As temperatures plummet across the country, a puppy in Massachusetts serves as a harrowing reminder of the extra care and protection that must be given to pets during this frigid winter. 

 

On the cold evening of Dec. 30, when temperatures dipped as low as 3 degrees Fahrenheit in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, the Dartmouth Police Department responded to a call regarding a puppy who had been left in a car in a mall parking lot. 

 

According to a report released on the department’s Facebook page, Dartmouth Police discovered that a young dog had been left in a parked vehicle for at least an hour. Responding officer Justin Amaral noted that the puppy was “shivering and rolled up in a ball” on the seat.

 

The puppy, who was seized by animal control and transported to a local veterinary hospital for evaluation, had “no adverse effects” to the incident and “was given a clear health status,” Dartmouth Animal Control Officer Sandra Gosselin said. 

 

The dog’s owner has been charged with cruelty to animals. However, according to Massachusetts law, “With removal of a dog from a vehicle, the owner may retrieve the dog from the Animal Control department/shelter after paying any and all expenses incurred,” Gosselin noted. “The puppy was retrieved by its owner and [the owner] will be summoned into court at the request of the Dartmouth Police Department with regards to a cruelty complaint filed by them.” 

 

Dr. Lori Bierbrier, medical director of the ASPCA’s Community Medicine Department, told petMD that extremely cold weather is very dangerous to pets. As she puts it, “If it’s too cold for you, then it is probably too cold for your pets.”

 

No animal should be left outside in extreme weather, Bierbrier urged, as “dogs and cats can develop low body temperature (hypothermia), which can lead to death.”

 

Unattended vehicles are no better for pets, Bierbrier said. “Cars can act like refrigerators and hold in cold, adding to the already stressful effects of low temperatures.” 

 

 

Image via Shutterstock 

 

 

Read more: How Cold is Too Cold for Your Dog?

 

 

Halloween is a time for clever costumes, sugary treats, and spooky fun. But these fall festivities can also present risks for pets. We spoke with our veterinary experts about Halloween-related pet mishaps they’ve encountered over the years. Don’t let one of these scary situations happen to you and your beloved companion.

Halloween Scares at the Vet Clinic

 

While out trick-or-treating at night, some families use glow sticks to keep themselves visible and safe. But if you leave these items laying around the house, your curious dog or cat might be tempted to chew on them. Dr. Jennifer Coates, a veterinary advisor for petMD, once received a call about a dog who got into a bag of glow sticks.

 

“The dog was drooling like crazy and obviously unhappy, on top of looking like an iridescent space alien,” Coates remembers. While the liquid inside of the glow stick tastes awful and can sometimes even make pets vomit, Coates assured her client that it is not actually toxic. “She offered her dog a handful of treats to help get rid of the taste, and he was soon back to normal.”

 

A glowing pet may be a scary sight to behold, but other Halloween mishaps can be life-threatening. One of the most common emergencies veterinarians see during Halloween involves dogs eating candy—especially chocolate. Chocolate can be toxic to both dogs and cats. Symptoms of chocolate toxicity may include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures.

 

“Several dogs get into the Halloween candy if it is left in their reach,” says Dr. Katie Grzyb, medical director at One Love Animal Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. “Chocolate can be toxic at certain amounts. Luckily, in many cases, if ingestion is caught early enough, the patient can be brought to their veterinarian and emesis (vomiting) can be induced. Some dogs may require hospitalization with fluids, charcoal, and monitoring for arrhythmias and/or neurologic signs.” 

 

Halloween candies that contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener, can also be poisonous to pets. Pet parents should also be cautious of candy wrappers, which can cause gastrointestinal upset or intestinal blockages, if ingested.

 

Dr. Steven Friedenberg, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, recalls one instance where a smaller mixed-breed dog ate an entire bag of candy that was filled with all sorts of treats, ranging from chocolate bars to gummy worms. “We induced vomiting and were able to get many of the candy wrappers out of the dog’s stomach, but much of the chocolate had been absorbed already,” says Friedenberg, who specializes in emergency and critical care.

 

The dog needed to be hospitalized and put on medications to control elevated heart rate and blood pressure, he says, as well as receive sedatives for agitation associated with chocolate ingestion. “Fortunately, the dog did well, but it was an expensive stay for the owners.”

