Travel First-Aid Tip for Dogs: Snakebite
Travel First-Aid Tip for Dogs: Snakebite
Introduction
Warning: Graphic pictures of snakebite victims within this post!
We are placing a series of travel first aid tips for dogs on our website. These tips were written for the “Canine Companion – Instructions & First-Aid Tips“ that came with the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs by Dr. Brooks Bloomfield of The Doctor’s Office for Pets located in Truckee, California, a well-known, highly-respected veterinarian with over 30 years of superbly practicing veterinary medicine on wildlife and domesticated animals.
There are so many times that we as pet owners long to have a great veterinarian’s advice on-hand 24/7 so that we’re not left with so many questions during stressful situations when something has happened to our beloved pup especially when traveling (doesn’t it always happen that these situations arise on weekends, too, when your veterinarian’s office is closed).
This travel first-aid tip deals with: Snakebite
“Snakebites are frightening experiences. Most envenomations in the United States are caused by pit vipers, which include the rattlesnakes, cottonmouth and copperhead.
Snake venom is actually a combination of toxins and the severity of an envenomation is related to the strength and amount of venom injected, as well as the site.
The best approach is to keep the patient as quiet as possible and seek immediate veterinary attention. First aid is of little benefit. Diphenhydramine (Diphen is included in the kit) may be helpful in lessening both anxiety and some of the reaction but should be given by mouth only to a completely conscious dog, followed by immediate transport. Sucking, cutting or applying a tourniquet to the area is of no benefit.
Some signs of snakebite show up after several hours to days so watch any suspected bite victims closely.”
Note: References to items or supplies noted in the above instructions were made in reference to the supplies that came in the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs in conjunction with these instructions.
In Honor of Chief
This post in honor of Chief who died protecting his family.
*Images courtesy of petdoctors.co.uk and cesarsway.com.
[pullquote_right]Wishing you and your fur-kids safe and happy travels this summer![/pullquote_right]
Travel First-Aid Tip for Dogs: Seizures
Introduction
We are placing a series of travel first aid tips for dogs on our website. These tips were written for the “Canine Companion – Instructions & First-Aid Tips“ that came with the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs by Dr. Brooks Bloomfield of The Doctor’s Office for Pets located in Truckee, California, a well-known, highly-respected veterinarian with over 30 years of superbly practicing veterinary medicine on wildlife and domesticated animals.
There are so many times that we as pet owners long to have a great veterinarian’s advice on-hand 24/7 so that we’re not left with so many questions during stressful situations when something has happened to our beloved pup especially when traveling (doesn’t it always happen that these situations arise on weekends, too, when your veterinarian’s office is closed).
This travel first-aid tip deals with: Seizures
“Seizures are one of the most common neurological emergencies of dogs. They can be terrifying to the owner but the dog is not conscious of what is happening.
Seizures result from many causes including toxicity, electrolyte imbalances, organ disease, cancer, infection, heat stroke, parasitism, and most commonly, epilepsy. The severity can range from grand mal convulsions to simple repetitive twitches and even staring into space. Dogs will not swallow their tongues but can remove your finger; don’t put your hand in the mouth of a seizuring dog.
Move furniture, etc. and out of the way and keep the area darkened if possible. Gentle talking and stroking often help to shorten a seizure.
After the seizure, it may take several minutes to an hour for your dog to recover to normal. Any seizure lasting longer than 10 minutes is an emergency.
Seizures can raise the body temperature and cause organ and brain damage. Dogs that have more than two seizures a month are usually treated with medication.
Report all seizures to your dog’s doctor.”
Note: References to items or supplies noted in the above instructions were made in reference to the supplies that came in the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs in conjunction with these instructions.
*Image courtesy of Pet Health Network
[pullquote_right]Wishing you and your fur-kids safe and happy travels this summer![/pullquote_right]
Travel First-Aid Tip for Dogs: Vomiting
Introduction
We are placing a series of travel first aid tips for dogs on our website. These tips were written for the “Canine Companion – Instructions & First-Aid Tips” that came with the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs by Dr. Brooks Bloomfield of The Doctor’s Office for Pets located in Truckee, California, a well-known, highly-respected veterinarian with over 30 years of superbly practicing veterinary medicine on wildlife and domesticated animals.
There are so many times that we as pet owners long to have a great veterinarian’s advice on-hand 24/7 so that we’re not left with so many questions during stressful situations when something has happened to our beloved pup especially when traveling (doesn’t it always happen that these situations arise on weekends, too, when your veterinarian’s office is closed).
This travel first-aid tip deals with: Vomiting
“Vomiting is a common dog “emergency”. In many cases, vomiting is protective in helping clear the stomach.
