You may already have the items to provide first aid for your pet, but now would be a good time to check, BEFORE you need them.  When a pet emergency occurs every minute counts, you should have the following items on hand in a convenient and easily accessible place:

Thermometer– A normal temperature for dogs and cats is around 100-102 degrees Fahrenheit.  Using a little dab of Vaseline or hand lotion to coat the end, insert the thermometer into the pet’s rectum and wait a few minutes.  A higher than normal temperature will let you know if your animal is suffering from a fever potentially caused by a bacterial infection.

Bandages – It is a good idea to have on hand simple bandage supplies like sterile gauze pads, adhesive tape and triple antibiotic ointment (Like Neosporin).  This will help tend to small cuts or scrapes and keep a much larger open wound clean until it can be seen and treated by the veterinarian.

Tweezers – To help remove splinters, thorns and ticks.

Hydrogen Peroxide – To help clean wounds or induce vomiting.

Benadryl – Tablets or syrup (25 mg), used for allergic reactions.  (Good to have around for humans too!)

Pets have a high tolerance to pain, by the time you notice a change in your animal’s behavior, it may already be seriously ill! If you notice your pet becoming lethargic (listless) or stop eating, please call us right away.

Please call right away if:

• Your pet has uncontrolled vomiting or refuses to eat or drink
• Your dog has an unusually large or swollen belly
• Your cat strains to urinate or stops passing urine altogether
• Your pet laps up even a drop of automobile antifreeze
• Your pet continues to bleed and bleed and it will not clot
• Your pet swallows a strand of Christmas tinsel (Icicles) or string
• Your cat eats Tylenol or Acetamenophen
• Your pet has multiple and prolonged seizures  (If your cat begins to twitch, convulse or vomit after applying an insecticide)
• Your pet appears unsteady on its feet, become lame for no reason, or appears disoriented
• To check to see if a product is poisonous to your pet, please call the National Animal Poison Control Center at:  1-800-548-2423 immediately.