First Aid for Pets

Putting together a pet first aid kit

Following is a list of some of the things I keep in my first aid kit for a multi-pet household. These items can be used to treat almost any species of pet! Just get sizes of bandages that make sense for your pet. However, please check with a veterinarian before using any of them. This is only a general guideline and not meant to replace your vet's advice.

Also note, some items make more sense for some pets than others. For example, if you have a dog that normally has eye problems, it might make sense to get eye wash and artificial tear gel, whereas if you have a bird you won't need any of these items.

Once you choose what materials your kit will contain, they should be assembled together in a waterproof container. Be sure to keep the container where kids (and pets) can't get into it and someplace where it will be easily accessible to you.

Another good idea is to look at some of the commercially available kits and assemble your own or just buy one of those to keep your pet safe.

Pet First Aid

• Emergency numbers (the vet, poison control, animal hospitals in the area)
  
• Sterile Gauze Sponges (covering wounds)
  
• Sterile Gauze Bandage (wrapping wounds)
  
• Sterile Eye Pads (eye wounds)
  
• Sterile cotton swabs (cleaning)
  
• Latex or rubber gloves
  
• First Aid Tape (waterproof and nonstick varieties)
  
• Emergency Blanket
  
• Trauma Shears
  
• Forceps (splinter or tick removal, removal of broken feathers in birds)
  
• Prep Razor
  
• Alcohol swabs (cleaning wounds; don't use on head or vent of birds)
  
• Disposable Syringe, 5cc (irrigating wounds)
  
• Disposable Penlight
  
• Rectal Thermometer
  
• Saline Solution (eye wash; contact lens solution can be used for some pets)
  
• Artificial tear gel
  
• Instant hot and cold compresses
  
• Antiseptic Towelletes
  
• Hydrogen peroxide 3%
  
• Mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid in order to bathe an animal after skin contamination
  
• Styptic Liquid (toenail bleeding)
  
• Neosporin or other antibiotic ointment
  
• Scissors (blunt tipped for cutting hair away from wounds and bandage scissors for cutting bandages)
  

Drugs