PET FIRST AID KIT

If your pet has any special conditions or needs, ask your veterinarian what additional items you may need for your first aid kit. Keep medicines out of the reach of children.

Your pet first aid kit should include the following:

• Latex gloves
• Gauze sponges (available at most pharmacies) in a variety of sizes
• Roll gauze, 2-inch width.
• Roll bandages, such as gauze wrap that stretches and clings. These are available at pharmacies, pet stores and through pet catalogs.
• Material to make a splint. This can include pieces of wood, newspaper and sticks.
• Adhesive tape, hypo-allergenic.
• Non-adherent sterile pads. These pads make excellent dressings.
• Small scissors.
• Grooming clippers (available in pet stores and pet catalogs) or a safety razor.
• Nylon leash (at least one).
• Towel
• Muzzle. A cage muzzle is ideal, but a soft collapsible one may be more convenient to carry. Get one you already know fits your pet. If you do not want to purchase one, at least have plenty of roll gauze available to use as make-shift muzzle.
• Compact thermal blanket. If you cannot get a thermal blanket, have a regular blanket available.
• Pediatric rectal thermometer (may be digital)
• Water-based sterile lubricant (washes off easily).
• Three percent hydrogen peroxide (this will have an expiration date).
• Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl)
• Over-the-counter topical antibiotic ointment.
• Epsom salts.
• Baby dose syringe or eyedropper (non-glass). These are available at pharmacies or in the baby section of most grocery stores.
• Sterile eye lubricant.
• Sterile saline eyewash.
• Diphenhydramine, appropriate dosage for your pet’s size, if approved by your veterinarian. This will have an expiration date.
• Glucose paste or corn syrup.
• Styptic powder or pencil. Pharmacies carry styptic pencils. Veterinary styptic products are sold at veterinary hospitals, pet supply stores and through catalogs.
• Expired credit card to scrape away stingers.
• A list of emergency telephone numbers including your pet’s veterinarian, an after-hours emergency veterinary hospital and the National Animal Poison Control Center (1-800-548-2423 or 1-900-680-0000)
• Petroleum jelly.
• Penlight.
• Clean cloth.
• Needle-nose pliers.

Source: Pet First Aid, Bobbie Mammato, DVM, MPH, The American National Red Cross & Humane Society of the United States, Mosby-Year Books, 1997