This article originally appeared on Dr. Mahaney’s Pet-Lebrity News column on Pet360.com as: Ashley Greene's Fire Tragedy Sends Message of Fire Safety for People and Pets.
My condolences go out to actress Ashley Greene, as she lost both her home and one of her canine companions in a recent fire.
According to Perez Hilton, “The blaze began because an unattended, lighted candle ignited a nearby couch, causing a fire that quickly spread throughout the entire apartment. “Apparently the Twilight star was home asleep after a long night with her boyfriend (Ryan Phillipe) when the fire erupted. Sources say one pup, her Chihuahua, was rescued, but her other dog died at the scene. Apparently the saddened actress couldn't part with her departed dog, so fireman wrapped it in a sheet and gave Ash the body.”
In seeing the report of this tragedy, I thought the building looked familiar and then recognized that it was actually right around the corner from me in West Hollywood, CA. Knowing that a fire happened so close to home forced me to recognize the need to spread the word of fire safety practices to protect ourselves and our pets.
When fire destroys natural and man-made materials, toxic chemicals are released into the air. Inhalation and contact with these toxins adversely affects the health of both people and pets. The fine, often invisible, debris that makes up this haze acts as an inflammatory trigger in to the eyes and respiratory tract (nose, trachea [windpipe], and lungs), leading to eye discharge, coughing, and sneezing.
Additionally, direct exposure to heat and smoke can lead to more serious health consequences, including death. Thermal burns can affect the skin, coat, eyes, mouth, trachea, and lungs. Damaged pulmonary (lung) tissue loses normal functional capacity, leading to hypoxia (oxygen deprivation). Lack of oxygen causes clinical signs of weakness and syncope (fainting).
Should your pet show such clinical signs after being exposed to smoke or fire, please immediately pursue an examination with your veterinarian or emergency veterinary hospital.
When people electively or are forced to evacuate their homes due to fire, companion animals can be harmed. My tips to ensure your pet isn’t placed in harm’s way include:
Prevent Your Pet’s Access to Fire
Lit candles, fireplaces, and other incendiary devices should never be left unattended. Additionally, prevent your pet’s access to any direct contact with flames.
Know Your Pet’s Location
In the urgency of a fire, sometimes a beloved pet’s location may be unknown. Cats and small dogs can hide in a closet, under a bed, or elsewhere in attempt to escape the stress and potential harm caused by smoke, heat, and airborne toxins. The presence of medium and large breed dogs is usually more obvious, but they may flee from a dangerous scene unbeknownst to their concerned owner.
Always strive to be consistently aware of your pet’s location in your home or yard. Stay on top of your pet’s habits, including their preference for locations to nap, nest, or hide. Knowing your pet’s “free time” habits can help ensure a canine or feline companion is found during emergencies.
Clearly Identify Your Pet
Should your pet run away, a safe return may more readily occur if up-to date identification is worn. I recommend a cervical (neck) collar displaying a tag or embroidering the collar with your pet’s name and at least your phone number.
Since collars can be removed or fall off, microchip implantation increases the likelihood you will be reunited with your pet. Keep your personal information up-to-date with the microchip manufacturer. Since microchip identification requires a scanner and collars can go missing, the use of both is ideal.
Alert Emergency Personnel of Your Pet’s Presence
To better alert firefighters and emergency personnel of your pet’s presence in your home, post a notification in a clearly viewed window. In 2009, the American Kennel Club (AKC) and ADT Security Services partnered to create window clings (seeadt.com/resi/programs/pets/ so pet owners can write information about their pet (dog, cat, other, date). I would like to see the clings include more details, including the pet’s species (dog, cat, etc), name, color, body weight, age, and any other relevant characteristics (friendly, on medications, etc).
I hope that Ashley Greene and her surviving pooch are on the road to physical and emotional recovery from their recent misfortune.
Thank you for reading this article. Your questions and comments are completely welcome (I’ll respond).
Please feel free to communicate with me through Twitter (@PatrickMahaney) and follow my adventures in veterinary medicine by liking Patrick Mahaney: Veterinarian Acupuncture Pain Management for Your Pets on Facebook.
Copyright of this article (2013) is owned by Dr Patrick Mahaney, Veterinarian and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. Republishing any portion of this article must first be authorized by Dr Patrick Mahaney. Requests for republishing must be approved by Dr Patrick Mahaney and received in written format.This article originally appeared on Dr. Mahaney’s Pet-Lebrity News column on Pet360.com as: Ashley Greene's Fire Tragedy Sends Message of Fire Safety for People and Pets.
