Creating A Pawesome Pet First-Aid Kit 

Did you know that every 2.5 seconds, a pet needs emergency care? To look at that data another way, roughly one in three pets need emergency care every year. Those numbers are pretty staggering! If your beloved pet is ever hurt, you should of course seek immediate veterinary care. However, you may need to perform first aid yourself before you can safely transport your furry friend to the clinic. That’s why we recommend having a dedicated pet first-aid kit. A Tipp City, OH vet offers some insight on creating these below.

Basics

You can get first-aid kits made just for pets, but you may find it just as easy to start with one made for humans and then customize it for your furry friend. Some of the things you may want to include are gauze, for wrapping wounds; non-stick bandages, to control bleeding; adhesive tape, for securing said bandages; milk of magnesia, activated charcoal, and hydrogen peroxide, in case of poison ingestion; a digital thermometer; a syringe or eye dropper; and styptic powder. Other helpful items include tweezers, popsicle sticks, cotton pads, disposable gloves, blunt-end scissors, a turkey baster, towels, saline solution, and tear gel. If you have a dog, you’ll also want to include a muzzle: even the sweetest pup may bite if they’re in pain.

Apps

The best first-aid kit in the world won’t be of any use if you don’t know what to do. In an emergency, you’d want to contact an emergency vet right away, but it’s also good to have some key information on hand. If you have a smartphone, download some pet first-aid apps. (The American Red Cross has a good one.) You can also purchase or print some pet first-aid brochures. Keep these with the first-aid kit, preferably near your pet’s carrier and emergency bag.  

Numbers

If taking your pet in for emergency care, call the clinic to let them know you’re on the way. It may save precious time if the staff can start preparations before you arrive! Keep your vet’s number handy. Ours is 937-335-8387. Another handy one is the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, which is (888) 426-4435. We also advise saving the number and address for the nearest emergency clinic. 

As your Tipp City, OH animal clinic, we are proud to offer top-notch veterinary care. Please feel free to contact us anytime!