Message Number: YG7653 | New FHL Archives Search
From: sukiecrandall@telocity.com
Date: 2001-10-03 15:28:00 UTC
Subject: Re:emergency kit

I have to second some of Patty's comments. Patty is a
human-health professional, BTW, so much more
knowledgeable on these scores than I am.

I carry an epi kit of Epineprin, Prednisone and Benedryl for my
own use. Now, humans are a lot larger than ferrets and one
would expect that there is more room for error, but if i have to use
the kit then I also have to get to hospital. There are several
reasons for this: it can wear off before the reaction is done, or
the opposite can happen and it can cause the body to
over-respond with some potentially dangerous results.
Epinephrin really, really needs respect.

We have had to deal with an antibiotic-resistant infection in a
ferret already and know that over-sue of antibiotics will only add
to this hazardous situation.

Some of Patty's other comments are ones I know nothing about,
but they make sense to me, so perhaps it would be good to also
define Emergency Kit ingredients according to the expertise of
the users involved? I do know that our vets have at times had to
cut down to a vein to start an IV and that isn't a procedure for a
layperson.

BTW, it's best to not start any meds without a vet's okay, and to
also keep a vet fully informed about meds, supplements,
herbals, etc. that are given. For some of these there is not a lot
on info but the data base is growing, so in case of
counter-indications, clashes, etc. give vets full info just as you
would a human-health professional.


--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., Steve Austin <kazpat1@j...> wrote:
> I missed the reason for the emergency kit posts, but if they
> are the lay person- these kits are way too involved-
> required IV insertion, injections, giving meds that should
> only be giving by a vet or trained person.
>
> For a lay person, who needs an emergency kit, the typical ones
> for cats/dogs, including the stypic powder, the karo syrup or
> glucose tabs(dissolve and make a solution), Benadryl liquid,
> baby food on hand, pedialyte.
>
> I think the only reason Epi/Dexamethasone or Solumedrol
> is needed in emergency is with those giving vaccines at home-
> which should never be done-unless you are trained by your vet
> how to do these things and are running a shelter.
>
> The doses or meds are so easily mistaken, and an error in
> calculating doses, or measuring the amounts could be deadly
> with Epinephrine. Starting an IV is hard on a ferret, and if
> you are skilled enough good, but injecting meds into it, even
> if glucose is dangerous.
>
> However, if an owner is experienced and wants to learn a good
> skill is giving the Sub Q injections of fluids in case of
dehydration
> and the vet is closed until morning, in that case having the
Lactated
> Ringers and the needle or butterfly on hand is probably o.k.
>
> I am also against starting antibiotics without a vet check, and
> diagnosis, it is a dangerous practice that human doctor are the
> most at fault for doing, but resistance, diarrhea from overuse,
and
> even partially treating an infection that now can't be cultured or
> treated properly.
>
> Patty
>
> On Wed, 3 Oct 2001 00:27:08 EDT CowsMooToo@a... writes:
> Hello tansyhl@y... (tansy),
>
> In reference to your comment:
>
> è -2 small bags IV fluids, one spiked with dextrose, IV
> è line, needles-tube of icing sugar (for
> è seizures)-scissors-1cc, 3cc and 10cc
> è syringes-injectible epinephrine, benadryl and
> è dexamethasone-amoxicillan (unmixed liquid) and tylan
> è powder-styptic powder-Pet Nutri Drops-Biocain
> è antiseptic cream-hemostat-alchohol and betadine
> è pads-electorlyte powder-pepcid tabs-peptobismal
> è tabs-small bottle of Ferretone-thermometer-tube of
> è Nutrical-a couple gauze sponges and a roll of gauze-q
> è tips-jar of baby food: chicken
>
> Can you explain what all this stuff is for?
>
> Mary