Every home with a pet should have a first aid kit. This kit is easy to assemble and can be kept in an easy-to-reach location for those times of need. I’ve compiled a ‘shopping list’ that will provide everything you need for most situations.
Supplies
First you will need to find something to store the first aid materials in. A book bag, cloth tote or plastic storage containers with a lid are good first aid kit receptacles. If you travel a lot with your pet, having the first aid kit in a small book bag may be easiest so you can ‘grab it and go’.
The supplies that you get should be able to cover 1-2 pets. In reality, you should only have to use these items on one pet at a time. It is not very typical that all the pets in the household will need first aid care at the same time.
Most of these items can be purchased at your local drug store or ‘big-box’ store like Wal-mart:
- Absorbent compresses: sterile gauze sponges
- Adhesive tape, such as athletic tape
- Antibiotic ointment
- You can purchase a general use ointment through your veterinarian.
- If you prefer to use a holistic product, try Seabuck Skin Relief rub-on stick
- Clean cloths (ripped up, old t-shirts are fine)
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)—ask your vet for dosing information
- Gloves (non-latex or latex)
- Hydrogen peroxide (check expiration date)—ask your vet for dosing information
- Muzzle or extra “slip leash”
- Extra leash—nylon “slip leash” is preferable
- Needle-nose pliers
- Rectal thermometer—plastic/digital
- Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl)
- Blunt-end scissors
- KY Jelly or Vaseline
- Sterile saline eye wash
- Tweezers
- One large ‘beach towel’
- One small ‘hand towel’
- One Sandwich-sized zip-top bag
- One Gallon-sized zip-top bag
- Wire cutters, especially if you take your dog fishing with you or to the beach
If your pet has a chronic health problem, such as diabetes, it is a good idea to include the following:
- 1-2 packets of HONEY- you can usually get 1-2 of these at your local Starbucks
- good for diabetics, young puppies—if you suspect low blood sugar
- Oral anti-diarrheal gel (available through your veterinarian)
Most pet owners have their vet on speed-dial on their cell phone. However, it is a good idea to keep this contact information written down within the first aid kit. It happens too often that you don’t have access to your cell phone or it runs out of battery and whoops- what’s the vet’s number again?
Place this information into a zip-top bag, to keep the paper from getting wet:
- Veterinarian’s contact information
- Address
- Phone number
- 24-hour emergency veterinary information
- Address
- Phone number
- Copy of each pet’s current Rabies vaccination certificate
- If you have to evacuate your home due to a natural disaster (wildfire, flood, hurricane, etc) – TAKE THE PET FIRST AID KIT WITH YOU!
- Most emergency shelters that accept pets WILL NOT admit your pet without proof of rabies vaccination.
- Most people put the rabies tag on their pet’s collar as proof of vaccination, but remember that collars can become lost.
- Copy of your pet’s medical record
- If you are taking your pet on vacation and he or she has a chronic health condition, it is a good idea to have a copy of the medical record with you in the first aid kit. This can contain valuable information that can help a new veterinarian in the event of an emergency.
In the next article in this series, I will discuss how you can use this handy first aid kit for common health issues you face at home. Your action and education can help save your pet’s life!
Sources:
- American National Red Cross. Dog First Aid: Be Read Cross Ready. Safety Series Vol. 2. Staywell Co. 2008.
- Mamatto, Bobbie. Pet First Aid: Cats and Dogs. American Red Cross and the Humane Society of the United States. Mosby 1997.
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