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Putting together a first aid box for Oliver (my cat) and the piglets :)

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2280CLAIRE

2280CLAIRE

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So, I have been thinking that it would be a sensible thing to have in the house incase it is ever needed. I am going to be keeping a little sachet of critical care for the piglets, along with gripe water, bandages etc, and have been looking to buy a small bottle of metacam as well...it seems to be prescription only, is this right? I would like to keep some for one-off doses if they ever appear in pain, even for Oliver, until I get them to the vet...

Just want to add, this isn't to substitute vet care, but rather to compliment it and keep them comfy until I can get to the vets. I mean, it's like having kids and always keeping plasters and a bottle of calpol "just incase" :)
 
And another thing...I've also read some people advising Calpol and kids Nurofen syrup can be given to piglets, then other people saying both are toxic to them. Does anyone have any research based evidence to suggest either way? If not, I'll just stay away from both to be safe, but it would be useful if it is safe, as both are so easily available.
 
This is the first aid kid which was made sticky on here for piggies, this might help you.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36634

I'm unsure about a cat first aid box though.
http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...=X&ei=keiTT-TSIITG0QX--vn6AQ&ved=0CI4BEPMCMAE
I've found this ready made up box on the internet, but it doesn't have painkillers in it,
I've found oral suspension for cats, maybe this would help, but it is by prescription only.
http://www.vetmedsonline.co.uk/product/618/metacam_oral_suspension_cat_3ml
maybe a cat savvy person will be able to advise you on this :)
 
Calpol is baaaaad... Please don't use it... Very dangerous to kidneys...

If you can get to holland and barrats get some activated charcoal... Crush the tablets up and mix with water (when needed) it's brilliant for treating guinea pigs with the runs... Also have some fibreplex and bio-lapis sachets...
Have you got a good relationship with your vets...?
With my vets I just pick up any medicine that I've run out of, even if I don't particually need it at that point in time...
I tend to buy meds by the bottle or 100ml... Ask them if you can have a small amount in case of an emergency...
x
 
Thanks for your reply, Hayley :) I am after a small bottle of metacam, as it is suitable for piglets and cats, but it seems to be prescription only :{ I can't see a vet prescribing it "just incase"...it seems very OTT for a small supply of a non steroidal!?

Maybe someone can suggest an alternative non prescription med for pain? Or if Calpol/Nurofen is safe, I can just buy a bottle of that.
 
I know you shouldn't feed calpol but in the first aid kit thing it says "- Infant Calpol / Children’s Nurofen
For relieving pain and severe discomfort in cases of injury or illness.
The dosage for both medications is 0.2ml, given up to twice daily."

should someone remove ?
 
claremw92 said:
Calpol is baaaaad... Please don't use it... Very dangerous to kidneys...

If you can get to holland and barrats get some activated charcoal... Crush the tablets up and mix with water (when needed) it's brilliant for treating guinea pigs with the runs... Also have some fibreplex and bio-lapis sachets...
Have you got a good relationship with your vets...?
With my vets I just pick up any medicine that I've run out of, even if I don't particually need it at that point in time...
I tend to buy meds by the bottle or 100ml... Ask them if you can have a small amount in case of an emergency...
x
Click to expand...

I changed jobs recently, and so I am selling up in London and staying with my parents in Colchester until I get a buyer. The nearest vet here is Penrose and Partners, which I have used once when Jeff was having haematuria. My parents have always found them very good with their cats, but I wasn't overly impressed with their knowledge of piglets with urology problems, and they seem to be very over priced (if anyone knows of a better vet for piglets in the Colchester area, please let me know!). I am not sure the vet would prescribe something for emergencies? I can certainly ask, though!
 
twiams said:
I know you shouldn't feed calpol but in the first aid kit thing it says "- Infant Calpol / Children’s Nurofen
For relieving pain and severe discomfort in cases of injury or illness.
The dosage for both medications is 0.2ml, given up to twice daily."

should someone remove ?
Click to expand...

Yes, this is what I found confusing!
 
twiams said:
Glad I'm not the only one ... i looked at it and was just like ... what ?:{
Click to expand...

Perhaps Nurofen is safe, though?

Although I would just rather have a bottle of metacam, or something I know is certified as safe for use in cats and piglets...
 
2280CLAIRE said:
Perhaps Nurofen is safe, though?

Although I would just rather have a bottle of metacam, or something I know is certified as safe for use in cats and piglets...
Click to expand...

