Dog First Aid Kit

We were picking up a new bag of dog food for the Lab Brats this weekend when we noticed a woman from a local rescue group had set up a table at the front of the pet store. Of course, being the curious dog owner that I am, I went directly for the table (since my dogs weren't with me, I didn't have to worry about them getting into trouble).

The whole table was filled with information on evacuating your animals and animal first aid kits. Living in the Midwest doesn't make me too nervous about evacuations but it occurred to me that we don't have a first aid kit put together for our beloved canines. So, I picked up a list and will begin shopping this week!

Small Animal (dog and cat) First Aid Kits should include:

• Activated charcoal (liquids)
• Anti-diarrhea liquid or tablets
• Antibiotic ointment
• Antibiotic eye ointment
• Bandage scissors
• Bandage tape
• Betadine or Nolvasan
• Cotton bandage rolls
• Cotton-tipped swabs
• Elastic bandage rolls
• Eye rinse (sterile)
• Flea and tick prevention and treatment
• Gauze pads and rolls
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Ice cream sticks (may be used as splints)
• Isopropyl alcohol/alcohol prep pads
• Latex gloves or non-allergenic gloves
• Liquid dish detergent (mild wound cleaner)
• Measuring spoons
• Medications and preventatives such as heartworm prevention
• Non-adherent bandage pads
• Saline solution
• Sterile lubricant (water-based)
• Styptic powder (clotting agent)
• Syringe or eyedropper
• Thermometer (digital)
• Tourniquet
• Towel and washcloth
• Tweezers

You can get an old backpack to put everything in which makes it easy to throw into the trunk of your car or have around the house.

Dakota taught us a couple of weeks ago how important a first aid kit is after she had her nails clipped at the vet and ended up bleeding all over our car's backseat 15 minutes later. We had to drive back to the vet because we didn't have any styptic powder on hand. If we did, it would have saved Dakota great deal of anguish as well as her mommy and daddy.