How to Make a First Aid Kit for Your Dog?

Pet owners can administer basic first aid to their dog if he becomes ill or injured. All it takes is a little knowledge that your veterinarian can provide and assembling a few items to include in your first aid kit. When emergencies arise, it is much easier to have everything that you need already assembled than it is to scramble around trying to pull things together.

The first thing that you must remember is not to panic. The more prepared you are for emergency situations, the calmer and less panicked you will feel and you will be better able to handle the crisis. The next thing to remember when your dog is ill or injured is that injured or sick animals may not have the same temperament as they do when they are not hurting.

In other words, a dog in pain may try to bite you, no matter how docile he is otherwise. Always approach an injured animal with care, even if you know the animal well.

Basic First Aid Materials

These are items that are good to have in a basic first aid kit for your dog. Keep them in a bag or container so that they are all together and easily accessible.

1. Two Pair Sterile Gloves - To protect both you and your dog against contamination and infection. If you or your dog is allergic to latex, use sterile gloves.
2. Self Adhering Bandages - This type of bandage adheres to itself. It is very effective in holding bandages in place and in supporting injured limbs. Use a 3 inch wide bandage.
3. Rubbing Alcohol - Rubbing alcohol is an effective disinfectant. It can be used to clean wounds and disinfect areas of the dog's skin to prepare it for treatment.
4. White Petroleum Jelly - Petroleum jelly is an effective lubricant.
5. Hydrocortisone Ointment - 1% Cream for insect bites and contact allergies.
6. Bandage Scissors - These scissors are specially made to cut bandages. Regular scissors may work, but they are not reliable because they can be too dull to cut the bandage and in a crisis you don't want your scissors to punk out on you.
7. Hydrogen Peroxide - Hydrogen peroxide is very good for cleaning wounds. It usually does not sting and can clean wounds quite effectively.
8.Triple Antibiotic Ointment - This ointment should be applied to wounds, cuts or scrapes and then a bandage should be applied over it to avoid contamination and keep the wound clean.
9.Gauze Sponges - Get a package of 50 four inch by four inch sponges that are two per envelope.
Use these in the event of excessive bleeding where you must use direct pressure to stop the bleeding. Place two sponges over the area and apply consistent, firm pressure to the wound until it stops bleeding.
10. Sterile, non-adherent pads - These pads are used as a bandage. Place them over the wound once you have cleaned it and applied the antibiotic ointment.
11. Sterile stretch gauze bandage - Use three inches by four yards to bandage wounds.

Your Veterinarian Should Instruct You in Using These Vital Items

1. Eye Wash - Eye wash is used to flush the eyes or acts as a general decontaminant.
2. Ear Syringe - A two ounce capacity ear syringe can be used to remove wax and foreign objects from the dog's ears.
3. Pepto Bismol Tablets - This is used for stomach upset.
4. Generic Benadryl Capsules - This is used for allergic reactions. Use the 25 mg. capsules.
5. Buffered Aspirin - Enteric coated is not recommended because it often is not digested and the dog does not get the full benefit of the aspirin. Aspirin is often used for pain control. Your vet can tell you what dosage is best for your dog.
6. Custom Splint - Splints are used to stabilize an injured limb. You can purchase splint material from a vet supply and wrap it in a bandage.
7. Kaopectate tablets - Use maximum strength for stomach upset and diarrhea.
8. Rectal Thermometer - A dog's normal body temperature is between 101 F and 102 F.
Your vet can teach you how to take your dog's temp so that you can head off any illnesses.

Other Items

1. Veterinarian Phone Number
2. Shot and Vet Record
3. Dog CPR Card
4. Dog Heimlich Card
5. Muzzle or Leash
6. Blanket
7. Tweezers
8. Hemostats
9. Ziplock Bags

Hope that you are now more well equiped with the necessary in the event you need to treat your dog.