| SYMPTOMS |
PREVENTION |
EMERGENCY |
| AUTO
ACCIDENTS
Dragging,
limping or paralysis of limbs. Open wounds of skin
or flesh. Raw areas where tissue and hair has been
rubbed off on pavement. Grease, oil or dirt in wounds
or fur. Internal tenderness, severe head injuries.
Shock.
|
Do
not let pets run free. Keep leashed or in the safety
of your home or yard. Keep leashed whenever walking
on or near any traffic. Spay or neuter your pet to prevent
"wanderlust". |
Keep
pet quiet, but protect yourself from bites or scratches.
Stop any bleeding if possible. Support broken bones
with a blanket or board. Keep pet warm. Transport immediately
to vet for examination. Act quickly but carefully! |
| BEE
STINGS
Areas
of hot swelling, especially on face or muzzle. Animal
attempts to "scratch away" pain. Stings
in mouth - excessive drooling, redness or soreness.
|
Try
to watch puppies when outside as they are more apt to
chase bees and wasps. Be especially careful when walking
your pets in parks or wilderness areas where bee hives
could be found. |
Apply
mouth tie. Apply cold compress, warm compress if swelling
is severe. If pet appears faint or sting is on eye,
nose or mouth area, consult with your vet immediately.
Prevent excess water consumption. |
| BURNS
Scorched
hair or flesh. Burnt smell. Possibility of accidents
involving stoves, hot oil, camp fires, etc.
|
Keep
chemical solutions safely stored away with caps and
lids tightly sealed. Don't leave appliance cords hanging
over the counter in your kitchen. Point pot handles
towards the centre of your stove. Keep pets leashed
around campfires or barbecues. |
Chemical
burns: Apply solution of one pint warm water and one
tablespoon baking soda or wash with milk of magnesium.
Apply concentrated, cool tea. Take to vet. |
| CUTS,
TEARS, PUNCTURES OR ANIMAL
BITES
Tears
in skin or flesh. Soft, fluid filled swelling. Often
nothing can be seen except a little draining on hair
and you will feel a tender spot.
|
Do
not let pets run free. Keep your pets out of fights
with other animals. Keep all garbage, garden tools,
etc. in safe place. Don't let your pet chase wild animals. |
Fresh
Bite Wounds: Apply restraint on animal. Check for severity
by carefully clipping hair around wound. Wash thoroughly
with warm soapy water. Do not bandage, but allow to
drain. If wounds need stitches or show multiple deep
punctures, take pet to vet. |
| DIARRHEA
Frequent
loose stool. Loss of control over bowel movement.
Excessive thirst.
|
Prevent
ingestion of spoiled foods, non-food items, garbage
or toxic substances. Keep dog free of intestinal worms.
Reduce amounts of bulk in die. Avoid sudden changes
in diet. Do not feed cow's milk or rich cream if pet
is not used to it. |
Stop
all food & water for 12 hours. For the next 12 hours,
feed small amounts of cooked rice or hamburger at frequent
intervals. Make sure all fat is drained off the hamburger.
If diarrhea persists or there is blood in stool, consult
your vet. |
| EAR
PROBLEMS
Excessive
shaking of head. Scratching or pawing at ears. Red
and inflamed ear canal. Foul smelling liquid draining
from ears. Dirty inner ear.
|
Examine
inner ear frequently, especially with folded-eared dogs.
Check for bugs, burrs, sticks, etc. Scrub head &
ears well when bathing. Don't allow water to get in
ears and keep free of dead hair and wax. For long haired
pets, keep fur groomed and matte free. |
Accessible
part of ear can be cleaned with moistened cotton wool
wrapped on and held securely with dressing forceps.
Deeper cleaning should be done only be a vet. For any
unusual problems, see your vet. |
|
EYE
PROBLEMS
Squinting,
rubbing or pawing at eyes, discharge from eyes, redness
and watering of eye. Debris in eye. Eye lids swollen
shut.
|
Don't
let dog hold its head out of the car window or ride
in back of vehicle. If injury is apparent, restrain
dog from pawing, scratching or rubbing eyes, even by
constant holding if necessary. |
Treatment
of the eye should be done only at the advice and direction
of your vet. Gently wash affected area with a mild solution
of salt water. Keep eye moist. Do not apply pads or
bandages prior to diagnosis. See your vet. |
| HEAT
STROKE
Sudden
collapse, muscle twitching, blank staring expression
in eyes. Loss of control of tongue. Deep heavy panting.
