In Case Of Emergency

Bad Breath

Bad breath in your pet can be serious when any of the following is present:

• A sweet, fruity scent could indicate diabetes, especially if your pet is drinking or urinating more than usual.

• A urine-like smell might mean kidney disease.

• A mouth odor that vets simply describe as "foul," when accompanied by vomitting, loss of appetite, swelling of the abdomen or yellowing of the eyes or gums, could indicate a liver disorder.

In Case of Bleeding

The following areas are pressure points on your pet which, along with direct pressure on the wound, will help stop bleeding:

• The upper inside of the front leg. Pressing here will help control bleeding of the lower forelegs.

• The upper inside of the rear leg. Pressing here will help control bleeding of the lower hind legs.

• The underside of the tail. Pressing here helps control bleeding of the tail.

  Note: Forget the tourniquet. A lot of limbs are lost because the blood supply is cut off for too long.

Is Chocolate Really Bad?

YES! Chocolate is a tasty toxin, which like caffeine, is dangerous to dogs and cats when eaten in large quantities. Baking chocolate is the most dangerous. Keep chocolate out of reach of pets at all times.

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A Serious Cough

Coughing is the most common sign of heart disease in pets. If your dog has been coughing for more than 24 hours, see your vet. Coughing is extremely rare in cats and should always be seen by a vet.

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Harmful Houseplants

To be safe, vets recommend you always put houseplants where pets can't get them.The following houseplants can be of danger to your pets.

• Philodendron

• Dieffenbachia

• Jerusalem cherry

• Yew

• Caladium

• Spider plant

• Airplane plant

• Cyclamen

• Foxglove

• Dragon tree

• Holly

• Mistletoe

• Azalea

• Poinsettia

• Rhododendron

• Mother-in law's tongue (dangerous to anyone *g*)

Dehydration

Gently lift the skin along your pet's back. Normally, it will snap back into place. In dehydrated pets, however, the skin loses elasticity, causing it to stay up in a ridge. If this happens, it's an emergency -- see your vet right away.

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In Case of Injury

You should always have a pet first-aid kit handy in case your pet is injured. Here are some veterinarians' recommendations on what to include:

• Your vet's telephone number, plus the number of an emergency weekend or nighttime vet

• Gauze rolls or pads

• Absorbent cotten

• Scissors, preferably with rounded tips

• Hydrogen peroxide

• Hydrocortisone ointment

• Eyewash

• Tweezers

• Rectal termometer

• Syringe (without the needle) for giving oral medications

• Anti-diarrheal medicine (for dogs and cats)

• Upset stomach medicine (for dogs only)

• Antihistamine liquid

• A clean, white sock -- to slip over an injured paw, to keep the wound and your floors clean until the bleeding is stopped.

Warning Signs of Serious Illness

The following may signal that your pet needs medical attention. You should seek veterinary care:

• Anytime you find a lump on your pet's skin.

• If your pet seems unusually short of breath.

• If your pet experiences a sudden change in appetite.

• If your pet starts losing weight.

• If your pet drinks often and urinates more frequently.

Symptoms of Internal Bleeding

Perform the following test: Press a finger against your pet's gums. If they don't turn pink after a momentary whiteness, she could have lost large amounts of blood. See your vet immediately.

• Blood in the vomit

• Blood in the urine

• Pale pink or white gums

• Listlessness

Giving Medications:

Often, your vet will prescribe medication to treat your pet's illness. Here's how to give medications to your pet:

• Place the palm of your hand over the bridge of your pet's nose. Your thumb and middle finger should circle the muzzle and fit behind each upper canine (long) tooth.

• Gently press her lips against the teeth to make her drop her jaw.

• With the other hand, quickly poke the pill to the back of her tonuge. Then hold her mouth closed and stroke her throat until you see her swallow. When she licks her nose, you know she's done.

• You may also put it in a piece of food and try giving it this way.

Preventative Measure

When a pet has bad teeth, bacteria can get into circulation around the gums. The bacteria float around the bloodstream and eventually settle on the heart valve. To help keep your pet's teeth clean, brush or scrub the teeth daily. In addition, giving your pet raw carrots and hard rubber toys to chew will help keep the teeth clean.

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Checking the Pulse

Feel on the inside of his back thigh, where the leg joins the body. Normal for cats is: 110-170 beats per minute. Normal for dogs is 70-150 beats per minute.

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