LAKELAND – With the summer heat and wildfire seasons arriving, it's important to think about the health and safety of both people and pets.
Smoke inhalation is just as dangerous for dogs as it is for humans, according to professionals.
Dr. Jasmin Teske, a veterinarian at the St. Paul Veterinary Clinic, says that pets, especially those with respiratory or heart conditions, are at high risk during wildfire season.
“It's pretty much the same as humans. Dogs that have respiratory conditions or heart conditions tend to be the ones at the highest risk.”
Teske advises pet owners to watch for symptoms like coughing, gagging, difficulty breathing, eye discharge, rapid breathing, weakness, and disorientation, especially in overweight dogs.
She adds, “They tend to just have a little bit less room for their lungs to expand, so the smoke really doesn't do well with them. And then brachycephalic breeds, so you're bulldogs, Frenchies, those sorts of breeds. Just their airway is a bit shorter, it tends to get more irritated, the tissues in the airways are a bit larger, they tend to get inflamed, and they kind of have the biggest difficulty with the smoke and just stuff like that in there.”
Teske recommends limiting their activity, keeping them cool, and being cautious with brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs, as they are at greater risk.
"The biggest thing is getting them inside into cleaner air. If they're really having trouble breathing, some dogs will start panicking just like humans, so try to keep them cool and calm. If they're in severe respiratory distress, bring them to a veterinarian for assessment and oxygen.,” she explains.
Teske also stresses the importance of having an evacuation kit ready for pets, including food, water, medications, and first aid supplies, in case of an emergency. Also, "Microchipping your pet is crucial for identification if they get lost."
Regarding heat safety, Teske explains that dogs cool down differently than humans.
“Dogs have to pant to release heat and don't control themselves as well as humans. Keep them in a cool place and avoid long runs in hot weather," she advises. "Uncontrolled panting, disorientation, and red gums are signs of heat stroke. Cool them off gradually and provide moderate amounts of water."
Dr. Teske also highlights the increased risk of ticks.
“Ticks are becoming more of an issue. Ticks can be a problem into November here in St. Paul. Ideally, your dog should be on a flea and tick preventative," she recommends.
And if you find a tick on your dog, “There's a program through the Alberta government where you can take a picture of the tick, and if it's high-risk for Lyme disease, you can bring it to the vet clinic for free testing.”
Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, a Canadian veterinarian and medical consultant for Rover.com, echoed many of the key tips Teske offered to keep dogs safe during wildfire season and heat waves.
“You want to keep pets inside as much as possible, keeping bathroom breaks to a minimum, especially if you have a pet with pre-existing breathing issues or a snub nose like a French Bulldog,” says Greenstein. “If you notice, or if you've witnessed smoke exposure, or respiratory distress, you would want to seek veterinary attention immediately.”
As for tick prevention, Greenstein highlights that the threat from ticks is higher than ever in Canada.
“The good news is most pets are better protected potentially than we are, because you should be talking to your vet about having your pet on a monthly tick preventative, as well as asking about starting Lyme vaccine,” she says. “Right now, over 90 per cent of my patients are currently vaccinated against Lyme disease.”
Monthly preventatives, especially topicals, can also discourage ticks from biting pets.