If not promptly treated, death usually results.
|
Do
not confine your pet in a car, open or closed, during
the summer. This is the cause of 90% of all heat stroke.
Your faithful friend will trot by your side until it
drops! Control the outdoor activities of a young, playful
kitten or puppy during extremely hot weather. Always
supply sufficient shelter from the sun and plenty of
clean, fresh water. |
First
wet down the animal with cold water or immerse but the
head in a cold water bath. Call your vet immediately. |
| OBJECTS
IN MOUTH
Bleeding
or excessive saliva in mouth. Frantic pawing at muzzle
or head shaking. Choking or attempted vomiting. Raspy
breathing. Not eating. Object caught between teeth.
|
Feed
only safe bones occasionally, not fowl, pork or small
T-bones. Don't allow your pet to run loose - it may
eat people's garbage. Don't leave small items such needles,
buttons, sharp sticks, etc., out where your pet can
get them. Provide safe play toys. |
Restrain
animal. Force mouth open by pressing the cheeks. If
object is visible, check to see if it is easily removable.
If not, restrain pet's actions and take to vet clinic.
Do not induce vomiting. Do not feed or water until object
is removed or it may be swallowed and cause more damage. |
| POISONING
Vomiting,
diarrhea, trembling, abdominal pain, drooling, convulsions,
staggering and dizziness.
|
Keep
all garbage covered and out of reach of your pets. Don't
allow pets to run loose. Keep all toxic substances,
especially anti-freeze, stored in safe place. Clean
up any spills immediately. |
Induce
vomiting only if poison is not corrosive, (place
1 tsp. of salt on tongue). Bring sample vomit to the
vet. Try to prevent pet from injuring itself if the
pet is having convulsions, is staggering or is extremely
excited. Take sample of suspected poison to the vet. |
| SHOCK
Weak
or rapid but shallow breathing. Confusion.
Pale gums. Weakness. Semi or unconsciousness.
|
Be
sure your home and yard is "pet proof" so
the pet will not injure itself. Auto accidents
re the major cause of shock so keep your pets safe -
on leash or in your yard. |
Restrain
pet if necessary. Place pet on its side with head
extended. Keep it warm. Open the pet's mouth
and carefully pull out tongue to keep the air
passage open. If pet is unconscious, elevate the
hindquarters slightly. Take to vet immediately. |
| SKUNKING
Strong
odour.
|
In
this case, prevention is indeed highly recommended.
|
In
the event of being sprayed by a skunk, tomato juice
is the most favourite remedy. A solution made
by boiling mint leaves in water, applied when cool,
has been reported to be an alternative. Residual
odour is to be expected. |
| TICKS
General
pain, joint pain and swelling, fever, poor appetite,
chronic or intermittent lameness, stiffness, change
in behaviour, kidney, eye and heart problems.
|
If
you are or have been in an area known as tick habitat,
check your pets thoroughly after each exposure.
If your pet shows any unusual behaviour, consult your
veterinarian. |
Using
fine tipped tweezers and/or gloved hands, gently grasp
the tick close to the skin and carefully apply pressure
and a straight upward movement. Do not risk leaving
the head buried. If in doubt, try alternate method
of heat or alcohol. |
| VOMITING
Inability
to keep food or water in stomach.
|
Prevent
chewing on indigestible material. string, foil, plastic,
etc.), avoid garbage and strange foods. Do not
allow large amounts of water after heavy exercise.
Avoid car rides if pet is prone to motion sickness.
Change diet slowly. |
Stop
all food and water for 12 hours. Then give small
quantities of broth, cottage cheese and boiled rice
and eggs. If this is kept down, follow after 24
hours with cooked rice or boiled hamburger. If
vomiting persists for more than 24 hours, consult your
vet. |
