Education & Resources

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Preparing Livestock and Pets for Wildfire: A Guide to Safety

Wiildfire 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!

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How to Remove a Tick

Preparation

  • Tweezers or a tick removal tool

  • Rubbing alcohol

  • A ziploc bag

  • Rubber gloves

  • Disinfectant or an antibiotic cream, you can get this from your vet.

Removal

  • Put on a pair of rubber gloves.

  • If using tweezers, grab the tick as closely to your dog's skin as possible.

  • If using the tick removal tool, gently press the remover against your dog's skin near the tick. Slide the notch of the remover underneath the tick.

  • Slowly but steadily, pull the tick out of your dog's skin, making sure that you do not lose its head throughout this.

  • Do not twist or crunch the tick as you may lose its head inside your dog's skin.

After Care

  • Drop the tick into a ziploc bag with rubbing alcohol in it, leave it in the alcohol for 24 hours to kill it.

  • Wash your hands.

  • Note the location and date you found the tick.

  • Apply disinfectant or antibiotic cream to the tick bite.

  • Clean your tweezers or tick removal tool with rubbing alcohol.

Submission of tick

  • Consider submitting the tick for identification through eTick.

Symptoms of tick-borne illnesses

  • Joint pain

  • Lethargy

  • Weight loss

  • Decreased appetite or thirst

  • Inflammation on or around the bite

  • Neurological issues

If your dog starts to show symptoms of a tick-borne illness or if you lose a piece of the tick inside your dog’s skin, contact your vet immediately.

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Tips and Tricks to Apply Eye Medication

1. Preparation

  • A soft washcloth.

  • Warm water.

  • The eye medication.

  • Wash hands thoroughly.

2. Applying the eye drops

  • Gently wipe away any debris around the eye with a warm, damp washcloth.

  • Hold the eye drop bottle using your thumb and index finger. You can try and rest the side of your hand on the top of your pet's head for more stability.

  • With your other hand, use your thumb to pull down your pet's lower eyelid gently. This will act like a pouch to later hold the eye drops. 

  • Hold the eye drop bottle close to the eye, but do not touch the surface of the eye. 

  • Squeeze the prescribed amount of drops the vet has given you onto your dog's eye, aiming to hit the center. 

  • Release your dog's head. 

  • They will then blink, spreading the eyedrops around the eyes surface. 

*For horses, you can use a 1cc syringe with the needle removed from the hub to help administer the drops from a distance- please contact the Vet for guidance on this.

3. Applying the eye ointment

  • Gently wipe away any debris around the eye with a warm, damp washcloth.

  • Apply a thin strip of the ointment onto your clean finger or a q-tip.

  • With your other hand, use your thumb to gently pull down your pet's lower eyelid. This will act like a pouch to later hold the eye ointment. 

  • Gently “roll” the ointment off of your finger or q-tip into the lower eyelid pouch. 

Tips

  • If your pet's eye is painful, you may need an extra person to help hold them still; large dogs can sit a corner, while small dogs/cats can be swaddled into a blanket 

  • Make sure to keep the applicator tip of the bottle clean as you do not want to add any debris into the eye.
    Make sure to not touch the eye or eyelid with the applicator tip. 

  • If the applicator does come into contact with the eye or any other surface, clean the tip by wiping it off with a clean cloth. You can also ask your Vet for any specific cleaning instructions. 

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