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doggie first aid kit

1K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  Bogey's Mom 
#1 ·
Ok, because every now and then you read some pretty scary stories
here on the board (just read the poisoning scare:eek: so glad it worked out well!)it's time to get prepared.
We live aprox. 30 min out of town so I think it would be a good idea to get together a first aid kit for our furry friend(s).
What are the things you MUST have?
Syringes? Peroxide (drug store?).
 
#2 ·
Copied off the internet...



  • Gauze sponges -- 50 four-by-four inch sponges, two per envelope
  • Triple antibiotic ointment
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Ear syringe -- two ounce capacity
  • Ace self-adhering athletic bandage -- three-inch width
  • White petroleum jelly (Vaseline or similar)
  • Eye wash
  • Sterile, non-adherent pads
  • Pepto Bismol tablets
  • Generic Benadryl capsules -- 25mg, for allergies
  • Hydrocortisone acetate -- one percent cream
  • Sterile stretch gauze bandage -- three inches by four yards
  • Buffered aspirin
  • Dermicil hypoallergenic cloth tape one inch by 10 yards
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Kaopectate tablets maximum strength
  • Bandage scissors
  • Custom splints
  • Vet Rap bandage
Other suggested items were:

  • Blanket
  • Tweezers
  • Muzzle
  • Hemostats
  • Rectal thermometer
  • Ziplock bags
  • 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.
 
#3 · (Edited)
The list shown is pretty comprehensive. I'd add a few more bandages, maybe a turkey baster to carefully get the liquid down their throat in the event of a poisoning.

My main comment is: make sure you know how to use the da*n equipment! Take a basic first aid class--the Red Cross even has pet first aid classes now. Everyone should have Basic First Aid training for their families and friends.

A lot of the FA stuff is common sense--can you react sensibly in an emergency? Some of the other stuff isn't as simple. For example, if your dog has a large laceration on his chest or shoulders--it probably isn't a good idea to put on some sterile pads over the wound, then wrap gauze bandage completely around their chest--if you wrap it too tight, it'll severely restrict their breathing; since they're hurting already, you certainly don't want to make matters worse...

I'll check back in awhile and maybe add a few things to the list--keeping your vet and emergency pet hospital phone number handy (and on your cell phone)--is really important, too.


Missmarstar--great job in posting the list--you've done yerself proud! :)

SJ
 
#5 ·
Thanks guys! I'll look around if there is a doggie first aid in the area.
I did a childrens first aid class and know how to do CPR so the basics are there ;-)....what I would do when there is an emergency? I dunno. I am pretty calm but if I am like that when somebody is in dire straits?

Reminds me of our neighbor/good friend. When one of his dogs was choking (collar...)he had to do mouth to mouth.....dog was saved thank God! I thought it was very impressive: a dog at your feet trying to get some O2 in and 3 daughters and a wife screaming around you! And still know what to do!
 
#6 ·
I have two kits - one at home and one in my rig - we travel a lot...what I'd add to that list:

Rubbing alcohol
Listerine in a spray bottle
Betagen (or the like)
tea bags (for treating hot spots)
Ear wash
Meat tenderizer - for stings
Instant ice pack
Vet wrap (the list above mentioned three inches - I'd suggest a smaller width too)
Some sort of anti-inflammatory: deramaxx/metacam, etc
Some sort of sedative
Betadyne
A good generic antibiotic (I'm not going to an ER vet in a strange town for a hot spot)
Syringes - various sizes and tips
Towels - various sizes mostly handtowel sizes - disposable/bleechable
Pouch of rice and can of chicken - just in case we're stuck somewhere/upset tummy

I do keep lots and lots of blankets, extra bowls, misc dog supplies packed in there as well. I'm an agility nut - we're more prepared than than boyscouts.

Erica
 
#8 ·
fter being a medic in the navy for years I came upo with my own comprehensive first aid kit for our pups. If you choose to buy one of those large kits they sell online, I would advise you NOT to do so. So much is filling and junk you will never have need for. The stuff in my first aid kit ALL doubles as other items. I personally advise anyone thinking of camping or going into area where vet treatment is not available for some time to take a wilderness first aid course which teaches you first aid based on ONLY the things you already commonly have with you. I'm copying this from another thread I posted my list into about emergency prepardness. If you have any questions, please let me know and I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability.

