Miscellaneous pet health care
information
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.
Elizabethan
Collar
General Information:
Preventing self-injury is an important part
of home care for sick pets. Animal patients may harm themselves by
rubbing, scratching, or chewing their wounds or surgery sites.
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The Elizabethan collar is a type of collar
often used to prevent self-injury of various body parts until healing is
complete.
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Pets can eat, drink, and sleep with the
collar on, and most pets adapt to it very well, though they may object
to it at first. You can keep the collar clean by wiping it while
it remains on your pet, or it can be removed if necessary.
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An Elizabethan collar can be made from
a cardboard box as shown below. After a circular section is cut out
as shown, overlap the two ends and punch holes for a shoe string tie.
After the collar is applied to your pet’s neck, lace it as you would a
shoe.
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The veterinarian can supply you with a commercial
plastic collar, if you wish, or if your pet tends to destroy cardboard
collars.
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Giving
Medications
General Information:
A: To administer a tablet or capsule, place
one hand on the upper jaw and press the lips gently against the teeth.
With your other hand, pull the lower jaw down and place the pill on the
base of the tongue, far back in the mouth.
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B: To give a liquid, pull the corner of
the lips out to form a pouch. Then give the liquid slowly.
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C: To apply ear drops and ointments, pick
up the ear and discharge the medicine with the applicator positioned gently
in the base of the ear. Massage the base of the ear with your fingers
after applying the medicine.
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D: To place drops or ointment in the eye,
use your thumb to pull down the lower lid. With the other hand, place
the eye drops into the pouch you have formed. Avoid the animal’s
line of vision as you approach the eye with the applicator, if possible.
