Practice Newsletter
Bonfire Night Edition
November 2013
Fireworks and Bonfires
Inside this issue:
Many people enjoy fireworks, but they
can mean misery for pets. Thousands are
sedated every year to avoid being
frightened by fireworks. Others are so
distraught they bolt and get lost or
injured. Animals’ hearing is many times
more sensitive than humans’, so when it
is loud to our ears, it is several times
louder for them. Fireworks can still be
enjoyed if, at the same time, care and
consideration are given to pets, livestock
and animals living in the surrounding
area. Not everyone has to hold their own
private display and you may want to
consider attending a public firework
display organised by skilled people.
Attending such public displays not only
reduces the chance of causing
unexpected distress to your own pets,
but also pets living in your area.
Unfortunately, as we know, fireworks do
not stop after Bonfire night but will
probably continue into the New Year!
Fireworks are also increasingly associated
with other celebrations such as birthdays,
weddings and anniversaries. If fireworks
must be used to mark an occasion spare a
thought for those around you. Inform
neighbours that you will be using
fireworks to give them the time to
minimise the distress to their animals.
Seek out low-noise varieties which are
available in most good firework outlets
and are less likely to cause distress.
Fireworks registered under Category
Two of the British Standards are all low
noise.
If your pet is frightened by loud noises
don’t just ignore the problem. You
should always seek advice from the
Veterinary Practice who will, if
necessary, prescribe appropriate
medication.
Our Nurses all understand the basics of
noise phobias and can offer you advice
to help your pet during the firework
period. Some are fully trained in
behaviour counselling and can offer
assistance with more problematical
cases. Please telephone or call in to see
us if you need assistance or just some
further advice. This Newsletter offers
some immediate actions you can take
and details the various treatments we
have available to help during this period.
All of the Practice Contact Information is
on the back page.
Celebrations can be great fun for you
and your pets if planned properly and
necessary precautions taken.
Bonfires can be dangerous to humans and animals. If you have to have a bonfire then
please build it as late as possible; wild animals
such as hedgehogs will often crawl in to hide
and many little creatures are un-necessarily
and sadly killed each year. Before lighting the
bonfire check it inside for
any signs of life.
Remember to keep your
pets indoors when the
fire is alight and ensure it
is properly put out at the
end!
Introduction to
fireworks and bonfires
1
Care for wildlife and
small furries
1
General Advice
2
Treatment Options:
DAP
Feliway
Tranquillisers
3
Herbal Treatments
3
KalmAid and Zylkene
4
Contact Information
4
Remember:
Firework and bonfire debris
and litter can harm animals,
so pick it all up after it has
cooled down and dispose of it
safely. Ensure that any
bonfire is a safe distance
from aviaries or rabbit and
guinea pig accommodation.
General Advice:
On the day of the Event:

Exercise your dog during the day. Never walk your dog whilst
fireworks are being let off.

Feed your dog a large meal rich in carbohydrate in the late
afternoon. This will help your dog feel calm and sleepy.

Close any windows and black out any other sources of viewing
from the outside.

Ensure your dog is in a well-blacked out room where he wants to
lie, for example under the stairs, in a cupboard, in a corner of a
room or in the bathroom etc. Make him comfortable by providing
lots of bedding for him to hide in. Do not force the dog to go
anywhere he does not want to as you will only make him more
anxious. You may find he moves from one place to another, let
him do this and do not get angry with him.

Block out the sounds as much as possible by playing music, you can have the television on but make sure there are no
fireworks being let off on the programme you are watching!

If you know another dog that is not scared of noises and gets on with your dog, think about keeping the two together
during the evenings; this may help your dog realise that there is no need to be afraid.

Keep your cat indoors. Black out the windows as much as you can so that you dog or cat cannot see any flashes and
ensure that all windows are closed so that your cat cannot escape.

Leave you cat to take refuge in a corner if it wishes. Do not try to tempt it out as this could cause more stress.

Ignore the noises yourself and if your pet is only mildly frightened you may be able to encourage them to play a game.
(Do not force them if they do not want to.)

Do not fuss or try to reassure your dog as this rewards the nervous behaviour. It also means that you are telling them
that there is something to be frightened of.

Ensure your dog or cat is kept in a safe and secure place at all times, so they can not bolt if a sudden noise frightens
them. Make sure you dog is wearing a collar and tag and it is preferable to ensure that your dog or cat is micro-chipped
(for more information on microchips please speak to a member of staff at the Practice. They are simple to have fitted).

Rabbits and other small animals are just as likely to be scared by the celebrations going on around them as much as cats
and dogs are. You can follow a few easy steps to try and reduce your pets anxiety. If you have a rabbit or other small
animal, bring their hutch or cage inside to a quiet room, garage or shed. Provide your pet with extra bedding so they
can hide away. If you cannot bring your hutch inside then turn the hutch to face a wall or fence instead of towards the
open garden. Cover the hutch with thick blankets or a quilt so your rabbit is unable to see the flashes.

Horses can often bolt from firework noise and easily become injured. Always make sure horses, ponies and donkeys
are stabled while fireworks are being let off. Make sure fireworks are not in view by closing the stable door.

Bonfires can be fatal for wildlife, such as hedgehogs, which often crawl in to sleep. Build bonfires as late as possible to
reduce this risk and make sure you disturb the foundations of the bonfire to give any wildlife a chance to escape before
it is lit.

Never show anger to your dog or cat if he / she appears frightened—this will only convince your pet that there really is
something to be afraid of.

