Are You Prepared For A Pet Emergency?

Accidents happen! So be prepared with a basic first-aid kit for your pet. There are many ready-made kits available on the market or you can put your own together. The following list is recommended for your dog or cat and is also suitable for most mammals. You can keep it in a tackle box, plastic food container or even a heavy-duty ziplock-type bag. And I strongly recommend that you keep a second kit in your car.

Sick Cat

* Emergency phone numbers (vet, emergency vet, poison control – 888-4ANI-HELP or 800-213-6680) and maps to vets’ offices
* First-Aid pet book
* Bach Rescue Remedy (for shock, stress, fear, trauma and injury in all pets)
* Sterile gauze pads and gauze bandage rolls
* First-aid adhesive tape (not Band-aids)
* Cotton balls and Q-tips
* Tweezers
* Scissors
* Hydrogen peroxide
* Styptic pencil or cornstarch (stems blood flow from minor cuts)
* Antibacterial ointment
* Hydrocortisone cream
* Antiseptic wipes (you can get sting-free)
* Kaopectate® or Pepto-Bismol®
*Milk of Magnesia or activated charcoal (for poisoning but ALWAYS call your vet or poison control BEFORE administering)
* Sterile eyewash
* Eyedropper or large syringe (to flush wounds or administer oral treatment)
* Mineral oil (a lubricant and laxative when given by mouth)
* Digital thermometer (you’ll need a “fever” thermometer, which has a higher scale)
* Heavy gloves (to protect you from being bitten)
* Exam gloves (preferably latex and powder free)
* Leash and collar
* Splint materials (tongue depressor, 12-inch wooden ruler, etc.)
* Muzzle (an animal that is frightened and in pain is unpredictable and likely to bite!)

“Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to a good many ailments, but I never heard of one who suffered from insomnia.” ~ Joseph Wood Crutch