By Dr. Bruce Carstens
Willow Rock Pet Hospital
We keep hearing about El Nino and the potential big storms it will bring. This month I will give some hints to help you keep your four-legged members of your family as safe as the rest of you.
Storm Preparation: Many people don't realize how frightened dogs and cats are by thunder. Their hearing is more acute than ours, with a wider range of highs and lows, so they are often frightened by rumbles we can't even hear. They don't know what is causing that noise, so they may panic. Even without any flooding, pets are lost because dogs will break out of the garage or back yard and cats will run many houses away, then hide, and not find their way back. The best thing you can do for a cat is confine them to an interior room where the noise is muted. For dogs, if you know a storm is coming, you may need to get some tranquilizers from your vet to take the edge off their fear.
Flood Preparation: With all the predictions of widespread flooding, there are several things you can do to prepare besides buy flood insurance. Make sure you have enough pet carriers for all your cats. If you have to leave your house suddenly, pets are much less likely to get away if confined to a carrier. If rescue personnel have to help you, your pets will be much safer when the noise and commotion hits. In addition, most shelters don't allow pets to roam free, so if you have them in a carrier, chances are much better they will remain with you.
Dogs and cats should be injected with a Microchip ID. This is a permanent marker which can't be lost if your pet loses his collar. All shelters and pounds are equipped with the scanners, and they check all animals for a microchip before they are put to sleep or adopted out. This injection must be done by your vet, but the cost is minimal, and no side effects have ever been reported. Remember to stock up on emergency food supplies and water for your pets too. If you are isolated and can't reach a store for a while, they will need to eat too. Remember a manual can-opener for those power outages!
If your pet is on special medication, be sure and keep it with you so that it won't be left behind if you're evacuated. This is also a good time for a reminder to keep all vaccinations current on a yearly basis. Animals which end up at the pound are exposed to a wide range of viruses and unvaccinated animals. The stress of the whole ordeal can weaken their immune system and increase their chances of catching something. In addition, they may come in contact with wild animals, such as skunks or raccoons who may carry Rabies.
When you make an emergency evacuation plan for yourself, make one for your pets as well. A little preparation can prevent a lot of heartache, and I hope this has given you something to think about to ensure all your family members are safe this winter.
Next month, for the Christmas issue, I would like to hear a story from any kids out there about a pet they used to have, but don't have anymore. I find the loss of a pet makes a big impression on kids, and I always hear about it when I give tours. Any good story I publish will win a stuffed dog or cat. It can be just a few lines or a lot.
Send in your Pet-Care Questions: Each month Dr. Carstens will answer your questions about pet care on this page. Dr. Carstens can be reached at 630-9234, or mail your questions to Willow Rock Pet Hospital, 6661-M Stanford Ranch Road, Rocklin, CA 95677. www.willowrockpet.com(email - netvet@vfr.net)
About the Author: Dr. Bruce Carstens graduated from the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. He and his wife have been residents of Stanford Ranch since 1992 and have two children at Breen Elementary. Dr. Carstens opened his own office, Willow Rock Pet Hospital in the Food Source Plaza in June, 1997.