Jefferson Animal Hospital and Regional Emergency Center

4504 Outer Loop

Louisville, KY 40219

(502) 966-4104

First-Aid Kit

In the event of an emergency or minor injury, it is a good idea to keep a first-aid kit handy in your home. Your first-aid kit should be easily accessible as well as transportable. Ideally, you should keep your kit in a closed container to keep your contents clean and dry. The box or case should be durable and water resistant, like a tackle box, for example. Do no lock the box in order to keep its contents at easy access. Clearly label the container “PET FIRST-AID”.

Suggested Items For Your First-Aid Kit:

2 rolls of 3” gauze bandage

3” X 3” gauze sponges

Nonstick adhesive tape

Nonstick bandages

Antibiotic ointment (e.g. Neosporin, Panalog)

Water soluble lubricating jelly (e.g. K-Y Brand)-to take temperatures and to keep debris out of open wounds

Sterile saline solution (e.g. those used for contact lenses) - to flush eyes/wounds - DO NOT use Visine, Murine, etc.

Hydrogen peroxide - to induce vomiting or dispense medications

Tweezers

Nail trimmers

Rectal thermometer (dogs’/cats’ normal temperature is 101 - 102.5 degrees)

Muzzle - the nylon muzzles perferably

Benadryl or diphenhydramine elixir (12.5 mg/ml liquid - caution: some are 12.5 mg/tsp). 23 mg capsules can be used instead. Dosage = 1 mg/pound

a. 1/8 tsp for dogs under 5 pounds

b. 1/4 tsp for dogs weighing 5-20 pounds

c. 1/2 tsp for dogs weighing 21 - 60 pounds

d. 1 tsp for dogs over 60 pounds

Paper towels - to clean up messes

Several large plastic bags - to protect your vehicle’s upholstery/house furnishings from blood, urine, feces.

Additional Items:

Clean towels - to restrain your pet

Blanket - to keep your pet comfortable as well as warm in the event of shock

Hot water bottle( a 2-liter bottle filled with warm water can substitute)

Pet carrier - to transport small pets

A plywood board the appropriate size for both your pet and vehicle - to use in transporting large pets to your veterinarian, especially when a back injury is involved

***This information was provided by a book entitled: Emergency First Aid for Your Dog by Tamara S. Sherer, DVM. It was published by Ohio Distinctive Publishing, Inc. - 1996. This book provides a lot of valuable information about what to do in virtually every possible emergency situation. If interested in more information:

Ohio Distinctive Publishing

4588 Kenny Road

Columbus, Ohio 43220

(614) 459-0453

www.ohio-distinctive.com

Jefferson Animal Hospital is in no way affiliated with Ohio Distinctive Publishing or Doctor T.S. Shearer