PASTED::::::
Ok, here's a copy and paste from the thread a few months back on the subject. Understand while these are pretty close to complete lists for both a first aid kit and a bug-out bag for Amber, each region and dog or family has it's own special needs based on what type ofmedical concerns and disaster you are trying to prepare for as these are just general lists I complied from my own bags. I keep both sitting with my own and my wifes large backpacks that contains a second first aid kit for ourselves(alot more surgical equipement and meds that are replaced on a yearly basis for the most part) and our own bugout equipement. I can compile a list of those bags as well if you guys so desire. You should plan for a solid 3 days without food or water and be able to handle most emergencies without support, so consider everything you could possibly encounter and try to think creatively so one item can have multipule uses. That way you keep pack size and weight down. If anyone needs help just let me know and I'll see what I can do. I did find 99% of these items at our local pharmacy that has extensive pre/post-surgical supplies(usually pharmacies that contain supplies for those who are home bound have these types of items). There are websites that sell premade bug out bags as well as first aid kits for humans and animals but not only are they about 300% or more over priced they are far from being complete. The best kit content you can buy is getting certified in wilderness first aid. The training is usually one full weekend long and it has a pre-req that youhave been certified in first aid/cpr. The course shows youhow to handle most any medical situation with ONLY the items you would normally have in your first aid kit or on your person while in the woods. It makes great sense to have this course under your belt for a natural disaster since supplies could be minimal.
Phil
---------PASTED-------------
Ok, I sat down and made a comprehensive list of everything I can recall from both ambers first aid kit, which goes with us on every trip(even to the park) even if it remains in the car for trips like the park but it's there if needed, and the list from her bug-out bag. Now I do not live in an earthquake prone area but floods and other natural disasters can and do happen when we least expect it so I made these two items up based on that fact. If something were to occur it's stressful enough to figure out what to grab of your own items let alone trying to grab things for the dog(this is assuming you have time to grab items) so a "bug-out" bag makes it easy. Just grab your bags(one for each family member) and your first aid kit(which resides in ambers bug-out bag when not in use) and then if you have time you can grab the extra items you need. It gives you a few vital minutes to get the extras if you can. This list is by far not a complete or absolute list, it's only based on where I live and from my memory. i will check the contents later to be sure I did not miss anything. The bag for the bug out bag is a medium sized backpack(school bag type) and is really not heavy at all. The first aid kit is a commercial waterproof first aid kit BAG(did not come with contents but was made for backpackers) that is bright blue and red so it's easy to find. I did attach a small led light to it in case it's needed as well. I put a small carabiner on it to hang off my belt if needed as well. The first aid kit list is based off my exp as a corpman in the navy, 13 years as a volunteer paramedic locally, and certification as a wilderness medic. So most items have double duty and can seve numerous purposes in order to keep the kit contents light and useful as many(MOST) kits content junk you would never use or not have things you actually NEED. If you have any question about an item feel free to post it and I'll do my best to answer. Ok, here's the lists:

