First Aid Kit for your Pug

Whether you are planning a road trip, getting ready for the hurricane season, heading to the dog park or just because you are an over protecting pug parent but everyone should have a First Aid Kit prepared and ready for emergencies for your pug.  Do you have an emergency kit?  Would you know what should be in your pug’s emergency kit? 

First of all a durable, waterproof case is best.  Now unless your Pug has specific medicines or health issues that need to be taken care of this specific first aid kit will only address the basics for a standard doggie first aid kit.  Anything additional, please make note and add for your pug’s specific needs in the event of an emergency. 

1. A dog first aid book.  There are many out there so you want to make sure you have the most up to date version or even ask your veterinarian for a reference.
2. Latex gloves (or latex free gloves pending if you or if your pug has an allergy).
3. Emergency numbers such as your veterinarian, poison control, and if you are traveling local emergency hospital numbers.
4. Recent photos of your pug, any known allergies or medicines, and your contact information.
5. Disinfectant such as hydrogen peroxide or alcohol.  Hydrogen peroxide can be used to induce vomiting however it is best NOT to induce vomiting without the advice of your veterinarian. 
6. Povidone iodine (an antiseptic) to help clean the wound.
7. Wound cream to help the healing process, please check with your veterinarian for their preference. 
8. Saline solution which can assist with flushing of wounds and flushing of eyes. 
9. Gauze pads, the square and rolls, this way you are prepared and these bandages will not stick to the wound or fur.
10. Cotton balls.
11. Bulb syringe which can be utilize in the flushing of the wounds when needed or administering medicine. 
12. 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.
13. Antihistamine, again please discuss with your veterinarian which is best for your pug and the dosage which will assist with swelling, itchiness, bee stings and other miscellaneous insect bites.
14. Antibacterial wipes and hand soap.
15. Paw cream.
16. Rectal Thermometer.  A normal temperature for a pug is 38°C or 101°F.  Anything higher or lower please take or consult a veterinarian immediately.  
17. Cone. 
18. Petroleum jelly, this is for courteous. 
19. Towels or an old blanket.
    
20. Flashlight.
21. Dog treats. 

It is best to get this ready NOW, not when there is an emergency because by then it may be too late.  Remember to check and update outdated products yearly.  Yes salves, cream, peroxides and bandages have an expiration date.  So update your kit yearly.  Once you have your kit completed, you may want to request a vet tech or your veterinarian to view it to make sure you did not miss anything. 

Other sites which can help you with your First Aid Kit:

http://www.vcaspecialtyvets.com/ckfinder/userfiles/files/NWVS%20Pet%20First%20Aid%20Handbook%2012-15-11.pdf

http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4440087_First_Aid_Kit_for_Pets.pdf

http://pages.akc.org/rs/americankennel/images/ebook_PetFirstAid.pdf

If you have something that you had to your kit that is not listed, please share with us?  Thank you.

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The Magic of a Pet

If you read any post, PLEASE read this one!!

September is National Service Dog Month; many of you know Pia Pia is a Hearing/ Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Service Dog for her Dad who is a veteran.  When she was adopted from a local no-kill shelter it was the intent for her to keep him company so I could just run errands without the constant calling when would I be returning.  However, during obedience training at a local pet store we ran into a dog trainer who introduced us to a service dog trainer who felt that she could do more than just keep him company.  With his dedication and her dedication as well as the guidance/ assistance of the trainers she and he started the intense training of a service dog team.  Well, slightly less than two years after adopting Pia Pia she became a dual certified Service Dog.  It took a little bit more time but with her by his side our lives changed with traveling by plane and car from traveling across the country twice, seeing National Parks, visiting family/friends, and just enjoying life again.  From him being a recluse and making simple errands like going to a grocery store miserable to enjoying life and having fun. 

