| OBLIGATORY DISCLAIMER: We are not veterinarians, and may prescribe neither medications nor courses of treatment. The Emergency FIRST AID Information contained herein MUST BE USED AT YOUR OWN RISK. That said: What's the difference between God and a doctor? God doesn't think he's a doctor... |
Having always believed "a good deed isn't a good deed if one seeks credit or acclaim," we would prefer the health and happiness of the animals do our talking, but. We also understand that, as regards emergency first-aid, people might like to know why they should listen to a single word we say. So! Long story short, for whatever it's worth: We're a brother-sister act with bits of formal education and training tacked onto a lifetime of stumbling into both tragedy and travesty, with Gumpian regularity. We seem to exist in a medical practicum, and almost everything we know was learned "on the battlefield." Basic methods are the same, whether dealing with humans or animals. If this is the time and place to blow our own horn, we'll do so with the words spoken to a clinicful of medicos, by the surgeon of whom we were and remain in awe [making us all the more verklempt]:
"I have never seen anyone who can do what these people can do with sick and injured animals. Especially the wild animals." Dr. Elton Gissendanner II, DVM ("Surgery Guru," Co-founder of Planned Pethood of America Inc., Florida State Legislator, and an early "activist" on behalf of the Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.)
Read what we hath writ, get second, third, and fourth opinions, do the research, and make your decisions. Take responsibility. Never underestimate the power of intuition, nor of the search engine. We're not doctors, we're not licensed, and most importantly, we're not special.
"Start by doing what's necessary, then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
-- Francis of Assisi. |
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| POISON CONTROL: |
| Both the accidental and purposeful poisoning of animals is common, unfortunately. Knowing what to do under such circumstance can mean the difference between life and death. Not all poisons should be regurgitated, and those which should not will prove even more harmful if vomited. Do not induce vomiting without first making sure there will be no harm! Call your vet or a poison control center, and/or do a search, online. When regurgitation is recommended, use HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, administered orally, by syringe. A ten pound cat or dog might need only half a teaspoonful of hydrogen peroxide placed as far back in the mouth as possible. A one-hundred pound dog may require two tablespoonfuls of hydrogen peroxide. After whomever has tossed their proverbial cookies, rinse the animal's mouth, thoroughly, with water. The following is a guide to basic poisons, and other helpful information. |
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| POISONOUS PLANTS |
POISON CONTROL CENTER |
REPORT ANIMAL ABUSE |
FIRST-AID DATABASE |
OPEN CONSORTIUM |
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| URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS [UTI]: |
This is both a common and re-occuring problem for which the standard treatment -- one or more courses of antibiotics -- can cause even greater difficulties. The following natural remedy has not only proven better, but works faster than antibiotics and seems to inhibit re-ocurrence:
You'll need JUNIPER BERRY drops. They're available at any health-food store, and we recommend the alcohol-free versions. Get an extra dropper bottle, too. Put 1/3 of the bottle of Juniper Berry drops into the second dropper bottle, and then fill with distilled or filtered water. You now have one bottle that is full-strength, and one that is diluted.
The second and most important "medication" is VITAMIN C. It MUST be ascorbic acid, though it can have added rose-hips. 500mg tablets work best for this purpose. Break them in half for cats and small dogs, as their doses will be in 250mg increments. Large dogs require the full 500mgs per dose.
Twice per day, once in the morning and once at night, administer the Juniper Berry drops followed by the vitamin C tablet. Each time, cats and small dogs receive ONE dropperful of Juniper Berry drops, and large dogs receive TWO. Cats and small dogs receive 250mgs of vitamin C, and large dogs receive 500mgs. THE FIRST TWO DOSES of Juniper Berry drops will be FULL STRENGTH! Afterwards, use the diluted drops. Even though you may begin noticing improvements within hours, continue this treatment for 10 full days! |
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| VITAMIN C: |
| We've often been told that vitamin C has little to no effect upon animals, but this has not been our experience, especially as regards urinary tract infections. What we do know is that, if ascorbic powder is used, it must be given in gelcaps. Do not use anything but tablets or capsules, or your pet will be foaming at the mouth for several hours, afterward. And then, not surprisingly, they'll pull every trick in the book to avoid another dose. They don't seem to mind the tablets and gelcaps, at all. No horrible aftertaste. |
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| ANTIBIOTICS: |
The over-use and abuse of antibiotics created a major health crisis for both animals and humans, though the problem was largely ignored by doctors, laypersons, and media, alike. This practice resulted in new, virulent, and often treatment-resistant infections of every description. We highly recommend that antibiotics be used ONLY when there is absolutely no other remedy available, and the need for antibiotics is clearly indicated. This will assure that they actually work when required. Creatures given antibiotics for every ailment known to man or beast will be up the proverbial creek without paddle when merde meets fan.
The oral antibiotics prescribed for use by humans are often exactly those used by animals [hence the bubblegum and banana flavored meds, of which Puss and Spot are so fond]. As today's doctors seem not only willing but eager to prescribe antibiotics in cases where they are not only useless, but contra-indicated, we fill every prescription offered [at CostCo, where we've always paid six bucks and change for a month's supply, as opposed to the hundred and seventy dollars charged by many local pharmacies], and save them for dire emergencies.
