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In addition to the basic first aid necessities (plenty of gauze dressings and bandages, tweezers, cotton swabs, a bulb syringe, and a variety of herbal medicines), we also carry a homeopathic travel kit with us wherever we go. Homeopathic remedies are compact, convenient, effective, and especially useful for emergency situations. It's also important to learn canine and feline cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the ABCs of basic first aid. Regardless of how extensive your first aid kit or classroom training might be, everything you compile is
functionally useless if you are unable to react properly in a crisis situation. The most critical aspects of emergency preparedness are proactive study and mental conditioning. An emergency situation is a poor time to read up on what to do or give. During a crisis, time is of the essence, especially if your companion is bleeding severely or having a difficult time breathing. When placed under the stress of an emotional, adrenaline-pumped situation (such as after you watch your cat get hit by a careless motorist), the human mind loses much of its ability to formulate an effective plan of action-the mind begins to race, the knees start to shake, dizziness sets in, and it's difficult to think. Instead of thinking the situation through, the brain must react by instinct. If there is no plan imbedded deep in the mind's subconscious, panic sets in and all control of the situation is lost to a rampant avalanche of emotion and confusion.
Panic is our worst enemy in an emergency situation because the confusion it causes paralyzes our abilities to take effective actions. It's best to prepare for stressful emergency situations before they occur. This is done by visualizing crisis situations so that the mind is better prepared to respond intuitively and effectively when a real emergency occurs. For instance, if you are an avid backcountry equestrian, spend some time each week with your eyes closed, imagining various emergency situations that could occur to you and your companion on your upcoming trail trips. Be creative but realistic in your visualization of each unfortunate event-imagine the fall, your companion's pain and terror, your racing heart, and the initial surge of panic and doubt that starts to envelop you. Then imagine overcoming that surge and taking control of your emotions to assess the situation. Imagine opening your first aid kit and systematically selecting the items your companion needs as you calm him down by softly petting him and assuring him that you are in charge of the situation. Imagine yourself remedying the situation and knowing that everything will be fine.
When we worked in emergency services, we called this exercise "crisis rehearsal"-others call it "creative visualization." To some of you, this may sound like a program for paranoia, but it is quite the opposite.
Paranoia is born from fear and a conscious sense of being helpless and out of control. Crisis rehearsal builds confidence and subconsciously prepares the mind for unforeseeable events. Each time you practice this technique, your subconscious mind stores experiential memories from which to act in emergencies. In other words, you don't need to think, worry, or be paranoid of unforeseeable possibilities each time you take your companion on an adventure-instead, you have the elements of effective crisis management stored beneath the enjoyment of your adventure, where instinct can retrieve and use them if the need arises. This is an extremely effective technique for preparing for the worst. It has saved our lives and the lives of others more than a few times. Crisis rehearsal can make the difference between life and death for you and your companion.
Bites and Stings
If your companion receives a bite or a sting, the first course of action is to try to identify what launched the attack. Of course, this is not always possible, but if you can learn about the nature of the bite or sting, you will be more effective at treating it. In most cases, the primary course of action is to minimize pain, swelling, and the possibility of infection with the use of astringent and antimicrobial herbs. A poultice or infusion of plantain, sage, bee balm, mullein, calendula, or chamomile can be directly applied to the site of an insect bite or sting for these purposes. To make a poultice, simply mash a few fresh leaves of the herb with a small amount of water to make a crude pestolike paste. In the field, the herb can be crushed and chewed in your mouth, then applied as a paste to the wound. Oregon grape, goldenseal, myrrh, thyme, or echinacea tincture, oil infusion, or salve can be applied to the area if stronger antimicrobial agents are warranted. One or all of these herbal preparations are excellent choices for building a first aid kit. An infusion of rosemary can be used for a bite or sting to gently bathe and soothe the surrounding area. Adding 6-8 drops of tea tree oil diluted in 1 ounce of water is also good for direct application to bites and stings, but be careful with animals who have sensitive skin-the oil is strong.
For severe welts and inflammation, strong astringents such as decoctions of uva ursi, rose bark, white oak bark, or juniper leaves can be liberally applied to affected areas. A clay poultice made with bentonite clay is also effective, especially when herbs such as echinacea and Oregon grape are added to support lymphatic functions and inhibit
infection. When applied to the site of a sting or bite, the clay pulls antigens away from the body to reduce swelling and help prevent capillary transport of venom into other areas.
