We continue to keep the people and animals in Los Angeles in our thoughts and prayers. Over 100,000 people have been displaced from their homes, many with their animal companions amid awful conditions. The terrible ordeal can affect animals, both physically and emotionally. We recommend contacting your veterinarian when your dog, cat or other family animal is in crisis. Here are some helpful tips which will help address some of the issues dogs, cats and other animals will commonly deal with in this crisis.
How to Mitigate the Effects of Smoke and Fire
Whenever there is a large fire, the resulting smoke can impact a vast area even miles away from the actual fire. When animals (and people) are exposed to smoke, their respiratory system can become irritated. Coughing, difficulty breathing, eye irritation, nasal discharge, and increased breathing rate can inflame the throat and the upper airways. Severe cases can result in pneumonia from fine particles inhaled from the smoke.
1. Breathing Concerns
Dr. Bob recommends supporting the respiratory system with Earth Animal’s Cough Wheeze and Sneeze Herbal Remedy. This herbal tincture will help to open the bronchial passages, assist with breathing and help support a healthy inflammatory response.
Another way to help breathing issues is steam. If you have the means, you can also take your dog or cat into a steamy shower. Steam can help dogs and cats breathe easier by moistening their airways and lungs. This helps loosen congestion caused by smoke from fires.
2. Eye Irritation
Smoke can cause eye irritation and increase the risk of infections, allergic reactions and other health problems. To keep the outside of the eye clean, remove any soot or debris caused by forest fires. Dr. Bob suggests wiping the outside of the eye with Earth Animal’s Clean Eyes Herbal Eye Wash. This will also help soothe the skin around the eye as well.
Dr. Bob also recommends helping the inside of the eye with homeopathic eye drops. For the best results, choose a product that is for cats and dogs and that goes directly in the eye. One such product is Euphrasia Eye Drops by Homeopathy Heals.
3. Skin & Minor Wound Healing
If your cat or dog has been burned due to fire and smoke, immediately rinse the burn area with cool water and then call your veterinarian. If your cat or dog has minor cuts and burns Dr. Bob recommends our Earth Animal For Their Skin Herbal Relief salve. If accessible fresh aloe vera gel from the plant will help soothe and support healing of the skin.
Supporting Your Animals Stress and Emotions
Post traumatic stress is not limited to just humans. Dogs and cats can be greatly affected by the upheaval of being evacuated from their homes or by the horrors of wildfire. Dr. Bob and Susan recommend using Bach Flower Rescue Remedy to ease the discomfort of changes to their regular routines and any other emotional distress they may be feeling. Another option would be to try Pet Essences Anxiety and Fear Flower Essence.
Support General Wellness
Just as with humans, stress can also wreak havoc on your animal’s immune system. Earth Animal’s Immune Support can jumpstart and balance the immune system while strengthening organs against common conditions caused by stress. If you are using Immune Support with Cough, Wheeze and Sneeze, we recommend separating the doses of each by at least one hour.
These products can be found at your local pet store, on Chewy.com, Amazon.com and other online retailers. To find our Earth Animal products near you, please visit our Find a Store page on our website or by contacting our Customer Experience Team at 855-326-4625 or by emailing us at [email protected]
How To Donate To Our Favorite Charity
Earth Animal has partnered with Greater Good Charities to provide supplies and monetary assistance for the people and animals in need around Los Angeles. If you would like to donate as well, please go to Greater Good Charities or to the Pasadena Humane Society.
