Day 7: Evaluation of blood pressure, treating kidney disease, treating anemia, plus how and what to put into a pet first aid kit.
Checking the pulse and evaluating blood pressure
Evaluate your pets' blood pressure by palpating their pulse.
The best spot to do this is on the inside of the back leg (thigh). Place your three middle fingers across the middle of your pets inside thigh and apply moderate pressure. Here you are feeling the femoral artery. This is more difficult in small dogs and cats.
Count the number of pulses in 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4. This will give you the beats per minute (bpm).
Normal resting rates:
Cats: 150-200 bpm
Small dogs: 90-120 bpm
Medium dogs: 70-110 bpm
Large dogs: 60-90 bpm
The pulse should be strong and regular. In some conditions, the pulse can be too strong (high blood pressure). This is a common condition in cats with kidney failure. If this is the case, then your pet must be seen by a veterinarian, who may check for diseases that can cause elevated blood pressure.
KIDNEY DISEASE REMEDIES
FLUID, FLUID, FLUID. The most important thing that you can do for your pet with renal failure is to maintain adequate hydration. Offer lots of fresh water. If your cat isn't a great water drinker, then make the switch to c
LOWER PROTEIN AND PHOSPHORUS LEVELS. Newer research has shown that the most important thing to restrict in early kidney failure is phosphorus. This mineral speeds up destruction of the remaining kidney cells. Stop all dairy products, as they are very high in phosphorus. Feed a specific, moderately reduced protein diet, such as a premium quality senior diet, in the early stages. As kidney failure advances, switch to a restricted protein diet.
Mucous Membrane Color
This refers to the normal pink color of your pets' gums.
Lift up your pets lips and examine the gums. They are normally a light pink color, although this is difficult to tell in breeds with dark pigmented gums.
Assess your pets blood pressure by measuring capillary refill time. Press your index finger on the gums and count the time it takes for the pink color to return. Three seconds or less is normal.
Greater than three seconds suggest low blood pressure, as is seen in cases of blood loss.
In cases of bleeding your pet may become anemic. This is seen by the gums becoming a paler color, and at times even white. In this situation, it is first important to have your veterinarian determine the cause of the anemia, but there are things that you can do at home.
HOMEOPATHIC. A common remedy for many types of bleeding is Phosphorus. I would dose it at 1-3 pellets of Phosphorus 30C twice daily for 3-5 days. They will go down easier when mixed with ice cream.
ACUPRESSURE. Some veterinarians have had success using this nitrating a variety of immune related disorders. The GV14 point located at the base of the neck, between the shoulder blades. Apply pressure for 1 minute three times daily.
This discussion about bleeding leads me to the final part of the day 7 e-course. Every pet owner should have a Pet First Aid Kit.
Here are some basic items that all first aid kits should contain.
1. Rectal Thermometer - the newer electronic kind works best. The electronic ones beep when they are finished registering a temperature. They are slightly smaller than the glass kind. They do not break as easily. They can be covered with thin sleeves to halt the spread of germs. They can also be used as oral thermometers. They do have a battery, which will need replacing, and they are more expensive then the glass ones [normal canine temperature - 100.5 to 102.5F]
2. Lubricating jelly to lubricate thermometer
3. Gel packs that can be used for hot and cold compresses
4. Adhesive tape to secure bandages - both non-stick tape and water proof tape
5. Blunt tipped scissors (a must for animal first aid - used for cutting hair away from wounds)
6. Bandage scissors
7. Splints
8. Alcohol swabs to sterilize instruments or small areas of skin
9. Antibiotic ointment for wounds (not for eyes) (ie. Polysporin, for non-puncture type wounds)
10. Contact lens solution for rinsing eyes, to clean wounds (water can be substituted)
11. Cotton swabs (ie. Q-tips)
12. Hibitane - a mild antibacterial soap for cleaning skin, wounds
13. Sterile cotton or cotton balls
14. Sterile Gauze Pads (the larger 4" size is better since it can easily be cut smaller if necessary)
15. Rolls of gauze or cling gauze bandage(1-2")
16. Hydrogen Peroxide - 10 ml every 15 minutes to induce vomiting in animals that have ingested a non-caustic poison
17. Razor Blade can also be used to shave away hair and abrade the skin following a tick bite.
18. Stockingette to protect bandage on leg or foot
19. Rubber bulb ear syringe - used for flushing eyes, ears, wounds
20. Forceps and/or tweezers
21. Self-adhesive bandage (ie. Vetrap)
22. Numbers for the Animal Poison Hotline & Poison Control for Pets (800/548-2423 or 900/680-0000 both numbers charge a fee). The National Poison Control Hotlines for humans should also be included.
In and of itself, healing your pet at home is easy.
The Exam: If you do this every week you will become very skilled.
Diagnosing the problem with your pet - as you become comfortable with the exam, then you get to know which area of your pet's body is affected when they are sick.
The treatment: Every natural treatment option is in my book.
These things are simple.
These are the things I teach.
Why don't you get Veterinary Secrets Revealed today and find out more about how it all works.
I hope this information has been helpful to you. I know that if you get 'Veterinary Secrets Revealed' you will find it helpful also.
Remember that no one product is going to do everything for you and your pet. You'll want to learn all the information you can -- from e-books and courses.
Learning is a great investment.
Don't read one book and expect to become an expert. It's a process and a learning curve.
Keep learning.
Keep trying.
Best wishes,
Dr Andrew Jones
Dr. Andrew Jones, a practicing Veterinarian, has a special interest in alternative, natural remedies for pets. His book, Veterinary Secrets Revealed , a holistic pet health manual and Pet First Aid Secrets Visit his sites: The Online Vet.
You may reprint or redistribute this information. The only restriction is that you c
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