Hurricane Harvey reminds pet owners to be prepared for any eventuality
By Kim Campbell Thornton
Andrews McMeel Syndication
By 6 a.m., as Nicole Morrison was frantically packing supplies into her Mazda 5, water seeped into the backyard of the home where she was staying. She and her four Cavalier King Charles spaniels had taken refuge with the dogs’ breeder, who had a commercial generator and lots of supplies. But the release of nearby Barker Dam after Hurricane Harvey filled reservoirs to the brim meant they needed to evacuate.
Besides a six-pound bag of kibble, stainless steel bowls, several bottles of water, a container of Clorox wipes, and food for herself, Morrison packed a car charger and an external battery for her phone. She placed two dogs in each crate, leashes attached.
“My one regret is that I did not have all of my dogs’ medical records scanned onto a flash drive or the hard drive of my laptop,” she says. “Luckily my vet in town was open and could fax stuff to me.”
Whether your locale is prone to floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, mudslides, earthquakes or other natural disasters, being prepared for evacuation should be No. 1 on your to-do list. These four tips can help get you and your pets away safely.
--Identify pets. A collar and ID tag with at least two phone numbers on it is a first line of defense, but collars can be removed or fall off. A microchip or tattoo is permanent. Register microchip or tattoo numbers and keep your address and phone number up to date so you can be reached if separated from a pet. Registered microchips and tattoos are also proof of ownership if you need to reclaim a pet from a shelter or foster home.
“Teams like ours have microchip scanners,” says Angela G. Clendenin, Ph.D., public information officer for Texas A&M University’s Veterinary Emergency Team, on the ground in the Houston area caring for search and rescue dogs as well as injured or ill pets. “We’re able to scan and help identify the owner and try and make contact.”
--Take pet vaccination or titer records. At shelters for humans, you may be required to present them before pets are allowed entry. That’s a precautionary measure, Clendenin says, to help prevent unvaccinated pets from spreading disease in a crowded shelter. Photograph records and keep them on your phone or a flash drive.
--Bring pet carriers. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act was passed, requiring states seeking Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance to make plans for sheltering people that included accommodating pets. Shelters can require that pets be kept in carriers or have vaccination records, though, so don’t leave home without them.
--Have a first-aid kit that can be used for animals and humans. In flood zones, Clendenin says, typical injuries include lacerations, bruises and broken bones that occur when animals are tossed around in floodwaters or get caught in debris, such as wood or wire. You might not be able to deal with a pet’s broken leg, but bandage material and saline solution for cleaning wounds can allow you to take care of minor injuries until your pet can get veterinary care. Clippers are good to have on hand to trim away hair around wounds so they can be cleaned more thoroughly.
As Texas residents, including pet owners, struggle to recover from the devastating storm, Fear Free-certified veterinarians and veterinary nurses are providing food, medical care and housing to displaced and injured pets until they can be reunited with their families. Fear Free is partnering with the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation to help continue their work, seeding a fund with $10,000 to reimburse them for medical supplies and other needs. To support their work, see texvetpets.org/giving, select “Disaster” in the drop-down menu, and check “Yes” under “Is this donation intended for a Fear Free-Certified Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician?”
Q&A
Is it OK for dog
to eat cat food?
Q: My 9-year-old cat was recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and needs to eat a special canned food twice a day. When that food comes out, my dog comes running from anywhere in the house and goes crazy. When the cat is done eating, we allow the dog to lick the leftovers in the cat's bowl. I've read that cat food is too high in protein for dogs, and I'd like to know how much of this cat food is too much for my dog's health. He is a 1-year-old healthy Cavalier King Charles spaniel. -- via email
A: It’s no surprise that your dog is attracted by your cat’s new diet. As you know, cat food is higher in protein than dog food, and it’s stinky, which appeals to both felines and canines. And Cavaliers tend to be chowhounds anyway. With few exceptions, they will eat about anything.
As long as your dog is getting only a small lick or two after each meal, he’s probably not at risk from his daily cat food snack. Ill effects, such as vomiting or diarrhea, are warning signs, though, that the cat food he loves doesn’t love him back. If you notice your dog upchucks or has loose stools frequently after his cat food capers, it’s time to put the kibosh on his cat food habit.
Another possible side effect is obesity. Cavaliers gain weight easily. If your dog puts on the pounds from his dining addiction, it’s time to cut back on his snack. But if it’s not a major part of his diet, you’re not seeing vomiting or diarrhea, and you’re doing a good job of monitoring his weight and giving him plenty of exercise, it’s probably fine to let him continue sharing small amounts of your cat’s leftovers. -- Dr. Marty Becker
Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.
THE BUZZ
Tiny turtles spread
salmonella infection
--Between March 1 and Aug. 3, more than 37 people in 13 states suffered salmonella infections linked to contact with pet turtles. The multistate outbreak resulted in 16 hospitalizations. Nearly one-third of the people who became ill were children younger than five years, who are more likely to put their fingers or even the small turtles in their mouths after handling the reptiles. To avoid illness, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling pet turtles or any part of their habitat, including water, and ensure that children do the same.
--Want to turn your aloof feline into a loving lap cat? We can’t guarantee success, but following these steps may help your cat decide you’re worth getting close to. Move slowly so you don’t startle him with sudden movements. When you look at him, blink your eyes slowly -- the kitty version of a kiss -- instead of staring. Scratch between the ears or beneath the chin or stroke along the spine, but avoid the belly if you value your appendages. Bribery pays -- give a treat any time he approaches you or settles near you. You may soon find that you have a new best friend.
--One of the most glamorous dogs is the elegant Afghan hound, but don’t be fooled. The tall but mid-weight dog is an athlete bred to sprint across rugged terrain after hares and gazelles. A silly sense of humor lurks beneath a calm, quiet demeanor. If you choose to live with this sight hound, plan on meeting that instinctive desire to chase with lure coursing or at least regular runs in a large fenced park. The glorious coat can be any color or combination of colors, and the long, silky hair should be brushed two or three times a week. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
ABOUT PET CONNECTION
Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.