Emergency First Aid: Kits & Care
You don't need to be a Boy Scout to benefit from being prepared. As a dog parent, prior knowledge of some basic emergency care and a good first aid kit is essential to your dog's well-being. You invest in time, training and healthcare for your companion. Making certain you're prepared for dog emergencies only makes good sense.
As we're currently dealing with hot summer temperatures, let's address heatstroke first. DO NOT IMMERSE YOUR DOG IN COLD WATER. Use cool water, ice packs and wet towels to gradually cool the dog down. Offer small sips of water and contact your veterinarian to determine next steps.
For vomiting and diarrhea, again, offer your dog small amounts of water frequently. Dehydration due to loss of fluids can be fatal. If your dog refuses water, or has difficulty keeping liquids down, seek medical attention.
Along with this required reading for every dog owner, we suggest putting together an emergency first aid kit for your dog, before you need it. The kit should include:
- Bandages: Think sterile pads, stretch bandages, and bandaging tape
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Cold pack - get the ones you can "crack & cool" for traveling
- Antibiotic ointment
- Hydrocortisone 1%
- Magnifying glass
- Small scissors
- Tweezers (for bee stingers and splinters)
- Disposable gloves
- Cotton balls
- Iodine swabs
- Extra leash
- Emergency numbers for your veterinarian and poison control, and vaccination card.
- Collapsible water bowl
- Aluminized thermal blanket
- Tourniquet
- Benadryl
Consider adding bottled water and a flashlight to your kit as well. Keep in mind that your cell phone can be a handy tool for snapping images to send to your veterinarian to help them with their evaluation of the situation.
Check with your veterinarian during your next office visit to explain the proper use of these items, and in the case of any topical or oral medications, be sure to check with your vet before administering them.
