Friday, 15 June 2012

First Aid Kit for Pets

Good evening,
 Here is a list of first aid items that may help you in a time of emergency with your pet. You will feel much better knowing you are prepared should someting happen to your pet. Please always err on the side of caution and take your pet to the vet if you suspect he/she is ill. Any bleeding, crying when eliminating, vomiting more than a few times, blood in stool  or vomit, dizziness or disorientation, feverishness to name only a few conditions.
 I would like to have my vet - Dr J Pittaway comment on the special risks of summer. He and Dr Watters are  great vets. Dr Pittaway has been my doctor for many years.
 I hide under the chair when I go to see him. He always gets down and coaxes me out. He expects me to play hard to get and there is always a cookie in it for me!
Important Phone Numbers
Put these on the fridge and in the first aid kit
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Veterinary clinic phone number and directions to the clinic
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Emergency clinic phone number and directions
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Poison control center phone numbers
Equipment and Supplies
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Muzzle, or roll of gauze for making a muzzle
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Magnifying glass
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Scissors
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Tweezers
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Nail clippers and metal nail file
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Styptic powder or sticks, Kwik Stop, or cornstarch
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Penlight
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Nylon slip leash
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Eye dropper or oral syringe
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Cotton swabs
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Cotton balls
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Clean towels - cloth and paper
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Rectal thermometer
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Lubricant - KY Jelly-keep hair from a wound
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Disposable gloves and protective gloves for you
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Syringes of various sizes
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Needle-nose pliers
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Grease-cutting dish soap
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Bitter Apple or other product to discourage licking
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Pet carrier to suit the size of your pet – I carry one in the car in case of emergencies involving an animal
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Towel or blanket to use as a stretcher, another to keep your dog warm during transport (some pharmacies and camping outlets carry a thermal blanket)- these are perfect, compact and fit into a fist aid kit
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Cold packs and heat packs (wrap in towel before using)
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Stethoscope - listen over left side of chest

Bandaging Materials
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Square gauze of various sizes - some sterile
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Non-stick pads
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First aid tape - both paper (easily comes off of skin) and adhesive types
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Bandage rolls - gauze and self adhesive wrap
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Band-Aids (for humans)

Nutritional Support
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Rehydrating solution such as Gatorade
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Bottled water
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High sugar source: for diabetic animals - honey packages

Medicines*
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Wound disinfectant Hydrogen Peroxide
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Triple antibiotic ointment for skin
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Antibiotic eye ointment – purchase at drug store
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Eye wash solution (squirt bottle) saline solution – buy at drug store
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Never use Tylenol  some dogs tolerate Aspirin for pain-consult your vet before including
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Antidiarrheal medicine such as Kaopectate
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Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for allergic reactions (obtain dose from your veterinarian)
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Cortisone spray or cream,  - available at drug store
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Ear cleaning solution pet store
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Hydrogen peroxide (used to make a dog vomit - only use as directed by a veterinarian)
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Activated charcoal to absorb ingested poisons (consult your veterinarian before using) – call vet  immediately
Get a thermal lunch bag for your first aid kit and keep one in the house and one in the car
*Watch the expiration dates on any medication, and replace as needed.

2 comments:

  1. What a wonderful blog you have here. Great information in this post. I have just become your follower.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is a very complete and wonderful list. I had never thought of using KY jelly to keep hair from a wound as well as a few other ideas. Thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete