What You Should Have in Your Pet’s First-Aid Kit
From the Humane Society
Learn what supplies you’ll need to keep your cat, dog, or other pet safe and healthy
Everyone who shares a home with a pet should have a basic pet first-aid kit on hand.
Keep your pet’s first-aid kit in your home and take it with you if you are traveling with your pet.
One way to start your kit is to buy a first-aid kit designed for people and add pet-specific items to it. You can also purchase a pet first-aid kit from a pet-supply store or catalog. But you can easily assemble your own kit by gathering the items on our lists below.
Pet-specific supplies
- Pet first-aid book
- Phone numbers: your veterinarian, the nearest emergency-veterinary clinic (along with directions!) and a poison-control center or hotline (such as the ASPCA poison-control center, which can be reached at 1-800-426-4435)
- Paperwork for your pet (in a waterproof container or bag): proof of rabies-vaccination status, copies of other important medical records and a current photo of your pet (in case he gets lost)
- Nylon leash
- Self-cling bandage (bandage that stretches and sticks to itself but not to fur—available at pet stores and from pet-supply catalogs)
- Muzzle or strips of cloth to prevent biting (don’t use this if your pet is vomiting, choking, coughing or otherwise having difficulty breathing)
Basic first-aid supplies
- Absorbent gauze pads
- Adhesive tape
- Antiseptic wipes, lotion, powder or spray
- Blanket (a foil emergency blanket)
- Cotton balls or swabs
- Gauze rolls
- Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting—do this only when directed by a veterinarian or a poison-control expert)
- Ice pack
- Non-latex disposable gloves
- Petroleum jelly (to lubricate the thermometer)
- Rectal thermometer (your pet’s temperature should not rise above 103°F or fall below 100°F)
- Scissors (with blunt ends)
- Sterile non-stick gauze pads for bandages
- Sterile saline solution (sold at pharmacies)
- Tweezers
- A pillowcase to confine your cat for treatment
- A pet carrier
Pre-assembled first-aid kits
The hassle of creating a kit for your pet can be reduced by purchasing one pre-assembled.
Other useful items
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), if approved by a veterinarian for allergic reactions. A veterinarian must tell you the correct dosage for your pet’s size.
- Ear-cleaning solution
- Expired credit card or sample credit card (from direct-mail credit-card offers) to scrape away insect stingers
- Glucose paste or corn syrup (for diabetic dogs or those with low blood sugar)
- Nail clippers
- Non-prescription antibiotic ointment
- Penlight or flashlight
- Plastic eyedropper or syringe
- Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) to clean the thermometer
- Splints and tongue depressors
- Styptic powder or pencil (sold at veterinary hospitals, pet-supply stores, and your local pharmacy)
- Temporary identification tag (to put your local contact information on your pet’s collar when you travel)
- Towels
- Needle-nosed pliers
Common-sense advice
In addition to the items listed above, include anything your veterinarian has recommended specifically for your pet.
Check the supplies in your pet’s first-aid kit occasionally and replace any items that have expired.
For your family’s safety, keep all medical supplies and medications out of the reach of children and pets.
Pet Disaster Preparedness from Red Rover
Make sure your pets are protected when disaster strikes. Download our 5 Animal Disaster Preparedness Essentials checklist (PDF):
Get more details on emergency planning for specific types of disasters:
Planning ahead is the key to keeping yourself and your pets safe if disaster strikes. Follow these tips to make an emergency plan for your pets:
1. Microchip your pets
Microchip identification is one of the best ways to ensure that you and your pet are reunited if you are separated. Be sure to keep the microchip registration up-to-date, and include at least one emergency number of a friend or relative who resides out of your immediate area.
2. Keep a collar and tag on all cats and dogs
Keep several current phone numbers on your animal’s identification tag. Identification on indoor-only cats is especially important. If your home is damaged during a disaster, they could easily escape.
3. Plan a pet-friendly place to stay
Search in advance for out-of-area pet-friendly hotels or boarding facilities, or make a housing exchange agreement with an out-of-area friend or relative. Never leave your pet behind if you evacuate!
