Be Prepared
The Importance of Emergency Preparedness made Simple

Many lessons were learned from the heartbreak of Katrina. And although many will never have to live through that ordeal, it is still wise to be prepared to face a disaster so that you're pets do not suffer the consequences faced by the animals of New Orleans. Since we are in earthquake country and may face a similar disaster at any time everyone should create a plan that makes you self-reliant for up to one week. 

Take a lesson from the Boy Scouts and be prepared, that will increase your odds of making it through a natural disastor. Since in California we are most concerned with earthquakes and fires, Dog Fancy Magazine recommends a similiar plan for your pets as you would for other members of the household. Be sure to have an exit plan that includes your pet as well as a place to go should it be necessary for you to leave your home. Be aware of places you can take your family as well as your pet. During the Malibu fires, many hotels suspended their "no pets" policy, but those locations filled up very quickly. Be sure to have backup options.

Specifically for Earthquakes Dog Fancy had this to advise: Don't hold your dog as the ground shakes "Animals will instinctively protect themselves and hide where they're safe," advises the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. "If you get in their way, even the nicest pets can turn aggressive. If you have outdoor pets, keep them indoors until the aftershocks have subsided, and they have calmed down." As for wildfires, be sure to have travel crates on hand so that you can evacuate your pets safely with your family members. Do not leave them behind and hope the firemen will save them. 

The American Red Cross has prepared a evacuation checklist (see below) to help you prepare:

They also have a form to keep in an easy to locate place (side of your kitchen fridge) with important information to have handy in an emergency.

If you don't have the time to put together your own emergency kit, there are plenty on sale via the internet. Here are a couple of links:

Discount prices from Kits for Disaster Survival for both Cats and Dogs. They offer full kits as well as individual specialized items.

The American Red Cross will be coming out with a pet preparedness emergency kit this year.

Emergency Preparedness 4U offers both cat and dog preparedness kits are reasonable prices.

Create your own emergency kit with this printable list.

Not all emergencies come in the form of natural disasters. For those emergencies closer to home that affect only your pet, here are some tips from Dog Fancy Magazine and dogchannel.com:

1. Avoid bites: "The first rule when dealing with an injured pet is to not be bitten" according to Dr. Anthony Johnson, DVM, an American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care diplomat. His suggestion for a make shift muzzle is to tied a pair of pantyhose around an injured dog's muzzle. Not only will it not injure the animal any further , but will smell like you which will hopefully have a positive affect. If you arm yourself with some basic first-aid knowledge, as the first responder you will be able to help your dog and get them to the vet safely. You may be the difference between life and death.
2. Hit by a Car: If your dog is injured and can't walk, use a sheet of plywood or a large box as a stretcher. Place a blanket over the injured animal and try to control any bleeding with direct pressure.
3. Poisoning: If you know what your dog has swallowed immediately call your vet or the poison control center. Here is a number everyone should have handy (put it on your fridge so it's easy to find in panic mode)
   
   ASPCA 24 hour hotline
   888-426-4435
   Be aware that a fee does apply

Don't make your dog vomit unless instructed to do so. If you do not know what your dog ate, collect any vomit, diarrhea, or urine and take it with you to the hospital. Also, if you know what they ate, take the container that lists ingredients.

4. Choking: If you can see an obstruction, try to remove it with pliers or tweezers (again, taking care not to get bitten – we don't want to have two victims). If you can't see anything and your dog is collapsing your can perform a doggie version of the hymlick maneuver (just like the people one). Grasp your dog under the rib cage, holding your fist together and make an upward thrust, sharp and short. See if the object dislodges. If not, try again. A video demonstrating this technique can be found at www.dogchannel.com/exclusives
5. Heatstroke: If you think you dog is overheated, first try hosing them down with cool water, not ice cold which can actually do more harm and make your pet worse. Focus on the foot pads. Once you have applied water, transport to your vet or the emergency room immediately. Don't waste time taking their temperature, heatstroke is a life threatening problem and time is of the essence.
6. Wounds: For excessive bleeding, apply pressure using a clean cloth or female sanitary napkin. Hold the cloth in place, do NOT keep checking, you will dislodge the clot. If the wound is larger than ½" or there is an excessive amount of blood, transport immediately as stitches may be required. If it is a puncture wound, do NOT remove the object, not only will this cause the wound to bleed (leading to all new problem) but pieces of material may be left inside the wound. Go straight to your vet or the emergency room.
7. Burns: Place a cool clean cloth on the area. Burns can be deceiving and sometime you won't know for days the extent of the burn. Again, see your vet or take your pet to the emergency room when in doubt.
8. Lameness: There may be many causes, anything from a sprained tendon to a neurological problem may be the cause. Vets recommend not wrapping the injury but carefully get your dog in to the car and head to your vet.

Want more info and training. There is now an online course (www.petfirstaidonline.com) designed to teach basic pet first aid in the comfort of your own home: After a $35 course fee, you will have unlimited access to the site after completing the course. Tom Day, DVM and author of "The Pet Lover's guide to First Aid & Emergencies" served as a professional advisor to the course.  Sponsored by Petco, you can also access the course on the Petco website.

Create your own emergency kit with this printable list.