I think personally i'd rather give piggie certified meds too, if a piggie is already ill i don't see why you'd want to take the risk with something that could make them worse sort of thing,

Hopefully someone can clear this up for us ...
 
2280CLAIRE said:
Although I would just rather have a bottle of metacam, or something I know is certified as safe for use in cats and piglets...
Click to expand...

Why not phone a vet and explain what you are wanting the prescription for? :)
Maybe they would give you a 'one off' prescription for your first aid kit aslong as you explain that it is not to replace seeing a vet but for times when you cannot get to a vet quick enough.
 
My vets gave me a small bottle of Metacam for when Pumpkin has one of her bad days with her breathing, to save me going to the vets. Obviously, if there's anything unusually wrong I take her to the vets :) Just ask, I'm sure they'd be happy to oblige.
 
Vets won't prescribe something "just in case" simply because it's leaving them open to risk. Even animals that are on something like Metacam long term have to have regular check ups with the vet, including regular blood tests.

While it's commonly used, it's quite a potent medication. If used in the wrong circumstances it can cause (potentially very dangerous) problems.

Also it's not really worth having some "just in case" because once it's opened, it's got a short shelf life, which is another reason vets avoid over prescribing, do people don't use OOD drugs at home.

I'd also not advise giving any human medicitions without a vets authority, especially paracetamol and ibuprofen.

If you cat/pig/whatever other animal is in enough pain that you want to medicate at home, then it's in enough pain to see a vet. You can make them comfortable in other ways (e.g. a cat with a hurt leg can be confined to one room where they can't jump up onto things etc.) until you can get an appointment.

Hope that make sense, my brain is a bit frazzled at the moment!
 
Thanks, Amanda. I thought this would be the case (vets not wanting to prescribe just for it to be kept "just in case" ) hence I felt uncomfortable asking them to. Although I would have only wanted the smallest bottle, and discarded it after a couple of weeks, as I know liquid meds once opened go off quite quickly.

It certainly wouldn't have been a substitute for vet care, but as I said, handy to have while awaiting an appointment. It's a shame, but I understand why most vets wouldn't-because there will always be someone who decides to use it in place of taking their pet to the vet, or worse, give them too much of it and for too long rolleyes
 
2280CLAIRE said:
Thanks, Amanda. I thought this would be the case (vets not wanting to prescribe just for it to be kept "just in case" ) hence I felt uncomfortable asking them to. Although I would have only wanted the smallest bottle, and discarded it after a couple of weeks, as I know liquid meds once opened go off quite quickly.

It certainly wouldn't have been a substitute for vet care, but as I said, handy to have while awaiting an appointment. It's a shame, but I understand why most vets wouldn't-because there will always be someone who decides to use it in place of taking their pet to the vet, or worse, give them too much of it and for too long rolleyes
Click to expand...

Exactly, unfortunately they always have to think of worst case scenario. We had a case once where someone was looking after someone elses dog, it had a bit of a limp, they got hold of some metacam (that they previously had for another animal) and gave it some...and it died. They gave it 10x the dose it needed :(
 
Amanda1801 said:
Exactly, unfortunately they always have to think of worst case scenario. We had a case once where someone was looking after someone elses dog, it had a bit of a limp, they got hold of some metacam (that they previously had for another animal) and gave it some...and it died. They gave it 10x the dose it needed :(
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That's terrible :( :( it's a shame that some people think they know everything, and don't take the time to consult with experts...

As a nurse, I've heard of patients swapping and giving away meds to their friends/family with "similar symptoms" and it is so frustrating rolleyes
 
2280CLAIRE said:
That's terrible :( :( it's a shame that some people think they know everything, and don't take the time to consult with experts...

As a nurse, I've heard of patients swapping and giving away meds to their friends/family with "similar symptoms" and it is so frustrating rolleyes
Click to expand...

Yeah, I see that with animals too!

Why is it always "try it first, then phone the vet for advice"?!

"I just gave my dog some paracetamol, is this ok?"
"no, bring it in, we need to induce vomiting. This will cost up to £150, which is considerably more expensive than if you'd just come to us for proper treatment in the first place!"
 
Poor dog! :o

Annoying, too, as it means the rest of us who are sensible aren't allowed to have anything rolleyes ...I might get my Mum to try, anyway...she's been taking our cats to this vet surgery for about 25 years!
 
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