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Disasters happen. Unexpectedly. So it’s super important to have a plan in place ahead of time for both you and your pets. Since June is National Pet Preparedness Month, this month’s blog posts include ideas about how you can help keep your pets safe if the worst should happen.
An important part of disaster planning for your pets includes having a stocked first aid kit on hand. But what should you put in your pet’s first aid kit?
Before we get to a list of handy items to have, it’s important to point out that first aid does *not* take the place of seeing a veterinarian. First aid is only meant to provide immediate stabilizing care so that you can seek further treatment with a licensed veterinarian.
You can even get your veterinarian involved in building your first aid kit. Not only can they make great suggestions of what to include, they can help teach you how to use the items appropriately including taking vital signs, bandaging, etc.
For further training in pet first aid, you should take a pet first aid class. These may be offered by local veterinarians in your community or the American Red Cross offers an online based course in Cat & Dog First Aid (as well as a handy app).
Finally, it is important to regularly check your first aid kit to make sure it is stocked and all items are in date. Now…on to what to include in your pet’s first aid kit!
Recommended items for your Pet First Aid Kit:
Contact info – Include contact info for your regular veterinarian, local veterinary emergency hospitals, and poison control hotlines (ASPCA Poison Control and/or Pet Poison Helpline).
Info about your pet – Make sure to include an updated list of your pet’s current medical conditions and medications. It can be really helpful to include pictures of the medication labels so that a veterinarian will have all the information they need to help your pet.
List of normal values for vital signs – Including temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, etc.
Notepad and pen – Keep records of everything! This information is important to help a veterinarian provide appropriate further care.
Muzzle – Even if they don’t really mean it, animals can bite when they’re in pain. Keep everyone safe by including a muzzle in your first aid kit.
E-collar –Soft e-collars are easy to fold and store in your first aid kit.
Thermometer – Please mark this for animal use only! Temperatures are usually taken rectally in animals….
Water soluble lube – For taking rectal tempteratures.
Tweezers – For removing ticks, splinters, etc.
Bandage (blunt tipped) scissors
Flashlight – For better visualization in low light situations.
Gloves – Latex free are recommended.
Emergency foil blanket – To help keep a pet warm.
Towels
Dish soap – For bathing. Dish soap strips off oils and can be used to safely remove most substances from your pet’s coat.
Nail trimmers and Styptic powder – For broken and bleeding nails.
Gauze, Cotton balls, and/or Cotton swabs
Isopropyl alcohol wipes – Apply to foot pads and thin haired areas (belly) to help cool an overheated animal.
Hydrogen peroxide – For inducing vomiting. Only induce vomiting on direction of your veterinarian or poison control. Some toxins should not have vomiting induced!!!
Sterile water flush – To flush eyes/clean wounds.
Chlorhexadine scrub – For cleaning wounds.
Wound ointment – There are lots of wound ointments available. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.
Non-stick wound dressing – Such as Telfa or Adaptic pads…for covering wounds prior to bandaging.
Bandage material – Personally, I recommend stocking your first aid kit with cotton elastic bandages with velcro closures because these are inexpensive, easy to find, *and* reusable.
