You never know when an accident will happen. Keeping a pet emergency kit at your home is a good idea. A smaller kit could be used in the car. You can put a first aid kit together yourself and buy the items separately, or buy one ready-made. If you make one yourself, use a small plastic tub with a tight fitting lid to store the following items:
Your Kit Should Include:
- Batteries
- A Flashlight
- Cotton balls and swabs
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Sterile gauze pads and bandages
- First aid tape
- Antibacterial ointment
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Rubbing alcohol
- Antiseptic wipes
- A muzzle
- A leash
- A splint
- Styptic powder to stop bleeding
- Prescription medications (for you and your pets)
- Sterile latex gloves
- Eye wash
- A book on human and pet first aid
- Benadryl
- A blanket
- A large bottle of water
- Self-activating hot pack
- Self-activating ice pack
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Copies of veterinary documents
- Thermometer
Important Phone Numbers |
| • | Veterinary clinic phone number and directions to the clinic |
| • | Emergency clinic phone number and directions |
| • | Poison control center phone numbers
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Building a First Aid Kit Isn't Enough Purchasing or building a kit is a great first step, but won't be a lot of help in the event of an emergency if you are not familiar with how and when to use the items. I would highly recommend any or all of the following to be prepared in the event of an emergency:
- Take a pet first aid class - check with your veterinarian, community college or the Red Cross.
- Read pet first aid or animal health books - also a good idea to include one in the kit.
- Use the Jive Media iPhone app for Pet First Aid or similar (there are several) - to familiarize yourself and have "on hand" at all times.
- Familiarize yourself with pet emergency clinics - in your area and to places you travel to.
