Monday, May 21, 2012

Monday Medical Issues: Pet Rx

photo credit: Justin1569 at en.wikipedia/Creative Commons
Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the devastating Joplin tornado. In this catastrophic event, over 160 lives were lost and the tornado itself (over a mile wide in some places) caused an estimated $2.2 billion in damages.

Now, a year later, the National Weather Service has instituted a new warning system in five offices throughout Kansas and Missouri. What makes this new system so unusual is the wording isn't based on the scientific observation of the storm itself; rather, it's based on the impact the storm could have on the area's inhabitants.

We were unaware this change had been implemented, so a few weeks ago when a weather bulletin came out about an approaching storm that used phrasing like "mass destruction" and "unsurvivable".... Well. It had a profound impact. 

 
(The jury's still out on this new warning system and the NWS isn't certain they'll keep it. But I have to point out that, for that particular weekend, over 120 tornadoes were reported in the region.)

It prompted us to do something we'd been planning to do ever since Sebastian and CJ suffered the tragic fire in February: we put together an Emergency Kit. Two in fact - one for the humans and one for the pets.

Amy Palmer of "Sebastian the Sensitive Soul" has put together an excellent vlog on this so I won't go into the specifics of what should go into a pet emergency kit.

Since this is a "Medical Issues" series the reason for today's post is to ensure that, should you decide to create an emergency kit (and we highly recommend that you do) please don't forget your pet's medicines as well.

Often in emergencies, you can find yourself out of reach of veterinary medical staff for days. We have a week's worth of needed supplies in our kit.

Consider over the counter medicines in your arsenal, as well as prescription meds.

Ryker took an OTC antacid, prescribed by our vet. He also took Cosequin, L-Lysine, and a powdered form of lactobacillus acidophilus - the good bacteria that lives in your intestines. (As you might have guessed from the list, Ryker suffered from IBD - Irritable Bowel Syndrome.)

In Max & Faraday's cases, it would be their antibacterial gum gel and teeth sealants (I swear these guys are gonna be toothless by the age of 5!).

Whatever your pet's needs, be sure to include them in the kit. VPI Pet Insurance also recommends that you keep a copy of your pet's medical records in the kit as well. And you might want to consider including some therapy your pet doesn't normally need: calming oils like Rescue Remedy or Feliway Spray.

In an emergency, the more you can surround yourself and your pets with the familiar, the better you may be able to mitigate its stresses upon your family.

Be well, and may your days be filled with good and not tragedy.


16 comments:

  1. I took Amy's advice about a week after I read it. So happy you did too. You just never know and why not be prepared for as much bad stuff as you can. My theory is that if you prepare, it probably won't ever happen, but if you don't prepare, that's when the unexpected happens.

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  2. Thank you for an excellent reminder and blog.

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  3. I have heard to also put a blanket in there that smells like you.....

    I so need to do this - just put things in a box and put it in the garage in case of emergency so I can throw it in the car.

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  4. Thanks for all the great information! BTW, was it Pepcid that Ryker took? 'Cause I am supposed to take that too - even though the vet said I don't show any outward signs of it doing anything, it is still good for me to have.

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    1. Yes it was! Not sure how much it helped him, though...diet seemed to be the best help of all....

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  5. Being in Calif, we do have our earthquake preparedness bin and each carry a backpak in our cars...but we have not put in things for Savannah...will do so this week...thanks ever so much for the reminder!

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  6. This is a really great idea....I've not even thought about it for humans, let alone my kitty! It's a great reminder that tragedy can strike anytime, anywhere. Granted, we don't like in Tornado Alley...but that doesn't mean we're immune to disaster.

    When I was a kid, we lived in CA. The devastating San Andreas Fault quake forced us to evacuate our home with about 15 minutes notice. You just never know.

    GREAT post!

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  7. THis is a valuable post! We live surrounded by Earthquakes in NZ and were active in helping the SPCA after the major earthquakes around Christchurch. This is very valuable. Thank You.

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  8. this was fantastic, thank you for this important reminder!!!

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  9. FaRADaY: *waves paws* HI all! Mommy wanted to tell you that if she doesn't visit your blogs for a few days, well, she's kinda under the weather. (we're making sure she rests good, but somebody better tell Maxie he has to share - he's always taking the spot on the pillow *huff*)

    She'll visit soon - she's just a bit 'out of it' right now!

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  10. What a great post. Thank you for such a great reminder, dear friends!

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  11. You know, after the 1989 earthquake the Human had a really really great emergency kit with all kids of wonderful stuff in it. Know what she has now? Nuffing! That's right--the big zilch! This is a really good reminder!

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  12. This sure is a good reminder. We will get our person going on this project. That is a lot of good info. Thanks a bunch. Take care.

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  13. What a great post. Thank you for such a great reminder, I so need to do this just put things in a box and put it in the garage in case of emergency. So I can throw it in the car.

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  14. Thanks for sharing such a useful information

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Coolio! A comment? For US?