Gauze, scissors, adhesive tape, rubber gloves The tape can hold gauze or other first aid items in place, and scissors can cut an old shirt into strips to form a more solid bandage for larger wounds or to help if you run out of gauze. Rubber gloves are essential for any medical emergency. Here are 10 supplies you should always have in your pet first aid kit. Use a contact card to write down the phone numbers of your veterinarian, a 24-hour emergency clinic, and an animal poison center.
If you need to leave your pet with a sitter, you can leave a copy of the card. A pair of scissors may be an overlooked item in a pet first aid kit, but without them, it's often difficult to manage care. Whether you're removing hair near an injury or placing bandages, scissors are always useful. Look for blunt-ended scissors, such as ConAirPro rounded tip scissors for dogs.
You don't want to accidentally bite your pet when you cut it close to the skin. This is particularly important when cutting hair near the eyes, nose, or ears. Bandages are basic items in any first aid kit for dogs or cats. In many cases, the bandage you apply after an injury will be temporary until you can go to your vet.
Even so, it plays a vital role in providing support and preventing pollution. Make sure the bandages are tight enough so that they don't fall off, but not so tight that they compromise blood flow. For effortless insertion, apply a petroleum- or water-based lubricant to the end of the thermometer. If possible, ask someone to gently hold your pet and distract your pet while you lift your tail only as long as necessary to insert only the metal tip of the thermometer into your pet's rectum (approximately half an inch).
Be sure to buy a thermometer that scores up to at least 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Do you have a first aid kit at home for your pet? If not, how prepared are you and your pet for an emergency? While we always recommend that you contact your vet if you think your pet has an emergency, it's important to know what steps you can take right away to keep your pet stable while you determine if it needs medical attention. Make sure you have a first-aid kit nearby that all family members know. If your dog suffers a serious laceration or other injuries, you'll probably want to cover it with a bandage after using the wound spray.
Look for self-adhesive bandages that don't stick to your dog's coat to keep them from being painfully removed later on. Unless you want Fido to look like a mummy when you sell it, include a pair of bandage scissors in your kit designed to cut gauze, clothes and (yes) bandages. If your puppy is cut or scratched, the injury should be treated right away. Antibiotic ointments help prevent infections and relieve pain, while acting as a barrier against bacteria from becoming septicemic (a serious condition caused by an untreated wound).
A flashlight may be one of the items you didn't consider adding to the first aid kit, but it could be useful when you're trying to remove a splinter or drop a pill. Keep extra batteries handy or invest in a solar-powered flashlight. If you choose a solar flashlight, make sure to store it in a place that has a lot of sunlight. A roll of gauze can be used as a bandage in human and canine first aid kits, as well as a tool to help stop bleeding and as a filler for splints.
Depending on the individual needs of your dog or cat, you may need to include specific medications (including prescription medications) in your pet first aid kit, but be sure to keep an eye on those expiration dates. Whether it's a splinter or a broken bone, you'll want to be prepared with the right supplies (and it's never a bad idea to attend a first aid class for pets). Always remember that any first aid given to your pet should be followed by immediate veterinary care. If you're going to put together a first aid kit for dogs and cats, look for products such as Pet MD's chlorhexidine antiseptic wipes for dogs and cats.
Make sure your list includes the numbers of your regular vet, emergency vet, animal control, and animal poison control. As a pet owner, you should make sure that you have basic first aid supplies for your pets in your home. Assembling a first aid kit for pets will give you the peace of mind that you'll be prepared in case of an emergency. For example, if it turns out that your dog is diabetic, your pet's first aid kit may include honey to treat an episode of low blood sugar, while active dogs that go outdoors may need supplies such as splints in the event of an injury.
That's why it's always a good idea to attend a pet first aid class; you should be able to find one through your vet, a community college, or the Red Cross. Better yet, many of the items you should include in your pet's first aid kit can also be useful for humans. Keep this kit at home and well equipped with supplies at all times, next to the first aid kit for your family. While there are many pre-made first aid kits for dogs available for purchase, it's generally best to customize your own kit based on your pet's unique lifestyle and individual needs.
A leash is an essential tool that you should have in your first aid kit because it is a way for you, as the owner of your dog, to control when he is scared and tries to flee. Carefully preparing a well-stocked first aid kit will make you better prepared to deal with a medical emergency if one is presented to you by your dog, cat, or other pet. .
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