Search for pet-friendly accommodations at:
- Pet Friendly Hotels (United States)
- PetsWelcome.com (United States)
- DoginMySuitcase.com (International)
- PetTravel.com (International)
4. Use the buddy system
Exchange pet information, evacuation plans and house keys with a few trusted neighbors or nearby friends. If you’re caught outside evacuation lines when an evacuation order is issued, your neighbors or friends can evacuate your pets for you.
5. Prepare an emergency kit for each animal
Stock up on the items you may need during a disaster now so you do not get caught unprepared. Below are basic items you should include in your pets’ disaster kits. Store your disaster kit supplies in an easy-to-grab container.
- One-week supply of food. Store it in a water-tight container and rotate it every three months to keep it fresh. If you use canned food, include a spare can opener.
- One-week supply of fresh water. If officials declare your household water unfit to drink, it’s also unsafe for your pets. Follow American Red Cross guidelines for storing emergency water for your family and your pets.
- Medication. If your animal takes medication, a replacement supply may not be easily available following a disaster.
- Copies of vaccination records
- Photographs of you with your pets to prove ownership
- Photographs of your pets in case you need to make “lost pet” fliers
- Pet first aid kit
- Temporary ID tags. If you’ve evacuated, use this to record your temporary contact information and/or the phone number of an unaffected friend or relative.
- Carrier or leash for each animal. Caregivers of multiple cats or other small animals can use an EvacSak, which is easy to store and use for transport.
Get more details on emergency planning for specific species:
6. Identify emergency veterinary facilities outside of your immediate area
If a disaster has affected your community, emergency veterinary facilities may be closed. Pets may become injured or ill during the disaster, so make sure you know how to access other emergency facilities. You can also check with your veterinarian to find out if they have an emergency plan that includes setting up in an alternate, emergency facility.
7. Plan for temporary confinement
Physical structures, like walls, fences and barns may be destroyed during a disaster. Have a plan for keeping your animal safely confined. You may need a tie-out, crate or kennel.
Often, when animals are evacuated to unfamiliar locations, their stress and fear can lead to illness injury. Read more tips for ensuring your pets’ safety during an evacuation.
8. Comfort your animals
Your animals will appreciate your calm presence and soft, comforting voice if they are stressed following a disaster or while evacuated, and you may find it comforting to spend time with them, too. Some animals, especially cats, may be too scared to be comforted. Interact with them on their terms. Some animals may find toys, especially long-lasting chew toys, comforting.
9. Know where to search for lost animals
When animals become lost during a disaster, they often end up at a local shelter. Keep handy the locations and phone numbers of the shelters in your area.
10. Get children involved in disaster preparedness plans. The book Ready or Not, Here it Comes! by RedRover Responders Team Leader, Howard Edelstein, discusses how to prepare for all types of disasters to safeguard families and the animals in their care.
If a disaster hit your town, would you be prepared to care for your pet? Assemble your kit, then join our “We’re Ready” campaign:
Post the “We’re Ready” sign on your Facebook page to show everyone that you and your pet(s) are evacuation-ready.
Microchip Guide Chart
8 Things Every Dog Owner Should Know When Their Pet Crosses The Rainbow Bridge
Unfortunately, it’s the nature of pet ownership to lose your beloved fluff ball. The average human will live eight decades, but a dog’s lifespan is much shorter.
According to the American Kennel Club, dogs live for an average of 10 to 13 years, depending on the breed.
That means that every human who welcomes a sweet pup into the family will have to eventually face the tricky proposition of losing a furry best friend.
There are lots of beautiful ways to memorialize your dog after he crosses the rainbow bridge, but that isn’t necessarily comforting in the days immediately before and after a pooch passes on.
In fact, it can be really hard to prepare for that moment.
That’s why we put together a list of important things all pooch-owners should know for the day their beloved dog dies.
#1: The Grief Will Hit Hard
It’s easy to think that you will be able to cope with the death of your pet, but people often discover that they are just as devastated by the loss of their dog as they would be by any death.
