THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CLXXXIV

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by any brand, manufacturer
or supplier. It is meant for informational purposes only. Neither Stinky, Periwinkle, Kitties Blue nor The Cat on My Head personally endorse
or recommend any products mentioned here.

Periwinkle’s Arrival

Stinky is fairly certain that even though today’s adventure is going to be very helpful for pet owners, it may not be that much fun for Periwinkle and him. Nonetheless, they will get to spend the day together, which is always enjoyable. As Stinky waits for Periwinkle, he is thinking about all the supplies they will need for today. He is caught off guard when the teleportation begins to shake, but he’s ready when Periwinkle comes whooshing out.

The two tabbies spend several minutes paw hugging and whisker kissing before Periwinkle asks the inevitable question: “So what’s on the agenda today, Stinky?”

National Pet First Aid Awareness Month

“Something that may not be much fun, but I think important to share with our readers,” Stinky replies. Periwinkle gives him a quizzical look before he can explain. Stinky quickly continues, “April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month. It’s the American Red Cross’s way of drawing attention to the need for pet owners to know specialized pet first aid.”

“Okay, so what is the plan with regard to pet first aid?” asks Periwinkle.

“Well I thought we could let our friends’ humans know what to put in their cat-specific first aid kit.“

“Stinky, you are right, that doesn’t sound like much fun, but it is important. And, even though, our fursibs and most of our friends are inside cats, it doesn’t mean they’ll never get hurt or sick.”

“Very true, Periwinkle. You know my big brother, Angel Mau, was bitten by a neighbor cat in 2017. He was an inside/outside cat, but it is still possible to get bitten or scratched by one of your fursibs. Here’s a couple of photos to show how serious injuries like this can be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“My mom and dad cleaned him up really well and put antiseptic on the wound before bandaging it up.”

Pre-Made First Aid Kits

“Lots of retailers like Chewy, Amazon, Walmart and even Etsy have first aid kits for pets, but I think we should let our readers know what kind of things to include if they want to make one for their cat,” Stinky tells Periwinkle.

“That’s a good idea, Stinky, but, most importantly, we need to remind pet parents that a first aid kit is for just that…first aid. Humans always need to take their pet to the vet if they are sick or injured. And that may mean the emergency vet if it is after hours or on a weekend.”

“That’s right, Periwinkle. Though my mom and dad gave first aid to Mau, they took him to the vet the first thing the following morning.”

Cat First Aid Guides

“Most kits will include a first aid guide, but if not or if pet parents want to create their own kit, I found some guides at Amazon,” Stinky tells Periwinkle.

Here are three:

😺 The Cat First Aid book by the American Red Cross, includes the symptoms and care for more than 60 feline health conditions.
It also includes instructions for putting together a pet first aid kit as well as how to administer medications and recognize what constitutes an emergency.

😺 First Aid for Cats: An Owner’s Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet by Stefanie Schwartz, DVM

😺 The First-Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats by Amy Shojai. (My mom knows her. She is the founder of the Cat Writers’ Association and an award winning author who has written 35-plus pet care books.)

Assembling Your Own First Aid Kit

“Stinky, what should our humans include in their cat first aid kit?”

“Here’s a list of suggestions for a cat first aid kit, Periwinkle. These are based on what I found included in some pre-made kits as well as the Red Cross site and the Pet Poison Helpline.

∗ alcohol wipes/prep pads
∗ antiseptic wipes, lotion or spray
∗ latex-free, disposable gloves
∗ sterile saline
∗ cotton balls or swabs
∗ styptic powder or pencil
∗ iodine prep pads
∗ sting relief pads
∗ adhesive tape
∗ sterile, non-stick gauze pads in multiple sizes and gauze rolls
∗ 5 x 9 inch sterile trauma pad
∗ two-inch elastic bandage
∗ instant cold packs
∗ thermal foil emergency blanket
∗ blunt-tip scissors
∗ tweezers
∗ tongue depressor
∗ bottle opener
∗ flexible rectal thermometer with petroleum jelly or other pet-safe lubricant
∗ eyewash
∗ ear-cleaning solution

Additional Important Information

I addition, if purchasing a first aid kit that is not cat specific, items may be included that should not be used for cats, such as hydrogen peroxide.

It is also a good idea to have the phone numbers of your veterinarian, the local 24-hour emergency vet and the ASPCA Poison Control  Center inside the kit.

“Wow, Stinky, you really did your research. I hope our readers will save this post so they can make their own Cat First Aid Kit if they don’t already have one.”

“Thanks, Periwinkle. Maybe, if our readers have any other items they think should be in the kit, they can let us know in the comments.”

“That’s a great idea.”

Visiting Mau & Allie’s Garden

“Stinky, what would you think about going outside in the fresh air and enjoying a snack?” asks Periwinkle.

“That also is a great idea. Since Mau was a part of our post, let’s visit him,” Stinky suggests.

 

 

“I always love visiting this beautiful place, Stinky. It’s so peaceful!”

“I agree, Periwinkle. Let’s have our picnic here.”

 

 

“Stinky, this is a wonderful end to our day. I know the information we provided our readers today was super important, but relaxing with you outside in the sunshine is my definition of a purrfect day.”

“I totally agree, Periwinkle!”

After their snack and a little nap, Stinky and Periwinkle spend time whisker kissing and paw hugging. Then it’s time for Periwinkle to return home, and Stinky accompanies her the the teleportation tunnel. With final waves and blown kisses, Periwinkle enters the tunnel and is gone in a whoosh. Stinky heads to the catio to spend time with his fursibs.

The End

 

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