Warning: Dogs are stolen in Biggin Hill
A Career as a Veterinary Surgeon
A Career as a Veterinary Nurse
Overcoming the Fear of Fireworks |
|
Sonya J. Miller-Smith |
Every
year thousands of pets, horses and farm animals require treatment due
to the effects of noisy fireworks.
If your pet suffers from the effects of noisy fireworks, then you might be interested to know what actions you can take to reduce the stress to your pet at Bonfire Night and New Year.
Dogs and Cats
Two Weeks Before
- Plug in a DAP or Feliway Diffuser in the room in which
your pet rests or relaxes.
- Ensure that your pet is wearing some form of identification, so that
you can be re-united if they do flee.
- If you think that your petmay benefit from a calming dietary supplement, "Serene-UM", during the fireworks season, call the practice for advice on its use, and start the supplement now.
- If you think that your pet may require sedative
medication during the firework season, arrange an appointment for
a health check.
On The Day
- Keep your dog or cat inside. Provide cats with a litter tray and remember
to lock the cat flap.
- Give your dog a longer walker than usual, so that he or she will be
tired. Walk during daylight to avoid fireworks.
- Feed your pet a carbohydrate rich meal with added Vitamin B6, in mid
– late afternoon.
- Close all doors and windows to minimise noise, and curtains to block
out flashing lights.
- At sundown, take your pet to your chosen room, with some toys, something
for you to do, and the diffuser. If you are going to use sedative
medication, administer it to your pet approximately 45 minutes before
the time of the desired effect.
- Mask sounds with the TV or music.
- Ignore the noises yourself and try to engage your pet in some form
of active game.
- Do not punish your pet if her or she is scared, it only confirms that there is something to be afraid of. Don’t fuss or try to reassure your pet, as this rewards the behaviour.
After the Event
- Leave the diffuser in for one week.
- If your pet has been particularly scared during this period, consider counter-conditioning with a noise phobia CD or a behaviourist, to help relieve the problem next year.
Diffusers
Diffusers
can be plugged into a socket at home, and release small amounts of pheromones
to calm and relax your pet. DAP diffusers for dogs, contain a pheromone
released by nursing bitches to calm puppies, whilst Feliway diffusers
for cats contain a facial pheromone which ensures that your cat feels
secure in its environment. Diffusers are ideal for stressful times in
your pet’s life, such as the firework season, moving house, or the
arrival of a new baby. The pheromone that they release is undetectable
by humans. Refills for both diffusers are available, so that they may
be re-used when required.
Serene-UM
Serene-UM is a natural food supplement to calm and sooth hyperactivity in cats and dogs, and is recommended by vets for use with fireworks, thunderstorms and travel sickness. It contains vitamins, minerals and amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), and is believed to work by providing the precursors of Seratonin, a chemical active in the brain which reduces anxiety.
Sedative Medication
Pets which suffer severe anxiety during the firework season may require sedative medication. In order to prescribe this medication, your pet must first undergo a health check, to rule out medical causes of phobias, and to ensure that he or she is healthy enough to be sedated. A variety of medications are available, but diazepam is most commonly prescribed, as it both sedates and blocks the memory in phobic situations.
Counter-conditioning
Counter-conditioning involves teaching your pet a new emotional response to a scary stimulus, such as fireworks. Two methods are easily available and should be considered if your pet is particularly scared of fireworks, or if you notice that their response is getting worse over successive years.
Sounds Scary! is a range of CDs for treating pets with noise phobias. Each disc comes complete with a manual that explains the development of phobias and how they can affect a pet, as well as comprehensive instructions for using the CD. The discs were designed by two vets who exclusively treat pets with behavioural problems. These CDs and the instruction manual that accompanies them are available from the practice.
If your pet’s fear of fireworks is quite severe, then arranging a consultation with a qualified behaviourist with experience of noise phobias should be considered. Please feel free to chat with the vets about a behavioural referral.
Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Ferrets
- Bring their hutch or cage inside to a quiet room, garage or shed.
- Provide your pet with extra bedding so they can hide away.
- If you cannot bring your hutch inside then turn it to face a wall
or fence instead of towards the open garden.
- Cover the hutch with thick blankets or a quilt so your pet is unable
to see the flashes.
Further Information
National Campaign for Fireworks Safety
| Top |
© Darwin Veterinary Centre Limited 2002-2007. All rights reserved.