Thursday, April 5, 2018

How to Make a Pet First Aid & Evacuation Kit

Do you have an emergency first aid kit for your dog?
   No matter how careful we are with our pets, illness and accidents happen. It’s always best to be prepared so you’re less likely to freak out. If your dog is anything like mine, they only seem to get sick in the middle of the night on the weekend or a holiday. I think we can all agree that nothing gets you out of bed faster than the sound of your dog vomiting!
White dog with meme: I don't always get sick
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   I have learned the hard way that 2:00 a.m. is no time to be rummaging through cabinets to find something to stop a Westie’s upset tummy. Many over-the-counter medicines for humans are dangerous for pets. Always ask your veterinarian which products are okay for your dog and the proper dosage according to its weight. I have gathered the things Bentley and Pierre might need and made a first aid kit for them. I have one that can be put in the car when we go for walks and it fits inside my larger emergency evacuation kit. They are nothing fancy, but everything is in one place and easily accessible.
 How to prepare a dog first aid kit: 
   Get a sturdy plastic container with a lid. Label it with permanent marker in bold letters so it is easily recognizable. Write the dosage information you received from the vet along with his day and emergency telephone numbers. Be sure to add the 24-hour emergency vet clinic in your area. It is important to write down your dog’s date of birth and any information an emergency clinic might need. It’s amazing what you forget during a crisis. Tape this paper to the inside of the container’s lid. Now let’s fill it up!
Westie looking at empty pill bottles
Medications:
Aspirin: Buffered aspirin can be given for short-term relief of fever or pain. Dosage size is very important. *Never give your dog acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Benadryl: used for allergic reactions to insect bites, or seasonal allergy. *Only use the pure form with Diphenhydramine and no alcohol or sodium.
Cortisone: Itching
Dramamine: Used to treat nausea and vomiting.
Eye flush/rinse: Use to remove debris for the eye.
*Trying to remove something from the eye with your finger or tissue can cause further irritation or scratching.
Gas-X: Can be used for temporary relief of gassy/bloated stomach.
Hydrogen Peroxide: Used to induce vomiting.

*Always check with a veterinarian BEFORE you induce vomiting. It can cause more harm depending on what was swallowed.
Neosporin: Use for treating cuts and abrasions.
Pedialyte: Use for dehydration
Pepto Bismol: May be used as anti-diarrheal and nausea.
*Should NOT be used on dogs in the Herding Group
Gas-X: Can be used for temporary relief of gassy/bloated stomach.
**These items are considered safe for temporary relief when used in the correct dosages for most dogs. Again, be sure to ask your vet before administering any "human" products to your pet.
Westie and basset playing doctor with a teddy bear
Emergency Evacuation Kit: 
   This container is for accidents, injuries, or evacuation. This will need to be a larger container preferably with handles. I used a dog-themed cloth storage cube to hold everything. I hope that you never need to evacuate, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.  
   You will want to put a copy of all your pets’ information in a gallon zip lock bag for safekeeping. This includes name, date of birth, shot records, any prescriptions, veterinarian’s phone numbers, and a dog first aid book.
Your kit should include:
Antiseptic Wipes
Blanket/towel
Blunt-nose scissors
Bottled water
Collapsible bowls
Cotton balls/swabs
Dog food
Elastic bandages
Extra collar & leash
Gauze/tape
Muzzle
Plastic gloves
Self-activating ice & heat packs
Small Flashlight
Snake Bite Kit
Strips of cloth: tourniquets, restraint
Tongue depressors
Tweezers
Wooden ruler/paint stick: to use for a splint
*Adjust your emergency kit to meet the needs of your pet and your area.
**I bought a prepackaged kit from Amazon and added my own special items we'd need in the south.
   The important thing is to have both types of kits available in your home. I hope the list helps get you started!
   The American Red Cross has designated April as Pet First Aid Awareness month. Do you already have a first aid kit for your dog? What else did you add to yours?

Order yours today!

15 comments :

  1. we have a first aid kit and we hope we will never need it... we also have always a bottle of vetericyn to treat small wounds or infected areas... not only for me, it's a common treatment for the staff too when they have a diy-disaster ;O)

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  2. This is great information! We have most of these items but not all.

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  3. We have first aid items in our closet upstairs, and some practical things we need in the car in the event of an emergency. Up here, there is nothing to evacuate, so we don't have anything like that.

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  4. What a great and comprehensive pet first aid kit! I have a go-bag but need to put together a bona fide first aid kit for those 2:00 AM sessions. 😇

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  5. We hope we never need this but thank for researching these items

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  6. We literally never go on any trips without the First Aid Kit. One of our dogs, usually Icy, is bound to get injured at some point so we are always prepared. We also have an emergency evacuation kit, you're so right the middle of the night is not a good time to be rummaging around for evacuation supplies - actually, no time is good for that, always be prepared.
    Love & Biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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  7. I need to make one for my cats.

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  8. What a most informative post...thank you.
    Hugs madi and mom

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  9. This is some great info. The mom has a whole cupboard filled with medications for us...some that we take on a regular basis and some for emergencies.

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  10. This is great information. Thanks for posting this
    hugs
    Hazel & Mabel

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  11. Such great information guys! We have our emergency kit in with our peeps emergency kit in the garage.
    xoxo,
    Rosy, Arty & Jakey

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  12. Wagnificient info!
    Everyone needs to read this post.
    Will be sharing!

    Nose nudges,
    CEO Olivia

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  13. I have a plastic tote with all the pets' meds and supplements together in the pantry, and a first aid kit in the car. But I am definitely missing some things and need to be far more organized! Great job!
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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