Standing up for the veterinary profession
08 Aug 2024
25 Oct 2024
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Vets share top tips to prevent possible injury and distress to pets and livestock.
While the loud whizzes, bangs and whistles of rockets, Roman candles and sparklers can be fun for some, fireworks displays can be extremely traumatic for animals.
Sadly, each year, vets treat animals with injuries as a result of stress and fright, as well as burns.
By far the most commonly reported cases are self injuries caused by fireworks-related anxiety, such as tooth injuries to dogs from chewing furniture or fractures in horses that had bolted from their fields. The debris and remnants of fireworks and paper lanterns in fields and surrounding countryside can also pose a serious risk of injury to livestock, wildlife and zoo animals.
As the countdown to fireworks season begins, it’s good to start preparing now to keep animals safe. As well as simple steps you can take around the house now and during fireworks nights like Diwali or Bonfire Night, your vet can also discuss noise desensitisation techniques, pheromone products and other treatments that may be appropriate for your pet. If your pet gets significantly distressed by fireworks, ask your vet about longer-term treatment options, which can be successful with professional input and owner commitment and patience.
How can you spot signs of fireworks distress?
Signs of fireworks-related distress can vary from animal to animal. While some pets show obvious signs such as panting, drooling and attempts to escape, there are also more subtle signs that owners should be aware of, including restlessness and toileting in the house. Cats often hide, while rabbits may keep very still and thump the ground with their back feet.ÌýPoultry are especially at risk of ‘smother’, where in a fear response birds huddle together, which can result in death for some.
Top ten tipsÌý
Here are our ten top tips to help pet owners and livestock keepers prepare animals as fireworks season approaches:
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