How to Pack a First Aid Kit for Pets
Keep a first aid kit for your pet accessible at home or in your car when traveling. Gathering the necessary items ahead of time could help save your pet's life in an emergency.
Steps
1. Get a durable, waterproof (or at least water-resistant) container that opens and closes easily yet securely. It should be large enough to hold the items mentioned below.
2. Include bandage material, such as gauze pads, cotton gauze, adhesive tape and masking tape.
3. Keep a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and anti-bacterial ointment or cream in the kit.
4. Include diarrhea medication, but seek your veterinarian's approval before use.
5. Be sure to pack a pair of scissors, plus tweezers or forceps.
6. Add a few eyedroppers for dispensing liquid medication or for cleaning superficial wounds.
7. Include syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting in the event your pet is poisoned. If your pet is poisoned, consult your veterinarian before inducing vomiting.
8. Find activated charcoal at any health food store. This remedy is good for poisoning or diarrhea and controls flatulence resulting from any stomach or intestinal upset.
9. Store blankets in the kit to keep your pet warm in extreme conditions.
10. When traveling, call ahead to your destination to see if there are any particular dangers, such as snakes, poisonous plants or extreme heat, that you will need to consider when packing your first aid kit.
11. Include the phone numbers of your pet's regular veterinarian and of a nearby emergency veterinary hospital.
Tips & Warnings
* Muzzle an injured dog, since overly stressed dogs are more at risk of biting.
* For spinal injuries, secure your pet to a board with masking tape that will not hurt the fur or skin. Avoid placing the dog inside a crate or carrier, and call your veterinarian before heading to the hospital so the staff can prepare for your arrival.
* Never give your cat aspirin or acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol). They are extremely toxic to cats. Avoid giving ibuprofen to dogs, as it can cause kidney failure. |
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