Summer is here, temperatures are warming and it soon will be time for Fourth of July celebrations.
Please be mindful of how stressful this can be on your furry family members. Dogs’ and cats’ hearing are much more sensitive than ours, so those loud booms can be extremely uncomfortable.
Frightened dogs may have different reactions: some tremble at their owners’ feet, others retreat to a hiding place, some try to run off (traveling for miles), and others display bizarre behavior. Sometimes ordinarily well-behaved pets may become aggressive, destructive and/or unpredictable.
Scolding or coddling a dog will not help. Scolding will scare and confuse the animal, and coddling reinforces fearful behaviors. Instead, try to distract the dog from the disturbing noises with physical activity such as playing ball. Taking your dog on a very long walk is another way to expend excess energy before the fireworks, and can help induce a calm state.
Indoor-only animals can often become so frightened during fireworks displays that they take desperate measures to escape the noise, such as breaking through window or door screens. For this reason, make sure your pet is wearing a collar and identification tag with current contact information so you can be reunited quickly if your pet does happen to escape.
There are many family and group activities that are perfect for pets, but a public fireworks display or any other type of gathering where fireworks will be set off usually isn’t one of them. It’s best to keep all pets safely confined indoors during these times. Having a radio or TV at a normal volume may help to dampen jarring noises. If you are unable to leave your pet at home, then bring a travel kennel for the animal to feel safe in.
While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and possibly trauma to the face and paws of curious pets, even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including arsenic, which can be fatal to animals if ingested. Be sure to keep them out of the animal’s reach.
Of course, we can’t forget other small animals. If your pets live outside, partly covering cages, pens and aviaries with blankets can help dampen sound. It is important to make sure that your pet is still able to look out, though. Also, providing lots of extra bedding can allow your pet to have something to burrow in during the festivities.
Taking the necessary safety precautions can ensure that your animals are safe and comfortable during these summer celebrations.
Understanding feline cancers
Just as the big “C” word can take over the lives of our loved ones, it can also take hold of our beloved pets.
Feline cancer can be a devastating diagnosis, but there can be ways to prevent your loving cats from contracting some types of non-hereditary cancers, and there are treatments available for those who may have already been diagnosed.
Feline cancer is a class of diseases in which cells grow uncontrollably, invade surrounding tissue and may spread to other areas of the body. As with people, cats can get various kinds of cancer. The disease can be localized (confined to one area, like a tumor) or generalized (spread throughout the body).
Feline cancer has no known single cause. However, we do know that both environmental and hereditary factors can lead to the development of cancer in cats.
Symptoms of cancer in cats may vary widely. Some of those symptoms include the following (although these don’t always denote a cancer diagnosis).
Lumps, which are not always malignant, are always worth having a veterinarian examine.
There may also be swelling, persistent sores or skin infections, abnormal discharge from any part of the body, bad breath, listlessness or other marked change in behavior.
Pay attention to dramatic weight loss, sudden lameness, diarrhea or vomiting, scaly and/or red skin patches, loss of or decreased appetite, breathing difficulty or a dramatic change in behavior.
Keeping your cat indoors will protect her from certain skin cancers caused by repeated sun exposure and sunburn. It can also help protect your cat from exposure to the feline leukemia virus, which can cause cancer to develop. There is a vaccination available to help prevent your cat from being able to contract the virus, as well as testing that your veterinarian can do that can confirm contraction of the virus and allow for a proper treatment plan.
Treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy or a combination of therapies. The success of treatment depends on the form and extent of the cancer and the aggressiveness of the therapy.
Of course, as with people, early detection is best. Some cat owners opt for no treatment of the cancer, in which case palliative care, including pain relief, should be considered.
Regardless of how you proceed after a diagnosis of cancer in your pet, it is very important to consider their quality of life when making future decisions. The best advice is to contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat shows any of the clinical signs mentioned on the list above.
Please be responsible: spay and neuter your pets.
Gloria J. Towle is on the Central Aroostook Humane Society board of directors.
