CANINE FIRST AID
Preparing a Well Stocked First Aid Kit
Abridged from the Denver Dispatch
Pet owners should recognize the importance of a well stocked first aid kit for their canine
companions. The following are some items that should be included:
Vet wrap
Sterile gauze pads
Gauze wrap
First aid tape
Tweezers
Hemostat
Needle & thread
Razor blade (wrapped in paper)
Small bottle of Nu Skin liquid bandaid (great for abraded pads)
Small pair of blunt ended scissors
Benadryl
Ascriptin
Small bottle of rubbing alcohol
Small bottle of hydrogen
Tube of Betadine or other antibiotic ointment
Hydrocortisone ointment or topical spray
Gentocin topical spray*
Ottomax ear ointment*
Eye rinse solution (simple non-prescription boric acid)
Milk of Magnesia or activated charcoal to absorb poison (Be sure to get the advice of your
veterinarian or local poison control center before inducing vomiting or treating an animal for
poisoning.)
Large syringe without needle or eyedropper (to give oral treatments)
Muzzle (soft cloth, rope, necktie or nylon stocking ) or use a towel to cover a small animal's
head. Do not use in case of vomiting.
Stretcher (A door, board, blanket or floor mat)
Ace bandage
Small baggy of cotton balls
Splint
Heat source (get one of those instant packs where you break the pouch and a chemical
reaction gives off heat)
Foil blanket (reflective types, like the ones in car first aid kits)
Any special medications for allergies, seizures, etc. that your dog might require
Note: starred item (*) are prescription only from a vet; all other are easily available over-the
counter at your local drug store.
List of Dosages of Commonly Used Drugs
For quick reference, write down the dose for each of your dogs (if for instance their weight
varies enough to change the dose they each get) Common drugs could include ascriptin or
aspirin, Benadry, Pepto Bismol, Kaeopectate, 3% hydrogen peroxide ( to induce vomiting)
Tape the list to the inside top of the first aid kit so it is always handy.
Other Good Advice
It's also a good idea to have in your car(s) a packet containing your name, address and
phone number, your vet's name-address telephone, and the name- address-telephone of
someone to contact to take care of your dogs in an emergency (like if your are injured in a
car accident). Also have in this packet the names and identifying information of each dog,
photocopies of their rabies vaccination certificates and records of their last DHLPP
vaccinations. Include specific medical information about each dog....allergies, medical
condition, medications the dog needs (when & how much ). Also what heartworm
preventative the dog is on and when you give it (daily, 1st of the month, etc). You can fit all
this in an envelope in your glove compartment. This information could make a world of
difference to the care your dog receives if you are severely injured or killed in an accident and
someone else has to figure out what to do with your dogs. Make up several of these packets:
one of each car; one to keep in your home where someone could find it easily; one in your
show kit or article bag if you participate in dog shows.
