www.pawsitiveeducationaltraining.com
Pet First Aid Kit Checklist
BLEEDING AND WOUNDS
1. Adhesive tape.
2. Gauze pads.
3. Gauze rolls.
4. Vet wrap.
5. Cotton roll. This is used for head and large area wounds.
6. Non-stick gauze.
7. Antibiotic cream. Avoid the use of triple antibiotic if you have cats. While the
combination of the three ingredients is a rare allergy, for those cats that are
allergic, it is fatal.
8. Sanitary napkins. They are used to soak up excess blood.
9. Bandanas/triangular bandages. They can be used for splinting fractures and
covering wounds. In addition, they can be used to aid a dog in walking by
taking the pressure off of an injured limb.
10.
Paint stirrers can be used for splinting.
11.
Sealed sterile saline solution for flushing wounds. An unsealed bottle is no
longer sterile. Unlike water, saline solution maintains the cellular salt
balance resulting in faster healing.
12.
2% chlorohexidine wound rinse can also be used to flush to out wounds.
The 2% is important. Less than that is not effective and more can cause
cellular damage. I no longer use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to flush
wounds, as alcohol stings and hydrogen peroxide damages cellular tissue.
In addition, both will slow healing. Cats cannot metabolize either alcohol or
hydrogen peroxide as well. It is commonly found in most first aid aisles of
supermarkets and department stores.
13.
Nexaband or liquid bandage. Your veterinarian can demonstrate the right
way to use this product. It is important that the wound is properly cleaned
and dried first. If used improperly, it can damage skin and seal in bacteria.
Never use on bite wounds. Superglue is not a replacement. Superglue is not
labeled for medical use and as such, does not need to use medically safe
ingredients.
14.
Expired plastic gift cards are the right size for paw injuries. Cushion them
with extra gauze to protect the pad.
15.
Tea bags. They contain tannic acid, which helps to clot bleeding injuries.
16.
Hemastop. I prefer this to styptic powder because it does not sting.
ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK, ALLERGIC REACTIONS AND INSECT BITES
1. Premeasured dose of LIQUID gel antihistamine as determined by your vet. The
brand name is not important, only that the center is liquid.
2. Safety pin.
The safety pin is used to puncture a hole in the liquid gel. It is then squirted onto the
tongue of the pet. This is the easiest and most effective way to administer an
antihistamine.
1. Plastic card for flicking out bee stingers. Do not tweeze them out as you only
inject more venom into the pet. Place the card under the stinger and lift up
and out.
HEATSTROKE
1. Chemical cold pack or instant cold gel wrap. They can be placed against
pressure points to aid in cooling the pet.
2. Rubbing alcohol can be squirted onto the pads. As this can cause alcohol
poisoning, talk to emergency veterinary personnel first and do not use on
cats.
POISONING
1. Poison Control Center’s phone number is 888-426-4435.
DO NOT ASSUME YOU SHOULD INDUCE VOMITING! Different poisons call for
different protocols. What will help one situation will cause harm in another.
1. Hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. This is not safe for cats.
2. Activated charcoal to absorb poison.
3. Baking soda to absorb topical caustic material.
4. Squirt bottle to administer treatment.
5. Plastic baggie/latex gloves for vomit or stool sample.
BURNS
1. Sterile solution for 1st and 2nd degree burns. DO NOT RINSE 3rd DEGREE BURNS.
The burn going through the full thickness of the skin characterizes 3rd
degree burns.
2. Bandana/gauze to cover burns.
CHOKING
1. Small flashlight with spare battery to check throat for debris.
3. Plastic baggies/latex gloves for debris sample.
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Eyewash.
2. Honey packets for hypoglycemic dogs.
3. Glow sticks can be used to illuminate most common strains of ringworm.
However, keep in mind this is not a full-proof diagnostic tool.
4. Smart Water or unflavored Pedialyte will help to re-hydrate stressed pets.
Pedialyte must be unflavored because the other varieties contain artificial
sweeteners.