Cat and Dog First Aid
- 1. Pet First Aid and CPR
- 2. How to Care for Your Pet's Bandage, Splint or Sling
- 3. How to Create a First Aid Kit for Your Pet
How to Create a First Aid Kit for Your Pet
Article provided by Catster
Pet emergencies are critical health crises that need immediate medical intervention. Having a pet first aid kit handy is recommended for all people who own pets -- it may very well buy your pet critical time until veterinary care can be sought. Many of the supplies you will be using to create your pet first aid kit will also be handy in case of human first aid needs.
What Should Your Emergency First Aid Kit Contain?
You can purchase pet first aid kits or make one yourself. A plastic tote is good for storing your kit. It is advised that you make not one but two kits: one that will be in your house and one you can keep in your car.
Your Kit Should Include:
- Batteries
- A Flashlight
- Cotton balls and swabs
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Sterile gauze pads and bandages
- First aid tape
- Antibacterial ointment
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Rubbing alcohol
- Antiseptic wipes
- A muzzle
- A leash
- A splint
- Styptic powder to stop bleeding
- Pepto bismol
- Prescription medications (for you and your pets)
- Sterile latex gloves
- Eye wash
- A book on human and pet first aid
- Mineral oil
- Buffered aspirin
- Benadryl
- A blanket
- A large bottle of water
- Self-activating hot pack
- Self-activating ice pack
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Copies of veterinary documents
- Thermometer
Whenever possible, a cell phone with service that can reach 911 in case of emergencies with the phone number of the nearest emergency vet programmed is a great addition to your emergency first aid kit. Check your batteries periodically to make sure that they are ready to go when you need them in an emergency.
Giving First Aid to Pets
Now that you've created your kit, what will you do with these supplies in case of an emergency? Some pet hospitals offer courses in pet first aid, as do many branches of the Red Cross.
Courses are usually fairly inexpensive and are typically only one or two days long. Many courses will include a pet first aid book -- if yours does, keep it with your first aid kit.
Just as your pet first aid kit will contain many items which are valuable in human medical emergencies, many of the topics covered in a pet first aid class will mirror those taught in a human first aid class, like performing CPR, helping an animal who is choking, recognizing and responding to signs of shock, cleaning and bandaging wounds, splinting, assessing vital signs, and insect and snake bites.
Prepared And Knowledgeable Saves Lives
The time and expense invested in creating a first aid kit and learning how to use it effectively in medical emergencies can very well save the life of a loved one, two or four-legged. You do not need to create separate first aid kits for the pets and people, although separate first aid training is advocated for human and pet first aid emergencies. Recertification is critical and recommended at least every two years. Get certified in pet first aid and create your emergency first aid kit today. Your family will thank you for it!
Read more about cat health and first aid and life with cats on Catster.com.
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