[shecass]

I just received this email about a pet first aid kit and a few other things. Just wanted to share it with everyone.

Checking the pulse and evaluating blood pressure.

Evaluate your pets blood pressure by palpating their pulse.

The best spot to do this is on the inside of the back leg (thigh). Place
your three middle fingers across the middle of your pets inside thigh and apply
moderate pressure. Here you are feeling the femoral artery. This is more
difficult in small dogs and cats.

Count the number of pulses in 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4. This
will give you the beats per minute (bpm).
Normal resting rates:
Cats: 150-200 bpm
Small dogs: 90-120 bpm
Medium dogs: 70-110 bpm
Large dogs: 60-90 bpm

The pulse should be strong and regular. In some conditions, the pulse can
be too strong (high blood pressure).
This is a common condition in cats with kidney failure. If this is the case,
then your pet must be seen by a veterinarian, who may check for diseases that
can cause elevated blood pressure.

KIDNEY DISEASE REMEDIES

FLUID, FLUID, FLUID. The most important thing that you can do for your pet with
renal failure is to maintain adequate hydration. Offer lots of fresh water. If
your cat isn't a great water drinker, then make the switch to canned food.

LOWER PROTEIN AND PHOSPHORUS LEVELS. Newer research has shown that the most
important thing to restrict in early kidney failure is phosphorus. This mineral
speeds up destruction of the remaining kidney cells. Stop all dairy products as
they are very high in phosphorus. Feed a specific, moderately reduced protein
diet, such as a premium quality senior diet, in the early stages. As kidney
failure advances, switch to a restricted protein diet.

Mucous Membrane Colour.

This refers to the normal pink color of your pets gums.

Lift up your pets lips and examine the gums. They are normally a light pink
color, although this is difficult to tell in breeds with dark pigmented
gums.

Assess your pets blood pressure by measuring capillary refill time. Press
your index finger on the gums and count the time it takes for the pink color
to return. Three seconds or less is normal.

Greater than three seconds suggest low blood pressure, as is seen in cases of
blood loss.

In cases of bleeding your pet may become anemic. This is seen by the gums
becoming a paler color, and at times even white. In this situation it is
first important to have your veterinarian determine the cause of the
anemia, but there are things that you can do at home.

HOMEOPATHIC. A common remedy for many types of bleeding is Phosphorus. I would
dose it at 1-3 pellets of Phosphorus 30C twice daily for 3-5 days. They
will go down easier when mixed with ice cream.

ACUPRESSURE. Some veterinarians have had success using this nitrating a
variety of immune related disorders. The GV14 point located at the base of the
neck , between the shoulder blades. Apply pressure for 1 minute three times
daily.

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This discussion about bleeding leads me to the final part of the day 7 e-course.
Every pet owner should have a Pet First Aid Kit.
Here are some basic items that all first aid kits should contain.
1. Rectal Thermometer - the newer electronic kind works best. The
electronic ones beep when they are finished registering a temperature. They are
slightly smaller than the glass kind. They do not break as easily. They can be
covered with thin sleeves to halt the spread of germs. They can also be used as
oral thermometers. They do have a battery which will need replacing and they are
more expensive then the glass ones. [normal canine temperature - 100.5 to
102.5F]
2. Lubricating jelly to lubricate thermometer
3. Gel packs that can be sued for hot and cold compresses
4. Adhesive tape to secure bandages - both non-stick tape and water proof
tape
5. Blunt tipped scissors (a must for animal first aid - used for cutting
hair away from wounds)
6. Bandage scissors
7. Splints
8. Alcohol swabs to sterilize instruments or small areas of skin
9. Antibiotic ointment for wounds (not for eyes) (ie. Polysporin, for non
puncture type wounds)
10. Contact lens solution for rinsing eyes, to clean wounds (water can be
substituted)
11. Cotton swabs (ie. Q-tips)
12. Hibitane - a mild antibacterial soap for cleaning skin, wounds
13. Sterile cotton or cotton balls
14. Sterile Gauze Pads (the larger 4" size is better since it can easily be
cut smaller if necessary)
15. Rolls of gauze or cling gauze bandage(1-2")
16. Hydrogen Peroxide - 10 ml every 15 minutes to induce vomiting in animals
that have ingested a non-caustic poison
17. Razor Blade can also be used to shave away hair and abrade the skin
following a tick bite.
18. Stockingette to protect bandage on leg or foot
19. Rubber bulb ear syringe - used for flushing eyes, ears, wounds
20. Forceps and/or tweezers
21. Self-adhesive bandage (ie. Vetrap)
22. Numbers for the Animal Poison Hotline & Poison Control for Pets
(800/548-2423 or 900/680-0000 both numbers charge a fee). The National Poison
Control Hotlines for humans should also be included.