Dog Emergencies - Make Your Own Dog First Aid Kit

Knowing dog first aid skills are very important, just as with humans and knowing what to do in the event of an emergency may mean the distinction in the middle of life and death for your dog. Dog emergencies or any other greatest healing situations need that you get your dog to the veterinarian as speedily as possible.

Of course, not every potential ailment will need professional medicine but good safe than sorry. If your dog ever receives any kind of injury it is always best that you be aware of what to do in advance (depending on what type of injury the dog has received). Distinct kinds of injuries need Distinct kinds of treatments. Many kinds of injuries may need immediate healing assistance. It is a very good idea to know how to preclude any dog emergencies, treat assorted minor injuries with first aid and just when you need to seek immediate veterinary aid and care.

Home First Aid Kit

In case an emergency ever were to happen it is easy to put in order for it in advance by creating your own dog first aid kit. It is very easy to create. Good ideas for containers could be a lunch box, a tackle box or some other shoe box sized plastic container. Water-proof and strong adequate to withstand mild pressure is the best idea.

It would be a great idea to label the first aid kit on all sides with something such as "Dog First Aid Kit". It's also a very good idea to list a article of your dog(s) along with it's name, color, weight, any health issues, distinguishing characteristics with a up-to-date photo labeled with the name of every pet that you own.

An index card with the numbers of your local veterinarian, poison control, and other canine emergency numbers for your dog (emergency vet, etc) is also a good thing to include in the dog first aid kit. Here is a list of any items you should put in your dog first aid kit with brief explanations as to what each item is for. Remember, your dog's health may depend on it.

Dog First Aid Kit Basic Ingredients List:

Activated charcoal: for poisonings (1 gram per pound, mixed with water),

Antihistamine tablets: for insect stings and allergic reactions,

Betadine or Nolvasan: cleaning open wounds,

Blankets: any if possible, to help preclude against shock in the event of an emergency or injury as well as a good way to transport an injured dog,

Blunt nosed scissors: to cut tape and clip. Keep these scissors with the kit.

Canine rectal thermometer: to take the dog or puppies temperature,

Cortisone ointment: Used as a topical anti-inflammatory,

Cotton balls and swabs: Used in general to clean wounds,

Eyedropper or dosage syringe: to apply medications to your dog,

Eyewash: to irrigate the eyes of your dog,

First-aid cream: to sooth and protect wounds,

Gauze bandage: for wrapping wounds,

Gloves: both thin plastic to avoid contamination and thicker ones if you have a fear of being bitten,

Hand towels: to dry hands, for clean up, etc.,

Hydrogen peroxide (3%): has assorted uses, one of which is to induce vomiting,

Kaolin and pectin: to help diarrhea (1 teaspoon per 10 pounds),

Magnifying glass: to help search any tiny objects

Muzzle: even the best dog may bite when in greatest pain. If you don't have one you can also make one from strips of soft long fabric, tube socks, etc.,

Nail clippers: best case scenario, have both human and canine nail clippers,

Non-stick adhesive tape: to help tape bandages in place,

Non-stinging germ-free spray: to help clean wounds,

Pepto-Bismol , Maalox or Kaopectate: to help ease minor stomach upsets,

Petroleum jelly: for use with the rectal thermometer, also an aid in constipation (1/2 teaspoon per 10 pounds),

Saline solution: can be used for many things such as irrigating wounds,

Stretch bandages: for wound dressing,

Styptic pencil: to stop minor bleeding,

Syrup of Ipecac: used to induce vomiting (1 teaspoon per 20 pounds),

Tweezers or hemostat: use to pull our splinters or other small foreign objects,

Vegetable oil: for mild constipation (1 teaspoon per 5 pounds, mix it in with food)

If you can think of other items to add to your dog first aid kit, feel free to do so. This list is just a place to get you started in creating your own dog first aid kit.

Any of the following symptoms or injuries need Immediate healing activity from your veterinarian. Taste your vet immediately if your dog or puppy has any of the following:

Been hit by a vehicle,

No pulse or heart beat,

Broken bones,

Puncture wounds to the abdomen or chest,

Spurting blood,

Bleeding from nose or mouth,

Bloated abdomen,

Repeated vomiting,

Pale gums,

Diarrhea for more than 18 hours,

Muscle tremors,

Problems with breathing or swallowing,

Refusal to eat for 48 hours,

Seizures or disorientation,

Unusual swellings (especially ones that are sudden, hard or fast growing)

In any emergency situation try and keep as calm as potential and to get your dog to the veterinarian as speedily as possible. If whatever ever happens, call first to see if the office is open, and to let the vet know what has happened and that you and your dog are on your way.

If your veterinarians office is not open for whatever the reason, call your nearest emergency vet clinic. always keep all emergency phone numbers, along with those of your veterinarian and emergency veterinarian clinic, near your telephone.

Dog Emergencies - Make Your Own Dog First Aid Kit