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Click here for the Ask the Vet Featured Article Archives Dangers of Fireworks By Dr. Kelly Brodnik It is about that time of year again when things are going boom in the sky all around us! It is fun, festive and time to celebrate, only are four-legged friends (and other pets) need special considerations! Too many animals become extremely fearful, panic and run away in otherwise perfectly safe backyards or enclosures when explosions begin to erupt-whether naturally or unnaturally. Many animals suffer from severe burns, broken eardrums, blindness, shock and even death from being targets of fireworks and outright abusive people. Keep in mind that animal abuse is a criminal offense and not reporting such abuse is as bad as being the abuser. Report any unsavory activity immediately to your animal control officers should you suspect any involvement of an innocent animal that cannot report abuse itself or that is suffering at the hands of such people. Thunderstorm activity is at its peak during the summer months and can lead to many animals winding up in animal shelters that are never reclaimed. Many animals are killed that become loose and end up being hit by a car, lost, starve to death, or are killed by other animals or disease. Be sure to keep your pets indoors during times in which thunderstorms are predicted to decrease the possibility of scrambling out of fear. Even inside animals can become destructive due to anxiety and fear when they hear loud explosions because they do not understand what is happening and become very frightened. The best defense is to be with your animal to comfort it when it becomes frightened and gradually condition it to accept these types of sounds and activities. If you cannot be with your pet, allow it to remain indoors in a fairly quiet room, and include a radio playing soft music to help reassure the animal. Have someone periodically check on the pet, especially if the pet is prone to destruction during these times. Many people ask their veterinarians to provide tranquilizers during the holiday season, though not for every pet, can help ease the discomfort during this holiday and thunderstorm season. Just beware that we must protect these innocent beings, as they do not understand outlandish celebrations that can appear very chaotic and frightening and result in injury, even death. Have a Safe and Happy... Fourth of July!

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