Emergency (firstaid) kit essentials

[Peanutsmommy]

I know we don't like to think about emergencies but it is best to be prepared. I made one last year but need to recheck everything and update each year.

Here is a list of things you might want to include:


penlight
blanket
leash (or leashes if multiple dogs)
muzzle-your dog may be friendly but scared or injured they may bite
rectal thermometer. label it as pet themometer :)
surgical or latex gloves-you do not want to contaminate your pets wound
cotton balls
cotton swabs or q-tips
3 inch sterile gauze pads
3 inch gauze roll
vet wrap
3 inch ace bandage
plastic syringe (without needle)
activated charcoal tablets (5grams)
tweezers
bandage sissors
medical sissors
nail clippers (or dremel)
grooming clippers
needle nosed pliers
k-y lubricant or pettrolum jelly
rubbing alcohol
hydrogen peroxide
betadine or antiseptic scrub
neosporin
sterile eye wash
towel
something to lift a dog that can not walk such as large towel or blanket
small flashlight
water
food
collapsable bowls
updated health records vaccine history
veterinarian phone number
phone number for 24 hour clinic
aspca posion control phone number (888)426-4435 (there is a charge per service)
animal first aid handbook. available from the red cross.http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=95&Page=1&StartAtPage=1&SId=199951&LocationId=0
a box or container to keep your supplies in


There are many things to add to this list i am sure feel free to add to this list if you have any suggestions. Being prepared for any situation can make a huge difference.

*******This is not in leiu of professional medical care. This is for stablizing your pet until you can get them into a licenced veterinarian.**********

[APBTMOMMY]

Oh my I never thought about putting one of these together. Thanks PM I am going to work on getting one put together as soon as I can. Your right, never know when something is going to happen that you may need all this. Thanks again:D

[kumhomomma]

super glue GREAT for emergency till u can get to vet...Kumho and P tore into fight on weekend and NOTHING in the dog first aid kit would stop bleeding till i broke out super glue AT VET request..it worked GREAT

[Peanutsmommy]

good point super glue or quick stop..some sort of coagulant (sp)

[PullDawgPits]

A couple of other things...

hot water bottle (in case of serious blood loss, shock is number one killer) if you can keep the body temp up it is easier to keep the dog from going into shock

tourniquet, along those same lines, stopping blood loss. You can either get a piece of rubber tubing or use a thin piece of latigo or leather, as long as it is at least 12 inches long.

I also keep Corona ointment, available at feed stores. It is a lanolin based, antiseptic ointment good for wounds, burns or even just hard rubs. It is non toxic and can be used even in locations that the dog may lick.

Just a note, if you think that a wound may need to be stitched DO NOT use hydrogen peroxide to clean. Hydrogen peroxide kills tissue and can cause bigger problems if used on a wound that is later stitched closed. It is best to use another antiseptic or even just soap and water to clean a dirty wound, if it is to be stitched closed.

Stephanie

[Peanutsmommy]

A couple of other things...

hot water bottle (in case of serious blood loss, shock is number one killer) if you can keep the body temp up it is easier to keep the dog from going into shock

tourniquet, along those same lines, stopping blood loss. You can either get a piece of rubber tubing or use a thin piece of latigo or leather, as long as it is at least 12 inches long.

I also keep Corona ointment, available at feed stores. It is a lanolin based, antiseptic ointment good for wounds, burns or even just hard rubs. It is non toxic and can be used even in locations that the dog may lick.

Just a note, if you think that a wound may need to be stitched DO NOT use hydrogen peroxide to clean. Hydrogen peroxide kills tissue and can cause bigger problems if used on a wound that is later stitched closed. It is best to use another antiseptic or even just soap and water to clean a dirty wound, if it is to be stitched closed.

Stephanie


great points!!

[Dansgrizz]

Sticky sticky great topic!!!!

[infinity]

Just a note, if you think that a wound may need to be stitched DO NOT use hydrogen peroxide to clean. Hydrogen peroxide kills tissue and can cause bigger problems if used on a wound that is later stitched closed. It is best to use another antiseptic or even just soap and water to clean a dirty wound, if it is to be stitched closed.

Really i knever knew that. And i use peroxide for every thing... Good to know. Thanks.

[APBTMOMMY]

He He He....Im learning......:D. Great post everyone.

[Phedra]

Yes peroxide is bad for flesh wounds like Pull said, it kills tissue and makes scaring worse, plus it hurts like a bitch! Best to wash the surrounding area dirt, blood ect off with saline and soap and flush the wound with just saline then bandage. Puncture wounds should be soaked for 20min (good luck with that lol)

[Carriana]

We always have spare antibiotics laying around for the dogs. It comes in handy when they get hurt and it's not quite bad enough to warrant a trip to the vet but could get infected.

This came in handy very recently when Loki and Brutus were playing tug and Brutus accidentally got the rope AND Loki's lip and Loki didn't act like it hurt so they kept tugging, it wasn't until Loki tried to let go and couldn't that we realized what was going on. He had two puncture wounds from it :(

[Peanutsmommy]

i just had a thought..peroxide is a no no on cuts what about rubbing alcohol? i use that on everything (my husband makes us use it to clean our own cuts) and i have used it to clean Peanuts owies too..i know it burns but other than that does it harm the skin in the same way peroxide does?