Important Reminders

• Summer Safety Tips – Part 1

• Summer Safety Tips – Part 2

• When to Call Your Veterinarian

• First Aid Tips

• Preparing a First Aid Kit

Preparing a First Aid Kit

IMPORTANT REMINDERS FIRST AID Kit
When preparing a first aid kit for your best friend, here are some important reminders courtesy of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association (njvma.org).

PREPARING A FIRST AID KIT FOR YOUR PET:
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Dosing syringe or turkey-baster
• Antibacterial Soap
• Grease cutting dish detergent (such as Dawn)
• Rubbing alcohol
• Thermometer
• Instant ice pack
• Benadryl
• Styptic pencil
• Tick remover or tweezers
• Artificial tear solution (for contact lenses) or saline irrigating solution
• Leash or carrier
• Muzzle (or length of cotton rope or cloth belt)
• KY jelly or other water based lubricant
• Triple antibiotic ointment (Neosporin)
• Sterile gauze pads
• Cotton balls
• Bandage tape
• Bandage material
• Vaccination records
• A recent photograph of your pet (in case your pet is missing)
• Important phone numbers to have on hand: National Animal Poison Control # (800-548-2423), your veterinarian’s #, a 24 hr emergency veterinary hospital #, local shelter #, local police department #.

SUSPECTED INGESTION OF POISON:
1. Call National Animal Poison Control at 1-800-548-2423.

2. If recommended by either Poison Control or your Veterinarian, hydrogen peroxide can be administered using a turkey-baster to induce vomiting. Do not attempt this without professional advice since some poisons should not be vomited. Doing so may cause additional damage to the pet’s mouth and esophagus as the poison passes through these areas again.

3. If your pet has swallowed an object such as a sock or a toy, do not induce vomiting without consulting a veterinarian first.

GREASY SUBSTANCES ON FEET OR HAIR COAT:
Apply liberal amounts of Dawn dish liquid detergent avoiding contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth. Rinse and wash off thoroughly.

HEAT EXHAUSTION:
In the hot summer weather, pets who are outside for extended periods of time or engage in outdoor physical activity can easily overheat and suffer from heat stroke. The most common symptoms are heavy panting, difficulty getting up and walking, and feeling very warm to the touch. If you think your pet is overheated, use a thermometer to take your pet’s rectal temperature. If the temperature is 105 degrees or higher, wipe the pads of the feet with rubbing alcohol, apply instant ice packs to the groin and abdomen area, wrap your pet in a towel soaked with cold water, and get your pet to a veterinarian immediately. If your pet’s temperature is 103 degrees or higher, call your veterinarian for further instructions. Be aware that dogs and cats have normal body temperatures that are higher than our own so don’t be alarmed if their temperature is reading in the 100 to 102 degree range.

VOMITING/DIARRHEA:
If your pet has vomited, withhold food and water and call your veterinarian. If your pet has diarrhea, withhold only the food and call your veterinarian for instructions on feeding your pet a bland diet.

ALLERGIC REACTIONS (HIVES, SWOLLEN/ITCHY EYELIDS):
This is a very common year round occurrence. If you feel your pet is experiencing an allergic reaction call your veterinarian for the appropriate dosage of Benadryl (only recommended for dogs). If you think that your pet is experiencing breathing difficulties due to the reaction, seek veterinary care immediately.

INJURIES:
If your pet is in pain or frightened, it is in the best interest of both you and your pet to use a muzzle before administering treatment. A cloth rope or belt can be used to gently tie the mouth shut.

1. For eye irritations or squinting of the eyes- rinse with the artificial tear solution.

2. For abrasions- wash gently with very dilute antibacterial soap or rinse with artificial tear solution and apply topical antibacterial ointment.

3. For deep lacerations or puncture wounds- rinse well with the artificial tear solution, apply KY jelly on the puncture or directly in the laceration, cover with gauze and a bandage and seek veterinary care.

4. For fractured/broken bone- minimize movement. If bones are visible through a break in the skin, rinse with the artificial tear solution, gently cover wound with a bandage and seek veterinary care immediately.

PEDICURES:
When cutting your pet’s nails, you may accidentally cut one too short causing it to bleed. Bleeding can be minimal to excessive. Apply the styptic pencil to the end of the nail with firm pressure for one minute and blot with a tissue. You may have to repeat this process several times before bleeding stops. Corn starch and water made into a dry paste can also be applied to the end of the nail with firm pressure until bleeding stops.