University
Commons Animal Clinic
1827 Wehrli Road , Naperville, IL 60565. Phone:
630-544-3333 |
|
The Fourth of July is an
"explosive" celebration of independence that we all love. Fun fairs,
parades, shows, food, parties, music, noise and fireworks everywhere... what can
be more exciting?
Some of our dogs are not so
good at American history and all that party activity is a surprise to them.
Weather it is in the middle of dinner, relaxation time on the couch or a nice
doggy midnight dream, the rattling booms come as a shock and can scare the
living daylights out of a dog. Fireworks are a rude awakening that sends our
canine friends from a calm downtime up into the air with a racing heart beat and
cold sweat.
The poor dog is terrorized.
With a natural instinct of fight or flight reaction, he/she tries to run for
his/her life. To him/her the world is coming to an end. The intense explosions
are amplified by a dog's acute hearing sense, tearing his brains apart. He tries
to escape with erratic pacing or trotting in different directions, digging or
chewing his way out, panting, crying and loosing his mind.
Some dogs undergoing this
traumatic experience become injured or cause damage in the house. They need
help. If possible, dogs that are known to have this "4th
of July syndrome" should be placed in a quiet environment, away from the
commotion. If not, they at least can be brought to a "safe hiding
place": A place that mimics a cave or a small dark space, like the one
under the bed or the bedroom closet.
Owners should consult their
veterinarian about ways to help their dog in these or similar cases. Many
affected dog will also react similarly to thunderstorms or gunshots. There are
ways of behavioral therapy that can help the dog, such as conditioning or
desensitization. Tranquilizers and other sedatives are sometimes used for a
short-term treatment. Some medications may be harmful to dogs with kidney or
liver problems. A physical exam as well as a blood test should be done prior to
the medical treatment.
In addition, owners should
prevent disasters related to escaped dogs by keeping them indoors or on a leash
and verify that an ID tag is on the dog (a well-secured ID tag or an embedded
Microchip).
Some dogs
are the complete opposite. They are fearless and are not affected by noises.
These brave dogs should be confined as well, especially if they are a good
retriever. There have been several tragic incidents where dogs ran and fetched
firecrackers.
We wish a
happy and safe Fourth of July to all of you!