Even though humans know intellectually that they’ll have to say goodbye to their beloved dogs eventually, it doesn’t make it any easier to face the reality.
#2: You Might Feel Guilty
People worry that perhaps there was something more they could have done early, they worry that they made the wrong decision, or that they missed a sign that their pup was in pain or unwell.
These worries are totally normal, but try not to let them take you over. At some point, you have to trust that you did everything you could for your sweet pup, and he loved you for it.
#3: Your Vet Will Be More Of A Comfort Than You Expect
After you pup dies, the veterinarian might become your best friend for a while.
That’s because vets see this kind of loss every day, and they often know exactly how to support and comfort a grieving pet parent.
Vets can also help you with details like figuring out how to lay your dog to rest; many vets offer cremation services and memorial boxes.
#4: Grief Can Spike Unexpectedly
After you lose your dog, you’ll probably spend a few days mourning before slowly starting to feel better.
When that happens, it’s easy to think that the worst of your grief is behind you, though that often isn’t the case.
Sometimes, grief will reemerge as fresh and painful as the day your dog died. Know that the grieving process is long and complex, and let it take its natural course.
#5: You Might Have To Make The Choice
For many dog owners, the most difficult part of losing their pet actually comes before the pet passes on.
Many owners find themselves in the painful position of choosing to end the dog’s life, and having him put to sleep.
When you adopt a dog, you have to be prepared for the possibility of making this choice.
If your dog is elderly, in pain, and unable to comprehend what’s happening, it might be your responsibility to help him avoid unnecessary pain and suffering.
#6: It’s Worth Asking For Paw Prints
After your dog passes away, your vet will usually offer to help with the remains, often by cremation.
Before that happens, you might want to ask the vet to take your dog’s paw prints for you.
Many vets are happy to help you through your goodbye by giving you one last memento of your beloved pup.
Even as you move on, having his paw prints is a lovely way to remember a loyal and beloved friend.
#7: If Possible, Be There
We don’t always have a choice in how our dogs pass on.
If it’s an accident or completely unexpected, you might not be with your dog at the end.
However, if you can choose to be with your dog, definitely do it, though it might be painful for you.
What’s important is that your dog will feel loved and unafraid with you by his side holding his paw.
#8: Remember, You Gave Your Pup The Best Life
Eventually, as the weeks and months pass, you’ll find yourself healing. You’ll never stop loving and missing your dog, but you’ll know that your pup is in a better place now.
Most important of all, you will know that, while he was here with you, you gave him the best life ever.
He loved you to pieces, and we bet he wouldn’t have traded one second of the life the two of you had together.
Dr. Jean Dodds – Feline Vaccination Protocol
2013-2016 FELINE VACCINATION PROTOCOL – W. JEAN DODDS, DVM
Approximately seven years ago, the American Association of Feline Practitioners(AAFP) sponsored and conducted a groundbreaking study on feline vaccines. The panel – which included Dr. Dodds’ colleague, Dr. Ron Schultz – divided the vaccines into core and non-core. Just this year, the AAFP published updated feline vaccination guidelines. Dr. Dodds agrees with the panel’s findings, with the exception of giving feline leukemia vaccine to kittens that will be kept strictly indoors. She also prefers a more minimal and delayed vaccination schedule to offset potential adverse vaccine reactions and feline vaccine injection site-associated sarcomas. Additionally, Dr. Dodds considers factors such as presence of maternal immunity, prevalence of viruses or other infectious agents in the region, number of reported occurrences of the viruses and other infectious agents, how these agents are spread, and the typical environmental conditions and exposure risk activities of companion animals.
2013-2016 Feline Vaccination Protocol
Note: The following vaccine protocol is offered for those cats where minimal vaccinations are advisable or desirable. The schedule is one Dr. Dodds recommends and should not interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It’s a matter of professional judgment and choice.