My condolences go out to actress Ashley Greene, as she lost both her home and one of her canine companions in a recent fire.
According to Perez Hilton, “The blaze began because an unattended, lighted candle ignited a nearby couch, causing a fire that quickly spread throughout the entire apartment. “Apparently the Twilight star was home asleep after a long night with her boyfriend (Ryan Phillipe) when the fire erupted. Sources say one pup, her Chihuahua, was rescued, but her other dog died at the scene. Apparently the saddened actress couldn't part with her departed dog, so fireman wrapped it in a sheet and gave Ash the body.”
In seeing the report of this tragedy, I thought the building looked familiar and then recognized that it was actually right around the corner from me in West Hollywood, CA. Knowing that a fire happened so close to home forced me to recognize the need to spread the word of fire safety practices to protect ourselves and our pets.
When fire destroys natural and man-made materials, toxic chemicals are released into the air. Inhalation and contact with these toxins adversely affects the health of both people and pets. The fine, often invisible, debris that makes up this haze acts as an inflammatory trigger in to the eyes and respiratory tract (nose, trachea [windpipe], and lungs), leading to eye discharge, coughing, and sneezing.
Additionally, direct exposure to heat and smoke can lead to more serious health consequences, including death. Thermal burns can affect the skin, coat, eyes, mouth, trachea, and lungs. Damaged pulmonary (lung) tissue loses normal functional capacity, leading to hypoxia (oxygen deprivation). Lack of oxygen causes clinical signs of weakness and syncope (fainting).
Should your pet show such clinical signs after being exposed to smoke or fire, please immediately pursue an examination with your veterinarian or emergency veterinary hospital.
When people electively or are forced to evacuate their homes due to fire, companion animals can be harmed. My tips to ensure your pet isn’t placed in harm’s way include:
Prevent Your Pet’s Access to Fire
Lit candles, fireplaces, and other incendiary devices should never be left unattended. Additionally, prevent your pet’s access to any direct contact with flames.
Know Your Pet’s Location
In the urgency of a fire, sometimes a beloved pet’s location may be unknown. Cats and small dogs can hide in a closet, under a bed, or elsewhere in attempt to escape the stress and potential harm caused by smoke, heat, and airborne toxins. The presence of medium and large breed dogs is usually more obvious, but they may flee from a dangerous scene unbeknownst to their concerned owner.
Always strive to be consistently aware of your pet’s location in your home or yard. Stay on top of your pet’s habits, including their preference for locations to nap, nest, or hide. Knowing your pet’s “free time” habits can help ensure a canine or feline companion is found during emergencies.
Clearly Identify Your Pet
Should your pet run away, a safe return may more readily occur if up-to date identification is worn. I recommend a cervical (neck) collar displaying a tag or embroidering the collar with your pet’s name and at least your phone number.
Since collars can be removed or fall off, microchip implantation increases the likelihood you will be reunited with your pet. Keep your personal information up-to-date with the microchip manufacturer. Since microchip identification requires a scanner and collars can go missing, the use of both is ideal.
Alert Emergency Personnel of Your Pet’s Presence
To better alert firefighters and emergency personnel of your pet’s presence in your home, post a notification in a clearly viewed window. In 2009, the American Kennel Club (AKC) and ADT Security Services partnered to create window clings (seeadt.com/resi/programs/pets/ so pet owners can write information about their pet (dog, cat, other, date). I would like to see the clings include more details, including the pet’s species (dog, cat, etc), name, color, body weight, age, and any other relevant characteristics (friendly, on medications, etc).
I hope that Ashley Greene and her surviving pooch are on the road to physical and emotional recovery from their recent misfortune.
Thank you for reading this article. Your questions and comments are completely welcome (I’ll respond).
Please feel free to communicate with me through Twitter (@PatrickMahaney) and follow my adventures in veterinary medicine by liking Patrick Mahaney: Veterinarian Acupuncture Pain Management for Your Pets on Facebook.
Copyright of this article (2013) is owned by Dr Patrick Mahaney, Veterinarian and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. Republishing any portion of this article must first be authorized by Dr Patrick Mahaney. Requests for republishing must be approved by Dr Patrick Mahaney and received in written format.