Help clients help their pets

Along with preparing your own family and veterinary practice team to weather disaster you can also advise your clients about the best way to include their animals in their disaster planning.

Offer pet owners this checklist:

Take your pets with you any time you need to evacuate. Even a "short term" evacuation like a gas leak could turn into a large-scale disaster that keeps you from your home for days.

Plan in advance exactly how you’ll evacuate your family and animals (this is especially a concern when owning large or multiple animals).

Make sure all animals have identification: collar and tags, microchip, halter tags on horses, ear tags on cattle, or permanent marker on hooves or scales.

Prepare a first aid kit, including any prescription medications.

Assemble a 72-hour emergency kit for you, your family. and your animals, including food and water (one gallon per person or pet per day for three days).

Gather important papers: a description of the animal (name, species, breed, color, sex, age, distinguishing features); vaccine records; microchip, registration, and licensing papers; current photos (including a picture of you with the animal to establish ownership); and a list of boarding facilities, equestrian centers, stables, and pet-friendly hotels within a 50-mile radius.

Small animal "go kit": bedding, bowls, grooming tools, toys, litterbox, and kitty litter. trash bags, paper towels, leashes, collars, crates, carriers, can opener, muzzle, flea and tick preventatives, etc. (Large animal "go kit": halters, lead ropes, pans, buckets, grooming and hoof care products and tools, blankets, tack and accessories, fly spray, twitch, leg wraps, etc.

For more information, read more at http://www.centralhoustonanimalhospital.com/updates or download the AVMA brochure titled "Saving the Whole Family." Find a link to that brochure and other resources at http://veterinarybusiness.dvm360.com/vetec/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=775833

Common Emergencies we see include:

Allergic/Anaphylactic Reactions - Symptoms may include: hives, extreme itchiness, facial swelling, vomiting, defecation, excessive salivation, ataxia and collapse. This may occur due to insect bites, stings, drug allergies, food allergies, contact allergies or vaccinations and maybe develop within 30 minutes after contact of allergen. Treatment may include injectable corticosteroid and diphenhydramine and fluid therapy. In some cases, observation and hospitalization is required.

Heat Stroke - In Houston, an animal can experience life threatening elevations in temperature even with adequate water and shade available. Exercising during peak sun hours with temperature above 80 degrees, or leaving your pet in a vehicle for any period of time even with the windows down can predispose your pet to heat stroke. Brachycephalic breeds such as bull dogs and boxers and geriatric dogs are at a higher risk of developing heat stroke. Symptoms of heat stroke include: rapid panting, loud breathing, excessive salivation, listlessness or blank stare, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, collapse and seizures. If you think your pet is experiencing heat stroke, spray your pet with cool (NOT COLD) water and transport them to Central Houston Animal Hospital immediately.

Intoxications/Poisonings - If you think your pet has ingested anything harmful such as medications, poisonous plants, chocolate or household cleaners, immediately contact our office at (713) 526-1306. Timing can be very crucial to ensure the best outcome for your pet. Symptoms may include: vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures or drunken appearance. In some cases, our staff may instruct you to induce vomiting before bringing you pet in.

Dog Bites - If your dog or cat has been bitten by another animal and there is active bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean dry bandage. Your pet may be in tremendous pain, so be careful to avoid being bitten. The doctors at Central Houston Animal Hospital will evaluate your pet to determine if further management is needed. This may include: sutures, wound debridement, pain management and antibiotic therapy.

Acute Abdominal Pain - There can be numerous reasons for abdominal pain such as viral or bacterial gastroenteritis, garbage intoxication, intestinal obstructions, gastric dilation and volvulus syndrome, and gallbladder rupture or pancreatitis. Symptoms may include: vomiting, crying, shaking, hunched posture and difficulty breathing. If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact (713) 526-1306 to schedule an emergency appointment. Treatment may include blood work, radiographs, ultrasound imaging, fluid therapy, antiemetic therapy, antibiotic therapy and pain management. In some cases, emergency surgery may be recommended.

Vehicular Trauma - If your pet is hit by a car, please contact Central Houston Animal Hospital immediately. It is important for your pet to be seen, even if he/she is acting normal as there may be internal injuries that require immediate medical care. An injured pet may bite, so stay clear of the mouth and use a thick blanket and or flat surface to transport.

Snake Bites - In the case of a possible snake bite, try to keep your pet as calm as possible for transport to Central Houston Animal Hospital. Try to identify the type of snake involved without putting yourself at risk of being bitten. Treatment for a snake bite often includes blood work, intravenous fluid therapy, pain management, wound management and treatment of secondary infections. Some snake bites will require anti-venin therapy.

Convulsions - If your pet has experienced a seizure, you should contact Central Houston Animal Hospital to seek immediate medical intervention. Symptoms of seizure activity may include unconsciousness, recumbency, pupil dilation, and excessive salivation with urination and defecation. In most cases, seizures are followed by listlessness, confusion, and pacing. Occasionally, patients may experience prolonged seizure activity known as Status Epilepticus and should be seen immediately by their veterinarian. This condition can be life threatening and needs timely intervention. Diagnostics and treatment may include blood work, intravenous fluids, oxygen therapy, anti-seizure medications and hospitalization.

For more information, read more at http://www.centralhoustonanimalhospital.com/about.html or download the Avma brochure titled “Saving the Whole Family.”