Taking care of a pet is like looking after your best friend. You love them but sometimes they get a little too careless and you wind up needing a ‘band-aid’ to fix them up from a minor injury. At the end of the day you laugh it off and go back to hanging out happy that you were prepared and ready to deal with their clumsy nature. Whether you’re outdoors camping, or you face an unexpected emergency at home, having a first aid kit for your pet is just as important as having one for yourself. As you put your pet first aid kit together, here are a few items that you may need to at to your shopping list.
VET INFO
First on the list will be your go-to numbers for your emergency veterinarian. You want to have these close by in case you don’t have them saved to your phone or you need somebody else to make the call. If you’re out of state and away from home, you can look up local vets ahead of time and get their information just to be prepared. It’s also good to have your pet’s medical records with you to help your vet of choice should the need arise. It helps them see which vaccines they’ve had, if they’ve previously had any medical emergencies, and what they’ve been treated for before.
GAUZE, TAPE, AND BANDAGES
Like any good first aid kit, sometimes you need something simple to help with little nicks here and there. Gauze and tape can help protect a wound and control bleeding until you’re able to meet with your vet. Avoid using adhesive bandages on a pet since they can cause irritation and may hurt the skin around the wound since it’s typically thinner than human skin. Additionally, gauze can help prevent dirt that may lead to an infection until you’re able to get to the closet veterinarian office.
POISON CONTROL
While it’s good to have the number to animal poison control, it’s also good to have a few tricks up your sleeve. However, before using these methods on your furry friend, make sure to contact your local veterinarian or poison control to find out if there’s another way to aid your pet without this inducing vomit. If you believe that your pet’s eaten something that may be poisonous, being prepared, and having these items on hand may just save their life. Make sure to bring a list of contacts for the local poison control as well as the local vet, just in case of those unexpected emergencies.
Additional items to include in your pet first aid kit are:
- Wet or grooming wipes for the unexpected accidents (don’t forget bags to clean up).
- A digital thermometer for those moments you believe your furry friend may feel ill. Most pet thermometers are used rectally. The normal temperature for dogs is 99.5 – 102.5 degrees.
- An eyedropper and saline to help purify and cleanse your pet’s eyes.
- Tweezers for exposure to ticks, splinters, and other small wounds.
- A flashlight for the moments you’re out after dark.
- Disposable gloves for any aid you’re providing.
There are an assortment of other items that are great to bring along that didn’t make this short list, and if you believe you may need them then definitely include them. However, if you’re planning to travel, sometimes you may not be able to bring anything so do your best to prioritize items that’ll ensure your safety alongside your furry friend. Should you need help deciding which items will be the most beneficial to bring along, contact us at Pine Creek Vet.