If you need more advice or have any questions contact us at [email protected]
Page 2
There are many choices of treatments
available to help your dog at this time; one
of them is a plug-in, called Adaptil. This
mimics the properties of the natural appeasing pheromone given off by a
lactating bitch to reassure her puppies. By replicating this signal of well-being,
Adaptil helps to alleviate fear and stress related signs in both the puppy and
adult dog. Adaptil is an easy to use plug-in diffuser, which continuously releases
the active ingredient into the dog’s environment and allows trouble free
treatment for approximately four weeks. It is a natural solution and therefore
there is no sedative effect, and the dog’s ability to interact and play is
maintained. The effect from the plug-in is not immediate so it is advisable to
plug it in at least two weeks before the expected fireworks arrive. During
clinical trials of dogs with fear of fireworks, an 80% improvement in the clinical signs most frequently observed by the
owners was apparent (i.e.. panting, trembling, cowering, hiding etc). Adaptil Collars and Sprays are also available.
Treatments
There is a similar product also available, for cats, called FELIWAY. This works in a similar way to
the Adaptil diffuser as it mimics the cat’s facial pheromones, creating a state of well-being and
calm. You may well have seen your cat depositing these facial pheromones when it has rubbed
its head on objects from the corner of the mouth to the base of the ear. Such deposits provide
a calming influence and feeling of security for your cat. If your cat is scared, a state of disquiet
or stress may develop which can be conveyed by changes in behaviour, such as urine marking,
vertical scratching, loss of appetite or refusal to play and to interact. In these situations,
FELIWAY diffuser can be used to restore the natural balance. The active ingredient of feline
facial pheromone is released through an electric device, allowing reactions to stressful
situations to be controlled. It also comes in a spray version.
Many of you in the past may also have turned to tranquillisers for your dog and these are still available from Reception. We do
not however routinely prescribe these for cats, as they can have adverse side effects and your cat may become very excitable
or aggressive or other behavioural changes may become apparent. If we have not seen you during the last 6 months you will
need to make an appointment to be seen before we can dispense them. There is a normal consultation charge made for such
consultations in addition to the drug cost.
You may choose to instigate a desensitisation programme once the season is over and you have
control over the environment again. It is better to do this after the fireworks are over in the New
Year or at least 3 month before the firework season starts again. A “Sounds Scary Fireworks CD”
is available to purchase from the practice for £30 which consists of a package containing all you
need to start a deconditioning programme for noise phobias. The Sounds Scary CD is not just a
collection of sound effects. It has been made using state of the art digital recording and editing
to select the noises behaviourists know affect animals most, and has been specially designed for
behavioural therapy. The method of therapy using desensitization and counter-conditioning is
proven to help with phobia problems and early treatment is recommended in order to prevent
the problem getting worse. Dogs with milder problems should start treatment as soon as
possible. For more information please do not hesitate to contact Sophie Liptrott at our Leigh
surgery on 01942 673777, or [email protected] .
Scullcap and Valerian Tablets and Valerian Compound are available for you to purchase at each of
our sites. Herbal treatments have minimal side effects and can be safely given to all dogs and cats,
young or old, except for pregnant or lactating females. Scullcap and Valerian tablets can be given one
week before firework night and continued for as long as needed, until the firework season has
stopped. If your pet has become very stressed in the past it is often useful to start the tablets
earlier—anywhere between 10 days to 3 weeks, depending on how severely affected they have been.
Don’t panic if you have not left a lot of time to prepare as you can still give these tablets on the day of
the fireworks and they should still help.
Valerian Compound is a organically certified liquid that acts in around 30 minutes when given by mouth. It is particularly
suitable for cats who will take this on food, into their mouths or will lick it off their paw. A few drops placed on bedding can
also help calm your cat. The compound is also ideal for dogs too.
Bonfire Newsletter November 13
Page 3
KalmAid and Zylkene
KalmAid is for Nervous or Anxious Pets and can also be used to
manage long term behavioural problems. Apart from firework
fears it can also be used for other anxious situations - separation
anxiety, strange surroundings – e.g. kennels, cattery or minders,
at weaning – when puppies are separated from their mothers,
other environmental stress – e.g. lightening and thunder,
travelling, grooming, going to the vet and changes in household
etc. It contains L- Tryptophan which is an essential amino acid
which affects production of serotonin. Serotonin has a calming
and relaxing effect. It also contains L-theanine, another amino
acid which has a calming effect. There is also Thiamine (Vitamin
B1), deficiency of which has been associated with nervous
disorders. It is available over the counter as 250ml caramel
flavoured liquid. It is also available in beef flavoured tablets (Pack
Size 30) and 50ml cat gel.
Similarly, Zylkene is not a drug as such, it is a food supplement made from a
protein found in milk (casein). The active ingredient is a peptide (a simple sort
of protein molecule) which is able to bind temporarily to certain receptors in
the brain. This has a calming influence which is similar in some ways to
tranquilliser drugs such as diazepam
(“Valium”), but without the side effects. It has
been clinically proven to be effective in dogs
and cats (as well as rats and humans). We can
supply it in 3 different sizes of capsule, chosen
according to the size of the animal to be treated. The capsules are opened and
sprinkled on food once daily. The contents seem to taste delicious to most dogs and
cats and are easy to give. Zylkene is also available without prescription and is a safe,
natural treatment worth trying for most dogs or cats suffering from firework stress.
PENNINGTON HOUSE VETERINARY CENTRE
Newlands Road, Leigh, WN7 4HA
Tel: 01942 262051/673777
Fax: 01942 262691
LADIES LANE VETERINARY CENTRE
18 Ladies Lane, Hindley. WN2 2RG
Tel: 01942 522999 Fax 01942 522899
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TONGE MOOR VETERINARY CENTRE
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The Caring Practice
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1 Cecil Avenue, Sale, Cheshire. M33 5BW
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