PET MEDICAL CARE
Pet medical care is important. Just talking to the animal won’t cure it! You may need further medical help, so keep the vet’s number in your diary. Include a day-night veterinarian’s number as well. Just like us, animals show signs of sickness and disease. Being aware of these would help you quickly take the right action at the right time. This pet medicines guide should help you with the basics when things go wrong.DOGS
The following signs are unhealthy: red/yellow eyes, frequent nose discharge, discolored gums, black specks on fur, discharging ears.
Cuts and grazes: use salt water to clean the area, and use light bandage to stop the pet from licking it.
Hemorrhage: Keep the pet warm with a blanket. Use salt water. Apply gauze with pressure to stop bleeding, or use firm bandage.
Accident: Throw a thick blanket over and take the pet to the vet.
Burns: Use tepid water to treat the area.
Allergies: Caused by bee stings, pollens, or food. Use ice packs for skin conditions.
CATS
The following signs are unhealthy: red/yellowish eyes, discolored gums, inelastic neck skin, hard or lumpish abdomen, smelly/red/discharging ears, scratching ears.
Cuts and grazes: use salt water for cleaning. Do not give human drugs like pain relievers.Poisoning: For skin related poisons, clean and clip the furs. For stings, bathe with vinegar/sodium bicarbonate.
Heatstroke: If left unattended in a car in summer, your cat may show this condition. Use wet towels, and ice cubes for gums. Give something to drink.
FISH
Merely looking at the fish can not help you diagnose the problem. Apart from microbes, temperature changes, high ammonia, abnormal pH, poor water quality with overcrowding can cause sickness. Medicines for microbes fall into various categories – antibacterial, antiparasitics, and antifungal.
Following signs indicate sickness: ulcers in skin and mouth, skin bleeding, fluffy white growth on skin, discoloration, bloated abdomen, bulging of the eyes.
BIRDS
The following signs indicate sickness or its oncoming: discolored/smelly/increased droppings, less vocal, cold feet, and fluffed up. A multipurpose water cleanser is the first treatment for any kind of sickness. Go on by providing warmth, give energy fluids, control diet with sterile seeds, and provide vitamin and mineral supplements. Other appropriate medicines can then be administered by mouth.
RABBITS
Look out for the following signs: inability to respond to stimulation, gasping for breath, looking up, appearing drunk or rolling, diarrhea, straining to urinate, inability to use limbs.
First step in any emergency is to wrap the pet and keep it in a quiet corner.
Cuts and bites: Use saline solution to clean. Do not use any antibiotic cream.
Heat stroke: Do not use ice. Use tepid water. Use a fan.
Seizures/Convulsions: Many seizures resolve in a couple of minutes. Otherwise seek a vet.
Bleeding: Apply firm pressure with a cloth. For nose, use a cold pack for the bridge of the nose.