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.