 

Dr. Christine Rutter, clinical assistant professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University, shares a similar tale of a dog who ate a medley of Halloween candy—but with a ghostly twist. “We induced vomiting and got the dog started on fluids and medications for overnight care, and I went to give the owner an update,” recalls Rutter, who specializes in emergency and critical care. “At the end of the interview, the owner stopped me and asked if there are any ghosts in the hospital. Puzzled, but playing along, I replied that I am unaware of ghosts in the hospital, and that I am in the hospital at all hours, so would have a good chance of seeing them if they existed.”

 

The owner was completely serious. She told Rutter that her big, friendly Pitbull was terrified of ghosts and cemeteries, and that she chose this 24-hour specialty hospital specifically because it didn’t have any Halloween decorations up. She believed that her canine companion got into the candy because he was overly stressed by the season. Rutter kept a straight face, and assured the owner she would do everything in her power to protect the dog.

 

“I dutifully passed on the message to the doctor who took over his care for the next shift,” Rutter says. “The dog ended up doing well and not having any unexpected encounters while in our care. Writing, ‘Keep away from Halloween decorations, cemeteries, and ghosts’ on a treatment sheet for a monster-sized, adorable, white meatball of a dog has been one of the highlights of my job.”

 

 

Hurricane Irma was a devastating, Categoery 5 storm that left a path of death and destruction in the Caribbean and the United States.

 

While thousands of prepared pet parents did the right thing and ensured their beloved animals either came with them or had a safe haven to stay in, others in Florida did the unthinkable. 

 

According to local Palm Beach news affiliate WPTV, more than 50 animals were left tethered to trees, poles, or parked cars to fend for themselves as the deadly storm was making its way inland. 

 

“Even a tiny bit of sand can hurt an animal when it’s traveling through 100-plus mph winds,” stated Diane Suave, director of Animal Care for Palm Beach County.

 

Suave, who urged anyone in the area to bring in any abandoned cats or dogs, called the acts “unconscionable.” 

 

She wasn’t alone in her anger: State Attorney Dave Aronberg called the situation a “prime example of animal cruelty” and assured he would track down and prosecute anyone who left their animals outside during the storm. 

 

In the wake of the news, Aronberg has since tweeted, “We take animal cruelty very seriously here in PBC.” By speaking out, Aronberg has won the praise of many, including PETA, who applauded him for his efforts post-Irma. 

 

“By pledging to find and prosecute anyone who left an animal behind to suffer and die during Hurricane Irma, [Aronberg] has sent the message that animal abandonment is illegal and will not be tolerated,” said PETA Senior Vice President of Cruelty Investigations Daphna Nachminovitch, in a statement released to petMD. 

 

Nachminovitch added that their teams have seen firsthand the horrors that can happen when pets are left behind in major storms. “Anyone who evacuates is required by law to take their animals with them or make adequate arrangements to keep them safe, and those who abandon their animals to die in terror should face cruelty charges,” she asserted.

 

Image via Shutterstock 

 

Read more: Natural Disaster Planning for Pets

 

The relentless one-two punch of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma forced millions of Americans and their pets to evacuate. 

 

Though Harvey has passed and Irma is tapering off, the recovery is just beginning. As conditions allow, families are returning to their homes, many with their cats and dogs by their side. 

 

Hurricane prepardeness is of utmost importance for people and their pets, but post-hurricane safety is another thing entirely, and it’s too often overlooked. 

 

In the wake of these major storms, the American Veterinary Medical Association has released a safety checklist for pet parents who are returning to potentially dangerous or stressful environments. 

 

When returning home with pets following a disaster, the AVMA recommends the following:

• Survey the area inside and outside your home to identify sharp objects, dangerous materials, dangerous wildlife, contaminated water, downed power lines, or other hazards.
• Do not allow pets to roam free outdoors until the area is safe for them to do so. They could encounter dangerous wildlife and debris if allowed outside unsupervised and unrestrained. In addition, familiar scents and landmarks may have changed, and this can confuse your pets.
• Allow uninterrupted rest and sleep to allow your pets to recover from the trauma and stress of the evacuation and disaster.
• The disruption of routine activities can be the biggest cause of stress for your pets, so try to re-establish a normal schedule as quickly as you can.
• Comfort each other. The simple act of petting and snuggling can reduce anxiety for both people and pets.
• If you notice any signs of stress, discomfort, or illness in your pets, contact your veterinarian to schedule a checkup.

