From:
katharine@nettally.com
Date: 2001-10-04 04:37:00 UTC
Subject: Re:emergency kit
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Lynn Toole" <ltoole@t...> wrote:
What are the basics for a layperson to have for at home emergencies?
<sigh> Maybe the fourth time I post this will be the charm. I think
this would be perfect for the layperson for most emergencies. I also
keep things like NeoSporin, eye ointment, etc. on hand.
I keep all of the following information on a 3x5 card on my
refrigerator (and have the supplies in my house, of course <g>).
1. My local vet's number
2. After-hours emergency vet numbers
3. Poison Control numbers, and
4. I keep these instruction on the same card:
Hydrogen Peroxide 3% - 2cc to induce vomiting; may repeat in 15
minutes
Vetwrap - to put pressure on bleeding wounds; to stabilize
fractures....check for swelling
Benadryl - 1cc for allergic reactions
Kaopectate - 1/2cc up to 2 days for diarrhea (didn't write down the
frequency????)
Baby Aspirin - 1/2 for pain
Activated Charcoal - 5cc for accidental poisoning
Imodium A/D - 1.25cc every 12 hours for diarrhea
NOTE: It is important to know whether you want to induce vomiting or
not. Animal Poison Control can help with that. Hydrogen Peroxide is
to induce vomiting; the activated charcoal will absorb the poison but
you MUST know which is the proper one to administer!!!
The above items can pretty much get you through any emergency
situation until you can get the animal to the vet. I got this
information out of either Ferrets or Modern Ferrets magazine over the
last year or so.
Animal Poison Control (these all go to the same ASPCA location); vets
are there 24/7:
888-426-4435 $45 - requires a major credit card
800-548-2423 $45 - requires a major credit card
900-680-0000 (if you don't want to use a credit) $45 charged to your
phone bill
If you call the 800 numbers listed on some products for ingestion
emergencies, many of them also go to this same ASPCA location and the
manufacturer will pay for the assistance. If you want a direct (via
mail) billing, the fee is $50. Any follow-up calls on the same
emergency are not charged again.
I have asked for comments from the vets each time I posted this and
have received none. I don't know whether they all agreed or never
had a chance to look at it closely. I hope someone will post if any
of this is incorrect. I am also unsure how the hydrogen peroxide and
activated charcoal are administered and I keep forgetting to ask my
vet. Do you use a feeding tube? I can't imagine an animal willingly
swallowing these quantities.
In addition, I always have a supply of Pedialyte and Lactated Ringers
for dehydration. Because of my wildlife work, I also have powdered
(unmixed) Amoxicillin but would NEVER administer it to my ferrets
unless a vet directed me to.
Katharine