These and a wide variety of another Pet First Aid Kits are available through Amazon.
As National Pet Preparedness Month draws to an end, the threats from extreme weather and other natural and man-made disasters remain. So we’d like to leave you with some helpful guides to keeping your pets safe and ready for whatever may happen.
The Puppy Up Foundation sincerely hopes you will never find yourself in any of these critical situations. Our Executive Director was one of many people instrumental in helping dogs caught up in the Katrina disaster, and I know she would attest that preparedness is at least half the battle.
The following ideas have been gathered from a number of reliable sources:
https://burnetroadanimalhospital.com/news/june-is-national-pet-preparedness-month
http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/national-pet-preparedness-month/
http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/national-pet-preparedness-month/
Pet Poison Help Line: http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/
FEMA https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/75356 In this video FEMA Deputy Administrator Rich Serino talks about the importance of having a disaster plan for your pets.
855-764-7661 Answered 24/7 minimal charge
A list of products poisonous to pets
1. Identification!
Perhaps one of the most important ways to be prepared is to have your pets properly identified. Make sure your pet is microchipped and, if they do not have one yet, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have one put in place. A microchip is a small device about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted between your pets’ shoulder blades. The device can be scanned at a veterinary office or animal shelter and will display life saving information like your address and phone number.
Remember that if you move or change numbers to also let your microchip company know so that they can update their records!
Make sure identification tags are current and easy to read. Another helpful tip is to include information such as whether they need medication, or if they do not like other animals, on their tag to help emergency personnel know what type of care they need while they work on reconnecting you. It is also a good idea to have a current photo of you and your pet tucked away in their emergency kit. It could come in handy should you have to show a shelter employee or emergency worker in order to identify your pet.
2. Know where to go!
If you area is prone to flooding, wildfires, or any other type of natural disaster where you may have to evacuate, it is important to find a place outside of the area where you can take your pets with you. Whether you bring them to a friend or family member’s home, or to one of many pet friendly hotels, it is a good idea to have a list of options and contact numbers for where you might go.
And remember – if you need to leave your home because the electricity is out and it too hot or too cold for you to stay, it is the same for your pets, don’t leave them behind!
3. Stay together!
Natural disasters can be frightening for us and even more chaotic for our pets. When transporting them, and for a few days after a disaster, it is important to have them on leash at all times while you are outside. Often times your area may have different smells that may lure pets away, or dangerous debris that they can get into. If your home has been damaged, remember to keep cats in a carrier or confined to an undamaged area of your home, they can surprise you with how small of an area they can squeeze through.
4. Make a kit!
A premade kit can prove to be vital should you have to evacuate your home. Good items to keep in your pet’s kit include a few days’ worth of food, bottles of water, extra medication, copies of veterinary records, poop bags, cat litter and pan, sturdy leashes and collars, first aid kit (comes in handy for people too!), list of pet friendly hotels, dishes, and if they have a favorite type of treat or toy it never hurts to have an extra packed away for emergencies! There are many other items that are good to have; create your kit for your pet’s individual need and remember you can never be too prepared!
Emergency Pet Supplies and Resources: In the event of an emergency
· Notebook or index card with phone numbers and addresses, stored in sealable sandwich bag to keep dry
· Your neighborhood referring veterinarian clinic
· The nearest emergency-veterinary clinic (along with directions!)
· Pet Poison Helpline petpoisoinhelpline.com 1-800-213-6680
· Microchip ID number and company phone #
· Updated vaccine records, especially proof of rabies vaccination
· List of dog/cat normal values (respiration rate, heart rate and rectal temperature)
· List of temporary evacuation centers/shelters, which are pet friendly
Basic First-Aid Supplies: May be kept in a large tackle box for easy transport
· Kennel/pet carrier or nylon leash for safe transport and confinement of pet
· Nylon leash or used pair of nylons may replace a conventional muzzle. Assess the pet first before placing on a muzzle, to ensure the pet is not at risk for vomiting, choking, or respiratory distress.
· Large towel/blanket- to assist in moving an injured, sick pet or to avoid possible bite from scared or injured pet.
Basic first-aid supplies
· Artificial tears, ophthalmic saline solution and sterile saline solution
· Alcohol wipes
· Bandage material: absorbent gauze pads, adhesive tape, gauze rolls, sterile non-stick gauze pads, splints and tongue depressors.
· Corn syrup/table syrup (~1/8 cup in case of hypoglycemia)
· Diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl®) 25 mg tablets or liquid 12.5 mg/tsp (5mL) concentration (with NO other combination ingredients)
· Ear-cleaning solution
· Food: Can of tuna packed in water or tasty canned pet food. Supply of dry/canned pet food and treats.
· Hydrogen peroxide 3% (within the expiration date) for inducing vomiting in dogs. Do not give to cats or brachycephalic dogs.
Always check to see if inducing emesis is indicated or safe for the possible ingestion or health status of the dog or species.
