The wildfires in the western United States have been devastating for both people and their pets.  An article in the Medford, Oregon Mail Tribune explains the kinds of injuries local veterinarians are seeing in dogs, cats, and other animals from the Almeda Fire.

Vets at the Southern Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center report that the most critical injuries they are seeing right now are burns in cats.  Cats are especially at risk because they tend to run and hide in times of stress and can be difficult to find during emergency evacuations.

The most common cases are cats and kittens with singed fur and burns to the face, whiskers, eyes, and feet.  These cats are escaped household pets as well as stray cats who were living outdoors in the burn areas.

Less obvious injuries are also a problem, especially damage to their mouths, airways, and mucus membranes.  Inhalation of hot gases from the intense fires can cause wounds and pain that make them reluctant to eat and drink.

The vets also note that carbon monoxide poisoning can cause neurological damage in pets as well as people.

The vets in the fire areas are working to manage pain in the animals they are treating, making sure they are well hydrated, and keeping burn wounds clear of secondary infections.

If you are living in a fire area, watch your pet for behavior that may indicate injury from internal wounds or smoke inhalation.  Look for signs of difficulty in breathing, eating, and drinking.

The poor air quality in large parts of the western US can irritate our pets’ respiratory systems, even if they don’t live in the immediate fire areas.  The vets advise keeping pets indoors during this time.

The Southern Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center has posted a video about the feline burn victims they are treating on their YouTube channel.  You can watch it here to learn more about how we can help our pets during this dangerous wildfire season:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5P48bKWiV4&w=560&h=315]

Images: Southern Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center.