Pet First Aid Kit

[Happy Harry #2]

This is a guide to being prepared for an emergency.....things that I consider a "must have". I like making my own because I can tailor it to my likes and needs Other things that deal with the personal needs of your own animal should be included.

1. Gauze pads - to cover and protect wounds.
2. Gauze roll - to cover and protect wounds. Always make sure you don't wrap tight enough to cut off circulation Can also be used as a stand-in muzzle.
3. Adhesive Tape Roll - to hold gauze pads/roll in place.
4. Alcohol prep pads - for disinfecting wounds/bites, scissors and tweezers.
5. Antiseptic Towelettes - cleaning hands.
6. Disposable Gloves - to keep your hands clean and protected when treating an animal. Doubles as an cold pack as needed.
7. Cotton Tip Applicators (Q-tips) - to apply, remove, or cleanse an area
8. Saline Solution - to flush eyes.
9. Hydrogen Peroxide - to cleanse wounds, i.e. burns, lacerations and abrasions.
10. Medium/large syringe to flush wounds.
11. Antibiotic Ointment - to slow down bacterial growth in cuts/abrasions and promote wound healing.
12.Iodine Pads - another type of antiseptic for wounds. Very useful because they easy to use.
13. Hydrocortisone Cream - soothes the itching of minor skin irritations/ rashes.
14. Cold/Hot Packs - to reduce pain, itching or swelling. Do not put directly on skin.
15. Finger splints - to help stabilize fractures.
16. Tubular Gauze - to hold gauze pads or small splints in place. These are mainly for small animals.
17. Triangular Bandage - to wrap injuries. Can also be used as a muzzle.
18. Thermal Blanket - to wrap pet for warmth and prevent shock. Also can be used to prevent further injury to animal. Can help move animal.
19. Scissors - to cut tape gauze, tape and hair around wound.
20. Tweezers - to remove a foreign object from skin or paw that is clearly seen. Do not try to remove anything from the eye that cannot be flushed out...leave that to the vet.
21. Firm box with handle - needed to hold supplies and be easy to carry.

The last thing that is on my list is something I personally have not had any experience with....a Tick Removal Tool. I have never lived in an area that ticks were a problem. I only know what others have told me. Some say that it works well, others that you can cause a horrible infection if not fully removed.

In the next day or so, I will address:
1. How to handle an injured animal
2. How to muzzle
3. Bite wounds
4. Burns
5.Choking
6. Bleeding
7. CPR
8. Diarrhea

[Saralaya]

Harry- what a terrific list! I have only one comment (OK, two...)..... comes from my previous EMT training. We were taught never, ever, to use hydrogen peroxide on any sort of wound (and especially burns) because while the "bubbling and foaming" appears to be cleaning out a wound... it is actually destroying tissue. I know people who swear by it but I don't use it on people and wouldn't use it on an animal. I carry Hibiclens in my first aid kit and keep it at home.

http://www.hibiclens.com/default.html

It's safe and effective and doesn't cause tissue damage...it also does not sting.

I no longer carry iodine either except for Betadine. This is what most docs (vets included) use to scrub up with and to clean an area before surgery. It also doesn't sting the way regular iodine does.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=betadine&hl=en&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1228&bih=518&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=6370802184900340257&sa=X&ei=DUCOTrjsKark0QHrpIEL&ved=0CFUQ8wIwAA

This just shows what a bottle looks like, you can get much smaller bottles for less... they also make a skin cleanser...

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=betadine&hl=en&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1228&bih=518&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=17421671028481775263&sa=X&ei=DUCOTrjsKark0QHrpIEL&ved=0CGAQ8wIwAg

[Happy Harry #2]

Saralaya wrote:
Harry- what a terrific list! I have only one comment (OK, two...)..... comes from my previous EMT training. We were taught never, ever, to use hydrogen peroxide on any sort of wound (and especially burns) because while the "bubbling and foaming" appears to be cleaning out a wound... it is actually destroying tissue. I know people who swear by it but I don't use it on people and wouldn't use it on an animal. I carry Hibiclens in my first aid kit and keep it at home.

http://www.hibiclens.com/default.html

It's safe and effective and doesn't cause tissue damage...it also does not sting.

I no longer carry iodine either except for Betadine. This is what most docs (vets included) use to scrub up with and to clean an area before surgery. It also doesn't sting the way regular iodine does.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=betadine&hl=en&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1228&bih=518&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=6370802184900340257&sa=X&ei=DUCOTrjsKark0QHrpIEL&ved=0CFUQ8wIwAA

This just shows what a bottle looks like, you can get much smaller bottles for less... they also make a skin cleanser...

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=betadine&hl=en&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1228&bih=518&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=17421671028481775263&sa=X&ei=DUCOTrjsKark0QHrpIEL&ved=0CGAQ8wIwAg

Right on Saraloaya! Yes, I use both items but how they are used counts pretty high up there.......and how to dilute them was (and still will be) discussed when I cover burns and wounds. If you notice there are several things that overlap each other. I did this to give choices, but more on that subject as I complete this write-up.

[dana01]

Great list! I have most of those items, some I need to stock up on.
Thanks Harry

[K9 Owned]

Thank you Happy - this is going to be an excellent series! I'll sticky it so that people can find it quickly.

[lotusland]

In this neck of the woods, this kit would also have a pair of pliers..darn porcupines, anyway! And I am serious about this..Lotus.

[Saralaya]

Hi everyone, today I saw a link (on facebook) from the NJ ASPCA about putting together a first aid kit for your pets and just thought I'd add it. A lot of it is repetitive from Harry's list.... but here you go!

http://www.scjohnson.com/en/family/family-economics/getting-organized/12-03-07/DIY-Pet-First-Aid-Kit.aspx

[K9 Owned]

Saralaya wrote:
Hi everyone, today I saw a link (on facebook) from the NJ ASPCA about putting together a first aid kit for your pets and just thought I'd add it. A lot of it is repetitive from Harry's list.... but here you go!

http://www.scjohnson.com/en/family/family-economics/getting-organized/12-03-07/DIY-Pet-First-Aid-Kit.aspx

Thanks Saralaya!

[Stella Mae]

I think this is an important thread, thanks for posting. I'm looking forward to more pet first aids as my friend has two cats -- one elderly and one a teenager -- that are always getting into trouble!

[Molly53]

[K9 Owned]

Thanks Molly!
I have most of the items on the list but not necessarily in one spot. I'll put them all in one container so I'm not hunting for things in an emergency.

What also struck me is that while I have all of those telephone numbers on my fridge they are not in my phone where I can access them from anywhere. Updating my phone this morning.

[Molly53]

Print this off and add it to your pet first aid kit: