Posts tagged "PetFirstAid"

When you suspect something is wrong with your pet, the obvious move is to take it to the vet. But there are times when that's not as simple as it sounds.

Perhaps it's the middle of the night and you aren't sure the situation warrants a visit to the pet emergency room. Or maybe the nearest vet is too far away, such as on the island of Molokai, where there are no full-time veterinarians and the Humane Society has had to learn to handle as many types of animal issues as possible. Even if you have a terrific vet right down the road from you, what if something happens when he's out of town? Or what if you're traveling with your pet?

The bottom line is that a responsible pet owner should have some basic knowledge when it comes to pet health. Understanding what signs to look for when you think your pet might be injured or sick, knowing what his vitals should be, and being aware of the information your vet needs in order to treat your pet are all important, and we've got two books that will help you learn it.

Veterinary Guide for Animal Owners, Second Edition
This 400-plus page reference, by Dr. C.E. Spaulding and Jackie Clay, is a comprehensive manual for identifying and handling a wide variety of medical issues affecting cats, dogs, cattle, goats, horses, poultry, sheep, and rabbits. For each type of animal, the book covers everything from birth to diseases to first aid, giving helpful tips on managing problems until your vet can step in.

We focused on the cat and dog sections, and though a good portion of the information is stuff a seasoned pet owner should know, there was still plenty for us to learn, including solid information on caring for orphaned puppies and kittens and the recommendation that, more often than not, you shouldn't bandage your pet's wounds.

Bonus: The book is written in plain language that nonveterinary professionals can understand, and the glossary will give you the precise language and definitions you need.

No matter how careful we are as pet owners, dogs and cats sometimes still manage to cut themselves, get overheated and eat things they really shouldn't. In honor of National Pet First Aid Awareness month, we at Paw Nation want to help you be prepared should trouble strike.

We asked Dr. Elisa Mazzaferro, Director of Emergency Services at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Colorado, and the official veterinarian of Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl VI what she recommends you do in these five common situations:

1. Treating A Cut or Scratched Paw
"One of the most important things clients can do if injury is on the animal's paw is to put pressure on it with a clean towel and bring the pet into the nearest veterinary hospital," Dr. Mazzaferro tells Paw Nation. Don't apply a tourniquet because it can decrease blood supply to the injured limb and be dangerous. And you should probably avoid rinsing a wounded paw in water. "Sometimes that will release a blood clot that's formed." says Dr. Mazzaferro.

2. Evaluating Vomiting and Diarrhea
"If your pet's vomiting or diarrhea occurs more than just a couple of times, or if there is blood in it, or any suspicion of the dog or cat having gotten into a toxin, the pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away," says Dr. Mazzaferro. Otherwise, if vomiting occurs just a couple of times, withhold food and water for at least six hours and see if the condition subsides. "If they continue to vomit or become lethargic, or if they're a puppy or a very small, toy breed dog, I would bring them into a vet because they can dehydrate quickly," says Dr. Mazzaferro

3. Dealing With Heatstroke
Heatstroke is especially a risk during summer months. Signs include panting, increased respiratory sounds, collapse, seizure, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. "Get the animal away from the heat immediately," says Dr. Mazzaferro. "Soak towels in room temperature or tepid water -- not cold water or ice – and place the wet towels over the dog and put a fan in the room to allow ambient cooling." Put the towels over the dog's torso, over their back, chest and abdomen. "The mistake people make is dousing the animal in ice-cold water, and that can actually cause the blood vessels in the skin to constrict and it could cause the animal's core temperature to rise and make the temperature worse," says Dr. Mazzaferro. "The most important thing is to get the animal to the vet. They may need intravenous fluids if they're severely dehydrated."