8-9 Weeks Old:
Panleukopenia (feline parvovirus), Calicivirus, Rhinopneumonitits Virus (feline herpesvirus-1)
(FVRCP)
12-13 Weeks Old:
Same as above
24 Weeks or Older (if required by law):
Rabies (e.g. Merial Purevax™, recombinant)
1 Year:
FVRCP booster (optional = titer)
1+ Year:
Rabies, same as above but separated by 2-3 weeks from FVRCP
Perform vaccine antibody titers for panleukopenia virus every three years thereafter, or more often, if desired. Vaccinate for rabies virus according to the law, except where circumstances indicate that a written waiver needs to be obtained from the primary care veterinarian. In that case, a rabies antibody titer can also be performed to accompany the waiver request. Visit Rabies Challenge Fund.
W. Jean Dodds, DVM
Hemopet / NutriScan
11561 Salinaz Avenue
Garden Grove, CA 92843
DARWIN’S PET FOOD RECALL
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Tips for How to Pick the Right Pet Insurance
From Top Dog Tips (www.topdogtips.com)
Since 2009, the number of pet health insurance companies in North America has exploded, and more pet owners today than ever before are in search of great companies and the best coverage plan. But what makes a coverage plan the “best” for you and your pet?
The goal of having pet health insurance is to save money on your vet bills. However, picking the best pet insurance plan can become complicated when you’re not sure what to look for, and the wrong option can cost you more in the end. With so many pet insurance choices available today, doing the research and comparing all available plans can save you hundreds of dollars every year. So here’s what you must know before you set out to pick the right type of plan and provider for your dogs and cats.
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Pet Health Insurance Facts and Tips
How to Pick the Right Provider and Coverage Plan?
Since the US pet health insurance industry got its first start back in 1982 (Nationwide was the first), it has been growing at staggering rates. North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) has been reporting consistent growth over the years. Here are some current numbers:
- 1.8 million pets insured in the United States
- 220,000 pets insured in Canada
- 4.8 years is the average age of insured pets
Average annual premiums:
- Accidents and illness plans – $496 per pet
- Accidents only – $163 per pet
- Average claim amount paid out – $264
Most popular types of coverage:
- Accidents and illness insurance – 98%
- Accidents only – 2%
The growth rate of the pet health insurance industry is nothing short of impressive, too. For example, the total premium volume combined at the end of 2016 was reported at $836.6 million (this is a +21.4% increase from the previous year). Here’s what the last few years looked like:
- End of 2015 – $688.9 million (+17.1% increase from the year before)
- End of 2014 – $588.4 million (+17.7% increase from the year before)
- End of 2013 – $499.8 million
Currently, there are 12 major pet insurance providers in North America, and we’ll discuss those below. The reason for their existence is the expensive pet care that dog owners and cat owners have to deal with, which includes veterinary bills, surgeries, health supplies and preventative treatments. According to data collected by American Pet Products Association (APPA), pet owners spend staggering amounts every year.
Total estimated pet health sales in the U.S. for 2017:
- Veterinary care – $16.62 billion
- OTC Medicine – $14.93 billion
This can be broken down into several categories. On average, below is what an pet owner would spend.
Surgical expenses:
- Dog – $474 per year
- Cat – $245 per year
Routine health expenses:
- Dog – $257 per year
- Cat – $182 per year
Vitamins and supplements:
- Dog – $58 per year
- Cat – $46 per year
This is just a fraction of pet care expenses that majority of pet owners in the USA and Canada will encounter. All these numbers combined result in a hefty sum, which explains why pet health insurance is becoming more popular every year, as more pet owners try to provide the best possible care while saving a good chunk of money in the process.
19 Pet Health Insurance Tips to Help You Pick the Best Plan
With so many pet health insurance providers offering different coverage plans it’s becoming increasingly difficult to understand and pick the right one that fits the bill for you and your pet. Here are nineteen questions you should probably ask yourself and the provider before making the final decision.
1. Who’s the Best?
Compare all available pet insurance plans.
Do the research and begin comparing all pet insurance providers and their plans side-by-side to see their costs for premiums, co-pays, deductibles, reimbursements and other vital details.
