PET SAFETY
FIRST AID
www.healthypet.com/firstaid.html
BITE WOUNDS
Treatment/Action Approach the pet carefully to avoid getting bitten. Muzzle the animal. Check the wound for contamination or debris. If significant debris is present, then clean the wound with large amounts of saline or balanced electrolyte solution. If these are not available, then regular water may be used. Wrap large open wounds to keep them clean. Apply pressure to profusely bleeding wounds. Do not use tourniquets. Bite wounds often become infected and need professional care. Wear gloves when possible.
BLEEDING
Treatment/Action Apply firm, direct pressure over the bleeding area until the bleeding stops. Hold the pressure for at least 10 minutes (continually releasing the pressure to check the wound will hamper the clotting). Avoid bandages that cut off circulation.
BREATHING STOPS
Treatment/Action Check to see if the animal is choking on a foreign object (see Choking). If an animal is not breathing, place it on a firm surface with its left side up. Check for a heartbeat by listening at the area where the elbow touches the chest. If you find a heartbeat but no breathing, close the animal's mouth and breathe directly into its nose-not the mouth-until the chest expands. Repeat 12 to 15 times per minute. At the same time, if there is no pulse, apply heart massage. The heart is located in the lower half of the chest, behind the elbow of the front left leg. Place one hand below heart to support the chest. Place other hand over the heart and compress gently. Cats and tiny pets receive heart massage by compressing the chest with the thumb and forefingers of one hand. Apply heart massage 80-120 times per minute for larger animals and 100-150 per minute for smaller ones. Alternate heart massage with breathing.
BURNS (chemical, electrical, heat - including heating pad)
Treatment/Action (singed hair, blistering, swelling, redness of skin) Flush the burn immediately with large amounts of cool, running water. Apply an ice pack for 15-20 minutes. Do not place an ice pack directly on the skin. Wrap in a light towel or cover. Large quantities of dry chemicals should be gently brushed off the animal. Water may activate some dry chemicals. CHOKING Treatment/Action ( Difficulty breathing, excessive pawing at the mouth, blue lips and tongue) Be sure to protect yourself as well since the pet will likely be frantic and may be more like to bite. If the pet can still partially breath, it's best to keep the animal calm and get to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. Look into the mouth to see if foreign object in throat is visible. If you can, clear the airway by removing the object with pliers or tweezers, being careful not to push it farther down the throat. If it is lodged too deep or if the pet collapses, then place your hands on both sides of the animal's rib cage and apply firm, quick pressure. Or place the animal on its side and strike the side of the rib cage firmly with the palm of your hand three or four times. Repeat this procedure until the object is dislodged or you arrive at the veterinarian's office.
DIARRHEA
Treatment/Action Withhold food for 12-24 hours but not water. Sometimes pets who appear to be straining are sore from diarrhea rather than from constipation. Your veterinarian can help you decide which it is and what will help. Trying at-home treatments without knowing the real cause can just make things worse.
FRACTURES
Treatment/Action (Pain, inability to use a limb, or limb at odd angle) Muzzle the pet and look for bleeding. If you can control bleeding without causing more injury, then do so. Watch for signs of shock. DO NOT TRY TO SET THE FRACTURE by pulling or tugging on the limb. Transport the pet to the veterinarian immediately supporting the injured part as best you can.
HEATSTROKE
Treatment/Action (Rapid or difficulty breathing, vomiting, high body temperature, collapse) Place animal in a tub and run cool water over it. Or, gently soak animal with a garden hose or wrap in a cool, wet towel. Do not overcool the animal. Stop cooling when rectal temperature reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
POISONING
Treatment/Action (vomiting, convulsions, diarrhea, salivation, weakness, depression, pain) Record what the pet ingested and how much. Immediately call your veterinarian or poison control center. Do not induce vomiting. In case of toxins or chemicals on the skin from oils, paints, insecticides and other contact irritants, request directions on if and how to wash the toxin off.
SEIZURES
Treatment/Action (salivation, loss of control of urine or stool, violent muscle twitching, loss of consciousness) Move pet away from any objects that could be harmful. Use a blanket for padding and protection. Do not put yourself at risk by restraining the pet during the seizure. Time the seizure. They usually last only 2 to 3 minutes. Afterwards, keep the animal calm and quiet.
SHOCK
Treatment/Action (irregular breathing, dilated pupils) May occur with serious injury or fright. Keep animal gently restrained, quiet and warm with lower body elevated.
VOMITING
Treatment/Action Withhold food for 12-24 hours. Give ice cubes for two hours after vomiting stops, then slowly increase the amount of water and foods given over a 24-hour period.
