Source: KTVH
As wildfire season brings heavier smoke and high temperatures to Montana, veterinarians are urging pet owners to take extra precautions to protect their animals. Wildfire smoke can irritate pets’ eyes, noses, and airways, particularly in older animals and small breed dogs. Common signs of smoke exposure include red or watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, runny noses, and pawing at the face. Veterinarians at Alpine Animal Clinic report seeing more pets with mild respiratory symptoms in recent weeks, especially small dogs with coughs.
Heat can worsen these conditions, prompting experts to recommend keeping pets indoors during the hottest parts of the day and exercising them during cooler evening hours when air quality may also improve. Because pets cannot communicate discomfort, owners should closely monitor them for signs of distress. While most cases have been mild and may resemble seasonal allergies, veterinarians advise contacting a Veterinary professional if symptoms persist or worsen.