|
 Three
years ago hurricane Ike left our cat hospital without power or
water for a week. Some veterinary clinics were forced to close
down, but we stayed open and operated as a MASH unit for cats
who needed us. We learned lessons about operating under
difficult circumstances. We also experienced first hand how
important it is for pet owners to have their animals prepared
for similar disasters.
The first hours back in the clinic
were disorienting. Where were the flashlights and the extra
batteries? How can we see to work?
First we needed a reasonable place
to examine patients, so the tables were moved into the front
lobby where the windows were the largest. Then we rigged IV
stands with flashlights and brought what diagnostic equipment we
could use without electricity up to the front. The doctor’s
office had windows, and I examined and treated more than a few
patients as they were scrambling across my desk!
Items we could salvage in the
refrigerators were packed into coolers but our ice supply was
limited. We ran the phone through the fax machine line, because
fancy phone systems don’t operate without electricity. Without
computers, printers or photocopiers, we had to hand copy vaccine
and health records onto letterhead for clients who urgently
needed pet records for travel out of the city, or in order to
board them in kennels, or take them to hotels.
Clients panicked when they realized
they needed a refill of their pet’s medication or that
medication had gone bad in the refrigerator. We hand filled
out prescription labels and continued to dispense medications
until our supply had run out.
We treated cats with cancer, cats in
heart failure, and cats that were lost and then found in the
storm. We vaccinated cats for rabies until our vaccine supply
went bad without enough ice. We placed IV catheters and
administered fluids, treated skin abscesses, asthmatics, and
were thankful when other veterinary clinics with electricity
stepped in to help our patients when we couldn’t.
Disaster preparedness is an
important part of being a responsible pet owner. Your family
veterinarian may not be so fortunate as to be able to help you
get your animals records in order. You may not have time to
refill medications as you head out of town. Take some time to
prepare the entire family (pets included) for disasters. |