2. How Old is the Provider?
It’s a clever idea to pick someone with more experience.
The longer pet insurance provider has been around, the more experience and budget they are likely to have, offering better terms. It’s also much easier to find feedback and reviews of an older provider.
3. Are They State Licensed?
Not every provider can legally sell insurance in all states.
When buying pet insurance online, make sure the company is allowed to sell it in your state. Also consider if your pet will be covered in case you move to a different state in the future.
4. Is There a Money Back Guarantee?
This is a wonderful way to test the provider with minimal risk.
Majority of pet insurance providers will offer a money back guarantee period, which is when you get all the paperwork and review it thoroughly. If you’re unhappy, take your money back and move on.
5. Are They Dependable?
Check insurance provider’s reviews and track record.
After comparing plans, go through their reviews online, ask for feedback on forums, and do some research on their track record so you know you can count on them to pay when the time comes.
6. Do They Offer Medical Review?
This is a list of coverage exclusions which can make or break the deal.
Make sure that your provider offers and does the medical review before your money back guarantee expires. That way if you’re unhappy with their exclusions, you can move onto the next one.
7. Can You Pick Your Own Vet?
Some providers may not allow you to pick your own vet.
In most cases, it’s best that you’re allowed to pick your own veterinarian. Company assigned veterinarian may not be close to your location or simply isn’t someone you trust enough.
8. Is Their Customer Support Good?
Great customer services is often worth the extra cost.
There’s nothing more frustrating than having your provider ignore calls or keep you on hold for hours. Before you pick one, call them, email them and check their website to see how they’re doing.
9. What Happens When You Go Out of State?
If you plan to travel with your pet out of state, this is important.
Check if your plan covers any veterinarian or specialist visits when you’re traveling out of state. Most insurance providers offer that, and some even provide coverage for vet visits in foreign countries.
10. Will There Be Restrictions?
Read their plan details in full to know what your pet is covered for.
Go through the provider’s insurance plan in full to know what may affect your pet’s coverage and what exactly is covered. Pay special attention to pre-existing conditions and what may increase premiums.
11. What’s Best for Your Case?
Only pick a type of coverage that will work specifically for your situation.
Read about their different coverage types and consider what’s worth it and what isn’t for your pet. Sometimes just routine wellness coverage is enough while other times you may want full coverage.
12. What Is Their Bilateral Conditions Policy?
Many providers have restrictions on the bilateral conditions policy.
Health conditions like hip dysplasia or cruciate injuries may not be covered fully with some plans. Make sure you understand what is the provider’s policy on these and other bilateral conditions.
13. How Are You Getting Paid?
Choose the type of reimbursement that fits the bill.
Insurance providers have several ways they calculate reimbursement. Consider if you’re more comfortable with a benefit schedule, percentage of invoice or the UCR structure.
14. How Long Before You Get Paid?
Find out how long you’ll have to wait before you’re reimbursed.
You’ll pay the vet bill out of your own pocket, so after you check the type of reimbursement, make sure you know how long it takes your chosen provider to pay you back. Read reviews to confirm this.
15. Is It Worth It?
Think about the price you pay for the value that you’re getting.
Pet insurance may not always be the best choice for you. If a provider is cheap but doesn’t offer a plan that doesn’t cover what your pet needs, there’s no point in using them. Move onto the next one.
16. How Healthy Is Your Pet?
Try to avoid enrolling your pet when he’s old or unhealthy.
Some providers will either offer only limited insurance, or charge an arm and a leg for older pets or those who already have health issues. In many cases, pet insurance is not worth it for older pets.
17. What About Premium Increases?
Pay attention when and by how much your premiums will increase.
All pet insurance providers will increase their premiums at some point. Make sure you know when and who they do this, and by how much you should expect your premiums to increase. It must be in writing.
18. Did You Negotiate?
It never hurts to ask for discounts or special plans.
After picking several best insurance providers, ask for any possible discounts. Some may offer a reduced price for households with multiple pets, while others will give you a discount simply because you asked.
