EAST SIDE FIRE DEPARTMENT
PET SAFETY
The Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association estimates that more than 55
percent of families in Louisiana own a cat or a dog. With more than 52
million dogs and 56 million cats in American households, owning a pet
has become a popular activity. However, many animals are hurt, injured
or killed every day in the Baton Rouge area because of oversight or
carelessness by pet owners. About 30% of cats and dogs will become lost
at least once during their lifetime. 80% of pets found without a rabies
tag or other identification never get home. More than 80% of lost pets
found with a current rabies tag or other identification do eventually
get home. Even full-time indoor pets and full-time yard pets can get out
at sometime, no matter how careful the owner is.
Cat Safety
Cats love to chew and play with anything that arouses their curiosity.
They often are seen on television commercials running
after a ball of string or playing with objects in the yard. Although it
is perfectly normal for cats to chase, chew and play with
objects that arouse their sense of curiosity, be careful that they do
not eat these items. These items can get lodged in their
throat or stomach. In addition, string could get wrapped around their
necks and strangle them. Do not allow them to play or chew on
electrical cords since the danger of electrocution and burn injury is very real.
Christmas and Thanksgiving can be dangerous for cats. When cooking
turkey or roast, carefully dispose of the grease-filled,
flavorful strings and bones in the outside garbage can with a secured
lid. A cat will quickly find them and could swallow some harmful
items if they are not secured. Tinsel is also a threat to your cat.
During Christmas, cats may play with the tinsel on the Christmas tree
and swallow it. Tinsel is plastic coated and does not appear when
x-rayed. This makes diagnosis of a stomach obstruction difficult.
Just like all other electrical cords, Christmas tree light cords also
should be placed out of a cat's reach.
Cats frequently eat objects that can cause obstruction or internal
injury. A loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea is an indication that
the cat is ill. The cat should be taken to the veterinarian for
evaluation and treatment.
Make sure your cat's vaccinations are up to date to prevent deadly
infectious diseases. East Baton Rouge Parish requires your cat to be
vaccinated yearly, contact your veterinarian for additional information
on annual vaccinations. Also, be sure the cat has a rabies tag or other
ID tag on its collar. You have a greater chance of finding your animal
should it become lost if it is wearing a rabies tag or other ID tag. The cat also
should wear a "breakaway collar" that slips off the neck. This prevents the cat
from
choking to death should the collar become stuck on something.
It is also recommended that you have your cat spayed or neutered. Spayed
and neutered pets usually live longer, happier lives than fertile
animals. It is a myth that a female needs to have "at least one litter",
or that male cats need to "sow their oats or they will never settle
down". Spayed or neutered pets are calmer animals and are less likely to
want to roam and go astray.
The Humane Society recommends that cats be indoor pets. A commonly held
belief is that cats need to roam outside. This is not true. A cat that
is allowed to run loose has a much greater chance of being killed by
automobiles or injured in fights with dogs and other cats.
In East Baton Rouge Parish, cats are not required to be on a leash, but
they must be confined to the owner's yard or home or be under the
physical control of the owner.
Dog Safety
A new puppy is a delight to play with and can bring joy and happiness to
all family members. However, one must be
aware of many hidden dangers, such as swimming pools, poisonous plants,
toys, and household chemicals around the home, which can place an
innocent puppy in danger. A common misconception is that all dogs can
swim. This is not actually true. Dogs can drown just like children.
Keep young puppies and older dogs away from the pool. They are at
particular risk of drowning since they may not
be able to pull themselves out of the water if they fall in. If allowed
to swim in the pool, dogs should be trained to know where the steps are
to get out of the pool. As with children, dogs should never be left
unattended around swimming pools.
Dogs, like cats, love to chase, chew and eat any number of things, which
may potentially cause illness, injury or even death.
Keep all toys that can be swallowed out of a dog's reach. They may cause
stomach or intestinal obstructions. Select a ball
that is large, relative to the size of the dog's mouth, or use other
non-destructible toys recommended for dogs. Keep dogs out of the kitchen
while you're cooking. You don't want a dog underfoot when you're
carrying a pot of boiling water or a hot dish.
