15 first aid kit essentials – this is what you need

[emaillocker]In an emergency, you don’t want to have to run around the house, trying to find what you need to treat your pet, or perhaps even to save his life! It is advisable to keep an emergency first aid kit – just for your pets – containing all the essentials. Here are some of the must-have items…

 

  • Emergency contact numbers
  • Medical records
  • Gauze
  • Absorbent gauze pads
  • Non-stick bandages
  • Sterile saline eyewash
  • Digital thermometer
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Eye dropper or syringe without a needle
  • Leash
  • Emergency foil blanket
  • Non-latex disposable gloves
  • Tweezers
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Epsom salts or plain salt
  • Commercial muzzle, or strip of fabric or bandage (60-90 cm long)
  • Hydrogen peroxide 3% USP
  • Activated charcoal
  • Antihistamine
  • Styptic pencil
  • Pop-top can of low- or no-salt sardines, salmon or tuna in water

 

Wound-care items

  • Duct tape
  • Hand sanitiser or disposable gloves
  • Antiseptic (povidone-iodine) solution, such as Betadine
  • Cohesive bandage roll
  • Antibiotic ointment, such as Polysporin
  • Conforming gauze roll
  • 4×4 gauze pads or non-stick bandages
  • Unscented sanitary pads or cotton washcloths (for heavily bleeding wounds)
  • Clean cotton sock or t-shirt (for quick-wrapping wounds)
  • First aid adhesive tape
  • Grooming clippers
  • Blunt scissors

 

Additional items for professional kits

  • Items to make a splint
  • Bite-proof gloves
  • Paediatric digital rectal thermometer and water-based lubricant
  • Glucose paste for blood sugar emergencies
  • Cold packs
  • Heavy scissors

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