*********Contents**********
*First-Aid kit contents*
1 vet-wrap(10 foot roll)
1 sterile roll self stick gauze
4 infant socks(to cover foot wounds after bandaging)
3 one use eye drops for eye wash
1 small nail clippers
4 small poop bags
4 foot of thin bungie style cordage
1 emory board
5 sterile gauze pads
2 wound cover bandages that stop bleeding
1 roll glide dental floss
1 lighted dental mirror
1 vial of clove oil
1 tube neosporin
2 sterile suture kits(1 cutting needle & 1 non-cutting needle)
1 single use dermafleur packet
10 swab-plus filled with antibiotic fluid
1 small hemostat
1 vial hand cleaner
1 vial 90% alcohol
4 50mg tablets tramadol(Ultram)[pain killer]
5 25mg tablets benedryl
4 tablets acepromazine(tranquilizer and antihistamine)
2 tweezers(1 plastic pointed style and 1 metal flat curved style)
1 tick removal kit
1 sterile 22 gauge syringe(3ml)
4 packets antibiotic ointment
1 vial steptic powder
4 single use handi-wipes
2 packets of burn ointment
1 medium bore 8 inch length of plastic tubing(for trachea insertions..etc)
3 sterile disposable cutting blades and handle(scapel blades are disposable with metal handle)
2 small led lights with finger attachments
1 vial sterile saline fluid
1 epi-pen
2 adominal pads
4 tampons(no applicator) for control of bleeding and vaginal injuries
4 pink bismuth tablets(chewable)
3 sting wipes
1 ammonia inhalant
2 disposable 16 gauge needles(for lancing)
3 packets of various sized steri-strips
1 disposable razor
1 small scissors(inside a small pocket knife)
1 small roll of duct tape
1 small roll medical waterproof tape
1 small metal splint
1 vial betadine
1 tube of glucose tablets(cherry flavor)
1 small vial chlorine
1 vial chlorine water purification drops
2 new ziplock bags(gallon size)
1 small container of baby powder(for moisture absorbtion)
1 tube blistex(to prevent chafing if needed & to prevent sunburn on noses)
Ambers ID card with photo
1 Miniature copy(reduced 75 percent) of rabies certificate, medical record sheet,
vet and emergency contact info
*EVERYTHING FITS INTO A SMALL WATERPROOF BAG
measuring 8 inches long by 4 inches thick by 5 inches wide

*Bug-Out bag contents(for Amber)*
1 first-aid kit as listed above
1 rain coat for Amber
2 collapsable bowls(1 for food and 1 for water)
3 hermetically sealed water containers(bags for water rescue,
can be purchased at army navy or petco under the name of "waterbones")
6 cups of dry food sealed with a vaccum sealer(fresh for roughly 2 years)
1 towel
1 fleece blanket
1 tennis ball
1 nylabone and 1 hoof
1 fleece stuffed toy(for comfort)
1 extra 12 foot leash homemade from nylon tubular webbing with handles knotted every two feet for control
1 nylon safety collar
1 vial water purification drops(chlorine)
1 body style harness
1 full copy of All medical records and training information
1 copy emergency contacts
1 printout of all possible needed phone numbers for national poison control(human and dog),
emergency vet hotline, local vet number, FEMA number, pet insurance number and information(Copy of card)
1 credit card
1 Id card with photo
1 extra ID tag on extra collar
1 LED lighted collar
1 backpacking water purifier(hand pump style)
2 sealed packets of pre-moistened washclothes
1 unopened bag of chicken jerky treats(replaced yearly)
1 clean king sized bedsheet(to cover an area for sleeping)
1 double sided brush
1 small bottle of ear wash
1 dog nail clippers
1 set of nylon dog boots(stred in bag unless needed for backpacking)
a roll of poop bags(50 count) with dispenser
therapy dog cape and therapy dog silk(bandana)
e-collar and transmitter with 1 extra set of batteries(this gets put in if needed)
2 bottle spring water(1 liter bottles) replaced annually
1 rolled up 4 foot by 3 foot peice of foam for sleeping pad
**1 portable crate that folds flat and stores in nylon bag(looks like a tent) stored in my truck
__________________
 
#12 ·
Does anyone have a link to a pre-made one that I can order? I'd like a good one, please. I have seen a lot but don't know what's a good one.
 
#13 ·
If you really want a premade one thats high quality, you are going to over pay for it unfortunately, you are better off compiling your own items. If you really don't want to do that and are willing to spend the money I'll gladly find you a decent kit, just give me a price range and I'll find one within those parameters. I've seen good extensive kits run upwards of $100 or even more. it all depends on what you are ABLE to do(as far as your training) and what you want in the kit.
 
#14 ·
Thanks, Phil. I am looking into whether or not there are local doggy first aid classes around here. But I would be looking to spend $50-$100 maybe? I don't know - I'd like to put one together, but I don't really know what would go in there nor do I know how to use the stuff properly, so it's probably best I take a class first. But I'd be happy to take a look at a few links if you have some products in mind.
 
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