Broken bones, poisoning, cuts, bite wounds – they can happen to any pet at any time and keeping a complete first aid kit in every home and car will ensure that your animal receives the best possible care in the event of an injury or other emergency.
“Administering first aid can really improve a pet’s prognosis,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM. “Broken bones can sever arteries and ligaments if they’re not properly splinted. If you don’t induce vomiting, the body could absorb a deadly dose of toxin by the time you arrive at the [vet’s] office. If you don’t stop bleeding, the body can go into shock, seizures – all sorts of terrible things can occur between the time an incident occurs and the time the animal arrives at the veterinarian’s office.”
In addition to maintaining a complete pet first aid kit in the home and vehicle, pet owners should also consider taking a pet first aid class to learn basic first aid skills, CPR and the Heimlich maneuver for pets. Many animal rescue leagues and other humane organizations offer pet first aid courses, as do some pet stores.
Supplies for a Pet First Aid Kit
Every pet owner’s first aid kit should include the following supplies:
- Rolled gauze (four rolls)
- Gauze pads
- Cotton Swabs
- Ace bandages (two rolls)
- Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)
- Betadine
- Wound wash saline (two bottles)
- Instant cold packs (three)
- One large blanket
- One small blanket
- Tweezers
- Forceps
- Stethoscope
- Muzzles
- Medicine droppers
- Antibiotic ointment
- Scissors
- Medical tape
- Duct tape
- Three wire coat hangers for splinting
- Six washcloths
- Two hand towels
- One gallon of water
First Aid Kit Supplies – Over-the-Counter Medications for Dogs and Cats
The following medications should also be included in each first aid kit for dogs and cats:
- Benadryl®
- Mylanta Gas®
- Pepto Bismol®
- ASPIRIN® (buffered)
- Milk of Magnesia (for toxicity)
- Activated Charcoal (for toxicity)
- Mineral Oil (for constipation)
- Glycerin Suppositories (for constipation)
Emergency Contact Information for Pets
Phone numbers for the following should be included in both first aid kits:
- Normal Vet
- 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic
- Pet poison control phone number
In addition, for pets who are chronically ill and require medication for survival, keep two days’ worth of prescription medication on-hand in the car and inside the home kit. This includes medications for diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, and other diseases, like Addison’s Disease.
“Pet owners should always contact a veterinarian in the event of an emergency. And keep the necessary supplies on-hand – there’s not going to be time to run out to the store if your pet is bleeding to death,” Dr. Levine indicated.
First Aid for Pets – Wound Care, Pet CPR, and How to Stop Bleeding
Pet owners should also have some basic knowledge of first aid. The following basic skills can help owners save their pet’s life:
- Know how to stop bleeding by applying pressure to the wound.
- Know how to flush and disinfect a wound
- Learn CPR for pets.
- Learn the Heimlich maneuver for pets and understand how to handle a choking emergency.
- Learn how to examine an animal’s vital signs and what values are normal.
- Know how to make a splint for an injured limb or tail.
- Practice using a muzzle, and know how to make a muzzle from tape or a strip of cloth.
- Understand how to induce vomiting or how use milk of magnesia or activated charcoal to absorb a toxin in the event of poisoning.
Notably, pet owners should always contact their vet before inducing vomiting because in some instances, more harm may occur if the animal vomits.
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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