Fireworks and Your Pets - Important Info

Cathleen Neighbourly Lead from Marewa

Thanks to Carlyle Vets post on facebook for this.

It's Guy Fawkes time once again and sales will begin on 2 November, 3 days prior to Guy Fawkes Day. From our pets point of view it's good that sales are now only restricted to 3 days prior.

Many dogs and some cats develop a fear or anxiety response to fireworks and we now find it is the high pitched squealing sound that some skyrockets make which seems to be almost worse than the now banned crackers.

There are a number of behavioral modification techniques which may be used. - one of which is a CD which has sounds of thunderstorms, fireworks, etc which can be continuously played at a low volume, slowly increasing the volume to decrease sensitivity. However, while this is very useful in severe cases it requires a number of weeks to modify the behaviour.

Tips for owners – please share this with all your contacts and friends

• Provide a safe secure indoor space.
• Reduce visual exposure and muffle sounds – place your pet in a darkened room or covered cage and play their favourite music, play a radio talk show, or turn on the TV.
• Owners should remain calm and provide quiet reassurance, avoid inadvertent reinforcement of anxiety by excessive treat giving or making a fuss.
• Microchip your pet to assist in them being reunited with you if they do run off and become lost.
• Ensure the effects of sedation medication are completely worn off before allowing your pet outdoors.

Sedation/Anti-anxiety Drugs
Over the years a number of these types of drugs have been used with varying degree of success.

The latest which seems to be very effective in most pets is Alazopram (Xanax) - from the Valium family. This is now our first choice antianxiety medication for Guy Fawkes.

The speed of action is 30-60 minutes so ideally this is given prior to the fireworks when the animal is calm. There is a wide range of dose rates and timing intervals – we usually start in the mid range and adjust from there if more is needed.

If you'd like to try this for your pet, phone us to discuss the pros and cons. We are recommending that if used, it's given from the evening of the 3rd through to the evening of the 5th.

Calming aids:
Please contact us if you wish to discuss any of these measures in more detail, or make a time to see one of our veterinarians who can help evaluate the best solution for your pet.

There are a variety of “Calming Aids” available which may also help your pet remain relaxed during the fireworks week. Some need a longer lead in time to be effective; others work more quickly.