19. Have You Considered Other Options?
Pet insurance is not always the best choice for every case.
If after all the research you still cannot find an ideal provider to fit your and your pet’s needs, consider skipping pet insurance and simply starting a “pet emergency fund.” Save up for that rainy day.
Comparing Popular Pet Insurance Providers
While the number of pet health insurance providers is growing, we still have only a handful of major providers that are well-known to pet owners in the US and Canada. Here are the twelve companies that have been offering the best pet health insurance plans for dogs and cats over the last decade.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
Website: https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/
Plans available for dogs and cats that are 8 weeks or older, and there is no upper age limit.
Annual coverage limits range from $2,500 to $20,000 depending on plan. There are unlimited options available on certain plans. Choice of deductibles from $100 to $500 and reimbursement levels of 70%, 80% and 90% of the vet bill.
AKC Pet Insurance
Website: https://www.akcpetinsurance.com/
Plans available for dogs 8 weeks and older, and for cats 10 weeks and older; up to any age for accident coverage and before ninth birthday for illness coverage.
Annual coverage limits range from $3,000 to $16,000. There is a lifetime limit per injury or illness of $1,500 to $8,000. Deductibles from $100 to $1,000 and reimbursement up to 80% of eligible charges.
Embrace Pet Insurance
Website: https://www.embracepetinsurance.com/
Plans available for dogs and cats up to the age of 14 years old.
Annual coverage limits range from $5,000 to $15,000. Choice of deductibles from $200 to $1,000 and reimbursement levels of 65%, 80% or 90%.
Figo Pet Insurance
Website: https://figopetinsurance.com/
Plans available for dogs and cats aged 6 weeks and older with no upper age limits.
Annual coverage limits of $10,000, $14,000 and unlimited. Choice of deductibles of $50, $100, $200 and $500 and reimbursement levels of 70%, 80%, 90% and 100%.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Website: https://www.healthypawspetinsurance.com/
Plans available for dogs and cats of 8 weeks and up to the age of 14 years old.
There is no annual or per incident caps on coverage and unlimited lifetime benefits. Choice of deductibles range from $100 to $500 and reimbursement levels of 70%, 80% and 90%.
Trupanion Pet Insurance
Website: https://trupanion.com/
Plans available for dogs and cats of 8 weeks and up to the age of 14 years old.
There is only one plan with no payout limits. Deductibles range between $0 and $1,000.
Nationwide Pet Insurance
Website: https://www.petinsurance.com/
Plans available for dogs and cats up to age of 10 years old.
Annual deductible choices are $100 or $250.
24PetWatch Pet Insurance
Website: https://www.24petwatch.com/us/pet_insurance/
Plans available for dogs of 10 weeks and up to 10 years old, and for cats of 8 weeks and up to 12 years old.
Annual coverage limits range from $3,000 to $20,000 with $100 deductible and 80% reimbursement.
In Summary
Having all the needed information and comparing both the company and their plans can help make the right decision that will not only provide all the necessary pet health insurance coverage for your dog or cat, but also save you plenty of money at the end of the year (instead of doing the opposite).
Who’s your provider, which plan have you chosen and why did you make that decision?
References:
How To Treat Tick Bites from The Whole Dog Journal
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Build a Pet First Aid Kit
From “www.doggieandme.com”
Go To: https://www.doggieandme.com/build-a-pet-first-aid-kit.html
Or Preview Below
While you may purchase a pet first aid kit and then add to them. We suggest building a kit of your own. Print the list and then add one item to it every time you go to the store! In no time at all you will have and be familiar with each item in your kit.
Remember to take a Pet First Aid and CPR Class
as the items in your kit are only as good as your knowledge to use them!
Below is a list of items we suggest for a basic kit.
as the items in your kit are only as good as your knowledge to use them!
