Pet First Aid
Pet First Aid & Pet CPRTraining given by American Red Cross Pet First Aid InstructorBabysitter Training given by American Red Cross Instructor
Essential Items in a Dog First-Aid Kit
A first-aid kit is a must-have item for any dog owner--so it’s a must-have item for pet specialty retailers to stock in their stores. A variety of prepackaged first-aid kits for dogs makes it easy for both pet owners and shopkeepers to find what they’re looking for, but customers may still be curious about what exactly goes in one and how the items are used.
Here are some common ingredients included in many first-aid kits and their suggested uses:
- Gauze sponges: Used to sop up blood and dress wounds
- Triple antibiotic ointment: Placed on lacerations to prevent infection
- Rubbing alcohol: Used to clean and sterilize wounds
- Ear syringe: For cleaning out dirty ears
- Ace self-adhering athletic bandage: To support a sprained or broken limb
- White petroleum jelly: For lubricating a rectal thermometer
- Eye wash: To rinse debris from a dog’s eye
- Sterile, non-adherent pads: For dressing wounds
- Pepto Bismol tablets: To soothe an upset stomach
- Generic Benadryl capsules, 25mg: For allergic reactions, like hives
- Hydrocortisone acetate, 1 percent cream: To treat itchy bites or rashes
- Roll of sterile stretch gauze bandage: Used to dress wounds and create a make-shift muzzle to prevent accidental dog bite
- Buffered aspirin: For pain
- Hypoallergenic cloth tape: For dressing wounds
- Hydrogen peroxide: Used for cleaning wounds and inducing vomiting
- Kaopectate tablets, maximum strength: To treat diarrhea
- Bandage scissors: Used for cutting tape and bandages
- Blanket: To be used as a make-shift gurney or to keep the dog warm in case of shock
- Tweezers: For pulling out splinters or bee stingers
- Muzzle: To restrain a dog in pain
- Rectal thermometer: For taking a dog’s temperature
- Ziploc bags: To package vomit or feces to the veterinarian
- Paperwork: including the dog’s health record, medications, local and national poison control numbers, regular veterinary clinic hours and telephone numbers, and emergency clinic hours and telephone number.
From VIP Insurance - Ten Things Every Pet Owner Should Know
- Behavior knowledge. You need to know what to expect from an injured pet to prevent injury to yourself
- Vet phone numbers and address. You quickly need to know who to call and where to go.
- Phone number of an animal-loving friend. In some situations, like when a pet is lost or if you are trying to transport an injured pet, you need a friend's help.
- CPR.
- Heimlich maneuver.
- How to bandage. This can be easy to do and it is extremely important to protect a wound.
- How to stop bleeding. Gentle pressure is the best way to stop bleeding.
- Towel or blankets. These can be used to cover wound or help you pick up a pet.
- Strong blanket. This can be used to help you transport a pet.
- Finances. Finally, it is important to be able to take financial responsibility for your own injured pet. Many clinics do not allow payment plans but do accept credit cards. One good way to protect yourself it to consider pet insurance in advance.