It's the time of year many pet owners dread – firework season. Stretching across an extended period from around Halloween until the new year, it can be a difficult time for many owners and their animals, particularly as it can be impossible to know when fireworks are about to start throughout this time. There was a huge firework display in a field behind my house at 11pm on a Tuesday – not something I had anticipated! Luckily, my dog wasn't too bothered, but this can be a huge problem for some animals and impossible to avoid.
Signs of distress in dogs include the obvious ones like whining or barking, clinging, hiding, trembling or shaking, along with less obvious ones like excessive panting or drooling, pacing and loss of appetite (Dogs Trust, 2023). Recent research from the University of Salford in association with Dogs Trust has found that dogs may be more sensitive to low frequency booms and vibration than previously thought – not just the big bangs we tend to associate with fireworks. Dogs Trust (2023) has issued some useful advice that can be highlighted to dog owners, including keeping pets indoors when fireworks are expected and staying with the animal for reassurance, checking gardens are escape-proof as dogs may panic when fireworks start and try to run away, creating a ‘doggy den’ – a safe space they can retreat to, and contacting the veterinary surgery if dogs have shown signs of fear previously, as medication may be able to be prescribed to help with this.
Something I hadn't expected this year was how badly my 11-year-old cat would react to fireworks. He has never reacted previously, so this was a surprise, and just goes to show how animals can change in sensitivity over time. All owners should be vigilant for this. Thankfully, he calmed down once in a safe space under his favourite bed.
We also are reaching the danger season for pets ingesting things they shouldn't – chocolate, mince pies and Christmas cake being the main culprits. While most dog owners know about the risks of chocolate, the problem of animals eating sultanas, raisins and grapes may be less well known. These ingredients can cause acute kidney injury in dogs and cats, which can be fatal, and urgent veterinary attention is required if owners suspect their animals have eaten any. It may be useful to have a poster up in the practice waiting room to alert owners to these risks – it could save a pet's life!
I hope you enjoy this month's issue. We have a wide variety of articles covering anaesthesiology, cardiology, behaviour, nutrition, parasitology and an interesting case report on a rabbit with monorchidism. We'd love to hear what you think – email us at vet@markallengroup.com