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Have you ever heard of a situation of a stressed person
trying to figure out how to dial 911? Believe me it
happens. We had a medical emergency at our home and
I had asked my husband to call 911. He was so stressed.
I was listening for him to talk, and all I heard was
paper rustling. He was looking in the phone book, trying
to get the number for 911. Keep a list of emergency
numbers by your telephone, preferably one that not only
includes your veterinarians name and phone number, but
also the name and phone number of an emergency animal
hospital, plus your own name, address, and phone number.
Over the next couple of articles I will attempt to
give a little insight to some common situations. You
will find just as you did with the First Aid Kit, that
there are a lot of similarities between animal and human
needs. I must stress that the articles are just meant
to be helpful just as taking a First Aid class is meant
to be helpful. Never self diagnose your pet, consult
a veterinarian. Hopefully, these article can help until
you can get professional treatment.
The concept of First Aid means: emergency car and treatment
of an injured or ill patient until proper medical treatment
is obtained. It may be critical to move the patient
from further injury, but try not to make the situation
worse ("DO NO HARM"). First Aid should never take the
place of professional advice and care.
The first tool you will need is common sense. Remember,
your pet cannot communicate to you the full nature of
the injury or illness. Realize that your pet is probably
going to be upset and frightened. Determine whether
or not you will have to muzzle your pet. Take stock
of the situation, and decide what equipment and help
you will need. Relax yourself. Your being upset will
only further upset your pet. Take a deep breath and
talk calmly and softly to the injured pet. Use basic
psychology. It works for pets as well. Treat your pet
just as you would like to be treated in the same situation.
You will accomplish more than you would expect. This
will help your pet, yourself, and your veterinarian.
Once you have conversed with a veterinarian and have
decided to transport the pet to the hospital if necessary,
DRIVE SAFELY! If a muzzle is necessary, one can be created
from a belt, a necktie, or gauze. Wrap the gauze around
the muzzle, cross the strips under the chin and then
bring the gauze around the neck and tie it behind the
ears. This will prevent the dog from biting you if it
is upset. Small animals can be restrained in a blanket.
Blankets can also be used to move an injured animal
off the road. They can also be used warm and comfort
an animal that is possibly going into shock. So, lets
begin:
ALLERGIES -if you suspect allergies because the animal
has hives, has swelling of the face or ears, vomiting
or diarrhea, respiratory problems you should immediately
contact your veterinarian. Some common allergies are
spider bites, wasp or bee stings, foods, fleas, cedar,
drugs such as penicillin or sulpha drugs. Keep your
pet from biting or scratching itself, which may cause
further problems such as infection. It's easier said
than done.
ANAPHYLAXIS -this is a severe life threatening allergic
reaction. In some cases not only will there be respiratory
failure but also internal bleeding. This requires immediate
veterinary treatment. Keep the pet warm and relaxed
until you get there.
BURNS -It is rare that a dog gets burned accidentally
by fire. Most common injuries are from falling into
hot water, or having hot water or grease spilled on
the animal. Pets can also get burns in the throat or
esophagus from trying to eat hot foods that may have
been dropped in the kitchen. All of these situations
require veterinary care. Keep the pet relaxed in a clean
spot until you get to the veterinarian.
BITE WOUNDS -assess the severity of the wound. Wash
with lots of clean fresh water. Bandage and apply a
pressure bandage if the pet is bleeding severely. Determine
if the biter has rabies. Contact the veterinarian who
will determine how quickly the injured pet needs to
be seen.
This will be continued next week. If Jiminy Cricket
were a cricket for pets instead of Pinocchio, he wouldn't
be singing "Let your conscience be your guide" he would
be singing "Let your veterinarian be your guide".
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Reprinted with permission by Terrie Simpson.
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