GREENSBORO, N.C. — Our four-legged family members are more than just pets or animals. They have a place in our hearts and usually, our budget shows they are a priority to the family. If something were to happen to them, we would likely be willing to pay thousands of dollars to make sure they were OK. With that in mind, Dr. Julie Buzby is calling on all dog owners to have a first-aid kit.
"They get into the trash or something that they shouldn't around the house. Having the numbers for poison control is crucial. There is a fee for the service, but you will speak with a board-certified vet who is an expert and who will walk you through if it's an emergency or not," said Dr. Julie Buzby.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 888-426-4435
Pet Poison Helpline (Fees) 855-764-7661
Dr. Buzby talks about the first aid kit on her website and shows you the items in it. Then she gives you a checklist of those items and even has a few tutorials about how to use certain items and why there are items in there you may not think about.
"It's important to have a muzzle, even if your dog is the sweetest thing, when there is an injury, it's instinctive fight or flight and your dog may bite. Along with that, blunt tip scissors, as a vet, I've seen numerous dogs that have been cut by well-meaning owners trying to clip out a matt. Sometimes they're called bandage scissors," said Buzby.
Part of the first-aid kit is your phone. Whether you're at home or traveling, always have the number of an emergency vet in your area, this way you're not wasting time looking it up when you're in an emergency.