Dogs can get mild viruses and other infections that result in vomiting. Persistent or violent vomiting is a cause for concern and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Treatment for an upset stomach is similar to people. Food and water should be withheld for up to 24 hours to let the stomach quiet down. Small sips of water are good, and ice cubes in a bowl (to lick not eat) work well to provide water without distending the stomach. Dio-Tame can be administered to help settle the stomach. After resting the stomach, feeding bland food such as hamburger meat or cooked chicken with all the juice and fat drained off mixed equally with boiled white rice in multiple, small meals, gives the stomach a chance to recover. After a few days, you can reintroduce the regular diet.”
Note: References to items or supplies noted in the above instructions were made in reference to the supplies that came in the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs in conjunction with these instructions.
*Image courtesy of County Vets
[pullquote_right]Wishing you and your fur-kids safe and happy travels this summer![/pullquote_right]
Travel First-Aid Tip for Dogs: Ticks!
Introduction
We are placing a series of travel first aid tips for dogs on our website. These tips were written for the “Canine Companion – Instructions & First-Aid Tips“ that came with the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs by Dr. Brooks Bloomfield of The Doctor’s Office for Pets located in Truckee, California, a well-known, highly-respected veterinarian with over 30 years of superbly practicing veterinary medicine on wildlife and domesticated animals.
There are so many times that we as pet owners long to have a great veterinarian’s advice on-hand 24/7 so that we’re not left with so many questions during stressful situations when something has happened to our beloved pup especially when traveling (doesn’t it always happen that these situations arise on weekends, too, when your veterinarian’s office is closed).
This travel first-aid tip deals with: TICKS!
“Ticks are a common problem and can carry diseases that affect you and your dog. Careful removal is important! Wear the included gloves and grasp the tick with the neck of the tweezers just above the points. Grasp right down where the tick has glued itself to the skin and lift up steadily.
After removal, the tick should be burned or drowned in alcohol. Do not crush it as the blood can contain organisms that can infect you. Clean the site where the tick was attached and apply a small amount of triple antibiotic ointment.
After the tick is removed, there may be a scab or crust that persists for several days. If it swells, becomes painful, or persists then see your veterinarian.”
Note: References to items or supplies noted in the above instructions were made in reference to the supplies that came in the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs in conjunction with these instructions.
*Tick image courtesy of Rainbow Valley Veterinary Clinic
[pullquote_right]Wishing you and your fur-kids safe and happy travels this summer![/pullquote_right]
Travel First Aid Tip for Dogs: Exhaustion
Introduction
We are placing a series of travel first aid tips for dogs on our website. These tips were written for the “Canine Companion – Instructions & First-Aid Tips“ that came with the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs by Dr. Brooks Bloomfield of The Doctor’s Office for Pets located in Truckee, California, a well-known, highly-respected veterinarian with over 30 years of superbly practicing veterinary medicine on wildlife and domesticated animals.
There are so many times that we as pet owners long to have a great veterinarian’s advice on-hand 24/7 so that we’re not left with so many questions during stressful situations when something has happened to our beloved pup especially when traveling (doesn’t it always happen that these situations arise on weekends, too, when your veterinarian’s office is closed).
This travel first-aid tip deals with: Exhaustion.
“Exhaustion occurs in dogs just like us. It is important to rest the exhausted dog and to provide water, electrolytes, and glucose. Take the temperature to be sure your dog is maintaining it in the normal range. If possible, give your dog the thirst quencher included in the kit. Dilute it to half normal strength with water that is not chilled. Take it easy even if your dog bounces right back. Muscle or organ damage may not be immediately apparent.”
Note: References to items or supplies noted in the above instructions were made in reference to the supplies that came in the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs in conjunction with these instructions.
[pullquote_right]Wishing you and your fur-kids safe and happy travels this summer![/pullquote_right]
Travel First Aid Tip for Dogs: Heat Stroke
Introduction
We are placing a series of travel first aid tips for dogs on our website. These tips were written for the “Canine Companion – Instructions & First-Aid Tips” that came with the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs by Dr. Brooks Bloomfield of The Doctor’s Office for Pets located in Truckee, California, a well-known, highly-respected veterinarian with over 30 years of superbly practicing veterinary medicine on wildlife and domesticated animals.
There are so many times that we as pet owners long to have a great veterinarian’s advice on-hand 24/7 so that we’re not left with so many questions during stressful situations when something has happened to our beloved pup especially when traveling (doesn’t it always happen that these situations arise on weekends, too, when your veterinarian’s office is closed).
See dogtread.com
This travel first-aid tip deals with: Heat Stroke.
“Heat stroke is a medical EMERGENCY! Dogs with temperatures above 105 degrees Fahrenheit are at risk of seizures and organ damage.
