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When Scar sang “Be Prepared” in Disney's, “The Lion King,” he wasn’t looking out for anyone’s best interests but Scar's. As pet lovers, we should “Be Prepared” when it comes to the health and safety of our pets. Are you prepared to render first aid, whether it’s for a simple injury or to stabilize a pet who has suffered a more serious trauma? You can purchase dog and cat first-aid kits, but it’s just as easy, and more cost-effective, to assemble your own kit. Most of the items suggested below can be found at your local drug store, health-food store or online.
In a secure-lidded plastic box, collect the following items:
- Disposable gloves (vinyl or latex).
- Sterile gauze dressing pads of various sizes to control bleeding and protect wounds.
- Roll of gauze for securing dressings (also for muzzle).
- Adhesive tape for securing dressings and bandages.
- Tweezers for removing splinters, ticks or stingers.
- Blunt-tipped scissors for cutting bandages and animal hair.
- Absorbent cotton for cleaning wounds, eyes and ears.
- Styptic pencil.
- Cold pack.
- Splints (for example, tongue depressors, wooden paint stirrers) for fractures.
- Plastic eyedropper for giving oral treatments (you can find these with the baby supplies at your drug store).
- Rectal thermometer (and water-soluble lubricant)—yes, the thermometers you place in your pet’s ear are certainly easier, but may not be as precise.
- Three percent hydrogen peroxide for cleaning wounds.
- Bach Rescue Remedy—to help calm a wounded pet.
- Syrup of ipecac—administered by mouth to induce vomiting.
- Activated charcoal—give by mouth if you know or suspect a toxin has been ingested.
- Cayenne pepper—apply to wounds to help stop bleeding.
- Calendula gel —topical ointment to help wound healing.
- Arnica gel—topical for sprains, strains, bruises.
- Comfrey ointment —topical ointment to help with wound healing.
- Sterile eye-wash solution (the human kind).
- A card with your vet’s phone number and the number of poison control. This last item should be found not only in your first-aid kit, but should also be posted near your phone. Poison-control help lines include the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435; National Animal Poison Control Center: (900) 680-0000; and Pet Poison Helpline: (800) 213-6680. Please note that there are fees associated with contacting these centers.
A veterinary first-aid book should also be placed in your first-aid kit—after you’ve read it. Besides traditional first-aid guides, there also are books that outline homeopathic treatments for various injuries and illnesses, as well as fully stocked homeopathic first-aid kits.
Whether you go the traditional first-aid route or the homeopathic, remember, animals that are frightened and in pain may act aggressively in response to your ministrations, even if they are your own beloved pets. To protect yourself from a cat’s razor sharp claws, wrap it in a towel or jacket, and wear thick gloves. If you’re attempting to assist a dog, use a commercial muzzle or wrap a scarf or a length of gauze around its nose and under the chin, then tie it behind the ears.
We may not be contemplating a jungle coup d’état, as Scar was, but as pet-lovers, our goal should also be to “be prepared.” Keeping a first-aid kit on hand for your pet is important, and can be potentially life-saving. |
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