EQUIPMENT
Muzzle Use a strip of soft cloth, rope, necktie, or nylon stocking. Wrap around the nose, under the chin and tie behind the ears. Care must be taken when handling weak or injured pets. Even normally docile pets will bite when in pain. Allow the pet to pant after handling by loosening or removing the muzzle. Do not use a muzzle in a case of vomiting. Cats and small pets may be difficult to muzzle. A towel placed around the head will help control small pets.
Stretcher Use a door, board, blanket, or floor mat can be used as a stretcher to transport injured or weak animals.
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PRODUCTS / SERVICES
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS / RESOURCE SHEET
http://www.housecalls4pet.com/yellowpages_resources.html
Cat & Dog Rescue Telephone (213) 525-1471
Felines and Friends Culver City & South Bay Telephone (213) 933-2128
L.A. Animal Services North Central Animal Care and Control Center 3201 Lacy Street, LOS ANGELES, CA 90031 Telephone (213) 485-5765, Fax (213) 237-0555 Services the following ZIP codes: 90004, 90012, 90013, 90014, 90015, 90017, 90020, 90021, 90023, 90026, 90027, 90028, 90029, 90031, 90032, 90033, 90038, 90039, 90041, 90042, 90057, 90063, 90065, 90068, 90071
L.A. Animal Services South Central Animal Care and Control Center 3612 11th Avenue, LOS ANGELES, CA 90018 Telephone (213) 485-5761, Fax (213) 237-0554 Services the following ZIP codes: 90001, 90002, 90003, 90005, 90006, 90007, 90008, 90010, 90011, 90016, 90018, 90019, 90036, 90037, 90043, 90044, 90047, 90056, 90058, 90059, 90061, 90062, 90089
L.A. Animal Services Department of Animal Regulation/Animal Management Information Center 419 South Spring Street, Room 1400, LOS ANGELES, CA 90013 Telephone (213) 893-8420 Love for Animals Telephone (213) 664-0421
Maxie Animal Fund Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley Telephone (213) 726-3444 Neighborhood Animal Group (N.A.G.) Silverlake, Highland Park Telephone (213) 664-3424
PAWS/LA (Pets Are Wonderful Support, Los Angeles) 7327 Santa Monica Blvd., WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90046-6615 Telephone: Gary Granger, Finance Administrator (213) 876-7297 or Joel Kimmel, Director of Development (213) 876-7297 Email: Gary Granger, Finance Administrator non-profit organization dedicated to helping people living with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles County to keep, feed and care for their companion animals. We provide, pet food/supplies, grooming services, spay & neuter service, vet service and many human resources (dog walking, feline hygiene, etc) to our clients on a daily basis. All of these services are provided FREE OF CHARGE to our clients.
Pet Assistance Foundation LOS ANGELES, CA 90036 Telephone (213) 896-8110
Pets are Wonderful Support (P.A.W.S.) Telephone (213) 876-PAWS Helps AIDS patients (only) keep their pets by feeding, walking, etc. Education program for patients by Dr. M. Schwartz D.V.M.
SPCA-Hawthorne 12910 Yukon Avenue, HAWTHORNE, CA 90250-5422 Telephone (213) 678-2839 Email spcala@aol.com SPCA-LA 5026 W. Jefferson Blvd., LOS ANGELES, CA 90016 Telephone (213) 730-5300 Email spcala@aol.com
Area Code 310 Amanda Foundation WEST LOS ANGELES, CA Telephone (310) 278-2935 Cats & Dogs. Shelter rescue only - NO shelter
Animal Alliance WEST LOS ANGELES, CA Telephone (310) 479-8551
Animal Emergency Facility 1736 S. Sepulveda Blvd., LOS ANGELES, CA 90025 Telephone (310) 473-1561
ASPCA WEST LOS ANGELES, CA Telephone (310) 207-6774 Email spcala@aol.com Carson/Gardena County Animal Shelter 216 W. Victoria, CARSON/GARDENA, CA Telephone (310) 523-9566
Dalmation Rescue Contact Barbara Hoover Telephone (310) 545-7915 720 31st Street, MANHATTAN BEACH, CA 90215
Friends of Animals Foundation 2336 S. Sepulveda Blvd., LOS ANGELES, CA 90064-1911 Telephone (310) 479-5089 Email foa@studentactivities.com
Humane Education League Inc. (Pet Harbor) 328 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., GARDENA, CA 90248-2102 Telephone (310) 324-2325
IGHA/HorseAid PO Box 6778 Eastview Station, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90734-6778 Telephone: (310) 719-9094 World's Largest Equire Welfare/Rescue Organization L.A. Animal Services
West Lost Angeles Animal Care and Control Center 11950 Missouri Avenue, LOS ANGELES, CA 90025 Telephone (310) 575-8487, Fax (310)575-8248 Services the following ZIP codes: 90024, 90025, 90034, 90035, 90045, 90046, 90048, 90049, 90064, 90066, 90067, 90069, 90077, 90210, 90230, 90232, 90245, 90272, 90290, 90291, 90292, 90293, 90404
L.A. Animal Services Harbor Animal Care and Control Center 735 Battery Street, SAN PEDRO, CA 90731 Telephone (310) 548-7694, Fax (310) 548-7428 Services the following ZIP codes: 90247, 90248, 90501, 90502, 90710, 90717, 90731, 90732, 90744, 90810 Lange Foundation LOS ANGELES, CA Telephone (310) 472-7727
National House Rabbit Society www.rabbit.org.
