Fireworks Safety for Your Pets

It's that time of year again! The 4th of July is right around the corner, which means hot weather, picnics, parades, and...fireworks! In the weeks before and after this fun holiday, people are shooting off fireworks right and left. If you have a pet that suffers anxiety from loud noises, this may not be much fun for you or them. Don't worry! We have some helpful tips to share so that this year's festivities can be worry-free.

Be prepared

Make sure your pets have ID tags and are microchipped. Animals who are sensitive to loud noises may run away during fireworks. Having proper identification on your pets can help you locate them and bring them back home.

Leave your pets at home in a safe spot like their crates or in a bathroom that is secure when you go out to a party or fireworks display.

It's a good idea to have a fenced-in yard. If your pet decides to run away, it will help keep them from going too far. If you don't have a fence, it's better to leave them inside your house.

If your pet has high anxiety from fireworks, consider getting an anti-anxiety prescription from your veterinarian. We recommend Sileo.

What is Sileo?

An FDA-approved medication, Sileo treats dogs who suffer from noise aversion. If you notice your pet pacing, panting, lip licking, or shaking during firework shows, it might be a good idea to try Sileo. It calms your dog without sedating it, so your dog can be stress-free and normal.

If you are interested in Sileo for the upcoming 4th of July holiday, let us know a few days beforehand and one of our veterinarians can get you a prescription for your dog.

Be safe this July!

Beware of Internet Pharmacies

When obtaining medication for your pet, you may think that since you can purchase almost anything on the internet, the same goes for medication. This is a dangerous idea! Medication can come from anywhere, even a  dark basement thousands of miles from your home. Please allow us to share the dangers of internet pharmacies.

Online pharmacies may provide a convenient and cheap way to purchase medications, but they are risky. There is no way to track where a majority of these medications come from. We have heard of instances where medications available online were developed oversees and contained harmful materials. Be advised that products not purchased through your veterinarian do not carry the manufacturer's promise to be held accountable if your pet has adverse reactions or dies by using the products. This means that all medications you purchase through your veterinarian are backed up by the manufacturer and if something happens, they take full responsibility.

According to the FDA, only 3% of internet pharmacies follow state and federal guidelines.

Most internet pharmacies:

• Are fraudulent
• Sell contaminated drugs
• Sell drugs past their expiration date
• Sell drugs that contain no active ingredients
• Sell drugs with ingredients such as arsenic and/or rat poison
• Sell drugs that contain ingredients that may interact with current medications
• Purchase drugs from counterfeiters or gray market wholesalers
• Have computer viruses
• Sell your personal and financial information to other rogue websites or internet scammers

Never purchase from an online pharmacy if they don't require a written prescription from a doctor or claim they have an onsite doctor who can write a prescription after a brief survey.

Only purchase medications if the pharmacy is a member of NABP (National Association of Boards of Pharmacies).

If you decide to purchase medications online, only order from a site that is VIPPS-accredited pharmacy (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites).

Honestly, the safest and surest way to get what your pet needs is to purchase medications from your veterinarian. You save yourself the hassle of finding an internet pharmacy that follows FDA guidelines and is accredited.

For more information, visit:

www.fda.gov/besaferx
www.fda.gove/buyonline
www.nabp.net