| Pet owners who live in rural areas may not have quick | | | | -A clean cotton bath towel |
| or easy access to veterinary care, so it is essential to | | | | -Q-tips or cotton buds |
| have a pet first aid kit on hand. However, even if you | | | | -Antibacterial wipes |
| live in a busy city with 24hr veterinary care available, it | | | | -Saline solution |
| is wise to ensure that you can offer emergency first | | | | Additional First Aid Measures |
| aid for your pet. | | | | Of course, another common problem that pet owners |
| What Should a Pet First Aid Kit Contain? | | | | face is the danger of poisoning, which can be caused |
| As you may already know, it is possible to obtain | | | | by a number of common household products, garden |
| commercially produced pet first aid kits that contain all | | | | plants and other widely used substances that are toxic |
| of the necessary equipment. Alternatively, you may | | | | to pets. Therefore, it is a good idea to ensure that any |
| prefer to make up your own kit that caters to specific | | | | pet first aid kit contains hydrogen peroxide, which is |
| medical needs of your pet, for example if he, or she, | | | | used to induce vomiting, and charcoal tablets, which |
| has a severe allergy or is diabetic. In either case, it is | | | | are used to absorb toxins. Obviously, both hydrogen |
| important to regularly check the expiration dates on all | | | | peroxide and charcoal tablets should only be used as |
| products and ensure that you replace any item that | | | | instructed and only when your pet has ingested a toxin. |
| has passed its expiration. | | | | In addition, it is advisable to have a book on basic |
| Consequently, you may find it helpful to buy a | | | | emergency veterinary medicine to help guide you |
| pre-packed first aid kit and replace with products of | | | | through any sudden illness or injury. Even if you have |
| your choice as the expiration of items passes. When | | | | good access to veterinary care, it is wise to bear in |
| buying or making your own first aid kit, here are just | | | | mind that basic first aid knowledge could save your |
| some of the items that should be included: | | | | pet's life in an emergency. Therefore, it is |
| -Scissors | | | | recommended that all pet owners arm themselves |
| -Tweezers | | | | with as much knowledge about the physiology and |
| -A small syringe | | | | potential health problems of their chosen animal as |
| -A bulb syringe | | | | possible. |
| -Eye dropper | | | | Always Contact Your Vet |
| -Latex or rubber gloves | | | | However, one thing that should always be borne in |
| -Thermometer | | | | mind is this: under no circumstances should pet first aid |
| -Safety razor | | | | be seen as an alternative to professional veterinary |
| -Comb | | | | help. If your pet has suddenly become ill or has |
| -Nail clippers | | | | suffered an injury, it is imperative that you get him, or |
| In addition, if your pet has sustained a wound or has | | | | her, to a vet at the earliest opportunity. Remember, |
| suffered an insect bite which has become infected, the | | | | first aid is just that, the first step in treatment. |
| following items are necessary for cleaning and | | | | Moreover, if you are unable to diagnose your pet's |
| dressing scratches, bites and wounds: | | | | condition or you are ill at ease providing treatment, it is |
| -Paper towels | | | | wise to seek professional assistance (even if it is just |
| -Sterile gauze | | | | from a vet's emergency helpline) before attempting to |
| -Cotton wool balls | | | | administer any kind of first aid. |