 

Helping Your Pet Adjust After a Disaster

 

The ASPCA is also urging pet parents from hurricane-hit regions to consider the impact these major events have had on their furry companions. 

 

“After a storm, some animals may be traumatized by their experiences,” said Pam Reid, vice president of the ASPCA’s Anti-Cruelty Behavior Team, in an interview with petMD. “Being separated from their family and/or their home can be scary enough, but if the pet was lost during the storm or housed at an emergency shelter, the trauma can be more extensive. Not surprisingly, animals that have undergone harrowing experiences can look like they are experiencing something similar to post-traumatic stress disorder.” 

 

Reid recommended keeping pets on a “consistent, predictable schedule” similar to the one they had before the storm, if possible. She also suggested providing a “quiet, dark, comfortable place so the pet has the option of hiding if he/she chooses. If the pet appreciates attention and physical affection when upset, by all means, keep the pet with you and console him/her.” 

 

Unfortunately, not all pets were able to leave with their owners. For cats and dogs who were put in emergency shelters, Reid said there may be some initial soiling accidents in the household upon return. 

 

“A cat may not have had access to the size of litter box or the type of litter he/she was accustomed to and now needs a reminder to use the box,” she explained. “While at a shelter, a dog may have had to learn to eliminate on unfamiliar substrates such as concrete or shavings, or became adapted to an unusual schedule.”

 

That said, Reid assured that with some remedial training and time, “most pets will resume their former house-trained habits.” 

 

The storms may have been particularly traumatic for dogs with noise sensitivities. If your dog is showing signs of distress from certain sounds, “try to pair the sounds with something the dog enjoys, such as special tasty treats or a favorite game of fetch,” Reid suggested. “If your dog is so frightened that he/she is not interested in treats or toys, you may need to consult with a certified applied animal behaviorist or veterinary behaviorist for a more intensive treatment program.” 

 

Hopefully, your pet will be back to normal within a week or two after returning from a storm. But if you see signs that your cat or dog is still in distress, you should talk to your veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist. “A course of behavior medication may help your pet cope and adjust to being home again,” Reid said.

 

Image via Shutterstock 

 

Read more: Hurricane Harvey: Animal Rescue Efforts Underway in Texas

 

Hurricane Harvey has devastated large areas of Texas due to massive flooding, which has displaced thousands from their homes. Among those in the path of destruction are countless animals, including house pets who have been separated from their owners. 

 

While rescue efforts are a huge undertaking following this historic Category 4 hurricane, now a tropical storm, there is hope for cats, dogs, and everything in between. 

 

In a statement released to petMD, the Houston SPCA reported seeing “scores of abandoned, orphaned, and injured animals” as volunteers and members are working around the clock, doing everything from riding in the animal rescue ambulance to assisting animals who need feedings and care. 

 

The Houston SPCA also noted that it is “working very closely with the Texas Animal Health Commission and local government and law enforcement as we prepare for animal water rescues, transfers, and reuniting pets with owners.” 

 

Help has been coming from far and wide in Texas for animals in distress. In Austin, the rescue organization Austin Pets Alive! has transported hundreds of animals from Houston to its facility to give them shelter and care.

 

As the storm continues, the nonprofit said it expects even more animals to arrive in the coming days and weeks. Austin Pets Alive! is helping displaced and homeless pets find foster parents until they are adopted, as well. 

 

Wings of Rescue, which flies at-risk animals throughout the United States and Canada, posted on Facebook that, along with the help of GreaterGood.org, they are transporting hundreds of dogs out of flood-ravaged Texas and Louisiana. 

 

And the Humane Society reported it has transported 200 animals from San Antonio alone since the storm’s beginning.

 

In addition to outstanding efforts from organizations like these, there are countless Good Samaritans (including a group of rescuers who saved 21 dogs) doing their part to help these animals in need get to a safe, warm place. 

 

To help those helping the animals affected by Hurricane Harvey, you can visit these sites to make a donation: 

 

Read more: Natural Disaster Planning for Pets