Think of your Pets before tossing out these items

Came across this on the net:



Imagination and innovation can turn those 'useless' items into 'useful' tools



The Animal House



By Dr. Barbara J. Dunn

Prairie Valley Family Pet Clinic

Before you have your next garage sale or donate to the church bazaar, you might want to inventory the items carefully to be sure you no longer need them. This may be especially true if you are a pet owner. When it comes to pet care, improvisation is the key. You never can tell when that old plastic bucket or worn-out sweatshirt may come in handy.



Take the old bucket, for example. A 2- or 3-gallon bucket makes an excellent device to prevent a medium- or large-sized dog from licking or chewing at a wound, bandage or suture line. A smaller bucket works for smaller dogs. Simply cut the bottom out of the bucket, place the bucket on the dog's head (bottom of the bucket should go over head first), and attach the bucket to the dog's collar with rope or wire. The dog can eat and drink with the bucket in place. However, his field of vision will be somewhat restricted. Also, be advised that you may receive a call from your concerned neighbor that your dog "has a bucket stuck on his head!" (This actually happened.) Just explain that you are preventing the dog from mutilating his incision and your veterinarian says it's OK to do it this way.



How about that old sweatshirt? Did you know that the wristbands off an old sweatshirt make great bandages? They work very well for leg wraps, neck wraps and head wraps. You can snip the band off and use it alone, or use it xwover gauze wrap to hold it in place. It can be secured with bandage tape, or even with our old friend, duct tape. As a matter of fact, the entire sleeve can be useful for covering up a wounded foot or leg.



Many other household items can be useful. An old, clean T-shirt makes a great cool compress for insect stings or musculoskeletal injuries. T-shirts can also be used to apply pressure to a bleeding wound.



Did you know that empty plastic bottles (from dishwashing soap or soda pop) make excellent hot water bottles for an orphan kitten or a debilitated pet?



In a pinch, a leg from a pair of pantyhose will work as a muzzle when moving an injured dog. An infant "onesies" T-shirt will keep a cat fairly well covered so she can't chew a wound or incision. A big, plastic laundry basket makes a great place to bed down a recuperating pet, and it's easy to clean, too.



So you see, all it takes is a little imagination. You might want to think twice before you call the Salvation Army to pick up that old, useless item. It might be more useful than you think.



Until next time -- thanks for caring!