First Aid for your Pet!

First Aid Kit for your pets:

* A Pet First Aid Book available from your veterinarian's office.
* A soft muzzle or a metre of soft fabric to make an emergency muzzle.
* Gauze pads
* Gauze rolls
* Adhesive tape
* Latex gloves
* Tweezers
* Blunt pair of scissors
* An antidiarrheal medication (Kaeopectate or Pepto Bismol)
* A rectal thermometer (clearly labeled "FOR PETS ONLY")
* Vaseline
* Hydrogen peroxide (to clean wounds and induce vomiting)
* Syringe for administering medication
* Kwik Stop (to stop bleeding if a toe nail is cut too short)

"When giving Kaeopectate to your dog - the dosage is 1 teaspoon for every 5 pounds of dog"

"You should only induce vomiting IF your dog did NOT ingest something corosive"

"A dogs normal temperature is between 101 - 104 degrees F. Anything more is considered a fever and you should seek medical help immediately"

Choosing a Veterinarian:

Choose a veterinarian as carefully as you would choose your own physician. Ask your dog's breeder or friends for recommendations. Here are some basic guidelines for choosing a good vet:

1. The vet should guarantee that you will have access to emergency service after hours.
2. The vet should take interest in your pet and adequately explain conditions, medications, etc....
3. Facilities and care should be available should your pet need prolonged care.
4. The vet should be willing to refer you to a specialist if he/she lacks the facility or the expertise.
5. Notifications of the need for yearly vaccinations should be sent out.
6. The vet should not only be able to medically treat your pet, but also treat your pet kindly.

Make a point of having a weekly routine of going over your dog from head to tail. Check ears, nose, skin, rear, pads of feet, nails, etc.. for anything unusual. Look for bumps, lumps, cuts, rashes, etc... This can be an enjoyable time for you and your dog. Make it into a massage session for your dog and he'll come running when it's time for his weekly routine go-over.

Vaccinations - What do they do?

Distember: A highly contagious and often fatal viral disease affecting respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurological functions (contrary to the popular belief, it does not cause "bad temper"). Distemper vaccinations begin at six weeks with two or three repeat vaccinations every four weeks. A booster shot is required annually. The virus is transmitted by contact with an infected dog or through bodily excretions or it can be airborn.

Hepatitis: Infectious canine hepatitis affects the liver and is caused by canine adenvirus type 1. The adult form of the desease causes high fever. bloody diarrhea and hemorrgaging due to liver failure. The virus is transmitted by infected dog's urine, stools, and saliva. Vaccination provides protection against adenovirus type 1 and type 2 (both types have also been implicated in kennel cough). A booster shot is require annually.

Parvovirus: This disease made a sudden appearance in the late 1970's and spread rapidly throughout most of the world. This virus is devastating to puppies and unvaccinated dogs, causing severe diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and often affecting the muscle of the heart. Parvovirus can be spread through infected body fluids and surfaces that have not been disinfected -- it can even be carried home on your shoes. A booster is require annually.

Parainfluenza (Boretella): This virus is one of the group of viruses associated with infectious tracheobranchitis or kennel cough -- the common name given to respiratory infections causing a harsh, dry cough, and gagging. Kennel cough can be debilitating, especially in older dogs. It is very contagious, especially, as the name suggests, in kennel situations where many dogs are present. A booster is required annually. Note: This vaccination is optional when you visit your vet, but if you're going to have your dog out in public places or in training classes on a regular basis - it is a very good idea to get this vaccination.

Rabies: This fatal disease affects warm - blooded animals. In many parts of Canada, rabies is a serious problem in wildlife populations. The virus is present in saliva and is usually transmitted to dogs by a bite from a wild animal (especially foxes, skunks, and raccoons). Rabies, named after the latin word "rabere (to rave)" causes brain inflammation resulting in drastic personality changes and eventually collapse and death. Since rabies is a public health risk, vaccination and yearly boosters are required by law.

TOXIC PLANTS
Dogs can be deadly to plants, but more than a few plants are quite capable of getting revenge. Here are some bad seeds. Most just make your dog sick, but a few of them can kill. If your pet has tangled with any of these - call your vet!

AMERICAN YEW /  ANGEL'S TRUMPET  / APRICOT / ALMOND / ARROWGRASS / AZALEA / BIRD OF PARADISE / BITTERSWEET / BLACK LOCUST / CASTOR BEAN / CHERRY TREE / CHINA BERRY / CORIARA / DAFFODILE / DELPHINIUM / ELDERBERRY / ENGLISH HOLLY / ENGLISH YEW / FOXGLOVE / HEMLOCK / JASMINE / JIMSONWEED / LARKSPUR / LILY OF THE VALLEY / LOCOWEED / LUPINE / MESCAL BEAN / MISTLETOE / MOCK ORANGE / MOONWEED / MUSHROOM / OLEANDER / PEACH TREE / POKEWEED / PRIVIT / RHODODENDRON / RHUBARB / SKUNK CABBAGE / SOAPBERRY / SPINACH / TOMATOE VINE / WISTERIA / POINTSETTIA / ONIONS

HEALTH TIP!!!
If you have a dog with a skin rash caused by an allergy to shampoo, and special medicated shampoos don't help, try bathing him in warm water with a little vinegar mixed in. This worked wonders for a poodle I owned and left his coat clean and shiny!

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