First Aid Kit for Dogs: What Not to Miss!

­As your love for your dog is boundless, so is the list of aids which should accompany your dog wherever it stays or travels to cover all potential mishaps.

Here we present items which should always find space in your dog’s first aid kit:

1. First Aid Book – A good first aid book for your dog is like an expert which would assist you in helping your dog in case a veterinarian cannot be contacted.

2. Phone numbers and medical records – A first aid box is a good place to preserve your dog’s medical records – records of vaccinations or some specific health conditions. Technology may fail you at any time, so it is still a good idea to keep some important phone numbers in writing, like in this case you should have the numbers of dog’s regular veterinarian and the closest veterinary clinic (along with directions). For someone who takes care of your dog in your absence, this information would come handy.

3. Rectal thermometer and petroleum jelly to lubricate the thermometer.

4. Muzzle will help to cover the mouth of the dog to prevent it from biting anyone. If a muzzle is not available, you may use a strip of cloth, a roll of gauze, nylon stocking, and so on. Please note that dog’s mouth should not be shut in case it is vomiting, coughing, choking or having problem breathing.

5. A blanket or towel – It can be used for multiple purposes. You can wrap the dog with a towel or blanket to calm it down or keep it warm while treating it or during transport. It can also be used as a stretcher to carry the dog. As a floor mat, it can provide the dog with a soft surface to rest.

6. Saline solution – Can help in cleaning wounds or to rinse out sand and debris from the eyes.

7. Gauze pads and rolls, towels, cotton balls, self-cling bandages – To control bleeding, protecting and wrapping wounds.

8. Scissors (blunt-ended) and latex gloves

9. Antibiotic ointment – Helps in preventing infections in case of minor scratches or cuts.

10.Hydrogen peroxide – There are many edible things (like onion, garlic, chocolate, bread dough, grapes) which are part of our regular diet but are hazardous to our feline companions. Other dangerous things that dogs usually find in their environment and end up ingesting are poisonous plants, human medication, cleaning products, pesticides, etc. Hydrogen Peroxide is used to induce vomiting in a situation where your dog shows the symptoms of poisoning. But it is imperative that you administer it only after consulting a veterinarian. In some cases, encouraging vomiting may be useless, or may cause more harm; thus always do it under the directions of an expert.

11. Activated charcoal – It helps to reduce absorption of poisonous substances and should be given only if a veterinary directs you to administer it for the particular situation your dog is going through.

12. A turkey baster or a large syringe (without needle) or a bulb syringe to administer a medicine, clean a wound or flush the eyes.

13. Medications –t is a good habit to keep a backup of medicines that have been prescribed by the vet for any particular health condition of your dog. Moreover, include the drugs which would prove to be useful to counter common health issues like diarrhoea pills, approved sedatives, tick/flea solutions, and the like.

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to check with a vet before you implement any medical procedure on your pet. Whenever possible, seek the advice of an expert.

We might have missed something important. Please complete the list by adding your valuable comments.