Make Your Own Dog First Aid Kit
Dog emergencies happen unexpectedly. Be ready, by making your own dog first aid kit!
Reprinted by permission from Dr. Nicholas Dodman of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine from his book Puppy’s First Steps (Houghton Mifflin Company).
1. Gauze, sterile pads, and vet wrap, a self-clinging elastic wrap–all can be used to wrap a wound prior to transport to the vet.
2. Scissors.
3. Styptic pencil or powder to stop a nail from bleeding if it has been cut too close.
4. Tweezers or forceps to remove splinters, ticks, etc.
5. Triple antibiotic ointment to inhibit bacterial growth and infection, to be applied to wounds upon direction by a vet.
6. Antiseptic to help prevent infection in minor cuts and to disinfect minor wounds.
7. Hydrocortisone cream to reduce itching caused by insect bites and allergies.
8. Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine for allergic reactions.
9. Cold pack to reduce swelling.
10. Eyewash to rinse foreign objects or dust out of the dog’s eye.
11. Hydrogen peroxide (10 percent strength, easily available over the counter) to induce vomiting in case of poisoning. Your vet or poison control center should be able to tell you the correct dose. (Either one should also be able to tell you whether induction is appropriate; sometimes it can worsen the poisoning, depending on the toxin.)
12. Antiseptic wipes, to clean your hands as well as a cut on the dog.
13. Alcohol prep pads to clean scissors and tweezers before use. (They should not be used directly on a wound.)
14. Muzzle (a scared dog in pain may bite even a loved one).
15. Latex gloves.
16. A read list of emergency health-care provider phone numbers.
Gather the above items now and put them into an emergency box or plastic zip bag. Keep these items by your grooming tools or where you keep your dog’s medicine, both natural places to look should an emergency arise.
