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Please
note: Media Relations is unable to answer questions about pet health
problems. Contact your veterinarian.
Source:
Dr. Susan Nelson, 785-532-4130, snelson@vet.k-state.edu
http://www.mediarelations.k-state.edu/WEB/News/MediaGuide/nelsonsusanbio.html
News release prepared by: Amber Haag, 785-532-6415
Thursday,
May 19, 2005
K-STATE
VETERINARIAN SUGGESTS ITEMS TO HAVE IN YOUR PET'S FIRST AID KIT
MANHATTAN
-- Many people have a first aid kit for themselves and their
children they keep around the house, but what about their pets?
Dr.
Susan Nelson, assistant professor of clinical sciences at Kansas
State University, said it's important for pet owners to also keep
a first aid kit in the house for their pets.
"You
never know when something is going to go wrong," Nelson said.
"If you have everything together and in a certain place, you
won't be worrying or wondering where it's at when something does
happen."
Nelson
said you should store first aid items in a transportable, durable,
water-resistant box, such as a tackle box. She said to label it
clearly and store it where you can find it readily.
Nelson
said pet owners should include a list of emergency phone numbers
in the kit to quickly get in touch with a veterinarian.
"In
almost all cases, a pet owner should at least call the vet, even
if it is just to see how to treat a minor cut," Nelson said.
"For anything more than something very minor, take your pet
to the vet. It's always a good idea to call ahead to make sure the
veterinarian will be there and be ready for your arrival."
The
kit should have Diphenhydramine, or Benedryl, for allergic reactions.
Use as recommended by your veterinarian.
Nelson
said it is important to have hydrogen peroxide, activated charcoal
and eyedroppers in case your pet ingests toxic materials. The peroxide
will induce vomiting and the charcoal helps keep the toxins from
being absorbed, while the eyedropper would be used to give the dosage
recommended by a veterinarian.
For
cuts, abrasions and minor wounds, Nelson suggests keeping the following
items in the kit:
*One-
and two-inch adhesive tape
*Two-inch roll gauze to make a muzzle in an emergency
*Gauze sponges
*Isopropyl alcohol
*Chlorhexadine or povidone iodine (antiseptic)
*Contact lens saline solution
*Two-inch and four-inch stretch gauze
*Scissors
*Tweezers
*Nonstick dressing (Telfa)
*Nonstick bandage (vet wrap)
*Antibiotic ointment
*Absorbent maxi pads
For
penetrating chest wounds, Nelson said the kit should include petroleum
or KY Jelly to coat the entrance of the wound and plastic food wrap
to seal the wound airtight.
Other
items Nelson said a pet owner should keep in the kit include:
*Newspaper
to roll up and make a splint or to line something to keep it clean
*Rectal thermometer
*Three large garbage bags for sanitation on the way to the veterinarian's
office
*Book on pet first aid
*Signed treatment authorization form so pet sitter can take animal
to veterinarian for treatment
Other good items to have available (that may not fit in the kit):
*Two-liter bottles or milk cartons to fill with warm water for heating
*Clean bath towels or roll of paper towels
*Blankets
*Elizabethan collar or instructions of how to make one to keep pet
from chewing at wounds
*Plywood board to move the pet safely
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