Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Doggy First Aid Kit

Here is a list of some things that you might want to include in your dog's first aid kit.
It's nice to have one on hand at your house.
You never know when it might come in handy:

Buffered aspirin - 5 mg per lb. every 12 hrs. (DO NOT USE TYLENOL)
Benadryl - up to 2 mg. per lb. every 8 hrs.
Dramamine - up to 50 mg. every 8 hrs.
Hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) - 10 ml. by mouth every 15 minutes to induce vomiting (after accidental ingestion of poison). Be sure to check poison label to see if vomiting is advised.
Real cotton balls (not synthetic) - can be fed to dog if dog has ingested glass or other sharp objects.
Charcoal capsules for those times when regurgitation is "NOT" the way to go
Styptic pencil, forceps, tweezers, large size gauze pads
Non-steroidal eye ointment, antibiotic cream, anti-itch spray, Vaseline
Sterile eye wash
Elastic bandage wrap, Q-tips
Terry cloth towel to use as a pressure pack on any open wound
Thermometer (buy one of the newer ones that can be used in the ear - they are great!)
Small muzzle or fabric to make one
First aid manual for pets
All emergency telephone numbers for vet, emergency clinic, poison control, etc.
Roll of tape to keep pressure pack on tight
Cloth to make a tourniquet
Fresh bottle of water
Cold packet, the one that you twist and it becomes cold
Mylar emergency blanket
Pill popper to give tablets if the dog cannot help easily
A pair of blunt-edged scissors

Friday, September 17, 2010

Things To Come . . .

Stay tuned for some other interesting topics to come in the next few weeks.

1. Dr. Becker's Emergency Kit. A list of "homeopathic" items that should be included in your dog's first aid kit, written by the good Dr. Karen Shaw Becker!

2. Halloween Safety Tips for Pets. It's almost that time of the year (AGAIN!) and we want our pets to have a happy and safe Halloween, too!

Both are coming soon to The Pawmacy, so please check back soon.
Till then, remember, Dogs are not lawn ornaments and they are not disposable, they are our faithful companions!!

Monthly Home Exams

Just a few things to be aware of with your canine companion on a monthly basis:

1. Skin Irritation: Brush your dog's fur in the opposite direction of growth to check their skin for redness or any irritation. Black, crusty residue could be a sign of fleas.
2. Lymph-Node Pain: Using gentle pressure, feel around the base of the jaw, in front of the shoulder blades, behind the "elbows" of the front and back legs, and where the thighs meet the abdomen, noting anything that is prominent or seems painful to your companion.
3. Lumps, Bumps, or Growths: Report anything new to your vet.
4. Weight Changes: Ideally, your dog's weight should remain somewhat stable from month-to-month, with very little variances. Any immediate weight changes should be noted by your vet.