Education & Resources
Preparing Livestock and Pets for Wildfire: A Guide to Safety
Wildfire season is upon us, it's crucial to ensure the safety of our beloved animals. We hope this guide to help you prepare your livestock and pets:
1. Create an Emergency Plan
Evacuation Routes: Know safe routes for quick evacuation.
Safe Havens: Identify safe locations where you can take your animals, such as barns, fairgrounds, or animal shelters.
Transport Readiness: Keep vehicles and trailers ready for transportation.
2. Prepare Emergency Kits
For Pets:
Leashes, collars, and carriers
Food, water, and bowls
Medications and first aid supplies
Comfort items like blankets or toys
Copies of medical records and microchip information
For Livestock:
Halters and lead ropes
Food, water, and buckets
Medications and veterinary records
Identification tags or markers
3. Create a Defensible Space
Around Livestock Areas: Clear brush and flammable materials from barns and corrals.
For Pets: Keep pet enclosures and areas clear of debris.
4. Stay Informed
Monitor Weather and Fire Updates: Keep an eye on local news and weather channels.
Sign Up for Alerts: Enroll in local alert systems for timely notifications.
5. Have a Backup Plan
Neighbor Assistance: Coordinate with neighbors for help with evacuation if you're not home.
Alternative Shelters: Know alternative locations where you can temporarily house your animals.
Remember, your animals depend on you for their safety. Being prepared can make all the difference. Stay safe, and take action now to protect your furry and feathered friends. Stay safe!
How to Remove a Tick
Ticks can carry diseases that affect your dog’s health, so it’s important to remove them safely and monitor your pet afterward. Follow these steps to ensure proper removal and care.
Preparation
Before you begin, gather the following supplies:
Tweezers or a tick removal tool
Rubbing alcohol
A Ziploc bag
Rubber gloves
Disinfectant or antibiotic cream (available from your veterinarian)
Removal
Put on your rubber gloves.
If using tweezers:
Grasp the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible.
If using a tick removal tool:
Gently press the tool against your dog’s skin near the tick.
Slide the notch of the tool underneath the tick.
Slowly and steadily pull the tick out of your dog’s skin.
Avoid twisting, squeezing, or crushing the tick, as this can leave the head embedded in the skin.
After Care
Place the tick in a Ziploc bag with rubbing alcohol and leave it for 24 hours to ensure it is killed.
Wash your hands thoroughly.
Note the location and date you found the tick.
Apply disinfectant or antibiotic cream to the bite site.
Clean your tweezers or tick removal tool with rubbing alcohol.
Consider submitting the tick for identification through eTick to help track tick-borne disease risks in your area.
Watch for symptoms of tick-borne illnesses
Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog develops any of the following symptoms after a tick bite:
Joint pain or stiffness
Lethargy or weakness
Weight loss
Decreased appetite or thirst
Redness or inflammation at the bite site
Neurological issues (e.g., tremors, incoordination)
Prevention
Preventing tick bites is the best way to keep your animal healthy. Your veterinarian can recommend effective tick prevention products such as:
Bravecto – protects against ticks and fleas for several months
Other approved topical or oral tick preventatives
Additional prevention tips:
Avoid areas with tall grass, heavy brush, or dense wooded areas where ticks are common.
Check your pet regularly for ticks, especially after walks in high-risk areas.
Keep your yard maintained by trimming grass and removing leaf litter where ticks may hide.
Using a combination of preventative products and regular tick checks greatly reduces your pet’s risk of tick-borne illness.
Tips and Tricks to Apply Eye Medication
Eye medications are commonly prescribed to treat conditions such as infections, inflammation, injuries, or dry eye. Applying eye medication can sometimes feel challenging, but with a few simple techniques, it can become much easier and less stressful for both you and your pet.
1. Preparation
Before starting, gather all the supplies you will need:
Your pet’s eye medication
Clean tissues or cotton pads
Treats or rewards for your pet
A calm, well-lit area
Always wash your hands before and after applying medication to prevent introducing bacteria to the eye.
2. Applying the eye drops
Gently wipe away any debris around the eye using a warm, damp washcloth before applying the medication.
Hold the eye drop bottle between your thumb and index finger. For better control, you can rest the side of your hand on the top of your pet’s head for stability.
With your other hand, gently pull down the lower eyelid using your thumb. This will create a small pocket or pouch to hold the drops.
Hold the bottle close to the eye without touching the eye or eyelids.
Squeeze the prescribed number of drops into the eye, aiming for the center.
Release your pet’s head and allow them to blink naturally.
Blinking will spread the medication across the surface of the eye.
For horses: A 1 mL syringe with the needle removed can sometimes be used to administer eye drops from a short distance. Please contact your veterinarian for guidance before using this method.
3. Applying the eye ointment
Gently wipe away any debris around the eye using a warm, damp washcloth before applying the medication.
Apply a thin strip of the ointment onto your clean finger or a cotton swab (Q-tip).
With your other hand, gently pull down your pet’s lower eyelid using your thumb. This will create a small pouch to hold the ointment.
Carefully roll or place the ointment from your finger or cotton swab into the lower eyelid pouch.
Release the eyelid and allow your pet to blink, which will help spread the ointment across the surface of the eye.
Tips
If your pet’s eye is painful or sensitive, you may need an extra person to help gently hold them still.
Large dogs can be positioned in a corner for support.
Small dogs or cats can be swaddled in a blanket to keep them calm and secure.
Always keep the applicator tip clean. Avoid touching the eye, eyelid, or any other surface with the tip to prevent contamination.
If the applicator does accidentally touch the eye or another surface, wipe it clean with a clean cloth. For specific cleaning instructions, check with your veterinarian.
In the Blink of an Eye: How to Give Eye Drops