Is Your Pet Prepared for the Total Solar Eclipse?

An estimated one million people will travel to Oregon for this month’s total solar eclipse. As locals and tourists prepare, there’s one group that shouldn’t get overlooked – our pets.

With the influx of travelers, pet owners may have difficulty reaching their typical veterinary clinic, or their pets may experience distress while away from home.

“Changes in routine can be stressful to animals, so being prepared is the best thing you can do for your pet.” says DoveLewis’ Dr. Coby Richter. “Know which emergency veterinarians are in your area, bring copies of your pet’s registration and vaccines, and pack a basic pet first aid kit for your car.”

Staying informed and being proactive are the best ways to ensure pet’s safety. Here are DoveLewis’ tips to get ready for the big day.

How to prepare for the eclipse:

• Pack a pet first aid kit. Keep a first aid safety kit at home and in your car. Make sure to include essential medical record information, including your pet’s name, age, breed, gender, microchip number, vaccine history and any pre-exiting health problems. First aid is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it could save your pet’s life or prevent further injury until you see a veterinarian or critical care specialist. See a full list of supplies needed »
• Update your pet’s microchip and tags. Make sure your contact information is accurate for a better chance of being reunited in the event that your pet is lost. Learn how to update the microchip »
• Keep important phone numbers on hand. Add the following organizations’ phone numbers to your phone contacts and include them in your pet first aid kit: DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital (503-228-7281) and Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435).
• Know where you can take your pet for emergency veterinary care. If you’re out of town, keep a list of multiple clinics in the area. If you’re staying in town, consider alternative routes in case of traffic congestion.
• Practice car safety. Pets should be crated or restrained when riding in a car. They should not ride in the front passenger seat or in the back of open pickup trucks, and they should not stick their heads out of the window.
• Never leave a pet in a car on a warm day. Even with the windows cracked, it can only take a few minutes for the temperature in a vehicle to rise to heatstroke-inducing levels.
• Plan for delays. Pack extra supplies of pet food and water in case you’re stranded or delayed. Stop at least every three to four hours for adult dogs, and every two hours with puppies, to let them walk on a leash. If your pet is staying home, have a pet sitter available for extended hours in the event of a traffic delay.

FAQ

Can I buy a dog pet first aid kit online or do I have to make it?
Yes! There are several pet first aid kits available online, but you may want to add a few items to it.

• A recent photo of your pet, vaccine records, and his/her microchip ID
• Towels or bandanas for cleanup or for use as blankets
• Clean socks, which can be helpful as bandages

If I’m staying home, do I need to do anything?
Even near home, traffic might be congested. Know alternate routes to your regular veterinary clinic or DoveLewis so you can get their safely.

I’m not planning to stay overnight. What can I do to prepare?
With traffic, you might be gone later than you planned. Ask someone to watch your pet or check in on them if you’re delayed.

How do I keep my pet safe in the car?
First, never leave your pet in a car on a warm day. Even with the windows cracked, it can only take a few minutes for the temperature in a vehicle to rise to heatstroke‐inducing levels.

Second, consider safety restraints or crates for your pet. They’ll keep your pet out of the front seat and from roaming the car. In the event of an accident, they could help lessen the chance of injuries for your pet and for you.

Dogs can use seatbelts?!
Not quite, but there are some harnesses that use the same three points of connection and the LATCH system in cars like a cars eat does. They keep the dog in place during the car ride and lessen the chance of injury in a system. And if your dog is in a crate, look for ways to secure it so that it stays in place in the event of an accident.