Chocolate is poisonous to dogs so keep all chocolates away from them.
In older homes, do not allow dogs to chew on wood molding as this may
cause lead poisoning.
House plants such as oleanders, diffenbachias, azaleas, mistletoe, and
pyrachanthia berries are poisonous to dogs. These plants should be
placed out of the animal's reach. Keep the dog away from freshly
fertilized areas. They may become ill if they lick their paws after
contacting chemicals and insecticides.
Summertime heat poses a significant threat to the family dog. An animal
that spends most of its time indoors may not
develop thick pads on its feet. When walking or playing on hot asphalt
during summer months, the dog's feet may become
burned. Be careful not to let the dog run around a swimming pool too
much. The cool deck concrete can quickly wear their pads
down. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are common occurrences when dogs
are left outdoors and exposed to the heat. The dog may die as a result.
Keep them indoors or otherwise protected from the heat.
Provide plenty of water. If a dog is kept outside, provide a well-shaded
and ventilated area. A covered dog house in the sun
becomes too hot and lacks adequate ventilation. An alternate shelter
must be provided. Be sure there is plenty of fresh
drinking water at all times. Place the drinking water in the shade. It
may be wise to provide two sources of drinking water in case one is spilled over.
Use a weighted watering dish or dig a hole in the ground so the pan
cannot be tipped over. A water device that attaches to a water spigot is
also available at most pet stores.
Avoid taking the animal in an automobile when running errands around
town. Even on an 80-degree day, the temperature can
reach 105 degrees in 10 minutes inside a car. The temperature has even
been recorded at over 215 degrees inside a car on a
hot summer day. (Water boils at 220 degrees.) If the dog is overcome by
heat, cool immediately with cold water and ice and seek medical
attention from a veterinarian as soon as possible.
When traveling with a dog inside a vehicle, the dog should not be
allowed to stick its head out the window. Foreign objects can
damage its eyes, and it can develop swelling to its ear flap from the
ear flapping in the wind. While traveling, it is best to
keep the pet in a dog crate or restrained in a commercially manufactured
seat belt. Cardboard containers for cats and small dogs are available
for about $5.00 at pet stores.
The back of a pickup truck is no place for man's best friend. More than
100,000 dogs are killed each year from falls out of
vehicles and numerous vehicle crashes are caused as drivers try to avoid
hitting these animals. Commercially made harnesses and tethers are
available to restrain a dog in the back of a truck. Even so, the metal
bed of a truck can be very hot during the summer and can burn the dog's
pads or expose it to high temperatures.
Family dogs, especially rambunctious pups between six and eighteen
months old, frequently escape from their pens or fenced
areas. The East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control office impounds about
15,000 animals every year.
To help insure your lost dogs safe return home place a collar, complete
with name tag and dog license, around its neck. Keep pictures of your
pet for easy identification and proof of ownership.
Remember, in East Baton Rouge Parish your dog is required to have annual
vaccinations and is required to wear a current rabies tag. Contact your
veterinarian for additional information on required vaccinations as well
as recommended treatments such as monthly Heart Worm treatments.
People should take their dog to obedience training. This is where they
can learn to communicate with their animal. An obedient, well-behaved,
and affectionate companion will result with practice.
Do not leave a choke chain, slip collar, or choke collar on the dog.
They should be used during obedience training only. Otherwise, the
animal may catch it on something and panic, choking itself to death.
Choke chains are not dog collars and should not be used
as one. An appropriate collar is a loosely placed nylon collar, or
leather-rolled collar that should be left on the dog at all times with
current rabies tags and owner identification.
It is also recommended that you have your dog spayed or neutered. Spayed
and neutered pets usually live longer, happier lives than fertile
animals. It is a myth that a female needs to have "at least one litter",
or that male dogs need to "sow their oats or they will never settle
down". Spayed or neutered pets are calmer animals and are less likely to
want to roam and go astray.
