Why You Should Have a Rabbit First Aid Kit

One of the most important factors of being a good pet owner is responsibility. A responsible pet owner doesn't only provide a warm, safe environment, proper nutrition and veterinary care. A responsible pet owner is one that is knowledgeable about their pet and is prepared for anything that might go wrong. This presents the need for an emergency first aid kit.

Any experienced pet owner will advise you to keep a first aid kit on hand. It does not have to be fancy or expensive. A child's old lunch box or a retired tackle box will do nicely. Of course, there are also ready made kits available at most pet stores or through mail order. There are items that you may want to use to supplement your kit that are only available from your veterinarian. I will touch on these later in the article. Once you have a container, you can begin filling it. Do not feel that you have to get all the items at once, but do not drag it out either.

First Aid Kit Contents:

MEDICATIONS:
*Pediatric grade gas medicine in liquid form (available at drugstores)
*Livestock grade iodine (available at feed stores)
*Triple antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin®
*Miticide
*Sterile eye wash
*Hemorrhoid ointment such as Preparation H®
*Hydrogen peroxide
*Terramycin powder (available at feed stores in packets - follow poultry dosing)

TOOLS/SUPPLIES:
*Nail clippers
*Small nail scissors
*Cotton swabs
*Cotton balls
*Unbreakable plastic digital thermometer
*Oral syringe
*Hot water bottle or animal bed warmer
*Bag Balm ® or petroleum jelly
*Surgical grade fake sheepskin
*Rabbit RX® or baby oil
*Flour or styptic powder

OTHER:
*Veterinarian's name and phone number
*List of any medications or conditions your rabbit may have

These items have a variety of uses. The nail scissors, for example, come in handy when cleaning hair from wounds or from areas infected with a warble. The hemorrhoid ointment is applied to the feet of rabbits with sore hocks, although one could use the petroleum jelly or triple antibiotic ointment as well. The fake sheepskin is for wounds and for applying to the bottoms of incontinent rabbits.

Your veterinarian should show you the proper way to trim his nails, and in the case of malocolluded rabbits, his teeth. He or she will also need to show you the proper way to take your rabbit's temperature. While this is not difficult, if done improperly you may cause injury to your rabbit.

Your veterinarian may suggest to you a bag of liquid saline solution to be used in the case that your rabbit becomes severely dehydrated. He or she should instruct you how to administer this to your rabbit as well as the when and why you should do it.

The most important thing to keep in your first aid kit is the emergency phone number of your veterinarian, If your vet office does not offer emergency hours, then ask them for a referral to an emergency 24 hour animal clinic.

Accidents, injuries and illnesses do not take vacations or have off hours. A first aid kit will save your sanity in the case of an emergency and will give you peace of mind when there is none.