Bites from toxic spiders, such as the brown recluse or black widow, or venomous snakes should be immediately followed with large doses of vitamin C and echinacea to build the body's immune defenses and increase
lymphatic cleansing of involved tissues. Immediate administration of the appropriate homeopathic remedy is also highly advisable. In the case of a bee or wasp sting, the homeopathic remedies Apis and Ledum help relieve
stinging and swelling. If there is an anaphylactic reaction, or if the airway is compromised in any way, get to a veterinarian immediately. If you already know that your companion is predisposed to acute allergic
reactions, you should be carrying a prescription injectible epinephrine and antihistamine kit (Anakit or Epipen) that helps to antidote your animal's reaction to insect or reptile venoms. See your veterinarian about obtaining a kit.
Bruises, Bumps, and Other Blunt Traumas
Contusions (bruises) are caused when blunt impact or crushing pressure causes tissue damage and bleeding beneath the skin. In humans, contusions are usually characterized by their purplish red color. Since animals have different skin pigments and hair, feathers, fur, or scales to hide such evidence of injury, contusions and other forms of traumatic, subdermal hematoma must be identified by other symptoms. Usually there is swelling and tenderness at the site of a contusion. The animal may favor or lick the injured body area. Close examination (beneath the animal's
coat) usually reveals discoloration.
Since contusions are contained beneath the skin, the risk of infection is low (provided the animal is healthy to begin with). First aid usually begins with applying an ice pack to slow bleeding and assist the coagulation process. Contrary to what some herbalists may think, arnica oil or salve is sometimes contraindicated in the early treatment of contusions or subdermal hematoma. Arnica, being a peripheral vasodilator that works rapidly, may actually increase bleeding at the site of injury. Instead of reaching for your handy first aid vial of arnica oil, reach for an oil infusion of yarrow. Yarrow is remarkable because it acts as a vasodilator when ingested but as a fast-acting vasoconstrictor and hemostatic agent when applied topically. This makes it very useful for reducing the severity of fresh contusions, especially when combined with an oil infusion of Saint-John's-wort. Having a special affinity toward the repair of crushed nerve endings, Saint-John's-wort helps to relieve pain and minimize the possibility of lasting nerve impairment. Comfrey oil, salve, and poultice are also excellent first aid devices for blunt trauma injuries because they gently assist with lymph circulation without contributing to internal bleeding, and they accelerate the regeneration of damaged cell structures.
Burns and Scalds
There are two important considerations to keep in mind when your companion suffers a burn. One is that until the site of the injury cools down, cellular damage can continue for several minutes after a burn first occurs. This is especially true if the burn was caused by steam or scalding fluid, which can penetrate tissues and carry injurious heat deep beneath the skin. Another consideration to keep in mind is that when the skin is damaged, its ability to resist infection is greatly impaired. To defend itself against invading bacteria, the skin relies upon delicate cell membranes and thousands of tiny capillaries to carry lymph, blood, and various antibodies throughout its structure. When a burn occurs, circulation is obstructed within the site of injury, and the deprived tissues are left vulnerable to infection.
The first course in treating a burn is to cool it down. Ideally, the site of the burn should be liberally irrigated with cool sterile saline, which greatly reduces the continued destruction of cells. If sterile saline is not available, clean water (preferably distilled), snow, or ice can be generously applied-just keep in mind that the area you are
irrigating is especially susceptible to any infectious microbes that may be in the water (i.e., the cleaner it is, the better). Never apply a salve, oil, or ointment to a burn-these types of preparations can seal in heat and bacteria, making the situation worse. Don't cover the burned area with a bandage either unless you can keep the dressing continually soaked with cool, clean water. If the burn appears to be deep (second or third degree) or if it involves the mouth, nose, feet, or a large percentage of the animal's body, get the animal to a veterinarian immediately-the situation might be serious.
