For new puppy owners (or visitors to the blog), I thought it might be helpful to remind everyone to prepare a “K9 First Aid Kit.” I actually have two – one for my home, one for my car.
Here is what I have in my kits (others, feel free to add to my list):
- Unopened bottle of hydrogen peroxide + syringe (to induce vomiting)
- Gas-Ex (if bloat is suspected). NOTE: Bloat is an emergency. Make sure you know the signs and head for the vet immediately.
- Benadryl (for allergic reactions, I use the dye free kind)
- Sterile Saline solution (rinsing eyes or wounds)
- Non-Stick Gauze
- Vet Wrap (self-adhesive wrap….this stuff is awesome)
- Scissors, tweezers, Q-tips (cleaning up wounds)
- A large towel
- A strip of cloth about 8 inches wide and 4 feet long – this can be cut into strips to form a muzzle or used as a sling to support the hind end
- Nail clippers (I dremel, but these are for emergencies)
- Styptic powder
- Neosporin spray
- A few Composure treats to calm down an injured & frantic dog
- A plastic bag with key information: my dogs’ medical status, emergency phone numbers, vet names/contact, copies of vaccination status.
I also keep several “natural” remedies on hand in my house in addition to our daily supplements and any prescribed medication:
- Canned pumpkin (not pie filling!) (for loose stools or constipation, this stuff is great)
- Ledum (1M) to be given after every tick bite…very good for treating Lyme.
- Lymeblaster to use on tick bite site
- D-Mannose (I prefer Progressive Lab’s U Tract Complete) for suspected UTIs. Good for people too!
- Slippery Elm to use for upset tummies. It promotes the production of the mucosal lining of the digestive tract
- Milk Thistle Powder to support the liver. I give for a few days after heartworm treatment,any vaccinations, etc.
- Homeopathic Silica to give after porcupine encounters. It helps the quill bits to come out.
Anyone want to add to my list?
This is great Jamie. I would add a digital thermometer, rubber gloves, disposable diapers/sanitary napkins for large wounds, a notation of the normal temperature range and the dosage of hydrogen peroxide to use to induce vomiting.
Excellent list Jamie. I am interested in knowing more about the Ledum and Lymeblaster. Also the UTI info. AND Milk Thistle powder…what a great idea. Thank you so much for sharing!
Since we are going to Canada with the girls, how do you use the Homeopathic Silica? There are porcupines everywhere up there after dark-I won’t even let them potty off leash 20 feet from the door.
Excellent First Aid Kit!
I would add Bloat Buster by Nature’s Farmacy to the kit. This website gives a good description of the product and how to use it.
http://www.alliswellpet.com/product/bloat-buster/