How Fires Can Affect Our Pets

Given the massive fire in the Ridge and Manorville areas, I figured I'd write a short piece about the potential hazards to our pets and animals.  

If the fire does not reach your home, or if you have evacuated, your pet will likely not experience any issues.  Having said that, if there is a lot of smoke in your area, the smoke could be an irritant.  It could be an issue for any animal with breathing problems such as a cat with asthma or a dog with chronic bronchitis.

If the fire did happen to reach your home, there are a few concerns for pets.  

Smoke inhalation is probably the most likely to affect pets.  The gases in smoke from house fires decrease the amount of oxygen the pet can breathe in.  As you know, oxygen is essential for life and feeds all of the tissues in the body through the blood.  If your pet is involved in a house fire, once everyone is safe and out of the house, take them to the nearest emergency hospital.  Depending on the severity of their condition, many will need oxygen therapy.  Pain medications are important as many will have burns in the back of their throats.  Fluid therapy is important to keep respiratory secretions moist, allowing the pet to cough up any debris they have inhaled.  Additionally, they can worsen over time as their lungs become inflamed from all the chemicals, so be sure they are being observed and monitored overnight in case they start to get worse.  

Burns are another issue - they can result from debris falling on or coming into contact with the pet's skin.  They can also burn the pads of their paws from walking on burning or charred surfaces.  Most commonly, they will be reluctant to walk or limping.  Be sure they are checked out by a veterinarian.  Burns often result in layers of the skin dying and coming off, and are extremely susceptible to infection.  Treatment involves of course, pain medication, sometimes sedation and removal of dead tissue, wound flushing, bandaging and the use of a special antibacterial cream to prevent infection.  Veterinarians treat these types of wounds daily, so be sure to consult your vet if you suspect that your pet has a burn wound. 

In general, if your pet has been involved in a house or barn fire, or you simply suspect that the smoke inhalation is causing problems for your pet, call your vet.  If your pet is very sick and it is after hours, take them to the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital.  In our area and the area of the fires, the closest emergency vet hospital is East End Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center in Riverhead.  Your vet may even want you to take your pet there for overnight observation.  There is literally someone looking at your pet all night and all day, so you can rest assured they are being monitored!  I know Drs. Vatash and Rothman and many of their staff personally and they provide excellent quality care.  

East End Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center - (631) 369-4513