Part I – Best Holistic First Aid Kit for Pets
January 2010, reproduced with permission.
FERNDALE: Every pet owner knows the importance of having a first aid kit around their house, but not everyone knows what should be in it or how to use it. This article is designed to give you some practical suggestions as to what sort of things maybe useful and how to use them. When your pet is sick, or there is an accident or emergency it is not always possible to get to the vet right away. There are some things that can be done with a basic first aid kit that can help your cat or dog or if serious increase the chance of survival.
The first thing to have on hand is a thermometer, and if your pet seems to be not eating, depressed, to have diarrhea, or any respiratory symptoms then it is worth taking their temperature as soon as possible, to see if they have any sign of a fever, indicating an infection. Equally important to be aware of is when the temperature is too low. This indicates that shock may be starting. For example if they are getting dehydrated, or losing blood somewhere, although there are many other causes too. The normal temperature for cats and dogs should be on average 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheight. Below 99 is too low, and a sign that the animal is too chilled or going into shock. And above 103 degrees is usually fever.
End of PART I
Here is our recommended First Aid Kit for Pets:
- Thermometer
- Lubricating Jelly
- Pediolyte
- Honey
- Syringes
- Heating Pad
- Hot Water Bottles
- Bandages
- Medical Tape
- Cotton Gauze Squares
- Cotton Swabs
- Bandage Scissors
- Tweezers
- Bulb Syringe
- Eyewash
- Eyebright Solution
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Rubbing Alcohol
- GoldenSeal or Calendula Lotion
- Rescue Remedy
- Arnica
- Kao-Pectate
- Slippery Elm
Also always have on hand …
1. Your local vets telephone number (2)Emergency clinic number (3) Numbers for the animal poison hotline & poison control for pets (1.800.548.2423)
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Dr. Gardner can be contacted at www.petsynergy.com.
PO Box 81 Brinnon
WA 98320
Phone Number is 360-SYNERGY(360-796-3749)
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First aid for dogs, just like first aid for humans, is an effective combination of knowledge, supplies and skills, put into action for the benefit of your four-legged friend.
1Great advice! You should also have your veterinarian, your emergency veterinarian, and an animal pet poison helpline pre-programmed in your cell phone in case of emergency!
I wanted to make you aware of another important resource out there also – Pet Poison Helpline is an additional Animal Poison Control Center, and it’s one of the most cost-effective animal poison ($35/case vs. ASPCA’s new $60/case) controls out there nowadays. Unfortunately, because animal poison controls are not federal- or state-funded, there is a fee to allow the service to be run 24-7. We provide a similar service, but have the added benefit of veterinary specialists (in internal medicine and emergency and critical care) as part of our staff. You can always call 1-800-213-6680 if you ever have a problem. Thanks for spreading the word!
Dr. Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC
2Associate Director of Veterinary Services
http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com
http://www.drjustinelee.com