The second course of action (for minor burns) is to take continuing measures to assure that the burn is kept clean. Irrigate the burn several times each day with sterile saline. Aloe juice can be directly applied to the burn after each irrigation to help fight infection, reduce pain, and speed the healing process. A cooled tea of chaparral, calendula, or gotu kola can be effective for these purposes as well, as might a poultice of fresh chickweed. Comfrey is useful too, but it should not be applied until you are absolutely sure that the risk of infection has passed. Comfrey
heals wounds so fast that it can seal bacteria or fungi into the wound! A skin rinse of chamomile, peppermint, catnip, bee balm, or thyme may bring relief from pain. Lavender oil (8 drops diluted into each ounce of clean
water) is also good for relieving the pain of burns and scalds.
The homeopathic remedies Apis and Urtica spp. (nettle) are effective treatments for burns. We keep a bottle of diluted Urtica tincture in our kitchen for use on burns. It takes the sting away immediately and prevents blistering. It can also be given internally.
To help the healing process from inside out, dietary supplements of vitamins C and E are important, as are fatty acids. Gotu kola can be added to an animal's diet to help with skin regeneration, as can horsetail.
Fractures
Obviously, herbs cannot be expected to realign and set a broken bone, but a variety of herbs are useful throughout the postclinical healing process. Horsetail, nettle, comfrey, and alfalfa all contain nutritional components that play important roles in the healing of bone tissue. Yarrow and ginkgo help by increasing blood circulation in impaired extremities. Licorice, yucca, devil's claw, Saint-John's-wort, and cayenne are all useful for reducing inflammation and pain. Valerian, skullcap, passionflower, or hop can be used to help a recovering animal rest and relax.
Heatstroke, Hyperthermia, and Heat Exhaustion
Heatstroke or heat exhaustion can occur as a result of too much strenuous exercise or excessive exposure to heat. If heatstroke is not treated immediately the animal's body temperature may rise to irreversible levels and brain damage, kidney failure, or death may quickly follow. Symptoms of heat illness include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, high body temperature (above 104° F for a dog or cat), lethargy or collapse, loss of appetite, bloody diarrhea or vomit, increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate, reddened tongue or eye tissues, hot and flushed skin, and seizures or coma.
Perhaps the most common cause of heat-related illness and death in dogs and cats occurs when they are left in cars on a warm or hot day. Don't ever leave your companion in the car unless the weather is mild, there is ample shade to park under, the windows can be left rolled down, and the animal is left with plenty of drinking water. Even on days that don't seem hot, the temperature in a well-ventilated vehicle can exceed 100° F in a matter of minutes. With the windows rolled up, the temperature can climb to 180° F (a steak cooks at 140° F)! Dogs and cats need to pant and get fresh air to cool themselves. If you find an animal in a car that is closed up, try to contact the owner and offer to give a bowl of water to his or her companion who "looks thirsty." If done in a nonthreatening way, without offending the person, you could save an animal's life. If the person insists on letting the animal suffer, call the local law enforcement agency.
If your companion displays signs of heat-related illness, get to a cool area immediately, wet the animal with water, and if possible, take the animal's rectal temperature. If the animal's temperature seems abnormally high, get to a vet immediately. If you are carrying a homeopathic kit with you, you might try administering a dose of Glonoinum
(30C) while enroute. Rescue Remedy (a flower essence formula) might be helpful as well. Allow your animal to drink as much cool water as he needs.
After the danger has passed and your companion appears to be recovering, you can begin replacing lost minerals and nutrients by feeding him herbs such as nettle or chickweed tea.
Motion Sickness
Motion sickness is fairly common among dogs and cats, especially puppies and those who seldom take rides in cars. The causes of motion sickness are varied. The inner ears of puppies and other young animals continue to develop until the animals approach adolescence, which means that their equilibrium may be especially sensitive to motion. Another factor comes into play in animals who are frightened or become hyperactive during car rides. In these animals, extreme nervousness may cause stomach upset, dizziness, or hyperventilation, all of which can result in vomiting.
