You never can tell when an accident might happen, so it’s a really good idea to keep a pet first aid kit at home and maybe a smaller one in your car. It’s fairly easy to put together a suitable first aid kit although you may be able to purchase a ready made one. A small plastic toolbox with compartments would be ideal for putting supplies into, or an air tight plastic container. The following is a fairly comprehensive list of items that can be included in a dog first aid kit.
Muzzle or roll of gauze for making a muzzle
Magnifying glass
Scissors
Tweezers
Tic Tweezers or "Tic 'O' Tom"’
Nail clippers or metal nail file
Styptic powder or sticks or Quick Blood Stopper™
Rectal digital thermometer
Small torch
Nylon Slip Lead
Syringes – 2ml and 10ml sizes would be useful
Cotton swabs (make up pads are ideal)
Cotton balls - 100% pure cotton balls only (available from most pharmacies)
Clean towel (paper and/or fabric are ideal)
Disposable gloves
Bitter Apple™ or similar product to discourage licking
Large towel or blanket – to use as a stretcher or to keep your dog warm
following an accident
Silver "space" blanket - small and lightweight to carry, this can be
extremely useful for keeping a poorly or injured dog warm in emergency
situations
Cool packs and heat packs (always wrap in a towel before use)
Square gauze swabs in various sizes – come in packs of 2 sterile
Non-stick dressings (eg Melanin™)
Adhesive dressing tape (eg Micropore™)
Conforming bandages (3inch wide)
Gauze bandages
Sticking plaster (human type)
Sock - almost essential to keep bandages and/or dressings secure on injured
paws.
Rehydration drinks (human type)
Glucose drink or tablets
Wound disinfectant/cleanser
Eye wash solution
Sterile saline (contact lens saline would be ideal)
Hydrocortisone cream 1% for itching
Ear cleaning solution
There are some drugs that you may feel would be a benefit to keep in your first aid box, eg anti-histamines, painkillers, etc. For details of these, please consult your vet.
Make up a card with important details and information on it. This should be kept inside your dog first aid kit. You should include:
Your name and address
Name and address of a contact person who can take care of your dog in an emergency if you cannot
Name, address and telephone number of your vet
Phone number of out of hours or emergency vet
Your dogs details – name, any medical conditions/history and any medicines, drugs or supplements your dog may be taking.