Dangers of Lightning for You and Your Pets
Lightning strikes are surprisingly common
MetPet.com Staff Writer
 Walking
the dog (or the cat or the horse) is great exercise but keep an eye on
the weather. Warm summer days bring thunderstorms which bring
lightning.
Lightning strikes can cause burns, damage to the heart and to the
nervous system and, in rare cases, death. A victim of a lightning
strike requires emergency care and possibly CPR.
If you are outside with your pet and
you can hear thunder, you should seek indoor shelter away from doors and
windows. If there is no shelter, you should head for the lowest
ground possible. Alternatively, stay in your car.
Some animals develop phobias to the
sound of thunder and the flash of lightning. In extreme cases,
they have to be kept in enclosed areas to prevent them from going
through windows or over the fence. If your pet is sensitive to
thunder and lightning, make sure you have him in an
enclosed area, in a crate or held securely on a leash.
Additional Resources:
NOAA
(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: killer lightening
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