| Knowing first aid can save the life of your | | | | |
| dog. Just like people, dogs have accidents | | | | Injection syringe without the needle (to give |
| and need medical attention sometimes. And the | | | | liquid medication) |
| thing is that sometimes there is just not | | | | |
| time to get to the vet, that is when doggie | | | | Small flashlight |
| first aid is so handy to know. Knowing what | | | | |
| should go into your animal first aid kit is | | | | All of these things should fit neatly into a |
| the key to keeping your dog alive and well no | | | | container that has a nice tight lid. This |
| matter what happens. If you do a lot of | | | | will help to keep everything clean and |
| hiking and walking in places like parks or on | | | | sterile no matter how long it is sitting on |
| trails then you should also have a kit in | | | | the shelf or in the car. It is also a good |
| your car for emergencies out of the home. | | | | idea to have the name of the vet and his or |
| | | | her phone number right there on the lid so |
| Most of the items in your doggie first aid | | | | that even in a panic you will know what to |
| kit are similar to those you have in your | | | | do. You may even want to put the number of |
| regular one for the family. There are however | | | | the local emergency animal hospital as well |
| some things that need to be specialized for | | | | in case something happens early in the |
| the animal of your life. | | | | morning or late at night when the regular |
| | | | vets are all closed. |
| Here are some of the basics that your first | | | | |
| aid kit cannot do without: | | | | Bee stings are one of the most common of all |
| | | | dog injuries. It is important that you get |
| Hydrogen peroxide | | | | the stinger out right away before an |
| | | | infection has time to set in. This will also |
| Sterile eyewash solution made specifically | | | | help to minimize any pain that your dog may |
| for pets | | | | be in. If you have to, restrain your dog and |
| | | | then use the tweezers in the first aid kit to |
| Roll of absorbent cotton | | | | pull out the stinger. You can then wash the |
| | | | area with some luke warm water and baking |
| Some cotton balls | | | | soda. This can help to take some of the nasty |
| | | | stinging away and easy the pain suffered by |
| Clean, white cotton sock (to cover wounded | | | | your dog. Ice and Benadryl will also help to |
| paws) | | | | keep the pain and swelling to a minimum, just |
| | | | make sure that you ask the vet just how much |
| Gauze pads | | | | Benadryl is enough for your dog. Just like |
| | | | kids it is important that dogs get the right |
| Tape | | | | dosage when they take medications. |
| | | | |
| Small scissors with rounded tips | | | | Never rush an injured animal. While it may be |
| | | | your instinct to run over and start taking |
| Tweezers | | | | care of the injury, this may spook your dog |
| | | | and scared animals can get a little upset. |
| Instant ice pack | | | | You do not want to end up with an injury as |
| | | | well, do you? Of course not, so take your |
| Bulb syringe for suctioning mucous from mouth | | | | time and let the animal know that you want to |
| or nose | | | | help not harm. |