4th of July with Pets: Your Survival Guide
With the 4th of July just around the corner, our team here at Care Pet Animal Hospital in Jacksonville, FL, have a few tips to help both you and your pets safely enjoy the holiday. We also have an emergency vet or mobile vet at our animal hospital to provide pet care you if your pet has heat exhaustion or another accident due to fireworks. Here are some suggestions that we find most useful to owners during this festive occasion.
Fireworks Considerations
Should your animals have an aversion to fireworks, try to place them in a quiet room in the home. Some may enjoy having TV noise in the background to override the noise. If the festivities are occurring at home or in the neighborhood, avoid putting pets in the back yard, as they might be tempted to dig their way out under fencing in fear.
Not all pets will be as thrilled about the bangs, booms, whistles and noises of fireworks as their human companions.
Planning on Being Around People?
Those planning to take a pet to a festival or public function will want to have a leash to always keep them under control. Remember, even the friendliest animal can get more aggressive or fearful due to firework noise. If the pets are at home with you and guests, be sure to let guests know to keep gates and doors closed to prevent runaways. Just in case a pet escapes, it’s a wise move to have them microchipped to improve the chances of them being returned home.
Heat Exhaustion
While pets in Jacksonville, FL, are likely used to the heat here, a long day out in the middle of summer could be too much to handle. Just like people, pets can suffer from heat exhaustion, and in serious cases it may be necessary to come and see our emergency vet at our animal hospital for proper care – especially if water isn’t helping them cool off. Signs of heat exhaustion include:
- Excessive Panting
- Difficulty Breathing
- Fever
- Dehydration & Lack of Urine
- Rapid Pulse
- Excessive Drooling
- Bright Gray, Red, Bluish or Purple Gums
- Muscle Tremor
Get Pet Care form a Veterinarian at Our Animal Hospital
Here at Care Pet Animal Hospital, a veterinarian in Jacksonville, FL, offers complete pet care and treats an array of ‘patients’ including dogs, cats, rabbits, exotic pets and farm animals. In addition to being an emergency vet, we also offer house calls and mobile vet services. Call 904-992-1888 to schedule an appointment for pet care with a veterinarian in Jacksonville, FL.