How to Avoid a Pet Emergency
The last place you want your pet to end up is the emergency room. Here are some tips on how you can avoid having to bring your pet to the ER:
- Keep your pet indoors in extreme weather conditions (hot or cold)
- Pet proof your home against small objects on which your pet can swallow and/or choke.
- Beware of obvious poisons such as rat poison, antifreeze, medications and the lesser known poisons such as chocolate, onions, daffodils, lilies, pennies and batteries.
- Keep your pet on a leash while on walks.
- Feed your pet a premium diet and avoid “people food.”
- Know your pet’s habits and contact your primary care veterinarian at the first sign of illness or change in habits.
Build a First Aid Kit
It’s important to have a first aid kit on hand should your pet have an emergency. The items listed below can be found at your local pharmacy, outdoor sports store and pet supply store.
| Kit Contents: |
Usage: |
| Cohesive, flexible bandage wrap |
Outer bandage that wraps around gauze and sticks to itself |
| Roll Gauze |
Inner wrapping for wounds |
| Roll Cotton |
Inner wrapping for wounds to provide protection and cushioning |
| First Aid Cream (e.g. a triple antibiotic cream such as Neosporin) |
Antiseptic and burn cream that contains antibiotics |
| Eye Wash (e.g. saline solution) |
To wash out foreign objects with a rinse; sterile eye wash can also be used to flush out any type of wound |
| Peroxide |
Use to clean and disinfect wounds; can also be used to induce vomiting |
| Rectal thermometer |
Taking temperatures |
| 3x3 Gauze Squares |
Help clean wound or could be used to bandage |
| 1” Medical Tape |
Secure bandaging |
| ½” Medical Tape |
Secure bandaging |
| Emergency Blanket |
To wrap animal during shock or also can use as a gurney |
| Scissors |
To help cut bandaging material |
| Forceps (or long-handled, blunt end tweezers) |
To help pull out a foreign object |
| Ice Pack |
For sprains to reduce swelling |
| Nylon Leash |
To walk dog; can be used as a muzzle; can be used as a tourniquet |
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