In East Baton Rouge Parish, dogs must be confined at all times either in
the owner's home or fenced yard or on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Strange Or Stray Dogs
Every year in the United States animals bite over a million people - at
least half of them children, seriously injure thousands of people, and
kill about 100 people.
Children should be aware to never approach a strange animal. If a dog is
in a yard, they should not enter unless the owner is
present. They should pet a dog only if they've received the owner's
permission. When petting a dog, extend one arm, make a
fist with the wrist down, and let the dog sniff the back of the hand
before petting. Remember, a dog's canine instincts surface when eating,
so don't approach them while they are eating.
When a loose dog is seen in the neighborhood, children should notify an
adult. Do not tease a dog as this might encourage it to
attack. Don't run or yell as this may excite the animal. The best advice
is to leave all strange dogs alone and keep your
distance. If the dog approaches, speak quietly and watch for signs of
unfriendliness. If it looks frightened or angry, leave it alone. Lost or
stray dogs should be reported to East Baton Rouge Animal Control (225) 774-7700.
If the dog barks fiercely or shows its teeth, or if its ears go back or
its hair stands up on its back, then you should turn to face the animal.
Try to shield yourself, and back out of the area moving slowly and
giving firm simple commands such as "NO", "STAY" or "DOWN".
Don't make
loud or threatening noises. Don't stare into a dog's eyes; this is a
direct challenge. If you are unable to shield yourself and back out of
the area you should hold your ground keeping the animal in front of you.
If attacked by a dog, always try to keep something between yourself and
the animal. Use your arm if you do not have a shield. Extend your
forearm across your waist, keeping your fist clenched. Use your left arm
if you are right handed and vice versa. Let the animal bite your shield.
If you are knocked down, cover your head with your arms, tuck your head
to your chest, and play dead.
Know what to do if you are scratched or bitten. Any bite or scratch that
breaks the skin can cause infection.
First, wash the wound thoroughly using soap and water. Apply a sterile
dressing and avoid moving the limb, if possible.
Second, seek immediate medical help. Explain exactly what happened,
including whether the animal was wild or stray. Ask the physician about
a tetnus booster and/or rabies vaccination.
Third, remember as many details as possible. Write down a description of
the animal, the time of the incident, and the location of the incident.
Forth, report all incidents to the proper authorities within 24 hours.
Contact animal control and your local police department. The dog may
have to be quarantined to determine if it is free of rabies.
General Safety Guidelines for Pets
Pets can be poisoned by all kinds of substances. These include paint,
fertilizer, insecticide, weed killer, acids, and antifreeze.
If you feel your pet has been poisoned, keep the animal quiet and warm,
try to determine when and what the animal ingested and call your
veterinarian or poison control center. If the pet needs medical
attention, bring a sample of the product, the container and/or vomitus
with you. You may also telephone the ASPCA National Animal Poison
Control Center at 1-800-548-2423
The Fourth of July, Halloween, and New Year's Eve can be the most
frightening time of the year for pets. Keep them indoors during these holidays.
When disposing of garbage, be sure the lid on the can is tightly sealed.
Cats and dogs can eat spoiled food and become ill.
Glass, pins, and other sharp objects in the trash also can injure them.
When an Animal Is Injured
An animal in great pain may bite. Before taking it to the veterinarian,
it may be wise to muzzle it. If you don't have a muzzle,
use pantyhose or a strip of cloth cut from a cotton sheet or use a
leather belt. A sheet, blanket, or a piece of plywood can be used to lift
the animal to the car. If an animal develops swelling around its face or
body, is nauseous, develops diarrhea, or is restless and uncomfortable,
suspect an illness or injury. These are signs that a veterinarian should see the animal.
Establish a relationship with a veterinarian so that time is not wasted
in an emergency frantically looking through the telephone book for a veterinarian.
If you find a stray animal that is ill or injured, call East Baton Rouge
Parish Animal Control (225) 774-7700. They can be dispatched to pick up
the animal for medical treatment.