Dog Tip of the Day

Creating a Pet First Aid Kit

As we wrap up September, we're putting the final days on National Preparedness Month...but we all know that you've got to be prepared every day of the year. Getting prepared for your family in the case of a disaster--or an accident--means getting prepared for your dog as well.

One part of that preparedness is assembling pet first aid kits both for your car and your home. We've got some tips here courtesy VCA Animal Hospitals from Dr. Donna J. Spector, DVM, DACVIM (you might have seen her on The Ellen DeGeneres show!) about making a pet first aid kit.

Dr. Spector's recommendations for making a First Aid Kit for dogs and cats:

• Phone numbers and directions on laminated (water-proof) paper—for owner's home, veterinary clinic, emergency clinic, and poison control center.
• Equipment and Supplies—muzzle, restraints, collar/leash, scissors, flea comb, tweezers, pliers/hemostats, magnifying glass, nail clippers, penlight or flashlight, paper towels, towels, tourniquet, cotton swabs, cotton balls, bandage material, bandage tape, eye dropper, oral syringe, thermometer, lubricating jelly, disposable/latex gloves, ice cream sticks or yardstick (which may be used as splints), emergency ice and heat packs, liquid dish soap, and saline solution (for rinsing wounds).
• Nutritional Support—rehydrating solution (pedialyte, etc) and sugar solution (karo syrup, etc). Keep a collapsible bowl in the first aid kit.
• Medications—activated charcoal, alcohol, betadine/nolvasan, eye rinse, triple antibiotic ointment, ophthalmic (eye) ointment, hydrogen peroxide, benadryl (diphenhydramine), cortisone spray/ointment, sterile saline, antidiarrheal liquid or tablets, flea and tick prevention and treatment, styptic powder, and ear cleaning solution. Always include any prescription medications your pet may be taking.
  

Dr. Spector recommends that you check your kit frequently for expired products and restock as needed. Be sure to pay close attention to the expiration dates on the hydrogen peroxide and antibiotic ointments, and ask your veterinarian for advice on other first aid kit contents specifically for your pet. And don't forget: tuck your new pet first aid kit in a water-proof plastic container for safekeeping!

Labels: Health, Safety

posted by Paris and John @ 1:47 PM