New Hope for Animals Foundation BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210 Telephone (310) 271-6092 Referral only.
Noah's Bark Pet Rescue P.O. Box 1116-A 8th St. #61, Mahattan Beach, CA 90266 Telephone: (310) 643-0104; Fax: (310) 643-9712 Nonprofit pet rescue organization located in Los Angeles South Bay area. We primarily do adoptions of dogs/puppies, but occassionally have cats/kittens.
PAL West Los Angeles, So. Bay Telephone (310) 669-5947
People and Cats Together (PACT) Telephone (310) 230-5974 Adoptions only at Petco, 537 Pacific Coast Highway, REDONDO, CA. They cover the West Los Angeles and South Bay areas.
Pet Assistance Foundation SOUTH BAY, CA Telephone (310) 372-9593
Pet Pride Telephone (310) 836-5427
Santa Monica Shelter 1640-9th Street, SANTA MONICA, CA Telephone (310) 450-6179
Save a Life West Los Angeles Telephone (310) 787-7411
Save the Dalmatians and Others Canine Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 47031-432, Gardena, CA 90247-6831 Telephone (310) 803-5414 Save the Dalmatians rescues purebred Dalmatians from Southern California shelters and occasionally has space to take in Dalmatians that are unwanted by their owners. We provide adoption referral services to assist owners in placing their Dalmatians and actively seek permanent homes for our rescued Dalmatians. We also have a Senior Dalmatian Rescue Project and have several lovely Senior Dalmatians available.
SPCA-Hawthorne 12910 Yukon Avenue, HAWTHORNE, CA 90250-5422 Telephone (310) 676-1149
Tender Loving Cat (T.L.C.) South Bay Telephone (310) 379-9750
Venice Animal Allies Venice, Marina Del Rey Telephone (310) 392-5153
Westchester Cat Adoption Faire W. Los Angeles, Westchester Telephone (310) 649-6651, (310) 671-5341 http://www.housecalls4pet.com/pettips.html Ten Essential Ways Adopting A Shelter Pet Can Change Your Life 1. Adopting a pet from a shelter pays you back in love and loyalty. 2 . Pets are a great stress-buster 3. Pets, dogs in particular, can be of great assistance. 4. Pet adoption: Heart-felt and helped. Research has shown that people with pets are more likely to recover from heart attacks. 5. Pets: A sure cure for loneliness. 6. Pets can teach children a lot about love. Pets give children unconditional affection, attention and love. 7. Pets can be a strong incentive to get in-shape. 8. Pets give you a reason to laugh and look beyond yourself. 9. Pets are a good way to meet...people! 10. Pets make people more humane.
LOST / MISSING PETS
Take some preventative measures which may help you if your pet ends up missing. The following suggestions may be of help in relocating your lost pet: Make sure your pet wears some form of identification. You might want to permanently identify him by having him tattooed or having a special microchip identification device implanted underneath his skin. Your pet is then automatically registered with an identification service. Be sure to license your pet . Shelters hold licensed pets a few days longer than unlicensed ones. How to Find Your Lost Pet Keep your pet current on his rabies vaccines, and keep his rabies certificate on file with his license number and a complete description and photograph. Begin searching immediately all areas of your house, yard, and your neighborhood--several blocks in all directions. If your pet is not found immediately, begin making posters which include your pet's picture, a complete description, and your phone numbers at home and work. Visit the surrounding animal shelters. A personal visit is better than a phone call. Place a classified ad in the local paper in the Lost and Found section. Remember, a lost pet can wander the streets for weeks or months, so continue searching in the neighborhood, in the paper, and at shelters. When your pet is found at a shelter, you must provide proof of ownership, license number, rabies certificate, photograph or description, and AKC papers (if available). You will be required to renew expired licenses or rabies certificates. You will also have to pay impound and boarding fees. If you are still looking for your lost pet, do not give up hope. Often people will keep a stray for weeks in hope of finding the owner, so your reunion may happen when you least expect it. ASPCA - The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals HSUS - The Humane Society of the United States.