Dogs should be cooled by immersion in cold water or by placing wet towels or blankets over them. Avoid alcohol baths. Place the wet cloths in the armpits and groin area, as well as, over the body.
When the temperature of your dog is below 104, stop the cooling to prevent too much of a drop. The goal is to reach 102 degrees in 30-60 minutes. Take the temperature every 5-10 minutes for a while to make sure it continues to return to normal (101 – 102? F).
Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.
Some heat stroke victims show signs of organ damage several days later so it is important to watch for abnormal signs after an episode.”
Note: References to items or supplies noted in the above instructions were made in reference to the supplies that came in the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs in conjunction with these instructions.
*Sunbathing dogs photo courtesy of caminoanimalclinic.com*
[pullquote_right]Wishing you and your fur-kids safe and happy travels this summer![/pullquote_right]
Travel First Aid Tip for Dogs: Bleeding
Introduction
We are placing a series of travel first aid tips for dogs on our website. These tips were written for the “Canine Companion – Instructions & First-Aid Tips” that came with the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs by Dr. Brooks Bloomfield of The Doctor’s Office for Pets located in Truckee, California, a well-known, highly-respected veterinarian with over 30 years of superbly practicing veterinary medicine on wildlife and domesticated animals.
There are so many times that we as pet owners long to have a great veterinarian’s advice on-hand 24/7 so that we’re not left with so many questions during stressful situations when something has happened to our beloved pup when traveling (doesn’t it always happen that these situations arise on weekends, too, when your veterinarian’s office is closed).
This travel first-aid tip deals with: Bleeding.
“Bleeding should be addressed with pressure. Place a gauze pad over the lesion and use your hand or fingers to apply pressure to the wound. Time the pressure for 5 minutes and recheck. Continuous pressure may be needed for quite some time. A pressure bandage may be used after several attempts have been made. This bandage must be watched carefully so that it does not cut off the blood supply to a limb. Do not use a tourniquet unless it is truly life and death and loosen it every 5 minutes. Cold packs over oozing wounds help reduce swelling and bleeding.
Splints should be applied to broken or suspected broken bones. Splints and bandages for fractures should extend over the joint above and below the fracture to stabilize it and to prevent the splint from acting as a lever that worsens the fracture.
A modified Robert-Jones bandage uses bulk to support fractured limbs. Newspaper, cloths, bandages, etc. can be used. Start with the toes and work up to go one joint above the fracture. Place many layers of material wrapping firmly. The last layers should be bandage material applied snugly. The goal is not pressure but sheer bulk. These bandages make it hard to walk or even carry an injured dog but they are very effective at stabilizing a fracture and reducing pain. Do not use this if the fracture is of the upper thighbone (femur).”
Note: References to items or supplies noted in the above instructions were made in reference to the supplies that came in the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs in conjunction with these instructions.
[pullquote_right]Wishing you and your fur-kids safe and happy travels this summer![/pullquote_right]
Keeping The Ride Safe This Summer
Summertime can be the best time to have fun with our pups 🙂 Quite a few of us pet owners take them to the beach, to run errands with us or wherever we go. Just remember, dogs run hotter than we do and can overheat and suffer a heat stroke—fast.
Animal Protection Institute (api) did a study on just how hot cars get that was posted on Red Rover. You may be surprised at these figures but it’s good information to be armed with just in case you think you’re doing the right thing by leaving your pup in a parked car on what you think is a “cool” day.
Note about the study: When you read these numbers, they’re not tacking on degree-wise how hot the dogs actually are due to wearing fur coats nor does it mention another variable such as dogs that are intolerant to heat or that overheat easily.
A good rule of thumb is carry hydrating items with you, in your vehicle, just in case you may need them. It’s always better to be prepared than find yourself in a situation unprepared.
Keep ’em hydrated!
Items to carry with you in your vehicle even if you’re only driving around town:
[checklist]
- A cool gallon of water
- A dog bowl (the collapsible ones are convenient and fold easily)
- Optional: K9 Thirst Quencher
[/checklist]
The above items are great to have in the car especially if your car breaks down or the air conditioning goes out 😉
[pullquote_right]Safe travels with your pet this summer![/pullquote_right]
Vacation: A Great Bonding Time
If you’re planning a vacation (woot hoot!) either in, or traveling through the Yolo and Capay Valley in California, don’t forget to bring your pup with you!
We offer dog boarding for traveling pups (they need to meet the boarding requirements that is listed on our European Boarding and Daycare page) to include a pet taxi service. With your pup staying with us, you can take in all of the sights that this valley and the surrounded valleys have to offer. (Sorry, but we do not board kitties =/)
If you just need your pup to spend the day with us [Doggie Daycare], we offer just daycare, too 🙂
On the road!
