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Basic First Aid Kit

Loving Touch Animal Center

 

View all articles by Loving Touch Animal Center

Basic First Aid Kit

Every pet owner should have a first aid kit readily available for his or her four legged friends, because an emergency could strike at any time. You may want to have more than one kit available to you (i.e. a smaller version for your car and a waterproof bag for outdoor use). A pet first aid kit should contain:
  • Gauze – rolls, standard 4x4” and non-stick.
  • Vet wrap or self-clinging bandage – may be used to secure bandages and splints.
  • Betadine solution – topical antiseptic that does not cause burning/stinging sensation; used as pre-surgical disinfectant.’
  • Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) – may be applied topically to the skin as body cooling agent (aids with heat stroke or fever).
  • Sterile saline solution – may be used to flush eyes and wounds, or keep tissue moist.
  • Epsom salt – serves as a topical antiseptics and drying agent; may be used as a poultice to help clean and draw out infection when diluted at a rate of 1 teaspoon per 2 cups of warm water.
  • 3% hydrogen peroxide – may be used to induce vomiting when given orally at a rate of 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight – may be repeated every 15-20 minutes up to 3 times. ALWAYS first check with your veterinarian or poison control center to see if vomiting should be induced.
  • Topical antibiotic ointment (like Neosporin) or Calendula gel – made from marigold petals – both promote healing by producing tissue granulation and inhibition of bacterial growth.
  • K-Y jelly or another sterile water-soluble lubricant – used to lubricate thermometers before rectal insertion.
  • Rectal thermometers – normal non-aggravated cat and dog body temperature typically range from 101.5 – 102.5 Fahrenheit. By assessing your pet’s ambient body temperature you are better able to discern a baseline for your pet’s immediate state of health. Leave thermometer in place rectally for approximately one minute.
  • Latex gloves.
  • Tweezers (preferably flat-edged as opposed to rounded tip) – may be used to remove splinters or insect stingers from skin or pads of feet.
  • Hemostat/needle-nose pliers – may aid the removal of foreign objects from the skin or pads of feet.
  • Syringes – various sizes (3cc, 6cc, 12cc, 20cc, 35cc and 65cc). Important for measurement of liquids (i.e. 1 cc = 1 ml, there are 5 ml’s in 1 teaspoon). Syringes may be used to administer liquid medications, food and water orally.
  • Scissors – should be able to cut bandage material.
  • Grooming clippers – may be used to shave hair around hot spot or wounds, as well as serving basic grooming needs.
  • Splint supplies – tongue depressors, sticks, etc.
  • Clean cloth – may be used to secure splint.
  • Quick-stop or other styptic powder or pencil – helps blood clot. Useful if you cut the quick on a pet’s toenail or if a nail is injured or broken and bleeding.
  • Thermal blanket – your pet will need to be kept warm should he/she go into shock. Any blanket may be used if a thermal is not available.
  • Towel – may be used in wrapping up a cat or small dog that needs to be immobilized or restrained.
  • Muzzle – animals that are in pain or disoriented, that are ordinarily non-aggressive, may act out of character. Best to be used with an unfamiliar animal. Could be made from gauze roll in time of need.
  • Nylon leash – may be useful when leading an animal from one place to another; also may be used as a temporary muzzle if something more traditional is not available. Your pet should have his/her own collar (the breakaway type or collars that have elastic in them for expandability are recommended for cats), with identification tag and a safe carrier for transportation in the car. Such items offer security to both you and your companion animal.
  • Complete medical history – it is recommended that you have a recent copy of your pet’s veterinary records and at least a working knowledge of any relevant medical problems such as medication(s) and/or allergies. A complete medical history, including a copy of your pet’s current rabies vaccination certificate, is particularly important if you will be traveling with your animal companion.
  • Pen light – may be used to see if your pet has pupillary response to light – pupils should decrease in size when exposed to light.
  • Nutri-cal or sugar paste – should your pet suffer a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) episode or as given as a dietary supplement when your pet is not eating. Baby food of the pureed meat variety is good to have in stock should an animal stop eating and require dietary supplementation as it may readily be administered orally with a syringe. PDG (a powdered protein supplement made by Wyson) mixes in nicely with baby food for oral administration.
  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) – Used to help with allergic reaction. For cats and small dogs less than 30 pounds, give 10 mg orally; medium dogs 30-50 pounds 25 mg orally; and large dogs greater than 50 pounds 50 mg orally. Repeat dose every 6 hours or as directed by your veterinarian. You should first consult with a veterinarian before administering this product, and be mindful to not administer to an animal that is not conscious or is vomiting.
  • Acidophilus – live bacteria that promotes healthy gastro-intestinal function. Acidophilus comes encapsulated or in loose powder form and is helpful when a pet is on antibiotic therapy – for maximum results, give 1 hour after antibiotic is given. Acidophilus is also of benefit during diet changes.
  • Activated charcoal powder – may be given orally to help absorb ingested toxin(s). You should always first check with a veterinarian or poison control center to be sure that this product is appropriate for the toxin(s) ingested.
  • Emergency first aid phone numbers: emergency veterinary clinic in your area; local veterinarian; and National Animal Poison Control Center (1-800-548-2423 or 1-900-680-0000).
It is very important that we familiarize ourselves with what is normal behavior from our pets. Changes in attitude, energy level, appetite, urination and defecation are some of the only ways our pets are able to alert us that they are not feeling well. If you are very alert to subtle changes in your pet’s behavior, you will be able to pick up on a medical problem sooner rather than later, and possibly help save your pet’s life.
 
Dr.’s Michelle Tilghman and Pat Zook use conventional western medicine, acupuncture, herbs, chiropractic, homeopathy, nutrition, etc., to treat and promote optimal health in their patients. They can be reached through Loving Touch Animal Center, 1975 Glen Club Drive, Stone Mountain, GA, 30087, Phone 770-498-5956.
 
Resources:

Mammato, Bobbie. 1997. Pet First Aid. The American National Red Cross and the Humane Society of the United States, Mosby-Year book, Inc., St. Louis, MO.

Van Wijk, Y. 1994. Herbal First Aid for Pets and Other Animals.
Blackwoods Herbs.
 
Contributed by and Posted with Permission
Dr.’s Michelle Tilghman and Pat Zook
Loving Touch Animal Center
Stone Mountain, GA

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