In most cases, motion sickness becomes less of a problem as an animal matures or becomes accustomed to the feeling of hurtling through space in a "crate on wheels." Have you ever thought about how an animal might
perceive such an unnatural occurrence as a car ride? With this in mind, it's important to help your companion to consider car rides to be fun as early in life as possible. Make a point to play with your companion at the
destinations of her first couple dozen car trips to replace confusion and fear with anticipation of a good time. For many animals, this approach is effective. We dearly remember riding to our mountain cabin with our dog
Mollie on weekends. The winding highway and steep ravines often made her nervous and carsick, so each time we reached the most challenging part of the highway, we would begin saying to her, "Get your Frisbee! Get your
stick! Do you want to go swimming? Find the cat (her beloved friend and playmate)!" After a few verses of this, her mind would be so focused on the playtime that would soon follow that she would forget about the
frightening ride and car sickness wasn't a problem. Eventually, her nervousness during car rides was completely replaced by the thrill of another adventure.
Of course, some animals may never get over motion sickness, and anything that might help is certainly appreciated, especially if you're sharing a subcompact sedan with a Newfoundland. Ginger, peppermint,
catnip, fennel, or dill might help relieve an upset stomach that might lead to vomiting. Ginkgo is known to improve blood circulation in the inner ear and may help with equilibrium problems. Valerian helps calm a
hyperactive animal and also eases a nervous stomach. Skullcap, passionflower, and oatstraw are all excellent nervine-sedatives that can help reduce nervous anxiety. Of course, before you try any of these (in
combination or singularly), give Rescue Remedy (flower essences) a try. A few drops on your animal's tongue just before you get into the car might make the difference between an unpleasant episode and a fun car ride.
Penetrating Injuries (Cuts, Scrapes, Punctures)
Penetrating injuries are part of life, especially if you have an active outdoor animal. Animals tolerate wounds much better than we humans do, and provided animals have healthy lymph and immune systems and no blood-clotting disorders, minor open injuries usually heal quickly and completely. The primary concern here is that the injury is kept clean and as well ventilated as cleanliness allows. From a holistic perspective, an animal licking his open wound is a naturalpart of the healing process. This is how animals cleanse wounds, and, in fact, the saliva of dogs and cats contain antimicrobial properties that help fight infection and speed healing.
At the onset of a penetrating injury, the first course of action is to make sure that the bleeding is in no way life threatening. If bleeding is profuse, nothing serves as a better hemostatic agent than a half-and-half mix of powdered cayenne and yarrow. When applied liberally and directly into a wound, these two herbs work amazingly well to stop hemorrhage and inhibit infection. After the powder is applied, gauze compresses can then be placed on top to assist the process and keep the injury clean. Treat for shock, and get your companion to a veterinarian
immediately.
If the wound does not appear to be life threatening, allow it to flush and seal itself, and thoroughly clean the site with fresh water (use sterile saline if possible) or some hydrogen peroxide as soon as possible. Oregon grape, goldenseal, Saint-John's-wort, thyme, sage, echinacea, or yarrow tea or liniment can be used to irrigate the wound each day to help prevent infection. Tea tree oil is effective too, but it must be diluted. Add 8 drops into 1 ounce of olive, almond, or apricot kernel oil. Calendula, comfrey, gotu kola, or aloe can be added to the daily regimen
after risk of infection has passed to help speed the healing process and reduce scarring. Any or all of the herbs we just mentioned can be used in the form of a first aid salve that is applied between each daily cleansing. The salve is also useful for field treatment of minor wounds.
Poisoning
A shocking number of companion animals die each year of poisoning. Some cases involve cruel human intent, others an unfortunate discovery or accident. But most companion animal poisonings are the direct result of
carelessness. Improperly stored or disposed of automotive antifreeze fluid represents one of the most frequest causes of accidental animal poisoning. Ethylene glycol, the compound that is found in antifreeze, has a sweet
flavor that is especially appealing to dogs, cats, and other animals. It destroys the kidneys, and as little as 1 tablespoon can be fatal to a medium or large dog.
Lead poisoning from old house paint, discarded batteries, spilled petroleum products, or industrial waste is also a common cause of companion animal poisoning. Pesticides, herbicides, and household cleaning chemicals are familiar toxins as well.
The mechanisms by which poisons act against the body are as varied as their chemistries. Lead-based poisons cause brain damage, while pesticides, herbicides, and household chemicals may cause nervous system
damage, liver and kidney damage, internal bleeding, hypoxic blood disorders, or even cancer. Certain plants may cause poisoning too, although animals are less likely to ingest them, and their effects are mostly limited to digestive upset, photosensitive reactions, rashes, and in a few cases, internal bleeding. Food poisoning is usually limited to the digestive tract and is generally corrected by vomiting.