Vacations are awesome when you take your fur-kids with you! It can be a great time to bond even further with your pups with the memories you make together lasting a lifetime. Our vacation that we took last year included our pups, and we had a fantastic time (this is especially memorable for us due to losing our beloved Roscoe on March 20)! Even during traffic and construction, the dogs made it fun 😀 Everything was new for them and all they really cared about was being with us. An interesting thing we discovered was the humans of our family, as well as, the canine members all shared one particular place that we noted as our favorite place during our trip: A beautiful, quiet little beach where you could pick up the most gorgeous stones (they looked like jewels!). After their first romp there, the next day we showed up, they knew EXACTLY where they were! Their expressions of excitement when they realized where we were is still etched in our memory banks 🙂 So much fun!
If you need help planning your trip, just check out dog-friendly.com or other dog-friendly traveling sites. It really does make traveling with your pets easier when you know where you can and cannot go with your pets, the extra charges you may incur for having pets along with you, etc.
[pullquote_right]Happy traveling![/pullquote_right]
Veterinarians You Can Trust
We thought we shine the light on a couple of awesome veterinarians just in case you are in the market for a wonderful, compassionate veterinarian for your fur-kid and you don’t know where to turn.
Roscoe and Lanai’s (now only Lanai as our beloved Ross just recently passed away :() medical care and attention have been provided by our dear friend and veterinarian, Brooks Bloomfield, since 2006. Brooks owns The Doctor’s Office for Pets in Truckee, California.
As of this year (2013), we have also established them with Dr. Lisa Franz of Yolo Veterinary Clinic (Yolo Vet) in Woodland, California in order to have a local veterinarian as well for not just ongoing care but emergency care should it arise.
Because our family feels a deep admiration, gratitude and compassion for these two people/extraordinary veterinarians, we wanted to showcase them both in a post on our website so that others and their fur-kids may benefit from their care should they find themselves in search of an outstanding veterinarian.
Brooks Bloomfield
Brooks, a.k.a. “Dr. B”, is a very dear friend of ours. He’s one of two veterinarians that we’ve ever ran across where our pets were as happy as we were! He is a rare veterinarian that if pets could pick their own physician, that you yourself would also like, he would be the one picked. His common sense approach in effectively diagnosing pets while, at the same time, making owners feel absolutely at-ease is beyond compare—and is what he is–and always will be–known for. Just part of his unique ability to merge common sense with compassion is the fact that he adds a third component to the mix that a lot of pet parents never get the chance to experience: Effective communication through the education of your pet’s needs and concerns being addressed during the time of examination. Basically as he examines your pet, he has the uncanny knack of being able to articulate the findings, prognosis, diagnosis and treatment into a thorough but manageable amount of information that is easily absorbed and retained.
He has 30+ years of practicing veterinary medicine on wildlife (not just domesticated animals). Each animal that has been the recipient of his care, leaves his office being showered with affection during the visit and before they leave (yes, not only will he love on your pets, he also gives them treats) 🙂
If you’re looking for a primary veterinarian, in the Tahoe Truckee area, or are looking for an emergency veterinarian if you travel to the Truckee area regularly with your pets, Brooks Bloomfield is worth your consideration.
Dr. Franz
Dr. Franz is simply amazing and someone who our family has very quickly bonded to! She came to the rescue for our family when we found ourselves unable to get Ross up to Truckee to see Brooks [Bloomfield]. It was such a wonderful, peaceful feeling when we noticed how quickly and easily Ross bonded with her 🙂 This was a huge relief for us because, as far as we’re concerned, if our pets don’t feel comfortable with their physician, neither do we.
Her knowledge of animals is quickly noted as she’s examining your pet to the point where if tests are needed, you can be assured that they are absolutely necessary.
Beyond the fact that Dr. Franz is an extensively thorough, compassionate veterinarian who has an extraordinary amount of patience (just having to answer the many questions concerning Ross’s illness we had without rushing us) is one thing, but the fact that she also reaches to the core of her patients making them feel comfortable and safe (especially in times of distress for them) is another.
Dr. Franz is now Lanai’s additional veterinarian.
It’s important to add that she was our family’s only choice, in this entire valley, that we would allow to care for Ross. And, she’s the only one in Yolo County as well that we have established our pets with.
If you’re in Yolo County and need a veterinarian who will deeply care for you and your fur-kid, as well as, effectively communicate information to you and proficiently diagnose your fur-kid, don’t look anywhere else and give Dr. Franz a call.
[pullquote_right]We find ourselves very fortunate to have not one but two phenomenal veterinarians caring for our pets.[/pullquote_right]
Thank you, Brooks and Dr. Franz!