One time, my roommate and I decided to adopt a cat. The first reason was because we simply wanted a cat, but the second reason was because we had a mouse problem and were tired of screaming and throwing things at wayward rodents. For the first couple of months, our new kitty was great. And then…well…she just flipped out.
$1500 dollars later, my roommate and I (both poor college students) realized the cost of emergency pet care was a huge reason poor college students should never have animals.
If you have a pet, but not a lot of money, you may want to invest in a First Aid Kit for your furry friend. What would go inside an emergency pet kit? According to MNN.com, you'd want a few things humans use – and few things for animals only.
Gauze and bandages – items one can find at any normal drugstore – along with latex-free gloves and a pair of tweezers are all great items to help with small wounds, infections, or tick removal.
Don't forget a rectal thermometer (sorry!) as well as Benadryl for allergies or bug bites / stings.
Activated Charcoal, something that is apparently available at most drugstores, is commonly used to induce vomiting after poison ingestion – but it's best to call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline at 1-888-426-4435 before you give your pet any kind of dosage.
A muzzle and lots of old towels are recommended for situations that may have your dog sick and territorial, and one of those big, white, embarrassing, cone-shaped E-Collars is also recommended in case Fido has a hurt paw he isn't supposed to be licking.
While a Pet First Aid Kit probably wouldn't have helped my roommate and I from temporarily going broke, it would have helped us from flipping out every time something small went wrong. Like people First Aid Kits, these pet kits not a substitute for emergency care, but wouldn't it better to have a bunch of towels and bandages and…a rectal thermometer…for smaller issues?
Anyone who's ever dealt with up throw-up and poop at the same time would say – yes.
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