Even though you cannot prevent your pet from all dangers, you should pet-proof your home and learn how to handle an emergency.

The best health insurance you can give your pet is preventative health care. Preventative health care is much more than just vaccinations. It includes proper nutrition, exercise, weight control, internal and external parasite control, skin and coat care, and dental hygiene. It has been estimated that simply keeping your pets teeth clean can add 2 years to its life. Annual blood profiles and urinalysis for all pets over 6 years of age will allow earlier detection of problems before they become life threatening.

The first step in being prepared for an emergency is by utilizing a veterinary hospital for the routine preventative health care procedures that it offers to 24-hour emergency care, seven days a week. Most veterinary hospitals will refer you after hours, on the weekend, or holidays, when they are not available.  When selecting a veterinarian , do not hesitate to ask how emergency service is handled.

If you know how to stop bleeding, induce vomiting, administer medications, and apply a muzzle, you will probably save your pets life, if it is possible to do so. Remaining calm in an emergency situation is most important for a successful outcome. The basic fact is that if your pet is going to die within the first 30 minutes after an accident, he/she will probably do so regardless of what you do.

 A basic emergency first aid kit can be assembled in a Ziploc bag and should include the following:

• Self Sticking Bandage Rolls for bandaging & controlling hemorrhage
• Gauze Sponges to apply directly to a wound
• Triple Antibiotic Ointment
• Nylon Cord for a Muzzle
• Peroxide to induce vomiting
• Pepto Bismol (for diarrhea)
• Liquid Soap (for washing wounds and skin from contact poisons)
• Rectal Thermometer
• Tweezers
• Scissors

Quick Treatment of Common Emergencies:

Allergic Reactions

Don't panic if whelps (hives) should begin to break out on your pet. This type of allergic reaction is usually not fatal. It will become uncomfortable, however, to the pet until treated by a veterinarian. Allergic reactions that result in death usually show more severe outward signs such as weakness, vomiting, facial swelling, and diarrhea.

Bleeding

Control bleeding by direct pressure to the wound with your hand or a pressure bandage. Place a gauze pad over the wound and then cover  and wrap with an elastic or self sticking bandage. Place the bandage snug for pressure, but not tight enough to cut off circulation. Although some blood may discolor it, the bandage should be tight enough so that the blood does not drip through it.

Seek veterinary attention for all cuts through the entire thickness of the skin or that bleed excessively. It is best not to apply any medications. Tincture of Iodine, Peroxide, and most ointments only irritate the wound more and decrease healing. Do not apply cotton to a wound.

Burns

Immerse the affected part in cold water. Keep an ice pack on the area as much as possible. Do not apply any type of medication until veterinary attention is obtained, especially if the burn appears severe. The major complication is infection and sloughing of the skin.

Choking

Attempt to push the lower jaw open and tilt the head up. Using extreme caution try to remove any object with the fingers. If unsuccessful, kneel behind the dog, holding its body just below the ribs. Squeeze hard a few times, pressing up. Seek professional veterinary attention if the object does not pop out. Swallowed objects that do not interfere with breathing are not immediate life or death threats. However, a veterinarian should be consulted if it is possible the object was swallowed. Complications are much less when the object can be removed from the stomach rather than in the intestine. Many veterinary hospitals now have an endoscope that allows the object to be removed without surgery.

Electric Shock

Remove the source of electricity with a wooden object. Seek veterinary attention immediately! Electric shock usually results in a buildup of fluid in the lungs,over several days that, left untreated, can be fatal. In addition, there are usually topical burns that must be treated.

Eye Injuries

Never apply any medication to an eye without seeking veterinary attention first. Many scratches on the surface of the eye are not visible until the eye is treated with a special stain. If the wrong type of ointment is used, such as an ointment containing cortisone in an injured eye, the condition can be made worse - even to the extent of causing a loss of the eye. Seek immediate veterinary attention for any eye injury including proptosed globes.

Fish-hooks

Fish-hooks must be pushed on through the skin, the barb and point cut off, and them the remainder can be pulled back through the skin the same way it went in. Antibiotics are often needed to prevent infection from the puncture wound.

Fractures

Fractures are no immediate life or death threats. Stabilize the limb if possible with a stick, rolled newspaper, etc., wrapped loosely with gauze. Do not wrap tightly because of swelling that will occur. Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.

Heat Stroke

Early signs include panting, high fever (105 degrees to 108 degrees Fahrenheit), shock, and collapse. Lower the body temperature by hosing or immersing in cold water up to the neck. Seek immediate veterinary attention.

Poisoning (External)

Most signs will involve the nervous system including such things as trembling, nervousness, salivation, pupil constriction, or dilation, and convulsions or coma. Wash the skin in a mild soap, such as Ivory.

Rinse and repeat. Seek veterinary attention BEFORE signs develop. Take a description of the poison to the veterinarian for identification.

Poisoning (Internal)

Read the label of the product for instructions. Do not induce vomiting of some poisons, such as caustic chemicals, acids, alkalis, and petroleum products. Most other cases require vomiting to rid as much of the chemical as possible from the stomach. Ipecac Syrup (5-15 cc) is the drug of choice. Hydrogen Peroxide (15-30 cc) is also an option, but may not always be as effective. Do not induce vomiting before consulting with a veterinarian.

Seizures

There are many causes of seizures including low blood sugar, epilepsy, distemper, diabetes, and heart failure. The dog will NOT swallow his tongue - do not put your fingers in his mouth. Keep him warm, place him in an area where he cannot injure himself, and seek veterinary attention. Young puppies should be given a teaspoon of honey or other source of sugar.

Shock

Signs of shock include depression, decreased body temperature, and grayish gums. Keep the pet as quiet as possible, keep it warm, and seek veterinary attention immediately.

Miscellaneous Notes

Stool samples should always be examined by the veterinarian to determine the cause if diarrhea exists for more than 24 hours.

• The major cause of gastric upset in the dog is dietary changes. All changes should be gradual.
• Tylenol will kill dogs and cats.
• Aspirin will often cause gastric ulcers. Use only enteric coated types.
• More damage is done to wounds by applying medications  than would be present if nothing had been applied at all. In general, all topical medications retard healing to some extent.

The veterinarians and staff of Woodruff Road Animal Hospital are in no way suggesting that the above recommendations be interpreted as a substitute for professional emergency veterinary care.

Please take a minute to check out the newest section of our web-site, Behavioral Health, which is devoted to preventative behavioral wellness and the treatment of existing behavioral problems in pets.

In our first article entitled,"Puppies Rule! Follow These Steps To "Vaccinate"Your Puppy Behaviorally", you will read about the importance of having a well-planned developmental environment for your puppy, the significance regarding the puppy’s future behavior, and some great tips on helping your puppy to mature into a healthy, behaviorally sound dog.