Pet First Aid Kit

As a responsible pet owner, you should always be prepared for the worst when it comes to your dog or cat and that means at the very least having a first aid kit on hand. Natural disasters are not the only time you may need to treat your pet if something happens to him or her. Any time you are far away from any kind of veterinary help you should have a basic first aid kit to help treat a lot of common ailments that can befall your pet. It can also be very beneficial to take a pet first aid class to really make sure you’re doing the most to insure your pets health. Being prepared can not only help your pet but can eliminate any emotional stress you might experience in case of an emergency.

AVMA has a pet first aid brochure that is full of useful information and The ASPCA has a list of items to put in a DIY first aid kit that anyone can put together. Those items include:

• Absorbent gauze pads – For wrapping wounds or muzzling the injured animal
• Adhesive tape – For securing the gauze wrap or bandage (*do NOT use human adhesive bandages (eg, Band-Aids^®) on pets)
• Cotton balls or swabs
• Fresh 3% hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting (always check with veterinarian or animal poison control expert before giving to your pet)
• Ice pack
• Disposable gloves
• Scissors with blunt end
• Tweezers
• OTC antibiotic ointment
• Oral syringe or turkey baster – To give oral treatments or flush wounds
• Liquid dishwashing detergent (for bathing)
• Towels
• Small flashlight
• Alcohol wipes
• Styptic powder
• Saline eye solution
• Digital Thermometer – To check your pet’s temperature. Do not insert a thermometer in your pet’s mouth—the temperature must be taken rectally.
• Artificial tear gel
• Phone number, clinic name, address of your veterinarian as well as local veterinary emergency clinics.

Make sure to check your pack a couple times a year to replace any items that may have expired.

Another option is to purchase either a completed first aid kit from somewhere like Walgreens or Amazon.com and add in pet specific items or some places sell pet specific first aid kits already assembled.

Always be sure to have emergency numbers saved in your phone so you can get a hold of the proper people and information as soon as possible. It is also a good idea to always have your pets vaccination history and medications on hand in case you are required to take them to a secondary vet.

• Animal Poison Control: 888-426-4435
• Your emergency veterinary clinic (for any issues that occur after hours)
• Your pets primary veterinarian

For your family’s safety always keep your first aid kit out of the reach of children.

Are you looking for a referral Veterinarian in your area? Please consider our list of referral Vets here.

By: Dennis