Pet Fire Safety

There was recently a fire in the Bountiful/Centerville area that caused many people and their pets to evacuate their homes. Some homes were lost to the fire. During the dry months in Utah, when fires are prevalent, it's important to be prepared in case one strikes the area where you live. And this includes an emergency preparedness plan for getting your pets out safely. This not only applies to wildfires, but also fires caused in your own house.

Evacuating a Home

If you are required to evacuate your home, have the essentials ready to go. Always have a fire preparedness kit for your pet on hand that includes food, medications, leash/carrier, and medical records. Having this ready will save you time.

It's a good idea to have your pet microchipped and make sure ID tags are current. If somehow you lose your pet when evacuating, it will be much easier to find them if they have identification.

Home on Fire

If you're home catches on fire, do your best to locate your pets. However, don't spend your time searching for them if they don't come right away. Get your family and yourself out first, and then allow first responders to rescue your pets. Do not go back into your home to find your pets. If you can't find your pets, leave your door open and call to them. Allow firefighters to go inside the house and rescue your loved ones. 

Be Prepared

• Include your pet in your fire evacuation plan.
• Know where your pet's hideaways, so you can locate them quickly in a fire.
• Put decal in your window with the number/type of pets to help first responders.

You never know when a fire will strike. The fire in the Centerville area affected many people and their pets in a matter of hours. If you're prepared, you can get you and your loved ones to safety.

Rattlesnake Safety for Your Dog

Summer is the perfect time to get outside and hike with your dog, and there are plenty of trails around Utah to explore. But make sure to note you are not the only ones who share the trail. Rattlesnakes are very active during the summer and sometimes end up on or near the hiking trails. While most of the time a rattlesnake will mind its own business, when threatened, it may strike. Keep your dog and you safe this summer by following a few simple tips.

Rattlesnakes are venomous, not poisonous, which can easily be confused. Venomous animals inject venom when they bite, whereas poisonous animals contain toxic tissue when ingested.

Most rattlesnakes do not attack unless they feel threatened. The best way to prevent your dog from getting bitten by a rattlesnake is to avoid them. As much as possible, keep your dog on a leash and be assertive. If you heard a rattling noise, it is likely a rattlesnake is nearby, which means it's time to head a different way. As long as you keep a long distance away from the rattlesnake, your dog and you should be fine.

Rattlesnake Bites

If your dog gets bit by a rattlesnake, head straight to the vet as soon as possible. Be calm and walk or carry your dog to the car, remembering that most snake bites are not immediately fatal to dogs.

Do not:
Suck out the venom (this is a myth)
Apply ice to the site
Administer anti-inflammatory drugs
Apply a tourniquet
Cut the skin around the site

Once you arrive at the vet, they will likely administer pain control drugs and antivenin, which neutralizes the toxins in venom. Antivenin is expensive, so it's best to avoid a rattlesnake bite at all costs.

Rattlesnake Vaccine

There is some controversy about the rattlesnake vaccine and if it actually is effective. Dr. Folland has spent years working with rattlesnakes, and can tell you the vaccine does not work well. Not only is it expensive, but there is not enough evidence to prove it actually protects a dog from harm. It was also created for a certain species of rattlesnakes. Protection against other species is unknown.


Have a fun and safe summer this year! Remember, prevention is the best way to keep your dog from getting bitten.

Heartworm Prevention Month

You've probably heard of heartworms, the stringy things that embed themselves in the hearts of cats and dogs and come from infected mosquitoes. This is known as heartworm disease and it is deadly. But did you know that your cat or dog is at risk of these parasites all year round? Did you also know that heartworm disease can be prevented?

April is National Heartworm Awareness Month and the perfect time to be educated on heartworm disease and prevention.

Has your doctor ever prescribed you medication for some sort of prevention? Birth control for pregnancy? High blood pressure medication to help your heart? Like these types of prevention, heartworm protection keeps your cat or dog healthy and safe. It is something they must be on all year round. They are continually at risk for heartworm disease, as mosquitoes are everywhere and there is no way to track which ones carry the disease.

So what exactly are heartworms?

Heartworms are worms, transmitted by mosquitoes, that damage blood vessels and reduce the heart’s pumping ability in dogs and cats. It results in severe lung and heart disease. Treating heartworms once they are in the body is complicated; it requires strong drugs and/or surgery, and is expensive and a burden on the animal. Many heartworm cases end in fatality if left untreated.

How can I protect my animal?

For dogs, we give Proheart 6 injections. They are administered every six months and the company has a guarantee that should the dog get infected while on the medication, all medical expenses will be paid by them. Don't worry, there is a slim chance of your dog getting heartworms while on this medication.

For cats there are no injections available, but we usually prescribed Heartgard or Revolution to protect them against heartworms.

If your pet is not on heartworm protection, now is a good time to start. With the warm months upon us, there are more mosquitoes and more chances of getting heartworm disease. There have been multiple cases of heartworm disease in Utah and we have diagnosed cases in two dogs in the past year. 

Be prepared, get your pet protected and enjoy the upcoming nice weather!