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First Aid Basics
A sick or injured animal is
often in a frightened state, so if emergency first aid is necessary
protect yourself (even if it's your own pet); cats can be handled with
gloves or wrapped in a blanket - a dog can be muzzled. If there's any
question of seriousness, follow up your first aid with advice from your
veterinarian, whose listing should be kept handy with other emergency
phone numbers. Of course, before an emergency ever arises, it's a good
idea to learn all you can about first aid techniques and pet health care.
Never leave dangerous objects like pins, needles, or fish hooks within
reach. And be well aware of your pet's normal behavior, so you can
recognize what's not normal. Remember that the objective is to relieve
suffering . . . perhaps even to save a life. Emergency first aid is most
effective when rendered quickly, but calmly.
"Keep your veterinarian's telephone number handy with other
emergency phone numbers."
Poisoning
Pet Owner's Guide to
Poisons
Family pets (and all animals)
risk all kinds of poisoning from all kinds of places. Snakes can poison;
some plants can poison; and hundreds of poisonous materials are used
around the home by people every day — things like pesticides, weed
killers, lawn sprays, acids, fertilizers, paints . . . the list is
endless. Here's what you can do if your pet is poisoned:
 | Keep the animal warm and
quiet
| Try to determine what the
poison was, when it was ingested, and the amount swallowed
| Immediately call your
veterinarian or your nearest poison control center |
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If you decide to take the pet to
your veterinarian, bring the container (or the label) with you. Most of
the time poisoning is accidental. Keep poisonous materials out of reach,
know what your pet is doing at all times, and keep emergency telephone
numbers handy. |
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