Taking care of pets during Diwali!

Diwali, the festival of lights and happiness is here! It is a festival full of celebrations, lightings and sweets. Enjoying this festival with family and friends is something everyone takes pleasure in. Pets are also a part of the family for animal lovers. But Diwali can be a distressing time for the animals due to the loud noise and lights all around. Dogs and cats have stronger hearing power. So, what we recognize to be loud is even louder and unbearable for them. Besides, dogs are also susceptible to vibrations caused by loud noises. Hence, one needs to take extra care of pets during Diwali season.

Here are a few calming tactics to help your pets when the noise levels are high.

• Try to sensitize your pet to the noises by playing similar sounds ahead of time.
• Take your pet for a good walk during the day before the fireworks start.
• Do not leave your pet alone and keep them away from firecrackers.
• Never burst crackers in front of pets.
• Do not let your pet enter any common area like terrace or walkway where crackers are being burst.
• Keep your pet distracted by playing with him.
• Let your pet stay in a closed room with soft music playing and the family members accompanying him/her.
• Keep the windows shut and curtains drawn to mask sounds and flashes from fireworks.
• Put on the TV or radio to cover the sounds of fireworks.
• If your dog hides under a sofa, let him be. Forcing him out causes more stress.
• Give your pet his favourite treats and a bowl of water.
• Do not comfort your pet if he is showing frightened behaviour. Act normally and tell him that there is nothing at all to be scared of.
• Reward your pet when he is calm and not looking afraid.
• Do not rebuke or punish your pet for being fearful.
• Take medicines if any from your veterinarian beforehand.
• First aids for burns must be kept handy.
• Licking and sniffing the crackers can lead to toxicity to your pet. So, keep the firecrackers away from your pets.

The other risk during Diwali is when pets run away in fear and go missing. Engraving your mobile number on your pet’s collar, or, adding a pendant with his name and your number before the celebrations begin is strongly recommended. Do not leave your pets unattended even for short periods of time. While taking care of your pets, do not forget the stray animals in your locality. Take a round twice a day. Leave food and water for them. Try and keep them in your compound or garden or housing colony for a couple of days. If you see any of them wounded, take them to a veterinarian immediately or call for an ambulance. 

Wishing you and your family (includes pets) a very happy and safe DIWALI!

Vaccination Schedule for Dogs

Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff

A possible vaccination schedule for the "average" dog is shown below.

Age	Vaccination
5 weeks	Parvovirus: For puppies at high risk. Check with your veterinarian.
6 & 9 weeks	Combination vaccine* without leptospirosis. Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern.
12 weeks or older	Rabies: Given by your local veterinarian (age at vaccination may vary according to local law).
12 & 15 weeks**	Combination vaccine* Leptospirosis: include leptospirosis in the combination vaccine where leptospirosis is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs. Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern. Lyme: where Lyme disease is a concern or if traveling to an area where it occurs.
Adult	Combination vaccine* Leptospirosis: include leptospirosis in the combination vaccine where leptospirosis is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs. Coronavirus: where coronavirus is a concern. Lyme: where Lyme disease is a concern or if traveling to an area where it occurs. Rabies: Given by your local veterinarian (time interval between vaccinations may vary according to local law).

Recommendations vary depending on the age, breed, and health status of the

dog, the potential of the dog to be exposed to the disease, the type of vaccine,

whether the dog is used for breeding, and the geographical area where the dog

lives or may visit.

Dog Vaccination Schedule

*A combination vaccine, often called a 5-way vaccine, usually includes

adenovirus cough and hepatitis, canine distemper, parainfluenza, and

parvovirus. Some combination vaccines may also include leptospirosis (7-way

vaccines) and/or coronavirus. The inclusion of either canine adenovirus-1 or

adenovirus-2 in a vaccine will protect against both adenovirus cough and

hepatitis; adenovirus-2 is highly preferred.

**Some puppies may need additional vaccinations against parvovirus after 15

weeks of age. Consult with your local veterinarian.

Courtesy 

Website: - http://www.drsfostersmith.com  

VACCINATIONS - When and Why We Vaccinate

         

       

Pet 'First Aid' Supplies Checklist   

Pet First Aid

As a pet owner, you need to make sure to have basic first aid supplies for your pets in your household. Carefully putting together a well-provisioned first aid kit will make you more ready to deal with a medical emergency if one confronts you for your dog, cat or other pet. Have this kit in the house and fully stocked with supplies at all times, next to the first aid kit for your family. Many of the items in a family first aid kit can be used for pets, too.

Phone numbers and your pet's medical record (including medications and vaccination history)	You need to know these numbers before you need them. If you do not know the number of the emergency clinic in your area, ask your veterinarian.
Gauze	For wrapping wounds or muzzling the injured animal
Nonstick bandages, towels, or strips of clean cloth	To control bleeding or protect wounds
Adhesive tape for bandages *do NOT use human adhesive bandages (eg, Band-Aids®) on pets	For securing the gauze wrap or bandage
Milk of magnesia Activated charcoal	To absorb poison Always contact your veterinarian or local poison control center before inducing vomiting or treating an animal for poison
Hydrogen peroxide (3%)	To induce vomiting Always contact your veterinarian or local poison control center before inducing vomiting or treating an animal for poison
Digital Thermometer —you will need a "fever" thermometer because the temperature scale of regular thermometers doesn't go high enough for pets	To check your pet's temperature. Do not insert a thermometer in your pet's mouth—the temperature must be taken rectally.
Eye dropper (or large syringe without needle)	To give oral treatments or flush wounds
Muzzle (in an emergency a rope, necktie, soft cloth, nylon stocking, small towel may be used)	To cover your pet's head. If your pet is vomiting, do not muzzle it!
Leash	To transport your pet (if your pet is capable of walking without further injury)
Stretcher (in an emergency a door, board, blanket or floor mat may be used)	To stabilize the injured animal and prevent further injury during transport

Your Kit Should Include:

First A

• Batteries                                   
• Flashlight
• Cotton balls and swabs
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Sterile gauze pads and bandages
• First aid tape
• Antibacterial ointment
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Rubbing alcohol
• Antiseptic wipes
• A muzzle
• Extra leash
• A splint
• Styptic powder to stop bleeding
• Pepto bismol
• Prescription medications (for you and your pets)
• Sterile latex gloves
• Eye wash
• A book on human and pet first aid
• Mineral oil
• Buffered aspirin
• Benadryl
• A blanket
• A large bottle of water
• Self-activating hot pack
• Self-activating ice pack
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Copies of veterinary documents
• Thermometer

Always remember that any first aid administered to your pet should be followed by immediate veterinary care. First aid care is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it may save your pet's life until it receives veterinary treatment.

Courtesy :-  http://sitmeanssit.com  & http://www.avma.org
Url :- http://www.avma.org/firstaid/supplies.asp ,
http://sitmeanssit.com/dog-training-mu/atlanta-dog-training/859/pet-first-aid-is-a-life-saver/