Friday, September 18, 2020

 

 



September is National Preparedness Month, Are You Prepared?

We all must admit this year has been trial some with fires, flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, pandemics and more.  So, being National Preparedness Month this year, should be taken very seriously, are you prepared? If not, this would be the time to get prepared while you have the time to make a list, check everything, review it, and make sure everything on your list is in your supplies and that all the supplies are up to date and ready to go.    

1.      Evacuation Plan: Would you have to evacuate?  If yes, do you have a plan, a place to go where you already know your Pet will be accepted?  Whether it is a family, friends, hotel, or shelter please verify your Pet will be able to go with you.  Whatever happens, do not leave them at home by themselves.  You can call your local animal shelter for assistance in locating shelter who accepts pets or other options for your Pet.  DO NOT WAIT until an emergency is here to decide because it may be too late.  Plan ahead.  Be prepared.

 

2.      Food and water supply.  If you can remain at home, make sure there is enough food and water to last for at least two weeks for your Pet.  When it comes to water, it is better to have enough water to last a month pending on the heat and humidity.  Do not rely on sitting water which could have toxins in the water.  Some areas may be on a water ban or boil water for months after an emergency or storm has hit.  Like humans your Pet need plenty of water. 

 

3.      Medicines.  Make sure when a pending emergency or storm is coming to stock up on your Pet’s medicines, especially those that are diabetic and such.  Many pharmacies may not open after an emergency or storm for weeks and you do not want to take chances with your Pet.

 

4.      Records.  Make sure you have a copy of your Pet vaccinations, their rabies tag, hopefully they are micro-chipped and you have a record of their number, the veterinarian and your information for the shelters or if you and your Pet are separated somehow.  A current photo and information regarding their behavior and any medical conditions.  Keep in a clear storage waterproof bag.  Keep one in the emergency supply kit and one with you.  You can also take a photo or scan onto your cell phones pending the cell phone you have – iPhones it can be stored on the iCloud. 

5.      Extras.  Keep a bin with an extra blanket or towel, extra leash and collar/harness, an extra toy, bowls, and anything else to help your Pet get through this emergency/storm just as you would take for you and your children. A carrier to help them feel more secure as well as for your smaller pets so and one that they can lie down and stand up comfortably in.  Grooming items, trash bags, poop bags and cleaning agents (in case of accidents).

 

6.      First Aid Kit.  Prepare a first aid kit with your Pet in mind with the following items:

a.       Gauze pads, the square and/or rolls, this way you are prepared, and these bandages will not stick to the wound or fur.

b.      Saline solution which can assist with flushing of wounds and flushing of eyes,

c.       Tweezers, flat slant tip and dull tip, you never know when either one will be needed so it is best to have both.  Also, to have special tweezers specific for tick removal.  These tweezers will assist in the removal of a tick’s imbedded head which could cause an infection if left in the pet.  

d.      Latex gloves (or latex free gloves pending if you or if your pet has an allergy).

e.       Disinfectant such as hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. 

f.        Hydrogen peroxide can be used to induce vomiting however it is best NOT to induce vomiting without the advice of your veterinarian.

g.      Povidone iodine (an antiseptic) to help clean the wound.

h.      Wound cream to help the healing process, please check with your veterinarian for their preference.

i.        Cotton balls.

j.        Bulb syringe which can be utilize in the flushing of the wounds when needed or administering medicine. 

k.      Antihistamine, again please discuss with your veterinarian which is best for your pet and the dosage which will assist with swelling, itchiness, bee stings and other miscellaneous insect bites.

l.        Antibacterial wipes and hand soap.

m.    Paw cream.

n.      Rectal Thermometer.  A normal temperature for a dog is 38°C or 101°F.  Anything higher or lower please take or consult a veterinarian immediately. 

o.      Cone. 

p.      Petroleum jelly, this is for courteous to the pet. 

q.      Towels or an old blanket. 

r.        Flashlight.

s.       Dog treats.

t.        Emergency numbers such as your veterinarian, poison control, and if you are traveling local emergency hospital numbers.

