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

Cold Weather and Our Furry Friends

Leaving Pets Outdoors:

* If you know anyone who keeps pets outdoors, persuade them to bring them inside. Low temperatures, winds and precipitation can lead to illness and death. In addition, water bowls freeze in cold weather.

* Please keep cats inside. Felines who spend time outside can freeze, or get lost or injured.

* Dog houses and the law: Local laws typically require that if dogs are kept outdoors, the owner must supply the dog with "proper" shelter from the weather, which includes a dog house big enough to stand up in and to permit posture positions that allow the dog to stretch out and stand up, but must not be oversized, since the dog needs to retain body heat; a wind flap on the dog house door; nonporous bedding such as straw; and, access to fresh, unfrozen water. Remember, dogs are domesticated animals who should live indoors with their people. Living outside in a dog house is a sad life, especially in cold, hot and wet weather.

* For free information to use to educate pet owners and others who keep animals in cold or neglectful conditions, see the Related Links below.

Related Links:

First Aid Techniques and First Aid Kit Supplies:
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_FirstAid.php

If you know of a companion animal kept outdoors or in other inhumane conditions:
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_HelpingAbusedAnimals.php

Backyard Dog, Outdoor Dog: Facts, Guidance, Solutions
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_BackyardDogs.php

Robin's Dog Tips:
For more dog tips and pet tips, see http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/dog_tips.html

Note: Some tips courtesy of Brenda Beck, President of Pets and Animals in Distress in Fort Lauderdale; The Healthy Animal Update newsletter; and other sources.

This is the final post dealing with cold weather and our pets. I hope you learned something from these posts - I know I did! Stay warm ....

Cold Weather and Our Furry Friends - Parts 2 & 3

Safety Measures:

* Do not leave antifreeze, coolant or windshield wiper fluid within reach. And do not let pets drink from puddles. These products taste appealing to pets but most are lethal to animals when ingested. So thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle. Also, keep your pets on leash outdoors and steer them far away from any suspect puddles. Consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Some companies offer non-toxic antifreeze products, such as Sierra. Be sure to have your radiator flushed before you fill it with Sierra and do not mix Sierra with traditional antifreeze.

* Keep a winter survival kit in your car. Include blankets, towels, water, bowl, first aid kit, and a sign that dog is in the car.

* Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold. The animal can freeze to death. Of course, do not leave animals, or children, in cars during very warm weather either.

* Cats left outdoors and wild animals sometimes climb onto car engines or beneath cars to seek warmth. Please bang on the hood of your care honk the horn before starting the engine to warn cats away.

In-home Health and Safety:

* Provide your companion animal with a warm place to sleep, away from drafts and off the floor. Dog and cat beds with a warm blanket or pillow are especially cozy.

* The dryness in our homes can make animals more susceptible to problems such as dry noses, upper respiratory infections, dandruff, itchy skin, hair texture changes, dry throats and more. Use a humidifier. Consider a model that humidies and purifies the air.

* Add skin conditioners to the diet. Get them from internet and other merchants who sell quality health products.

* Spray or wipe the pet's coat with water with a few drops of Rescue Remedy or Green Hope Farms Healthy Coat before beginning grooming.

* Portable heaters and fireplaces can be deadly hazards for animals and children. Screen fireplaces and put portable heaters out of their reach. Do not run portable heaters when you are not there to monitor them; each year, a number of house fires start this way.

Watch for Parts 3 and 4 for dealing with cold weather and our pets:
3. Cold weather emergencies
4. Leaving your pet outdoors

Cold Weather and Our Furry Friends

The following is the first in a series of five timely tips to protect our furry friends in cold weather.

Before, during and after walks and outdoor exercise:

* Coats and booties can help your dog stay warm. In particular, short-haired or elderly dogs benefit from wearing a coat or sweater. Look for coats or sweaters with high collars or a turtleneck that covers the dog from the base of the tail on top to the belly underneath.

* Remember to be very careful with sick or older dogs, since they are more sensitive to cold weather. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter.

* Clip the fur between toe pads to reduce the amount of snow that collects between toes. To help protect dry, sensitive paws, try coating them with a bit of cooking oil spray (i.e. "Pam") before walks in very cold weather.

* During deep snows, shovel out a potty spot for your dog.

* Upon returning home, wipe snow and ice off your dog's feet, legs and belly. Little ice cubes can form in the sensitive spaces between the toes and toe-pads. Remove the ice carefully with your fingers since it may cling to the hairs between the paws. Wiping off your dog will remove any salt, antifreeze or other harmful chemicals that she could ingest them when licking her paws.

* Consider keeping a container of warm water and cloths by the door for use after walks. It is good to rinse the paws before you wipe them dry, because lime rock salt and calcium chloride salt can irritate the foot pads and cause vomiting and diarrhea when licked. Dunking in the water will also dissolve ice and remove mud.

* Many de-icing and ice-melting products are toxic. Read the labels of any projects you use, and store these products in tight containers.

* Even brief exposure to sub-zero temperatures can lead to frostbite of the feet, nose or ears. Frost-bitten skin appears red, gray or whitish and may peel off. Prevent frostbite by removing ice and snow from paws and fur right away. If you suspect frostbite, take your pet to a warm place and thaw out frostbitten areas slowly by applying warm, moist towels. Change them frequently. Continue until the affected areas become flushed. Then contact a veterinarian for further care.

* Do not be tempted to let dogs off leash in snow or ice. Canines often lose their scent in cold weather and can become lost. Dogs also can panic in snow storms and run away. The decreased daylight does not help either. More dogs are reported lost during the winter than any other season, so always keep dogs on leash when outside a fully fenced yard and make sure yours always wears proper identification.

* Brush your dog vigorously and regularly. The air in most houses becomes dry during the colder months, which depletes moisture from dog skin and fur. Brushing improves skin, coat and circulation.

* A thick-coated dog typically needs grooming in cold weather. The fur can get wet and matted, making it an irritant. Clean fur lofts and holds air in a manner similar to layering clothes, thus helping the animal stay warm.

* Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter. Leave the coat longer for more warmth. When you bathe your dog, completely dry him before taking him out for a walk.

* Use fatty acid supplements during the winter, ideally starting several weeks before cold weather sets in, to help skin and coat.

* If your dog engages in a lot of outdoor activities, increase his food supply to help keep his coat thick and healthy.


Watch for my next articles for dealing with the cold weather and our pets titled:
1. Safety measures
2. In-home health and safety
3. Cold weather emergencies
4. Leaving your pet outdoors