The First-Aid Companion for Dogs and Cats: What to Do Now, What to Do Later, over 150 Everyday Accidents and Emergencies, Essential Medicine Chest, At-A-Glance Symptom Finder, How to Prevent

Provides a directory of first-aid and emergency procedures for cats and dogs, covering everything from identifying a problem and performing CPR to administering a pill and follow-up care.

It's every pet owner's nightmare: suddenly your four-legged friend isn't breathing. What to do? There is no 911 for pets, so it's up to you to save a life. The First Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats is a straightforward guide that covers both major problems--CPR, heat stroke, and strangulation--and minor ones, such as swollen tails, ingrown nails, and flea allergies. Beginning with simple tests and explanations of general care issues like dehydration examinations and triage, this guide then moves on to an alphabetical listing of every possible situation, from arrow wounds to worms.

The individual sections are good for both general reading and instant assistance. Each one starts with a notice of when to call the vet--immediately, the same day, or as needed. It also lists what items from your pet's medicine chest will be needed, which may include anything from corn syrup to towels and panty hose. The information that follows this simple checklist is divided into "do this now," "special situations," "follow-up care," and "the best approach." Whenever necessary, simple sketches are included to help show proper technique, such as fashioning an instant muzzle from a pair of nylons, or how to cover a dog's head in case of an ear-flap injury. Relying frequently on common household items like antihistamines, turkey basters, Gatorade, and plastic wrap, this guide assumes most of us won't have special medical training or supplies and focuses on very specific and simple methods of helping your pet achieve the best possible care. Even more importantly, many suggestions are included on prevention of accidents--isn't it easier to get that window screen repaired than to rush your kitty to the vet after a bad fall?--Jill Lightner