Portland, OR. Did you know the Fourth of July is one of the busiest holidays for DoveLewis? From pets running away due to the loud noises to eating food they shouldn’t have. While fireworks, picnics, and other festivities can be fun for people, the events can be especially frightening and even dangerous for animals. According to experts at the DoveLewis Emergency and Critical Care Facility, loud noises from exploding fireworks, unfamiliar guests, as well as fire hazards, and holiday food can result in stress and injury to pets.
It’s important to keep pets safe during Fourth of July celebrations.
“Make sure pets are safely secured indoors and in a cool place if left at home during Fourth of July celebrations,” said Dr. Sarah Tauber, a veterinarian at DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital. “Keep your dogs on a leash if you’re out watching fireworks, and keep a safe distance away from any live fireworks shows.”
Pet Hazards:
Fireworks danger – Animals can mistake fireworks in shiny packaging for food. Additionally, flames from falling fireworks and sparklers can burn pets.
Lost pets – When pets are scared by fireworks or loud noises, they can jump fences or dig their way out of yards, causing them to get lost.
Stress – Exploding fireworks, house guests, or routine interruptions can cause stress and anxiety. Stressed pets may experience vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal issues, a decrease in appetite, or aggression.
Food – Pets often sneak food during a holiday barbecue or picnic, which can lead to digestion mishaps. Many foods (chocolate, grapes, onions, etc.) can be toxic to animals, while other foods (corn cobs, chicken bones, etc.) can get stuck in the intestines and require surgery.
Safety Tips:
Safely secure pets indoors while fireworks are going off. If you have to take your dog outside, make sure to use a leash.
If your pet is extra sensitive to loud noises, do not leave your pet alone for extended periods of time. It’s best to keep them in a quiet, sheltered, and escape-proof room or crate. Create your own noise and block outside sights and sounds by lowering blinds, turning on the TV, or playing soothing music.
Keep all used and unused fireworks away from animals at all times.
Make sure your pet is microchipped and wearing identification tags so that you have a better chance of being reunited in the event that your pet gets lost.
If your pet is sensitive to noise, talk to your veterinarian in advance about whether the use of a mild sedative is appropriate.
Keep all food out of pets’ reach and make sure trash bags are tightly secured.
If your pet needs emergency veterinary care, DoveLewis is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It is located at 1945 NW Pettygrove Street in Portland or call at 503.228.7281.
Portland, OR. Every spring, DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency Hospital sees an increase in injured stray animal and wildlife cases. The nonprofit is encouraging good Samaritans who find healthy stray animals to keep them safe and contact their county’s animal services agency directly. DoveLewis President Ron Morgan explained, “Strays are more likely to be reunited with their families in their home shelter, and that helps us focus our team’s resources on the animals in need of medical care.”
Springtime is dubbed “Kitten Season” because of the boom of stray kittens inevitably born each spring, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. “Last year we treated nearly 1,200 stray or wild animals, and we’ve started seeing an influx of baby birds already. We’re ready, but we could use some extra help from the community,” said Morgan. DoveLewis can provide emergency stabilization and care for hundreds of strays and wildlife each year through its donor-funded Stray Animal & Wildlife Program, but with agencies and veterinary clinics adjusting their services and protocols to accommodate COVID-19 precautions, capacity is limited. “We’re here to help always, but everyone can do their part to make sure care is going to the animals who need it most.”
If you find an injured wild animal or bird during regular business hours, call Portland Audubon. If you come across an injured animal in the evening or on the weekends, use your best judgment on whether the animal can be rescued and delivered to DoveLewis safely. Here’s a link to the Portland Audubon Society: http://www.audubonportland.org
Here’s what you can do if you find an injured or stray animal:
Determine if the animal is actually injured. Often times, stray domestic animals appear injured but are actually just fearful. If you see no obvious injuries or unhealthy behavior, contact your county’s animal services agency.
