"Pets are part of the family and being prepared for any emergency is always better than being regretful."
How I did it: I bought a see-through latch box (similar to this) for storing the supplies and allocated a place for it in the cupboard beside the pets' harnesses and leashes. This way, everything needed will be within reach from one area.
I've put together a very basic first aid kit. In the event of a serious emergency, the furballs will be brought to the 24hour animal hospital immediately to be certain we do not cause them more harm then good.
The items in the kit/cupboard are:
- Round-ended scissors
- Tweezers
- Forceps
- Basic grooming equipment (comb, slicker brushes, dog nail clippers, scissors and shears)
- Sterile eye drop
- Sterile eye cream/lubricant
- Sterile ear wash
- Cotton-tipped swabs
- Cotton wool
- Cotton balls
- Elizabethan collars
- Penlight and spare batteries
- Taktic (for getting rid of ticks)
- Bandages
- Elastic cling bandages
- Gauze pads
- Gauze roll
- Surgical plaster tape
- Antiseptic cream (with pain-relief)
- Antiseptic powder (or styptic powder - to stop bleeding)
- Calamine lotion
- Antacid (to neutralise stomach acidity after vomitting)
- Syringe plunger
- Absorbent paper (kitchen) roll
- Baby wipes
- Small plastic kidney dish (for use when bathing wounds - stainless steel bowls work too)
- Towel (a blanket or space blanket also work)
- Dog carriers
- Emergency phone numbers, addresses and directions (vet clinic, animal hospital, etc.)
Lessons & tips: To make saline solution for washing wounds: Dissolve 2 teaspoons of salt in 1 liter of warm water.
As a guide for making rehydrating fluid: Mix 1 tablespoon of glucose powder with 1 teaspoon salt in a liter of warm water.
Smaller quantities for small breeds.
[I'm substituting glucose with sugar or honey.]
Resources: Various pet care books and websites, redcross.
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Jan 13, 2010, 08:47PM PST
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