Prepped and Ready to Go
2023 has already been quite the year when it comes to Mother Nature and natural disasters. California has gotten historic rain that has caused widespread flooding, landslides and record snowfall shutting off communities from the rest of the world. We have gotten so much rain that over 60% of California is now officially out of drought status. Mississippi and Alabama just had a deadly tornado that destroyed a town, and there have been many other natural disasters that I don’t need to detail because we all watch or read the news. My point is not to bring anyone down it’s to talk about being prepped and ready to go in case there is a natural disaster or emergency.
Now I am not a prepper but I do like to make sure that I have supplies on hand just in case and this included making sure I had plenty of diabetic supplies for Lucy. When we traveled we had an ammo can with basic emergency diabetic supplies. Extra syringes, meter, test strips, lancets, styptic powder and over the counter medications that are safe for dogs were kept in that ammo can, and it was water resistant.
I also had checklists when we traveled to ensure that I did not forget anything and it is great to have a checklist when you are prepping to evacuate as well! Even though I live in Los Angeles and there is really isn’t a major disaster to worry about (other than a major earthquake) we do have supplies stored away just in case. I really stocked up on syringes and put them in 25-gallon containers with some shelf stable foods. I looked into freeze dried lean meats when we had a meat shortage in 2020 to have available if the shortage got worse or there was a natural disaster. They can be expensive but having shelf stable foods can take the stress out of worrying about feeding your diabetic dog in an emergency and the containers are not heavy since they are freeze dried.
Here are some important lists that you should print up, if you click on the picture it will take you to a printable PDF.
Quick tip: if you don’t have your dog microchipped, write your contact information and “insulin dependent” in permanent marker on your dog’s belly.
I want to quickly mention that PetTest has a Diabetes Survival Kit that is packed in an insulated cooler bag. The following is included in the kit and well worth having:
- PetTest Meter Kit
- 35 PetTest Test Strips
- Store-More Countertop Organizer
- COOLshot Dermal Numbing Device for Pets
- PetTest Ketone Test Strips
- D-Mannose with Cranberry Supplement
- 50 Pre-Moistened Washcloths
- Oral/Rectal Flexible Tip Thermometer
- 100 Sterile Alcohol Swabs
- 25 Pet Pee Pads
- 10 of our 31 Gauge, 0.3 CC Syringes (either U40 or U100)
- 50 PetTest Twist-top 21G Lancets
- PetTest Urinary Tract Infection Test Strips (1 pack of 50)
- Our NEWEST upcoming product, Glucose SOS for Pets
Click here for the PetTest Diabetes Survival Kit:
Make sure you have a plan in place, emergency supplies are packed and easily available so you are prepped and ready to go…tornado season is here and hurricane season is quickly approaching!
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please start a conversation below.
For a printable version of this blog click here.
Until next week stay comfy, warm and caffeinated!
Michelle Miller-Matlock
AAHA Certified Diabetes Educator
Founder/Administrator of DDO: Diabetic Dog Owners University
Administrator of Diabetic Dog Owners on Facebook
Want to learn all you can in a simple and easy to follow format? Please join DDO-U: Diabetic Dog Owners University , graciously sponsored by PetTest.
Be sure to join the PetTest family on Facebook and Instagram. PetTest has fun, interactive posts AND they have fabulous giveaways every week!
Do you need a blood glucose meter kit for your diabetes arsenal? Click here to purchase one today!