Uninjured wildlife should never be touched. Baby animals, especially birds, may appear abandoned, but they are likely being cared for by their parents even if it’s not immediately obvious. Some bird species leave the nest and spend as many as two to five days on the ground before they can fly. During this time, the birds are learning vital life skills. Unless an injury is visible and obvious, leaving them alone will give them the best chance of survival.
Assess the safety of the situation. Make sure you are protected from the environment, like moving cars and running water, as well as the animal. If an animal is in pain and fearful, you never know how it will react. If you have any reservations about rescuing or handling a domestic stray animal, call your local county animal services.
Cover and contain. If the animal is obviously injured and can be transported safely, find a towel, blanket or thick gloves to use while handling the animal to put a barrier between you and the animal. Place the animal in any available safe container – a carrier or a box is ideal. Make sure the animal is as comfortable as possible and secure in the container. Many animals, especially small ones, are stunned when injured and will fly or scurry away when they are more alert. Please remember, it is illegal (and unsafe for you and the injured animal) to attempt to rehabilitate a wild animal on your own.
About DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital:
DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital, established in 1973 and based in Portland, Oregon, is the only nonprofit, 24-hour emergency and intensive care unit in the region. With over 46 years of service to the community, DoveLewis has treated more than 500,000 animals. DoveLewis also has seven donor-supported community programs that serve animals in need and the animal-loving community. For more information, please visit dovelewis.org.
Portland, OR. With resources in demand at a level surpassing recent memory, medical professionals are looking beyond their usual network for support. DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital has loaned a ventilator to a human hospital in Spokane, Washington, which picked up the machine on Tuesday.
“They’re at capacity and told us that this one ventilator would help many people,” said Dr. Shana O’Marra, DoveLewis’ Chief Medical Officer and board-certified critical care specialist. “Yes, we’re an animal hospital, but we help people, too, and if we can share our resources to help even more people, we will.” In addition to the direct loan to the Washington hospital, the Portland-based nonprofit organization responded to a call from the American College of Veterinary Emergency Critical Care to register surplus equipment with the hopes of bolstering the resources of in-need human hospitals in whatever way it can.
But for a high-traffic hospital like DoveLewis which expects to care for 25,000 patients this year, resource-sharing is a balancing act. The organization is complying with the governor’s executive order to make available any surplus personal protective equipment (PPE), but supplies are diminishing. Hospital leadership has organized an internal response committee to develop practices to prolong PPE supplies and implement social distancing policies that still allow the 24/7 team to care for animals in the throes of an emergency.
O’Marra even made the hospital’s first homemade batch of hand sanitizer and shared the recipe on atdove.org, the hospital’s international distance-learning site for veterinary professionals. “We’re getting creative with the resources that we do have and sharing as much information as possible,” said O’Marra. “It’s a scary time, but I’m proud to see people rally together for the sake of their patients—human and animals, alike.”
From DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital:
DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital, established in 1973 and based in Portland, Oregon, is the only nonprofit, 24-hour emergency and intensive care unit in the region. With over 45 years of service to the community, DoveLewis has treated more than 500,000 animals. DoveLewis also has seven donor-supported community programs that serve animals in need and the animal-loving community. For more information, please visit dovelewis.org.
Portland, OR. The activities that make Fourth of July fun for people – exploding fireworks, houseguests and an abundance of food – also make this holiday hazardous for pets. Doctors at DoveLewis Veterinary Hospital & and The Oregon Humane Society are warning pet owners to take extra precaution during the holiday weekend to make sure pets are safe. The Oregon Humane Society is gearing up for Independence Day. On July 5th, animal shelters across the country will face the daunting task of caring for the many lost dogs and cats who bolted from their homes because they were terrified of fireworks. Sadly, some lost pets are never reunited with their owners.
Fourth of July pet hazards include:
Fireworks danger – Animals can mistake fireworks in shiny packaging for food. Additionally, flames from falling fireworks and sparklers can burn pets.