· Ice pack- instant, one time use, with small hand towel to wrap around pack
· Liquid hand dish washing detergent (e.g., Dawn) without a bleach additive
· Nail clippers and styptic powder or pencil
· Oral dosing syringe, bulb syringe or turkey baster (for administering hydrogen peroxide or medication)
· Penlight or flashlight
· Rectal thermometer and lubricant
· Rubber gloves and/or Latex-free exam gloves
· Scissors (with blunt ends)
· Tablespoon/teaspoon set (to calculate the appropriate amount of hydrogen peroxide to give)
· Triple antibiotic ointment (with NO other combination ingredients – NOT for use in CATS!)
· Tweezers
· Vegetable oil to assist in removal of sticky substances
Before you attempt anything with your new first aid kit, always make sure to speak with a poison control specialist prior to initiating any therapies at home. Never administer hydrogen peroxide to any pet without checking with a veterinary professional first, as sometimes it’s not appropriate to induce vomiting at home. Never initiate first aid or administer any over-the-counter human medications to animals without speaking to a toxicologist or veterinary professional first! If you have any questions regarding the veterinary toxicology first aid kit recommendations, please call Pet Poison Helpline.
Another important thing to keep in mind is home remedies. When it comes to our pets and poisons, we don’t want to chance endangering our pet’s lives with some made up, Internet-discovered, erroneous home remedies! We hear it all – owners who use milk, peanut butter, vegetable oil, or salt…and these remedies are all WRONG! Please know that these products should NEVER be administered as they don’t work! Consult your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline to find out:
4. if the product ingested was poisonous to begin with,
5. what the true antidote is, and
6. if emesis (inducing vomiting) is warranted or medically indicated.
Remember, there’s a lot of good AND bad information out there on the Web, and you must be able to separate the wheat from the chaff!
5. Know who to contact!
If a disaster hits while you are at work or away from your home, it is a great idea to discuss a plan of action in advance with a neighbor or nearby friend or family member. Agreeing that if one of you cannot make it back home that the other will bring your pets and their emergency kit will make the situation much less hectic. Make sure to have updated stickers on your front door letting emergency personal know how many pets are in the home should they need to get in to rescue them. Keep your veterinary clinic, pet friendly hotels, and the Pet Poison Helpline numbers handy so you are prepared for any situation you may encounter.
No one likes to think a natural disaster will happen in their area but having these strategies in place will help ensure that you and your pets are prepared and able to enjoy all the wonderful activities that summer offers us!
The safety and survival of our pets lies solely on us, as pet owners, so take some time this week to make sure you have all the supplies you need for your pet in case you are faced with an emergency.
The following are items you should have packed in a “pet emergency kit.” Have this kit ready to take with you in case of evacuation:
· Bottled water. In many emergency situations, water becomes contaminated and tap water is not safe to drink. You should have a 72 hour water supply – for both you and your pet. But just how much water is a 72 hour supply?
· A normally active person needs about ¾ of a gallon (about 3 litres) of water (or other fluids) daily. In other words, for 72 hours, each person in your household needs about 2½ gallons (9 litres) of water. For pets, this amount varies depending on the size of the animal.
· Generally a dog will drink between ½ and 1 ounce (15-30 mL) of water per pound of body weight per day. In other words, a 65-pound (30 kg) dog will drink between ¼-½ gallon (1-2 litres) of water daily. For 72 hours, this sized dog would need about ¾-1½ gallons (3-6 litres) of water.
· A cat’s daily water requirement is about 5-10 ounces (150 – 300 mL) of water per day. A cat would need about 15-30 ounces (450-900 mL) of water for 72 hours.
In extreme heat, these needs will of course be higher.
· Be sure to have a 72 hour food supply, including food (and water) bowls and a can opener if you feed your pet canned food. Be sure to swap out food every few months to ensure that it stays fresh.
· Keep a supply of your pet’s medication in your pet’s emergency kit. This is extremely important if your pet’s life depends on the medication. Swap out medication frequently, so you that you always have fresh medication in your kit.
· Medical records and identification. Keep a copy of your pet’s medical records, along with your veterinarian’s contact information in your emergency kit. It’s also wise to keep a photo of your pet in the kit in case you are separated from your pet. If your pet is microchipped, keep a copy of his microchip number in the kit.
· Toys, blankets, towels. These familiar items will help reduce the stress your pet will undoubtedly experience if you must evacuate your home. Consider rotating these items in the kit so that they remain familiar to your pet.
· Waste bags and hand wipes. Be sure to pack plenty of waste collection bags, and since water for handwashing may be limited, pack wipes for quick hand cleaning.
· Brush and comb. Be sure to pack a comb or brush in your pet’s emergency kit. If your pet gets wet, you should towel him off and brush him well to avoid mats or hot spots.
· Leash, collar, harness, crate. A carrying crate is especially important when evacuating a cat. A sturdy leash and harness will help keep your dog safe and under control when evacuating – your pets may sense the distress and not respond to your commands as they normally would.
ALWAYS TAKE YOUR PETS WITH YOU. Never leave your pets behind thinking that you can get them later – conditions can deteriorate quickly and you may not be able to return to your home.
ALWAYS HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN. Be sure that a friend or neighbor has access to your home to retrieve your pet and emergency kit if you are unable to return home when an evacuation order is issued.
Take a moment this weekend to prepare or update your pet’s emergency kit with all the vital necessities and come up with an emergency plan with your family that includes your pets. With any luck, you will not need the kit this summer, but it is better to be prepared – your pet is depending on you!
