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Your Dog's First Aid Kit

At home or on the road, your dog can have an accident at any time. Having a first aid kit for your dog, and knowing how to use it will help you be able to take care of most injuries and emergencies. It is a great idea to have a kit at home and in your car. Commercially prepared kits are available, but it may be more economical to make your own. Be sure to use a sturdy plastic tote to keep the kits together.

Your Dog First Aid Kit should include:

Cleaning products:
*Saline eye wash to flush out injured eyes
*Sterile saline to wash out/bathe skin wounds
*Antiseptic skin cleanser, such as Betadine scrub

Dressings:
*Square gauze pads of various sizes, some should be in sterile packaging
*Non-stick gauze pads
*Conforming bandaging in case of snake bite
*Adhesive tape such as paper tape (more gentle on skin) to hold gauze in place
*Bandage rolls including gauze and vet wrap
*Make sure to include vet wrap to hold pressure on bleeding wounds
*Cotton tipped applicators and cotton balls for applying medications and cleaning wounds

Medications:
Most of the medications can be found at your local pharmacy.
*Benadryl-an antihistamine-for allergic reaction to insect bites. Although your vet should give you the dose appropriate for your dog, standard dosing is 0.5 to 2 mg per pound (1 to 4 mg/kg) given by mouth two to three times daily.
*Antiseptic ointment, such as Betadine, for cuts and abrasions.
3% hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting if your dog eats something toxic. Standard dose is 5 ml/10 pounds of body weight. Please contact the poison control center or your vet if you are not sure if the ingested poison is caustic. DO NOT induce vomiting after ingestion of caustic substances.
*Styptic powder or corn starch to stop bleeding

You may also want to include the following medications as long as you have been instructed by your veterinarian on the appropriate usage for your pet:
*Anti diarrhea medication
*Triple antibiotic ointment for skin abrasions
*Ear Cleaning solution
*Activated Charcoal for absorption of ingested poisons

Other items to include in your kit:
*Your dog's medical history
* Laminated Basic First Aid instruction card
*Important phone numbers, including your veterinarians office, emergency pet clinic, Poison Control Center
*Bandage scissors
*Tweezers, pliers or hemostats. Having all three of these clamping items in your kit is ideal
*Muzzle or gauze wrap to help your pet not bite or lick injuries
*Blankets to keep dog warm, and to use as a stretcher
*Disposable gloves
*Flashlight
*Magnifying glass
*Syringes for flushing wounds
*Leash and collar
*Hot and cold packs wrapped in a towel before use
*Stethoscope

Be prepared before you ever have to use the first aid kit. Take a first aid class, or discuss with your vet how to perform basic first aid, and make sure you know when to seek emergency help.

Having a well stocked first aid kit, and learning dog first aid will mean you will be well prepared for any emergency.

About the Author:

This guest article is brought to you by Dog Fence DIY's staff veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright. Dog fence DIY has a great variety of electric fences for dogs to choose from. We will show you the proper steps of how to lay down your electric dog fence, how to select the best system for your dog, and how to train your pet to use the system. Dog Fence DIY offers many types of pet containment systems at the best available prices to you.