The chemical structure of a poison and the way it behaves in the body dictates the manner in which an animal is treated. In some cases, vomiting is induced to expel the poison from the body as quickly as possible. But in other instances, such as ingestion of petroleum products or acids, vomiting may further compound the problem by allowing poison to enter the lungs or burn the esophagus on the way out. This makes a general approach
to poisoning impossible and illustrates why it's critically important to identify the source of poisoning as quickly as possible.
To prepare for the unforeseeable, keep some activated charcoal on hand. This is fed to a poisoned animal under the direction of a veterinarian to help absorb many forms of poison as the animal is rushed to the veterinary hospital.
If a poisoning happens, don't waste time with home treatment-get your companion to a veterinarian immediately! If two or more humans are present, one should transport the animal, the other(s) should confirm the identity of the suspected poison and relay the information to the waiting veterinarian.
Although many types of herbs such as violet root, elderberry, and aloe can be used to induce vomiting in certain cases of poisoning, this action is not recommended unless you know the exact nature of the poison and the proper course of action. Guessing can be fatal. Therefore, herbs are best reserved to support and help rejuvenate an animal's body after the crisis has passed.
To help repair the liver after a poisoning, milk thistle is strongly indicated. If the liver is inflamed, licorice may be of benefit. Mild cholagogue, alterative, and diuretic herbs, such as dandelion (root and leaf), burdock, alfalfa, and red clover, assist the body in efforts to eliminate residual toxins and their metabolic by-products. Yellow dock is believed to help remove heavy metals from the body. Immunostimulant and antioxidant herbs such as echinacea and garlic give the immune system a needed boost, while adaptogens such as astragalus or Siberian ginseng can
help improve the body's overall responses to the added stress. If kidney damage is evident, marshmallow, corn silk, ginkgo, hawthorn, horsetail, and couch grass are all candidates for use.
If you wish to learn more about poisonings or need help during an emergency, call the Animal Poison Control Center at (900) 680-0000. The cost as of 1999 is $20.00 for the first five minutes, $2.95 for each additional minute. You can also call (800) 548-2423 for a flat fee of $45.
Shock
Shock occurs when the vascular system is unable to provide adequate blood supply to vital organs. Hemorrhagic shock is caused when blood pressure and volume are reduced as a result of internal or external bleeding. Cardiogenic shock occurs when heart disease or dysfunction causes a reduction of blood delivery to other organs. Septic shock is caused when bacteria invade the heart muscle, other organs, or the blood itself and cause enough injury to cells to interfere with their ability to utilize oxygen. All types of shock create a situation where various body tissues are deprived of oxygen that would normally be provided by the blood. Shock is therefore a life-threatening situation that demands immediate and decisive first aid attention. Get to a vet! You must stop bleeding and take measures to increase blood volume immediately. If the animal's breathing is labored, try to position his body in a way that appears to make breathing easier. If possible, try to keep the lower half of the animal's body slightly higher than the heart and head-this helps to keep blood volume at the brain, heart, and lungs.
While enroute to the veterinarian, Rescue Remedy can be applied to the ears, paws, or lips of a conscious or unconscious animal. Touch, acupressure, and homeopathic remedies (Aconite and Arnica) may also prove
helpful. If you've been trained, be prepared to perform CPR in the event of cardiac arrest.
After a shock crisis is over, cardiopulmonary function can be assisted with the use of cardiovascular tonics. Hawthorn and ginkgo can be fed to strengthen the heart and increase blood circulation throughout the body. Yarrow or cayenne can be used to increase blood circulation and oxygenation in the lungs. Nettle, Spirulina, and alfalfa are good nutritives for building healthy blood. Garlic feeds the blood and also has antioxidant, vascular tonic, and immunotonic qualities.
Text Copyright © 1999 by BowTieTM Press
Jacket and book design copyright © 1999 by Michele Lanci-Altomare
Photographs copyright © 1999 by Greg Tilford
Illustrations copyright © 1999 by Mike Uyesugi
All rights reserved. No part of this book (text) may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of BowTie PressTM, except the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.
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