Taking the edge off July 4 stress

nervous wreck for many days. Is there anything I can do to make them more comfortable this year?



A. Well, if we lived in the Midwest or East, I suppose we could corral everyone down into the basement to keep them from having to undergo the trauma of the fireworks.

The reason dogs and cats are so sensitive is that their senses of smell and hearing are both more acute than ours. As an example of how sensitive a dog's sense of smell is, consider this: A bloodhound tracking the scent of a lost person or criminal has the ability to smell that person's particular scent 40 feet underwater! Now, that's incredible.

Just like most people, dogs and cats do not handle stress well, and I can't think of anything more stressful than having to go through a 30- to 45-minute presentation of whistling, screaming fireworks complete with explosions; loud, crackling noises; and burned sulfur.

I can't even imagine what the pets are thinking. Certainly older dogs and cats are less traumatized, because as they age they lose a significant portion of their hearing abilities. But some younger cats and dogs can become completely freaked out.

I have seen several dogs over the years that have literally jumped through pane-glass windows in an effort to escape the noise. This can obviously result in lost pets and severe injuries.

What can be done to alleviate some of the stress and trauma? First and foremost, I would recommend that all pet owners consider having their pets microchipped. This is a very quick and safe procedure in which a small microtransmitter, about the size of a grain of rice, is injected between the animal's shoulder blades.

Most veterinary hospitals, animal shelters and emergency clinics are now equipped with scanners to read these microchips. Many pets that have escaped their yards or homes have been reunited with their owners thanks to microchips.

Second, I would consider mildly tranquilizing pets that are traumatized during the July 4 holiday. A variety of medications can be administered to help relieve the anxiety caused by the explosions. Some of the suggestions I will make here may not be beneficial to all pets, as some medical conditions will not allow the use of these substances.



* Bach Flower remedies/herbal remedies: These are very mild and very safe but only offer a mild state of tranquilization. They also must be repeated often. Examples of these would be Rescue Remedy, Calms Forte and valerian root. A few holistic veterinarians have these formulas in forms that are safe for pets. Some are available over the counter, but most over-the-counter preparations are tinctures, which contain a certain percentage of alcohol (not ideal for many pets). Never use anything over the counter for your pet without first checking with your doctor.
* Antihistamines: Some antihistamines create a mild state of sedation that may be enough to take the edge off of any July 4 noises. The dosage will vary depending on the pet's age, weight and medical condition. Although some antihistamines are available over the counter, never use these without checking first with your veterinarian.
* Tranquilizers: These are stronger prescription drugs that are often used to calm extremely anxious pets. An example of a tranquilizer often used by veterinarians is acepromazine. Your pet's age and medical condition might allow the safe use of this and similar drugs. The tricky thing about tranquilizers is that there is a wide dosage range. One pet may be very sensitive and react to a low dose, while another pet of the same weight could require twice the dose to have an adequate response. These drugs drop blood pressure, so certain pets with kidney problems or heart disease may not be able to use them. Also, pets that have seizure disorders should not use acepromazine, as it could cause a seizure.



It is helpful with any of these choices to do "a test run" about a week before the holiday so that you will know how your pet will react and how much of the medication the pet will need.

The bottom line with these is to take the edge off of your pet's anxiety, but not to give so much of the medication that your pet is a zombie for a few days after the drug is given.

Acepromazine, for example, has a drug half-life of 18 hours, which means it takes 18 hours for 50 percent of the drug to be metabolized by the body. It is in the system a long time.

Have a safe and sane July 4. Until next time …

Contact the writer: Got a question for Dr. David Gordon? E-mail dr.davidgordon@cox.net. We're sorry, but questions cannot be answered individually.

source: www.ocregister.com