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Latex-Free Gloves
Cotton Swabs (*Q-Tips) Small and Large plastic Syringe (*No needles) BPS Free Water Bottle (filled) Blunt Nose Scissors Ticked-Off Tick Remover CPR Shield Tweezers Digital Thermometer White Adhesive Roll Tape Non-Stick Pads for Burns (6) Gauze Squares (10) Gauze Rolls (4) Flex-Wrap Self-Adhering Elastic Bandage Triangular Bandage for slings/splints or bandannas Emergency Blanket Portable Food and Water Bowl Emergency Meal and Water Doggie Walk Bags Pets Toy Emergency ID Tag |
Pet First Aid Book
Emergency contact names and numbers Some ER Cash One-Size-Fits-All Temporary Muzzle Extra Leashes and or “D” Leash Cold Packs Antiseptic Towelettes 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (4 fl oz) Saline Solution Eye Wash (4 fl oz) Iodine Swab Sticks / Antiseptic Triple Antibiotic Ointment (*Neosporian) 1% Hydrocortisone Cream / Anti-inflammatory Tri-Buffered Aspirin Tablets (as prescribed by vet) Diphen Tablets/Antihistamine (*Benadryl) Diotame Tablets/Antacid (*Tums) Simethicone (*Gas-X) Antibacterial Soap (*Dial barsoap) Chlorexidine Cleanser (*Hibiclens) Water Based Protectant (*K-Y Jelly) Styptic Powder |
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Special items in my own kit include;
Pedialyte
Witch Hazel or Vinegar Gold Bond Powder (*Vetericyn) Aloe Vera Activated Charcoal Liquid Bandage |
Additional Items in my home;
Ginger Snap Cookies
Plain Yogurt (for Probiotics) Epson Salts Pure Pumpkin Mineral Oil Homeopaths |
as the items in your kit are only as good as your knowledge to use them!
Sweetheart Fights Cancer With Angel Fund’s Help
In September, 2015, Elaine Leonard’s 14-year-old cat, Sweetheart, was not feeling well. She was coughing and lethargic and Elaine decided she should take her to see her veterinarian.
She lives in Orange and OC Veterinary Medical Center, owned by Dr. Jeffery Horn, was not far from her home. Doctors there ran tests and examined Sweetheart, a Maine Coon breed. They found respiratory problems and a large mass in her chest. They suspected cancer and lymphoma. She also had some other physical issues.
Dr. Cooper (a veterinarian who no longer works at the hospital) told Elaine that “this is serious. Sweetheart has a very large mass and you’d better think about things and what you want to do.” She added that the animal might need surgery.
“I told them that I was not going to let my 14-year-old cat have surgery,” Elaine said. She was concerned because of Sweetheart’s age and because of the expense – she did not believe she could afford an operation.
Dr. Horn prescribed antibiotics and pain medication and referred Elaine to Veterinary Cancer Group in Tustin, which has several oncology specialists on staff. Sweetheart was examined there in November by Dr. David Bommarito, who is board certified in both oncology and radiation oncology.
Dr. Bommarito told Elaine that her cat might be treatable with chemotherapy. But she chose to provide palliative care. “My option for choosing palliative care was that I couldn’t afford the expense of chemo treatment and didn’t want her to suffer any possible side effects,” Elaine said.
A retiree on a fixed income, she applied to Angel Fund for help with her bill. Her request was granted. Veterinary Cancer Group also contributed. Elaine said that “of course” she appreciated the help and said that she also appreciated what Angel Fund has done to help many other pet owners.
She took Sweetheart home – although she had regular appointments with Dr. Horn. The cat did pretty well for a few months. “She was walking around and eating and drinking until shortly before she died” on March 25, 2016, Elaine said. “On that last visit to Dr. Horn, he said to bring her in when you’re ready” for euthanasia.
But, she said, Sweetheart seemed to be doing OK. “I had her on morphine and I just wanted to keep her comfortable. She was eating and drinking and responding. A week before she passed – she was a big cat and she’d never done this before – she pawed her was up on my bed and she got very close to me and she lay down next to my body. She never had cuddled with me before.”
Within a few days Sweetheart was gone.