RICHMOND, Va. –Dr. Jocelyn Torrence has worked in the emergency room of Virginia Veterinary Center in Carytown for four years.
She recalled the increase of emergencies during the Fourth of July weekend each year.
“It can be a scary night for dogs that are afraid of fireworks,” Dr. Torrence recalled.
Fireworks can scare dogs or cats with anxiety and causing them to act erratically.
The veterinarian remembered treating dogs who bit other dogs, jumped out of windows, or ran away with their leash and were hit by cars. Those instances often happen in neighborhoods where families shoot off fireworks in the street or their backyard.
You can prepare your pet when explosions happen unexpectedly, she said.
“In a perfect world, we have pets seeing a behavioral type of specialist and having medications on hand. But ahead of time, it’s definitely important for people to talk to their primary vet,” Dr. Torrence recommended.
Moving your dog to a basement, interior room, or closet away from windows can help. Dr. Torrence encouraged owners to stay close with their dogs during fireworks and keep them on a leash in case they do try to get away.