During this time of Holiday Season mind set being on " presents" for our pets; be sure to have some "presence" of mind to incorporate the following:


Suggested Items To Have In Your Pet's First Aid Kit:



Many pet owners have a first aid kit for themselves and their children they keep around the house, but what about for our pets? Especially those of us who may live more rurally or a good distance from medical or veterinarian assistance.

It's important for pet owners to also keep a first aid kit in the house for their pets.

You never know when something is going to go wrong. If you have everything together and in a certain place, you won't be worrying or wondering where it's at when something does happen.

You should consider storing first aid items in a transportable, durable, water-resistant boxes, such as a tackle boxes. Be sure to label it clearly and store it where you can find it readily.

Pet owners should include a list of emergency phone numbers in the kit to quickly get in touch with a veterinarian.

In almost all cases, a pet owner should at least call the vet, even if it is just to see how to treat a minor cut . For anything more than something very minor, take your pet to the vet. It's always a good idea to call ahead to make sure the veterinarian will be there and be ready for your arrival.

It is important to have hydrogen peroxide, activated charcoal and eyedroppers in case your pet ingests toxic materials. The peroxide will induce vomiting and the charcoal helps keep the toxins from being absorbed, while the eyedropper would be used to give the recommended dosage.

For cuts, abrasions and minor wounds, keep the following items in the kit:

* One- and two-inch adhesive tape
* Two-inch roll gauze to make a muzzle in an emergency
* Gauze sponges
* Isopropyl alcohol
* Chlorhexadine or povidone iodine (antiseptic)
* Contact lens saline solution
* Two-inch and four-inch stretch gauze
* Scissors
* Tweezers
* Nonstick dressing (Telfa)
* Nonstick bandage (vet wrap)
* Antibiotic ointment
* Absorbent maxi pads

For penetrating chest wounds, the kit should include petroleum or KY Jelly to coat the entrance of the wound and plastic food wrap to seal the wound airtight.

Other items a pet owner should keep in the kit include:

* Newspaper to roll up and make a splint or to line something to keep it clean
* Rectal thermometer
* Three large garbage bags for sanitation on the way to the veterinarian's office
* Book on pet first aid
* Signed treatment authorization form so pet sitter/or others can take animal to veterinarian for treatment in your absence

Other good items to have available (that may not fit in the kit):

* Two-liter bottles or milk cartons to fill with warm water for heating
* Clean bath towels or roll of paper towels
* Blankets
* Elizabethan collar or instructions of how to make one to keep pet from chewing at wounds
* Plywood board to move the pet safely

The pet owner should incorporate items that they know their pets will respond to, the point is to think ahead and be prepared as possible for lifes little
mis-haps.