Lost pets – When pets are scared by fireworks or loud noises, they can jump fences or dig their way out of yards, causing them to get lost.
Stress – Exploding fireworks, house guests or routine interruptions can cause stress and anxiety. Stressed pets may experience vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal issues, decrease in appetite, or aggression.
Food – Pets often sneak food during a holiday barbecue or picnic, which can lead to digestion mishaps. Many foods (chocolate, grapes, onions, etc.) can be toxic to animals, while other foods (corn cobs, chicken bones, etc.) can get stuck in the intestines and require surgery.
Prevent lost pets and injuries with these safety tips:
Safely secure pets indoors while fireworks are going off. If dogs must go outside during this time, they should be on a leash and monitored at all times.
Pets who are extra sensitive to loud noises should not be left alone for extended periods of time.
Keep used and unused fireworks away from animals at all times.
Talk to your veterinarian about whether the use of a mild sedative is appropriate.
Keep all food out of a pet’s reach, and make sure trash bags are tightly secured.
1) Check with your local animal control agency. Many agencies have lost-and-found listings on their website (OHS, by law, cannot accept stray animals).
2) Post on Nextdoor, Craigslist, and other lost pet websites.
Put up flyers with a photo and description of the missing pet.
4) Search your neighborhood and your own property thoroughly. Lost cats, for example, are often found hiding under a bush in front of their owner’s home.
If you find a stray animal, please keep them with you until your local animal shelter is open and ready to receive them. Below is contact information for shelters in the Portland metro and Southwest Washington areas:
The Oregon Humane Society is the Northwest’s oldest and largest humane society. OHS receives no tax dollars to support its adoption, education, and animal cruelty investigation programs. Visit oregonhumane.org for more information.
From DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital:
DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital, established in 1973 and based in Portland, Oregon, is the only nonprofit, 24-hour emergency and intensive care unit in the region. With 45 years of service to the community, DoveLewis has treated more than 500,000 animals. DoveLewis also has seven donor-supported community programs that serve animals in need and the animal-loving community.
Portland, OR. Due to overwhelming demand at DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency Hospital, and local area clinics, the DoveLewis Blood Bank is running critically low on several canine blood types. Superhero Calamity Jane (in the orange scarf) has been donating to the DoveLewis Blood Bank for five years and has donated 21 units. Her blood recently helped save the lives of a 3-year-old Australian shepherd suffering from rat bait poisoning and a 5-year-old pit bull with an autoimmune disorder. New volunteer canine blood donors are needed to continue the lifesaving efforts of the program. (Photo credit, Gia Goodrich)
A growing local pet population and active summer months have created a greater need for animal blood transfusions.
New volunteer canine donors are needed to meet the increased demand for blood products.
“Just one donation can help treat up to four animals,” said Ron Morgan, DoveLewis president and CEO. “We call our donors Superheroes because they are truly saving lives.” DoveLewis will treat more than 20,000 patients this year, and demand for blood transfusions increases during summer months due to a surge in patients during this time.
Each year, the DoveLewis Blood Bank provides enough blood and plasma for more than 700 transfusions throughout Oregon and the United States. Transfusions are typically required during surgeries, for animals with immune deficiency disorders, and for animals suffering from traumas.
Canine blood donors must meet a few basic requirements, including:
1-6 years old
55+ pounds
Healthy and current on vaccines
Gentle disposition
The donation process is quick, easy and painless for both the canine donor and the owner. DoveLewis asks volunteers to commit to giving blood for two years (four to six donations per year). Donors also receive a variety of medical benefits.
From DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital:
DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital, established in 1973 and based in Portland, Oregon, is the only nonprofit, 24-hour emergency and intensive care unit in the region. With 45 years of service to the community, DoveLewis has treated more than 600,000 animals. DoveLewis also has seven donor-supported community programs that serve animals in need and the animal-loving community. For more information, please visit dovelewis.org.
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