But this post is more than just about celebrating what service dogs do for those with a disability whether that disability is a physical or mental disability, it is the joy of what a dog or any pet can do to enlighten our lives.  Her Dad not only suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder but also a terminal illness which happens to be genetic.  This genetic illness is rare but bought us to another family very similar my husband.  The wife is a nurse, her husband also diagnosed with this condition and they have three children.  The three children all were diagnosed with the illness however only one was symptomatic where the other two are not.  Her husband and mine are similar in age, similar with in age when the onset of the condition and my husband has four children (three who are at risk).  Huntington’s Disease is the illness.  Once diagnose a patient usually has 10-18 years but can differentiate pending the patient, family environment and such.  It is best to keep a routine and reduce stress that helps to prolong the life of a HD patient.  She and I realized we both had so much in common with our husbands, worried about the children, and having a career.  One day though I got the call I dreaded, she called to inform me her husband changed the routine.  From the time she left for work and the time the neighbor came to have coffee and watch the morning news, her husband decided he did not want to face his future of what this illness was going to do to him, to his wife and his children.  Yes, he took his life.  I was speechless; I just had no clue what to say.  As time pass we drifted apart because we did not have the similarities and I felt awkward talking about another year or milestone with my husband or something about the children we got to celebrate. 

Recently we reconnected, I apologized for abandoning her but I felt at a loss.  She understood and stated she probably would have done the same.  Still no excuse for my actions but we can’t look back we can only move forward.  It was nice to be able to pick up where we left off however she did lose her one daughter to HD but she still has her son and daughter who are still asymptomatic.  After a lengthy conversation, she stated to me she realized the difference that my husband had that her husband did not have, I asked her what?  A pet.  Your husband has Pia Pia.  She honestly feels that if her husband would have had a pet whether a cat, dog, rabbit or such he would not have felt what he did to make that fateful decision.  She stated she noticed the difference in my husband once Pia Pia came into his life. 

I nor she is saying a pet is for everyone but you never know what a difference a pet can make.  If you have tried everything such as medicines, counselors, friends, family, and doctors why not take the opportunity to try a pet.  A pet can do something no one else can.  Donating or volunteering at an organization to help pets for those in needs such as pets for Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, children with Autism, and so on please do.  Support organizations that support those types of organizations such as Plato Pet Treats who donates a dollar toward their Plato Wags Back program. 

I can personally tell you from experience that without Pia Pia I do not think my husband would be here today let alone be able to travel, enjoy time with his children and me.  Respect a person with a Service Dog whether you can see their disability or not.  Not all disabilities can be seen.    

Thank you for those who support, sponsor, service dog organizations and service dog trainers.  We truly appreciate what you do.  Happy National Service Dog Month!

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The Height of Hurricane Season is Upon Us are you Prepared??

The hurricane season is picking up, are you prepared in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane?  Florida has been lucky for quite a few years but how long can that luck hold out?  It is best to be prepared just in case.  This is a good time to get prepared while you have the time to make a list, to make sure everything on your list is in your hurricane supplies and that all the supplies are not expired.    

1.      Evacuation Plan: Would you have to evacuate?  If yes, do you have a place to go where you already know your Pug will be accepted?  Whether it is a family, friends, hotel, or shelter please verify your Pug 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 Pug.  DO NOT WAIT until a storm is here to make arrangements because they will not be available to accept your Pug.  Plan ahead. 

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

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

4.      Records.  Make sure you have a copy of your Pug 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 Pug are separated somehow.  A current photo and information in regards to their behavior and any medical conditions.  Keep in a clear storage waterproof storage bag.  If possible keep one in the hurricane supply kit and one with you. 

5.      Extras.  Keep a bin with an extra blanket or towel, an extra toy, and anything else to help your Pug get through this storm just as you would take for you and your children. An extra leash, harness or collar, things to keep them warm.  A carrier to help them feel more secure and one that they can lie day and stand up comfortably.  Grooming items, trash bags, and cleaning agents (in case of accidents). 

6.      First Aid Kit.  Prepare a first aid kit with your Pug in mind such as bandages, eye drops, tweezers, saline solution, and such. 

All these items, especially the paperwork, identifications, medications, and such should be placed in a water proof container so not to be ruined in case of water damage.  Pug get very anxious and scared especially when so much is going on with leaving your house, staying somewhere else not familiar to your Pug, traveling in a car, and just the storm with the lighting and thunder, so please do all you can to make things safe for you, your family, and your Pug.  

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?  Do you have any helpful hints/advice?  Please share… Thank you. 

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