Emergencies can strike at any time. When they do occur, you should always be prepared with a first-aid kit.
Your kit should contain:
Wound care:
-Disposable nitrile gloves (2 pairs)
-Gauze sponges 4"x 4" (10)
-Gauze sponges 2"x 2" (20)
-Trauma pad 5" x 9" (1)
-Gauze roll 2" (1)
-Medical tape roll 1" (1)
-Elastic adhesive bandage 2" (1)
-Tongue depressors (2)
-Sterile lubricant (3 packets)
-Instant cold pack (optional)
-Cotton tip applicators (4)
-Alcohol prep pads (3)
-Povidone iodine prep pads (6)
-Saline for irrigation (100ml)
-35 cc syringe (1)
-Hemostatic powder (5g)
-Triple antibiotic wound ointment (2 packets)
-Chlorhexidine gluconate 4%: general antiseptic (30ml)
-18 Ga needle (2)
-22 Ga needle (1)
Instruments & Medications:
-3 cc syringe (1)
-Rectal thermometer (1)
-Scissors (1)
-Hemostats (1)
-Tweezers (1)
-Tick twister (1)
-Honey packet for emergency hypoglycemia
-Diphenhydramine 25 mg cap (6)
-Hydrogen peroxide 3% (100ml)
-18 Ga needle
Others:
-Leash
-Saline for irrigation
-Thermal emergency blanket
Suggested:
-Activated charcoal
-Multi-tool
-Headlamp
-Lighter
-Spare batteries
-Cord/rope (20+ feet)
Be sure to include important paperwork, including a copy of medical records, vaccination records, and emergency phone numbers.
TREES PET FIRST AID COURSE! This course is FREE and open to the public. We designed it for pet owners, dog walkers and pet sitters. If you pass the quiz at the end you can get a First Aid Certificate. Take notes and leave your questions and comments below :) Make sure to share with your friends that need to watch this!
Here are the 3 best pieces of advice from the emergency vet that could save your pet's life:
- DON'T WAIT TOO LONG TO GET HELP! If you wait too long, it could be too late. This is especially true for concerns such as laboured breathing, pale gums and weakness. You know your pet best, so if you are worried or concerned, "when in doubt, check it out!"
- PREVENT THE PREVENTABLE. Learn as much as possible about dangers that face your pet, such as household poisons, seemingly harmless objects (such as toys, clothing, garbage and rocks), other animals, and vehicles. Pets are like toddlers and they need a responsible adult/babysitter to protect them from danger. Puppies and kittens need to start their vaccines at 8 WEEKS (and they need boosters too!) to protect them from deadly diseases.
- BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST CASE SCENARIO. Have a plan in place, know your nearest emergency clinic, have the ASPCA phone number on speed dial. Know basic first aid training and CPR. But MOST IMPORTANTLY, BE FINANCIALLY PREPARED. The cost of medical treatment in an emergency, and the owners' ability to pay for it, is probably the most important factor that determines whether a pet will receive the medical care it needs. The best way to protect yourself is to have good medical insurance for your pet. Do your research.
**REMEMBER**: WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM, with the best interest of the patient as everyone's first priority. Let your vet do what he/she does best, and don't try to grab the steering wheel and obstruct your vet from doing his/her job. We are all in the same car, we are all headed to the same place, but only one of us has the driver's license (meaning, only the vet has the medical training and background to "drive the car").
Please remember to spay/ neuter your pet, and to donate to your local animal shelter- they really need your help!
Resources:
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: Hotline: (888) 426-4435
- Preventive Health in Puppies
- Meet "Oliver"
- Medical Insurance Can Save Lives
- 3 Tips From The Emergency Vet That Could Save Your Pet's Life
ASK YOUR QUESTION ON TWIN TREES VET TALK! Have a quick question? Want to run something by us? Or just need our two cents? This is your chance! Enter your questions here. and each week we will select a handful of questions to answer.