Discuss with your veterinarian on proper precautions with your Pet. All these items, especially the paperwork, identifications, medications, and such should be placed in a waterproof container so not to be ruined in case of water damage.  Pets get very anxious and scared especially when so much is going on with leaving your house, staying somewhere else not familiar to your Pet, traveling in a car, and just the everything that comes with an emergency such as the lighting and thunder during hurricanes, the extreme wind with tornadoes, extreme heat and smoke with fires, so please do all you can to make things safe for you, your family, and your Pet.  Prepare now, Do Not Wait, Be Ready, and Be Safe!!  

Here are some websites to help you prepare:

 http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/DIST_DisasterPetBrochure.pdf

http://www.fema.gov/individual/animals.shtm

http://www.ready.gov/caring-animals

 

Are you prepared?  Now is the time…. If you have helpful hints/advice?  Please share… Thank you.


Monday, April 6, 2020

Did you know that your Pug needs Sun Protection?



Even though it is best just to keep your pug inside during the mid-day sun your pug may not always agree.  Now there is protective clothing that is available, although, not always feasible or even practical for all of our pugs.  We all know each pug is different and have each have their individual personality. 

However, there is sunscreen possible to apply to your pug.  Believe it or not, a pug can get sunburn so protection is necessary when they are going to be exposed for an extended period of time.  If your pug does get sunburn they are susceptible to the suffering from pain, peeling and potential of skin cancer. Severe sun burns could even cause skin infections.

It is very important NOT to use human sunscreen products because of the ingredients such as zinc oxide can be toxic and can cause gastrointestinal problems if ingested. There are sunscreens on the market that are specifically designed for pets and they are the safest and best choice for your pug.  These sunscreens can be purchase online or at retail pet stores. Make sure the package states for “pets” as well as, they should be waterproof, block the UVA and UVB rays. It is best to get the SPF 15 or higher.  It is best to apply on your pug’s bare skin as well as light areas, on the noses and tips of the ears.  Avoid the eyes! If you use the spray sunscreen be careful so your pug does not inhale the spray. Remember to reapply the sunscreen about every three to four hours or more if the pug is in the water.   If your pug experiences a rash or excessive itching, stop using the sunscreen immediately; wash the sunscreen off and contact your veterinarian.
Be careful to watch your pug with heatstroke; as the temperature is heating up, it is best to make sure your pug does not overexert or spend too much in the heat such as a car.  It is also necessary to provide plenty of water for your pug.  Pugs do not sweat like human do, pugs pant to help cool themselves. Panting assists them to get rid of hot air so they can inhale cool air.  They may sweat through their foot pads and nose but it is not sufficient enough to keep them cool.  These differences in pets make them especially prone to heatstroke during hot and humid weather. There is specific critical temperature to avoid since heatstroke can occur at even lower temperatures if the humidity is high.

Here are some of the symptoms of a potential heat stroke that your pug may suffer from: excessive or exaggerated panting, lethargy, weakness, excessive drooling, high fever, dark red gums, and rapid heartbeat, unresponsiveness to your voice and/or their surroundings, vomiting, collapse, staring or anxious expression, and warm/dry skin.  Heatstroke IS a medical emergency and potentially a life-threatening condition which does require immediate medical attention!  Without the proper care and attention during a heatstroke your pug may have permanent organ damage in the heart, liver, kidneys and brain. Also, the potential of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), which is when the body is unable to clot normally this, can be a secondary complication to heatstroke but it is fatal.

If you need or even want to take your pug outside for exercise, some playtime or for a walk make sure to have plenty of cool water for them, have a shady area for them and you to rest.  Do not leave them outside unattended because they can be easily overheated.  Even if they are swimming they are still prone to heatstroke so again make sure they are resting in a shady area with plenty of cool water.  While at home make sure your pug is not left within a room such as a sunroom or a garage, those rooms are insufficient for them to breathe in because the lack of air circulation and the temperatures can rise too high. 

Know your pug’s body temperature that way if you suspect your pug of having a heatstroke, head straight for your veterinarian’s office or the emergency veterinarian office.  Do not call, just go!! If possible have someone with you so one can be driving and the other one can help to lower your pug’s body temperature with wet towels.  Make sure the towels are not too cold but cool, so it does not put your pug into shock.  Do not use ice to lower their body temperature but place your pug’s face up to the air conditioning vent to help cool them. 

The sun and heat is nothing to mess with when it comes to the well-being of your pug, apply sunscreen, keep cool clean water available and above all keep your pug cool. 

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