Happen to find this article in the
November 2009 Issue of Better Homes and Gardens. Thought it may help any loving dog owner:
Many things can be found in our
medicine cabinet can be used to treat pets, with this important caveat: You must consult with a vet before giving any medicine
by mouth, as some drugs can be deadly to pets. "And every dosage has to be tailored to the individual animal," says
Tim Ireland, a veterinarian at the Encanto Pet Clinic in Tucson Arizona. Here are some double-duty remedies.
*ALLERGIES
An antihistamine, such as Benadryl, will eliminate
itching and discomfort caused from allergies bug bites, says
Bonnie Beaver, president of American Veterinary Medical Association and professor of small animal medicine at Texas A &
M University.
*CAR SICKNESS Dramamine can help woozy dogs, says Amy Shojai, author of The First-Aid Companion for Dogs and Cats.
*CUTS AND SCRATCHES Triple antibiotic helps
swallow cuts heal faster. If it's a puncture wound, go to the vet.
*ARTHRITIS For a short term solution , buffered aspirin can help arthritis pain in dogs. NOTE: Never give cats aspirin.
*UPSET STOMACH When you pets stomach begins rumbling after an unauthorized rumble though
the trash. The author of this story gives her pet Pepto Bismol in the tablet form.
*VOMITING AND DIARRHEA Kaopectate will coat the tract, and is a good general remedy for dog malaise..
*MY VET made a statement to me "that any medicines that are made for an infant will not harm a dog. I keep several
different infant medications in my
medicine
cabinet for my puppies and dogs.
Keep
the following supplies handy in a small box or tote:
Veterinarian's office and emergency phone numbers, and the 24-hour
hotline of the ASPCA's National Animal Poison Control Center,
1-800-426-4435
Gauze
Adhesive tape
Scissors or pocketknife (to cut gauze and tape)
Nonstick bandages (Telfa pads)
Towels and clean cloth
Hydrogen peroxide (three percent)
Milk
of magnesia or activated charcoal (to absorb poison)
Eyedropper
(for administering oral medications or eardrops)
Muzzle
Rectal thermometer and a lubricant, such
as petroleum jelly
Styptic powder to stanch
bleeding
Diphenhydramine (such as Benadryl)
for antihistamine relief of insect bites or
stings
Common Situations
Below are some common dog injuries, and ways you can help your pet. Keep
in mind that pain or illness makes pet behavior unpredictable.
Automobile accident
Find or create a firm surface (such as a stretcher,
board, mat, or even a blanket held taut). Slide it under the animal and lift gently. Keep animal warm while you take him to
a vet or animal emergency clinic.
Bites and cuts
Wash with mild soap, rinse well, and pat dry with a clean towel. Gently dab with hydrogen peroxide. Apply
an antibiotic salve. (For punctures or large wounds, get immediate veterinary attention.)
Bleeding
Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth.
Bloat
A
dog's distended abdomen may be a symptom of a life-threatening illness. Get to a veterinarian immediately.
Broken
bones
Do not move or disturb the bone. Splint
fractures with a magazine or newspapers loosely rolled around limb. Tape just above the splint, continue down the leg; do
not cover toes. Do not attempt to splint a struggling animal.
Burns
Apply cool compresses. Don't immerse animals that have burns over large
areas; they may go into shock. Dress small burns with sterile nonstick bandages. Do not apply ointments, butter, or petroleum
jelly; they retain heat and attract infection.
Choking, coughing, or gagging
Choking may signal a tracheal obstruction or defect. Coughing is common
after strenuous exercise and should subside when the pet rests. Frequent coughing may signal illness.
Eye
injury
Check for obvious foreign bodies,
such as a small stick or hair; flush with mild saline drops. Scratches or irritations may require medicated eyedrops or salves.
Cover eye with damp gauze to prevent pet from rubbing.
Frostbite
Discoloration indicates freezing injury. Get pet into a warm place. Warm injured skin slowly
with tepid water.
Heatstroke
Soak overheated pet in tepid water; provide fresh drinking water. Never leave pets in cars. Provide well-ventilated
outdoor shelter in hot weather.
Insect stings
A swollen muzzle or face indicates a possible sting. Apply a paste of baking soda and water, or a topical
antihistamine. Respiratory difficulty signals allergic shock; get to a vet.
Poisoning
Three common poisons are antifreeze, rodenticide,
and moldy garbage. In all cases -- even if only a suspicion -- get immediate veterinary care. Symptoms take as long as 24
to 72 hours to manifest, which may be too late for lifesaving treatment.
Vomiting
If it occurs more than once, or is projectile,
call your vet. Never muzzle a vomiting animal; he could suffocate.
