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First Aid for Pets

Putting together a pet first aid kit

Having a first aid kit is a good idea for any pet owner. You never know when you're going to encounter an emergency and need something quickly.

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

These dosages are for DOGS (and in some cases cats) ONLY. Please check with your vet before you administer any drugs to your dog or other pets.

  • Buffered (enteric coated) Aspirin - 5 mg. per pound every 12 hours for pain relief; antiflammatory. - one 325 mg tablet/33 lbs (max 2) every 12 hours - Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen are toxic to most animals so CHECK WITH YOUR VET and read labels.
  • Pepto Bismol - 1 tsp. per 5 pounds every 6 hours for relief of vomiting, stomach gas or diarrhea
  • Di Gel Liquid - up to 4 tbs. every 8 hours for antacid and anti-gas (feline dosage - up to 2 tbs. every 8 hours)
    Kaopectate - 1 ml per pound every 2 hours for diarrhea (feline dosage - same as canine)
  • Mineral Oil - up to 4 tbs. daily to eliminate constipation (feline dosage - up to 2 tsps. daily)
  • Imodium AD 2mg - 1 caplet per 30 lbs every 8 hours to relive diarrhea
  • Benadryl - 1-2 mgs per pound every 8 hours to treat allergies, itching, bee stings etc. Can also be used as a tranquilizer when the dosage is reduced. (feline dosage - same as canine dosage)
  • Dramamine - up to 50 mg every 8 hours to reduce motion sickness (feline dosage - up to 10 mg every 8 hours)

Links

Bird First Aid |First Aid for Reptiles


Q and A

Have a pet question you want answered? Ask me! I'll respond to your question for free.
amanda@cybervixen.net

Please note that due to the volume of requests I receive and the time it takes to answer some of the more complicated questions, I cannot answer every question received and I will not answer duplicate questions. However, I will try my best to get to all of them in a timely manner.


Content on this site is for information purposes only and not meant to replace veterinary care. Please consult your veterinarian for specific advice concerning the care and treatment of your pet.

All info copyright © Amanda Galiano

Commercial Kits

Bird First Aid Kit
Bird First Aid Kit

Contains vet-recommended products for treatment of bird emergencies

Medi+Pet First Aid Kits
Medi+Pet First Aid Kits

When accidents happen be prepared with a Medi+Pet first aid kit Includes treatment booklet with safety tips

First Aid Books

The First Aid Companion For Dogs & Cats
The First Aid Companion For Dogs & Cats

Pets sometimes need first aid care just like people Learn how to handle more than 150 common emergencies what to stock in the medicine chest and much more