out walking at last

Yippee! Today Penny went for a proper walk, after a week of  resting at home with her cut paw. Because the cut was right on the ball of her foot, we just couldn't go anywhere. But today after a careful consideration of her paw, the family agreed that it looked as if the cut has closed.

Last night, for the first time, I had treated it by slathering it with the gel from an aloe vera leaf. I hadn't done that previously because I read that it's not a good idea to put a layer covering a wound until you are quite sure there's no infection. It wouldn't be a good idea to close in the infection. So it's been a week of loose bandaging, Betadine spray and saline washes.

Today I put a layer of aloe vera gel on it, covered it with a Pawz boot, and off we went, down a local lane.

This week has made me more aware that we need to update our doggie emergency kit (and the human one, of course). There's a good list at this vet clinic's site:

First Aid Kit                          

The following items should be
available if you need them for
treating problems at home
with your pets(s):
• Gauze swabs,
• Cotton bandages
• Elastoplast bandages
• Betadine or Savlon antiseptic cream
• Aspirin – for pain relief. Dose rate is 10-20mg/kg
Cats (and v. small dogs): quarter of a 300mg tablet.
Dogs – small: 1/2 tab, medium: 1 tab, large : 2 tabs
Give ONLY A SINGLE DOSE and consult your vet if
pain persists. DO NOT use paracetamol (Panadol),
ibuprofen, naproxen or any other human pain-reliever
• Ipecac Syrup, Washing Soda or Hydrogen Peroxide
Dose rates to induce vomiting:
• Ipecac Syrup – 2-6mls
• Washing Soda – 1-2 granules
DO NOT use washing powder
• Hydrogen Peroxide (3% only) – 5-10mls
• Activated charcoal tablets (to help absorb poisons)
Dose is 1gm/kg and it works faster if crushed (but
you'll never get this much into your pet, so just give
as much as they'll take, however they'll take it.)

They have a good page on Common Emergencies, too. I think I'll print it out.