First Aid For Pets: Be Prepared

Dr. Debbye Turner Tells What To Have On Hand And How To Use It

(CBS) 

BURNS

Rinse the burned area with a gentle stream of cool water. Apply an ice pack to the area. The ice shouldn't be placed directly on the skin. Put it in a plastic bag or wrap and cover it with a cloth or thin towel. Then take the animal directly to the veterinarian. Note: DON'T use any ointments, gels, Vaseline, butter, or other oily substance on the burned area. That may cause further damage.

And yes, it's possible for your pet to get sunburned, especially animals with white fur, thin hair (as young or old animals are more likely to have), or in areas that have no hair. The best idea is to prevent sunburn by putting sun block on the exposed skin of your pet, such as the nose, tips of ears, and hairless part of the abdomen. If these areas do get sunburned, applying a cool, wet towel will provide immediate relief for the pet. And applying aloe vera gel to the burns will help with the healing process.

HYPERTHERMIA

If your pet is exposed to prolonged periods of heat and sunlight, her or she will be susceptible to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Signs of heat exhaustion are excessive panting, anxiousness, dry gums, redden skin (most easily seen on the ears). The signs of heat stroke are lethargy, wobbly walking, and loss of consciousness.

If either of these occur, cool the pet right away and, as always, get him or her to the veterinarian. Put the animal in a shaded or air conditioned area, wet the body with cool (not cold) water. Rubbing isopropyl alcohol on the belly and fanning the area will help dissipate the heat. If a pet is suffering from heat stroke, don't try to give water. Get him or her to the vet immediately.

HIT BY CAR

If you see an animal that's been hit by a car, or you hit the animal accidentally, first be cautious of all oncoming traffic before trying to reach the animal. Approach cautiously. Even a severely injured pet can bite you.

As someone helps with directing traffic, cover the pet with a blanket or towel. Apply a muzzle (using the technique described above) before handling the animal. If the animal cannot stand on its own, there's a good chance that there are neck, back or head injuries, so try to gently transfer the animal to a flat surface. Then transport on that flat surface to the nearest veterinarian. Picking up or hand-carrying the animal may worsen the injuries.