Lots of people have a 1st Aid kit for the family, but how many of you have one for your animals? Even if you are bundling up Scout for a ride to the vet, these are ideas that can help calm you and the animal down while you are waiting for vet care. In addition to the typical bandages, vet wrap, scissors, and iodine, consider adding the following items:
• Whistle - can come in mighty handy when your voice isn't loud enough in a time of panic or crisis to call attention to yourself. Hang it in the barn or put one in your kit. Teach the family to use it ONLY in an emergency. I have one hanging on a nail in the feed room, in the center aisle of the barn, and in my case that I grab and run out to the pasture with.
• Rescue Remedy - a Bach Flower Essence formula in pill, liquid, and spray form for trauma. Use it on yourself as you are attending to an emergency, as well as your horse or any animal in need. Will help to calm and hopefully avoid going into shock while you take care of the matter or while you are waiting on the vet to arrive.
• Apis 30C - a homeopathic remedy in pill form that is used for bee/wasp stings, snake bites, insect bites, etc. Will not interfere with medication so use it at first sign of the bite.
• Ledum 30C - another homeopathic remedy in pill form for puncture wounds from fencing or teeth
• Cayenne pepper - this hot pepper powder will stop bleeding. I use a wad of gauze pads, dip into a calendula salve first, then dip into the pepper: cover the entire wound with a liberal amount, taking great care not to inhale the pepper or touch your eyes afterwards. You many need to hold pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. One of grandma's home remedies.
• Bottled water with a 1/2 teaspoon of honey and an 1/8 teaspoon sea salt - electrolyte mix in a pinch; use for dehydration, heat exhaustion.
• Wire cutters and leather gloves - this tip was borne out of necessity when we came upon a horse who had stepped into some nasty fencing.
Another tool that we use is a large chalk board in the barn with emergency numbers written LARGE for all eyes to be able to read. When I am getting stressed because a horse decides to colic at 10:00 p.m. at night, it's easy to look at the board, focus on the name and dial the correct number. After all, I'm sure my hoof trimmer wouldn't want me calling him for a colic case!
If you have any tips, stories, or suggestions on emergency care, please drop me a line at comments@wellranch.com. Dr. Cassie is a nationally board certified Doctor of Natural Health, a Master Herbalist, and Certified Nutritional Counselor. Visit www.wellranch.com for more information on holistic care for animals.
