the best plan to protect your pet’s health. If you are concerned that your pet may have developed cancer, you should contact our office as soon as possible!