As soon as October comes to an end, it is very easy to get complacent about water safety. But it is something that needs to be considered all year and that means that you need to think about what happens before the season and after.
When there is a hurricane, there are many issues that are there when you are flooded with water. The aftermath of a hurricane requires that you think about things as much as the preparation for the storm. There will be dangerous waters as well as other issues with mosquitos and more when the storm has passed. Here is what you need to prepare for when the storm has passed.
- Stay Warm and Dry When the Water Has Risen
One of the biggest issues with a hurricane is the water that it causes and the extra moisture that is out there and all the issues that it can cause for a pet.
When there is a storm, there are many kinds of infections and other parasites that can be present. There are also issues of dermatitis that happen, these issues are known as hot spots. These issues are problems because the pet is stressed and may scratch a lot during the storm. The pet will do things like also scratch in one place as well and that will cause many issues.
Hot spots are issues for dogs with thick coats and it can be a continual fight for pets when there is an undercoat that stays damp. That is because the skin will get irritated, when that happens, the pet will scratch. Then the scratches are infected and swollen and then you find yourself going to see the vet.
It is a wise idea to pack towels for your dogs and ensure that you can dry them off as soon as your can. You want to make sure that you are also washing your dog with a soothing shampoo so that you will be able to keep them as calm as possible.
- Be Prepared for Outside Animals
When you are in a hurricane, you are often dealing with people and other animals that do not belong there. This can happen in the form of dangerous predators that will come out of hiding. The animals that you are going to see are going to depend on where you are coming from, but they can vary wildly from your region and area. You are going to see alligators and snakes in places that you would not normally see them. They are going to be there because they have been dislocated by a fire or by running water.
Any animal may also be very dangerous following a severe issue with weather, the main reason is that animals are going to be very stressed as well as disoriented when they are leaving their point of origin. In addition to that, the animals may be ill. It is that illness that can also cause them to behave in a strange and abnormal way. To ensure that your pet is safe, consider keeping him or her in a crate and away from all kinds of standing water.
- Watch Where People Are Walking
When there is a flood, it is very important to make sure that you are very careful where you are stepping. That is because there may be many kinds of broken material out there like sharp nails or siding. There may also be other issues such as power lines that are down, and other issues with hazards on the ground. While wearing boots may ensure that you are going to be ok in some areas, there are others that are going to lead to other issues. If you are wearing boots, they may also get soaked and slide off which is another danger.
- The Need for Bottled Water on Hand
Drinking any kind of water that is contaminated can cause huge issues. After a flood there may be water that is all over the place that looks clean but is not. It is important to ensure that you have a clean and safe drinking supply of water following a storm. What that also means is that as a rule if water is not safe for a person to drink it, there is no way that a pet should be either. It is important to make sure that you have a plan before a storm so that your pet will have a safe water supply. This can come in the form of bottled water as well as water filters to ensure that you are ready for the hurricane before and after.
- The Risk of Invisible Parasites
When it comes to heartworms, they are very serious and can be fatal to pets. The heartworms can be found in any location where you will find mosquitos and that means that they are going to use a natural disaster to multiply when they have the chance.
It is important to make sure that you are preventing all the parasites by working on having heart medicine for your pet at least twice a year. That comes for dogs in the form of an injection and ensures that there can be no lapse in their protection.
When it comes to the dangers that are out there for pets after a storm, some of the largest issues will not be seen with the naked eye. These come in the form of fungus as well as other kinds of bacteria and other issues that will cause infections in people as well as in other animals.
A few of the most dangerous include Leptospirosis which can cause issues with kidney as well as liver failure. It is very important to make sure that you are keeping all your pets up to vaccine schedule so that you will be aware of the issues and the breakouts in the area.
- Having a Basic First Aid Kit on Hand
It is mission critical to make sure that you have a first aid kit on hand when you are planning to be in a storm. There are many kinds of scratches as well as cuts that can become infected if they are not treated when there is a natural disaster that strikes. You must have things on hand like band aids, as well as other kinds of materials like cold packs and more to ensure that you can take care of your pet.
One thing that is also very important to think about is the fact that after the storm, you are not going to be able to get the supplies that you need. What that means is that you need to make sure that you have ordered all of the medicine you need as well as the first aid supplies well before any kind of evacuation so that you are going to be able to be prepared.
You need to ensure that you have the medications that are necessary as well that are an issue for your pet. You need to have all the medications as well as all the supplements that you are going to need on hand. By doing so, you are going to be able to manage all the fear as well as all the stress of your pets. If you have older pets, they are going to be very affected by the entire situation and that means that you are going to want to take special care. You should add things like pheromone sprays, comforting garments, shelter covers and weighted blankets to keep your pet as happy and comfy as possible.
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