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At Home Doggie First Aid Kits

15K views 26 replies 17 participants last post by  Sam1491 
#1 ·
How many of you keep a doggie first aid kit at home?

Of those that do, what do you keep in it?

I was assembling one for the barn the other day, and realized that I have very few "dog specific" items at home, I use a lot of people items for my dogs, and they are scattered throughout the house. That seems kind of foolish, and it would be a really good idea to get a large makeup bag or small rubber tote and put together a well thought out "pet first aid" kit.

A few things that I have thought to include:
-Hydrogen peroxide
-Rubber gloves
-Vetwrap
-Hemostatic gauze
-Hemostat
-Non-stick gauze pads
-Thermometer
-Tick remover

I'm looking for both things that will help me fix up the minor cut/scrape, etc and things for those larger emergencies that will help me get the dog to the evet, without compromising their job.
 
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#6 ·
My vet used to sell first aid kits. It had all the normal stuff like hydrogen peroxide, bandages, tape, gauze, qtips, syringe, gloves, splints but also had some medications to help with diarrhea and pain. It also had bandage scissors and a thermometer with the normal temperature range written on the box. I supplemented with benadryl, stypic powder, emergency blanket, rescue remedy, pet first aid pocket guide, neosporin, paw balm, gas-x, pepcid, a muzzle, a slip lead, and current photo/vax records/microchip #. I always bring it with me when I travel with my dog.

Sounds pretty crazy, but it has been super helpful over the years. When I had my Wobblers dog, I also kept a stash of tramadol and prednisone in case he had a flare up.
 
#10 ·
FYI, you can use Health Savings Accounts money to pay for most of the supplies. That is how we built up our family first aid/emergency supply kit. Everything I keep can be usesd for both human and dog. (Tell your vet your building a first aid kit, mine was great about prescribing single doses of several things including a dose of sedative for each dog that I keep in the larger emergency kit.) Here is what I keep in the small, carry everywere pack that is attached to the handle of a leash. Paracord (can be used to wrap splints, as emergency dog leash/collar, tons of uses) and a stash of Dog safe glucose packs (Easier and lasts longer then Dog food and both human and dog can use it), Non-Toxic Superglue, and single doses packets of benedryl and dog-safe ibuprofen (it also is safe for humans).
 
#13 · (Edited)
The ingredient in GasX, simethicone, breaks of the gas and can reduce the build up of gas. If given early enough in the bloat process, the reduction of gas can be effective in preventing the torsion (flipping of the stomach). With the pills you can just give one to the dog. I like the liquid because I can draw it up in a syringe and shoot it into the back of the throat.

I use this first aid kit that I purchased.
Pro Model 3000 - Outdoor Safety

I supplemented it with GasX pills, liquid simethicone, a bloat tube, extra bandaids (for me!!), EMT Gel, one of those portable phone charger thingies, a bottle of water, and small amounts of metronidazole, tramadol, amoxicillin, and tylan. I keep the entire kit in the dog van.

Is it overkill? Probably. But I'd rather be over prepared than not.
 
#18 · (Edited)
YES! Sticky, for sure!

I just ordered things to create my kit. I already have a perfect backpack for it and realized that the pre-assembled ones are so expensive! I also added a thermal blanket and trauma bandages with Quik Clot to the above lists.

One caution: Extreme heat can chemically alter meds! I won't leave any meds in my vehice in the summer. I'll carry a divided pill box in my purse or carry the kit in and out of the car.

Thanks much to the OP for this thread and to all contributors. I have neglected doing this very important task for way too long. I have mentally chastised myself many times about not having a kit because I know firsthand how important they can be. When she was much younger,my girl Bella got a serious injury. Bella and I were walking my nature trail with my brother. Bella jumped down in the creek for a drink and then came flying back up onto the bank. When she landed she came right down on a knife point stake which had been created when a beaver cut a sapling. If you have never seen these you can't believe how sharp they are. By the time she ran up to us she was spurting blood all over the place from an artery. Thank goodness my brother is a physician and he knew exactly what to do. Had I been by myself, there is no way I would've been able to carry her, keep compression on the injury, and get back to the house. We have all kinds of first aid supplies at the house but I've never made that portable kit. Going to get it done this week!
 
#21 ·
Yes. The pre-assembled kits can be pricey. The one I linked was $139.00. However, I didn't want to be gathering all of those items from multiple sources and trying to keep track of what I had and what I still needed. I just wanted a fully stocked kit. So, for me, it was worth every penny and I just supplemented the very few things it didn't contain.

Whether you buy it or put the kit together yourself, you won't know the value until the event that you need it. So far I've been fortunate that I've only had to use it for minor injuries to myself.:roflmao:
 
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#26 ·
Thanks for posting the link to the pre-assembled kits. Now that spring is here I've ordered one to throw in the car. I also have a human first aid kit so there was some overlap of supplies that I didn't need. I'll throw in a few extras like Gas-X for bloat and I'll be good to go. I don't have the time to assemble one, so this made it easy.
 
#22 ·
A lot of items are incredibly useful, and unaffected by heat or cold. Hemostats, gauze, tourniquets, emergency blanket (I live in the North and never thought of that! Fabulous idea thank you).

Perhaps a little card in the front with the items which do expire listed on it would remind you to check on them every time you grabbed a band aid for yourself or something?
 
#24 ·
Office supply stores have self stick laminator kits for business cards, so you can use them as a luggage tag. I purchased some yesterday to add to our first aid kit with pet poison control and our vet's phone numbers so I can attach it to out first aid kit. Because the last thing you need in an emergency is to be hunting for a phone number.

Laminating pouches
 
#25 · (Edited)
Building my kit now and found a BRAND NEW red first aid bag that is just the perfect size at Goodwill for $2.00!!

Added:

1) Burn kit $4.00
2) Eye wash kit $3.00
3) 30" splint (rolls up and only weighs 5 oz.) $5.00
4) Clotting gel $3.00
5) Ammonia inhalant $3.00
6) Instant cold pack x 3 $5.00
7) Super absorbent pack-towel $6.00

Will post photos of my organization when I have it all together. So glad this thread was started!
 
#27 ·
I don't have a kit set up, but I do always have vet wrap and canine/human friendly ointment around as those are huge necessaties along with quick stop/stypyic powder.

Came in very handy last night for a bleeding carpal pad :)
 
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