Cat Dangers and First Aid
Savannahs are very
inquisitive cats and can get themselves into lots of trouble
(that’s why we love them so). One thing they will do is eat
things they should not. Below is a list of some stuff in the
home that is a danger to all cats, not just savannahs
Dangers just
outside your door
Dogs
Getting Stolen
Poisonous Animals like spiders and snakes
Roaming and getting lost
Accidents
Hanging or Choking from non-break away collars that get
caught on something
Abusive people
Predator Wildlife
Other cats (disease and fights)
Parasites
Inclement Weather
Antifreeze that contains ethylene glycol
Cocoa mulch
Chemicals used on lawns and gardens,
De-icing salts used to melt snow and ice
Cans and garbage
Cars
Animal Traps
Rat and Mouse poisons and bait
Garden poisons and insecticides
Threats
inside the house
Chocolate of any kind (can
be fatal if enough is ingested)
Many house plants (especially lilies, ivies, and cactus)
Cigarettes (including butts)
Bread wire twists ties/plastic fasteners
Hair ties/ponytail holders (can cause intestinal blockage if
not passed; consult vet ASAP)
Rubber bands
Staples, paper clips, thumb tacks
Milk jug rings (choking hazard) and bottle caps
Thread, yarn, any string, dental floss (if ingested, do not
pull out. Consult your vet)
Garlic, onion, salt, grapes, raisins, alcoholic beverages,
coffee, tea
Essential oils used as fragrance or air fresheners
Cooked bones (can splinter easily and be swallowed)
Recliners (check to make sure kitty is not under chair or
inside of it)
Plastic bags and paper bags with handles
Saran wrap and aluminum foil
Electrical cords
Mini blind cords Toilets
Washers and dryers
Sewing needles and pins, buttons, etc
Toothpicks
Cheaply made cat toys
Hot stoves and burners, wood stoves, refrigerators (check
before closing door)
Candles left burning unattended
Children’s small toys
Balloons
Cedar and other soft wood shavings
Insect control products, such as the insecticides used in
many over-the-counter flea and tick remedies
Human medications, such as pain killers and vitamins
Poisonous household plants
String, yarn, rubber bands and even dental floss
Toys with movable parts
Rawhide dog chews
Holiday decorations and lights
Chocolate
Fumes from nonstick cooking surfaces and self-cleaning ovens
Leftovers, such as chicken bones
Savannah cats are like perpetual two year olds – so try to
always remember the above list and keep your new savannah
kitten or adult safe.
Tools for
keeping your pet safe
If all of your precautions
fail, and you believe that your pet has been poisoned,
contact your veterinarian or emergency veterinary service
immediately. Signs of poisoning include listlessness,
abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, lack of
coordination and fever.
ASPCA Poison Control Center
You can also call the
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Their hotline is 24
hours a day seven days a week at 888-426-4435 for a fee of
$65 per case. If you call the hotline, be prepared to
provide the name of the poison your animal was exposed to;
the amount and how long ago; the species, breed, age, sex
and weight of your pet; and the symptoms your pet is
displaying. You’ll also be asked to provide your name,
address, phone number and credit card information.
Pet
First-Aid Kit
Here are some basic
supplies you’ll need to keep on hand to keep your cat, dog,
or other pet safe and healthy. Everyone who shares a home
with a pet should have a basic pet first-aid kit on hand
that is easy and quick to get to. Keep your pet’s first-aid
kit in your home and take it with you if you are traveling
with your pet.
One way to start your kit
is to buy a first-aid kit designed for people and add
pet-specific items to it. You can also purchase a pet
first-aid kit from a pet-supply store or catalog. But you
can easily assemble your own kit by gathering the items on
our lists below.
Basic
first-aid supplies
Absorbent gauze pads
Adhesive tape
Antiseptic wipes lotion, powder or spray
Blanket (a foil emergency blanket)
Cotton balls or swabs
Gauze rolls
Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting—do this only when
directed by a veterinarian or a poison-control expert)
Ice pack
Non-latex disposable gloves
Petroleum jelly (to lubricate the thermometer)
Rectal thermometer (your pet’s temperature should not rise
above 103°F or fall below 100°F)
Scissors (with blunt ends)
Sterile non-stick gauze pads for bandages
Sterile saline solution (sold at pharmacies)
Tweezers
A pillowcase to confine your cat for treatment
A pet carrier
Pet-specific
things to keep on hand in an emergency
Pet first-aid book: read
the book several times in advance if possible
Phone numbers: veterinarian, the nearest
emergency-veterinary clinic, poison-control center or
hotline
Paperwork for your pet: proof of rabies-vaccination status,
copies of other important medical records
Nylon leash
Self-cling bandage: bandage that stretches and sticks to
itself but not to fur—available at pet stores and from
pet-supply catalogs
Muzzle or strips of cloth to prevent biting: don’t use this
if your pet is vomiting, choking, coughing or otherwise
having difficulty breathing
Other useful
items to have on hand
Diphenhydramine
(Benadryl®), if approved by a veterinarian for allergic
reactions. A veterinarian must tell you the correct dosage
for your pet’s size.
Ear-cleaning solution
Expired credit card or sample credit card (from direct-mail
credit-card offers) to scrape away insect stingers
Glucose paste or corn syrup (for diabetic dogs or those with
low blood sugar)
Nail clippers
Non-prescription antibiotic ointment
Penlight or flashlight
Plastic eyedropper or syringe
Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) to clean the thermometer
Splints and tongue depressors
Styptic powder or pencil (sold at veterinary hospitals,
pet-supply stores, and your local pharmacy)
Temporary identification tag (to put your local contact
information on your pet’s collar when you travel)
Towels
Needle-nosed pliers
