DIY Dog First Aid Kit (Pets)

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Life is a BIG unknown. You never know what is going to happen and where. Always prepare for the unexpected.  For example, my younger brother and sister (Kaos and Dutchess) are constantly roughhousing, playing hard, and running around like maniacs. They don’t realize what dangers are lurking out there. My baby sister ripped her one nail right off! Then a few days later she cracked a molar and was bleeding in her mouth! So, mom has prepared a Dog First Aid Kit for us.

 

Now there are many different types of First Aid kits you can have. A basic kit that carries the more widely used essentials or a poison first aid kit. Mom started out with the basic kit and adds on as needed.

So, we shall start out with the basics, and mention other essentials after.

 

Basic Supplies for Pets First Aid Kit

• Gauze for wrapping open wounds or to use as a muzzle for painful pets

• Non-stick bandages and adhesive tape (self-adhering water-repellent bandages work well on dogs without sticking to their fur.)

• Cotton Balls

• Styptic powder or cornstarch

• Tweezers and tick removal tool.

Tweezers can be used to remove a tick or foreign object from a paw and to flush wounds

• Bottled water.

Keeping drinking water on hand can be used to clean wounds, as well as to help rehydrate an animal or cool a pet suffering from heatstroke. Pedialyte or another electrolyte solution will replace salts and minerals that are important for proper hydration. Honey or maple syrup can be rubbed on the gums of dogs given too much insulin, having a seizure due to low sugar, or puppies that may have a difficult time maintaining blood sugar due to illness or stress and are lethargic.

• Scissors with the blunt end

• Saline solution or eyewash

• Antibiotic Spray/Ointment (Vetericyn Wound and Skin Care Hydrogel)

Wound cleaner, antiseptic rinse, saline solution.  The first step in treating most wounds is removing dust, sand, gravel, mud, or other debris. Rinse the wound with plain water or a saline solution, especially if you can apply it with a hose, syringe, turkey baster, or squeeze bottle. Medical-grade saline solution, which is sold in pharmacies, has many first-aid uses, including rinsing the eyes. Scissors or clippers can be used to remove hair around the wound, if necessary. 

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Once the wound is rinsed, blot it with a clean towel, gauze, or cotton balls. For minor wounds, apply a non-stinging antiseptic rinse or spray.

• Soft Muzzle.

An injured pet can often react out of fear and pain towards a caregiver, no matter how loving and gentle they may be. Using a muzzle when handling pets (except for those that are vomiting) is always prudent. An improvised muzzle can be created using gauze, a necktie, or strips of fabric and should be considered when assembling your dog’s emergency kit. Towels or blankets can help to restrain a pet comfortably. You can only help your pet by staying healthy, calm, and safe.

• 3% hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting.

Vomiting is not appropriate for all toxic exposures, so be sure to follow the advice of your veterinarian, poison control center, or first-aid handbook.

 

When vomiting is recommended, the usual dose is 1 teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide (widely available in grocery and drug stores) per 5 pounds of body weight with a maximum dose of 3 tablespoons for dogs who weigh more than 45 pounds (there are three teaspoons in a tablespoon).

 

Lift your dog’s chin and squirt the hydrogen peroxide into the side of your dog’s mouth with a syringe or eyedropper. Some foaming at the mouth may occur. If vomiting doesn’t begin within 15 minutes, the treatment can be repeated once.

 

To be sure hydrogen peroxide is effective when you need it, purchase small rather than large bottles and keep track of expiration dates. Hydrogen peroxide loses its effectiveness with age and after opening.

 

• Clean towels, washcloths, or rags

• Oral Syringes or eyedroppers to flush wounds or to give oral medications to your dog

• Adult or children’s Benadryl for allergies (diphenhydramine)

• Baby aspirin

• Leash and collar - In an accident or other emergency, your dog’s collar may come off or the leash may snap, it’s always good to have an extra on hand.

 

Keeping a copy of your dog’s license, vaccination records, medical records, currently administered medications, and veterinarian contact information along with your own contact information can help in an emergency, especially when the details are up to date and in one place. Your phone may be a convenient storage location, but if it isn’t accessible or if internet service is interrupted, you’ll want those hard-copy backups. 

Remember to check your kit every few months to make sure nothing has expired or needs to be replaced. And of course, keep your kit out of the reach of children.

 

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Some additions to your kit if you should so choose to add can also be helpful depending on the emergency:

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• Hot and cold packs. Cold packs can help cool sprains, bruises, and other injuries and reduce inflammation and swelling. Hot packs can increase circulation, help the dog feel warm and comfortable, support a dog recovering from shock or injury, and speed healing.

• Disposable gloves

• magnifying glass

• Small flashlight

• Flexible digital thermometer

• Travel Bowls

• Wet wipes or grooming wipes. Keep a supply of pet grooming wipes; they come in handy for many purposes. Don’t use alcohol-based disinfecting wipes because alcohol stings and can damage injured tissue. Instead, look for products that soothe while they clean. We like the Earth-Rated Dog Wipes, which are plant-based, compostable, and unscented.

• Liquid dishwashing detergent (for bathing)

• Activated charcoal for absorbing toxins or Milk of Magnesia - Milk of Magnesia and charcoal can be used to absorb and counteract poisons, but be sure to consult with a veterinarian first to determine what size dose may be safe for your dog

• Blanket or large towel or thermal blanket as well as a rigid board or stretcher for transporting an injured pet. An injured or panicking dog can be soothed and calmed by being gently wrapped in a soft blanket or thick towel, which can also protect a dog lying on a hot or cold, hard, or rocky surface. 

Keeping an injured animal warm is important to prevent the life-threatening effects of shock, a state in which the animal becomes hypothermic, and his blood flow is severely impaired. Low blood flow can lead to damage of the vital organs like the brain and the heart.  On any but very hot days, use a thermal blanket (also known as emergency, rescue, or space blanket) to keep the injured dog warm. These blankets are waterproof, lightweight, and take up very little room in first-aid kits.

• A pet first-aid guide or handbook. First-aid references will help you make right decisions when the unexpected happens.

 

 

Your kit Should also include a list of important phone numbers. Your regular veterinarian, a local 24/7 emergency clinic, and the ASPCA’s Poison Control Center (1-800-426-4435) or the National Animal Poison Control Center at 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435), the Emergency Disaster Information Line (1-800-227-4645), and the Pet Travel Hotline 1-800-545-USDA before traveling across state lines.

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Always remember that any first aid administered to your pet should be followed by immediate veterinary care. A portable carrier for smaller dogs will aid in safe transportation. First aid care is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it may save your pet’s life until it receives veterinary treatment.