We immediately reach for antibiotics when dealing with upper respiratory infections and obviously infected wounds. Liquid Clavamox is our preference, as the drops are easy to administer and its formula allows faster absorption. Only injectable penicillin is available without a prescription, however, and it can be purchased at feed and vet supply stores. We buy the 48hr penicillin rather than the 24hr version. Fewer shots mean less stress for both giver and receiver. |
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| GIVING INJECTIONS: |
As with anything else in life, one's expectations and attitude are of primary importance. If you think it will be difficult and horribly painful for all concerned, giving injections will indeed become your worst nightmare. Should you take a deep breath, relax, and concentrate upon the job at hand, it will be over before anyone realizes what just happened.
WARNING: Though we recommend that no one give injections if untrained and unsupervised, sometimes life leaves us no choice. If the injectable is for subcutaneous [under the skin] use, lift the skin before injecting. If muscular injection is required, aim for the meatiest part of the muscle, and away from joints and nerves. Hit a nerve and the animal may lose full use of the nearest limb [walking as though the leg is "asleep"], though this is usually but a temporary phenomenon. Fail to hold tightly enough, and the needle can break, leaving the "missing piece" buried in the animal's body -- so not a good thing! Be careful, be confident, and all should go well. It ain't brain surgery...
There are two ways to give injections. The "right way," and our way, either of which will require two people. Going about it "the right way," one will gently but firmly hold the patient down on a table or counter, by the scruff of the neck, and, with the scruff grasped tightly by the dominant hand, use the other to tap gently and rhythmically on the animal's head. This distracts them, for some odd reason, as the second person quickly gives the shot. If you don't trust inserts, your pharmacist can tell you whether the medicine is meant to be injected into muscle tissue or simply under the skin. Should there be no "second person" readily available, ask a neighbor or friend to assist you. Catch the mailman. Drag someone home from work. We do not recommend flying solo when it comes to giving injections.
When we give injections, it's just Bro and myself. The animal in "baby-burp position," head over my left shoulder, the scruff is FIRMLY in my left hand, while my right arm holds the animal tightly against my body. The left side of my head is pressed against theirs. Sometimes, if the animal is small, I'm able to tap its head with the fingers of my left hand. Otherwise, I "massage" the scruff as I'm holding it. This takes some practice! It also helps to croon softly -- we call this "petting them with our mouths." After the shot has been given, we make a huge production of distracting them with praise. Then, if they can eat it, we give them a biscuit. If they're deathly ill, we give them a syringe or two of either whipped lamb baby food or formula mixed with crap-free yogurt. We're often told that "our way" is a good way to get hurt, and that's a reasonable observation. But it's also a more calming and "loving" way to give injections, and experience has only made us more certain that "our way" is the right way for us. Should you wish to try our method at your own risk: a good hold on the scruff, and pressing your head into the animal's, will keep you from being bitten. Wear old clothing, as every once in a while the claws on a hind leg will create designer-punk fashions. A few scratches never killed anyone! |
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| SHARPS: |
| The sharps and medications sold at feed stores are intended for livestock, not household pets. You'll want to use the smallest needle possible, so head for a pharmacy with the injectable you intend to use. It is extremely important that you bring the medication, as each batch is different! After many years of experience, we still consult pharmacists re needle sizes for injectable penicillin, and often do a couple of test draws before deciding. Many injectables work perfectly with the smallest needles [meant for use with insulin]. Unfortunately, penicillin is "thick." If you do not know how to properly dispose of sharps, please ask the pharmacist for instructions! |
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| EYE INJURIES & INFECTIONS: |
| Eye injuries and infections are not at all uncommon, and the first thing one must remember is that eye ointments which contain cortisoids should NEVER be used if the eye itself has been damaged or scratched. The second thing to remember is that most wounds, including those to the eye, will need air for proper healing. Patches and bandaging simply don't work, and sewing an eye shut will ensure that sight is permanently and negatively affected. Ointment twice per day, time, and love heal many traumas. |
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| RINGWORM: |
| We keep a good stock of anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and cortisoid ointments, as well as Lyme Dip, at all times, and recommend the generic brands found at your local drugstore. Ringworm is a common problem for animals, and it is highly infectious and contageous to humans, as well. Although anti-fungals and Lyme Dip will work, they take time, and it itches and spreads like crazy. Therefore, we use a rapid but somewhat unorthodox method to treat the problem. Full-strength bleach or ammonia. DO NOT DO THIS in extreme cases of ringworm covering large areas of skin, or places easy for animals to lick! We use this remedy, on our own skin. Gently shake a small container of bleach. Open the cap, and touch your finger to the inside of the container so that there is a bit of bleach on the tip. Dab gently on the affected area. Do this two or three times over the course of 48 hours and the problem is usually gone. Ammonia and bleach are also invaluable when treating spider bites. |
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