Pet Emergencies
While on the Road
Everyone hopes to
enjoy perfect health while vacationing, but often problems arise with
human travelers as well as their furry friends. Finding emergency
healthcare for humans usually doesn't pose much of a challenge, but
knowing where to turn for your dog might be a little more difficult.
First, decide if the problem requires immediate medical care or if you can
treat your dog's emergency for a minor illness without having to track
down a veterinarian in an unfamiliar city. The best way to prepare
yourself is to pack a first aid kit and speak with your vet before you
leave home to find out ways to handle minor emergencies or illnesses.
Keep your vet's contact information handy if you need to reach them.
Your vet can provide valuable information regarding medications and
supplies needed for a first aid kit.
Include in your kit
a picture of your pet with your pet's name, breed, color, age, sex and any
pertinent medical information. Also, include your contact information in
case your kit or pet is lost. It is a good idea to keep the National
Animal Poison Control number in the kit for easy access. We have included
several items that will be invaluable in a first aid kit for your dog
while traveling:
- Roll gauze, gauze
tape, cotton balls, and gauze pads
- Exam gloves
- Rolls of elastic
wrap
- Adhesive tape,
hypo-allergenic
- Small scissors
- Grooming
clippers, tweezers or a safety razor
- Material to make
a splint, such as wood, newspaper or sticks
- Muzzle (make sure
it fits your pet)
- Pediatric rectal
thermometer
- Hydrocortisone
ointment
- Silver nitrate
- Hydrogen
peroxide, 3 percent solution
- Nylon leash
- Emergency ice
pack
- Special items for
your dog's special conditions
A common illness
dog's experience while traveling is minor gastrointestinal problems. Try
withholding food and water for 6 hours to see if the diarrhea or vomiting
subsides, unless blood appears or your dog is lethargic. Contact a
veterinarian if this occurs. If your dog begins limping from an injury,
keep them quiet and administer any medication approved by your vet, but
contact a vet in your area if your pet seems to be in pain and the limping
continues.
Major illnesses
requiring medical attention include lethargy beyond what is typical,
trouble breathing, excessive vomiting/diarrhea, or obvious pain. Many
pet-friendly hotels or accommodations offer recommendations for local
veterinarians, as do phone books. Most larger cities offer Pet "Emergency
Rooms" for after hour services. If you have purchased pet health
insurance, keep your information with you to provide to veterinarians.
Make sure you have proper identification on your dog's nametag or collar,
and keep a leash with you at all times. You may find that putting an
emergency kit together might take a little time, but if you experience an
emergency with your dog while traveling, the benefits of having all you
need close at hand will be well worth your time.
Pet Emergency
Contact Numbers:
National Animal
Poison Control Center
(888) 426-4435
http://www.napcc.aspca.org/
American Animal
Hospital Associations
(800) 883-6301
http://www.healthypet.com/
American Humane
Association
(800) 227-4645
http://www.americanhumane.org/
A.S.P.C.A.
(212) 876-7700
http://www.aspca.org/
Emergency Animal
Rescue Service
(800) 440-EARS
http://www.uan.org/ears/index.html
Humane Society of
the U.S.
(202) 452-1100
http://www.hsus.org/
Pet Finders
(800) 666-5678
http://www.petfinders.org
Information provided by:
http://www.dog-food-zone.com
|