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First Aid Kit

First Aid Kit

A First Aid kit is important to have readily available in the event that a problem occurs. The items in a kit should be kept within a container that is easily transported and easily accessible. The kit can help you respond properly in an emergency situation between the time of the emergency and the time you arrive at the veterinarian’s office. Find a large waterproof tote or a plastic, sealable container to keep the following items in:

 

  • Digital thermometer (normal temperature is between 100.5 – 102.5 degrees; a couple degrees above that is a likely sign of infection (fever) and a few degrees below can signal shock.

  • KY jelly (to lubricate thermometer before your insert into the pet’s rectum)

  • Syringes without needles or an eye dropper(to administer liquids into pet’s mouth)

  • Bandages – gauze pads, non-stick Telfa pads, cotton gauze (to cover wounds; gauze can also be used as a make-shift muzzle but NOT in cases of vomiting)

  • Anti-bacterial ointment (to speed healing and prevent infection)

  • Cotton swabs (to clean wounds)

  • Small split (to stabilize a broken limb)

  • Medical tape (to keep bandages or splints in place)

  • Scissors (to trim hair from wound site and shape bandages as needed)

  • Tweezers (to remove dirt, pieces of glass from wounds)

  • Locking hemostatic forceps (to clamp off a blood vessel or to help remove porcupine quills)

  • De-ticker tool (good for removing all kinds of ticks)

  • Hydrogen peroxide – (to induce vomiting; use ONLY with veterinary instruction as some poisons can cause more damage if they travel back up the esophagus, and vomiting can lead to pneumonia)

  • Activated charcoal (absorbs poisons – again, use ONLY with veterinary instruction)

  • Rubbing Alcohol (to clean and disinfect wound)

  • Dawn dishwashing soap – to wash off toxins or skin irritants that they may have rolled in)

  • Saline solution (to flush out eyes)

  • Instant cold pack (to lower body temperature of hypothermic patients)

  • Muzzle (for dogs to protect you from bites if your pet is in severe pain and cannot quietly tolerate your care)

  • Rescue Remedy (to calm distressed animals)

  • Blanket (to calm as well as keep the pet warm)

  • Hot water bottle (to keep the pet warm if you suspect hypothermia or shock)

  • Honey & a bottle of water (to ward off hypoglycemia)

  • Your veterinarian’s telephone number and address and directions (in case a pet sitter needs them)

  • Telephone number, address and directions and your nearest 24 hour emergency clinic

  • Numbers for Animal Poison:   Hotline and Poison Control for Pets 800-548-2423 or 900-680-0000 & ASPCA Poison Control Center 888-426-4435

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