Dog owners can treat minor injuries for their pets if they have the appropriate remedies, tools, and equipment available. The following items were included in a first aid kit that the Cincinnati Veterinary Medical Association gave to police dog handlers at a workshop several years ago. A home first aid kit needs many of the same items.

Gauze sponges -- 50 four-by-four inch sponges, two per envelope
Triple antibiotic ointment
Rubbing alcohol
Ear syringe -- two ounce capacity
Ace self-adhering athletic bandage -- three-inch width
White petroleum jelly (Vaseline or similar)
Eye wash
Sterile, non-adherent pads
Pepto Bismol tablets
Generic Benadryl capsules -- 25mg, for allergies
Hydrocortisone acetate -- one percent cream
Sterile stretch gauze bandage -- three inches by four yards
Buffered aspirin
Dermicil hypoallergenic cloth tape -- one inch by 10 yards
Hydrogen peroxide
Kaopectate tablets -- maximum strength
Bandage scissors
Custom splints
Vet Rap bandage

The veterinarian in charge of the workshop, suggested adding the following items to the kit:

Blanket
Tweezers
Muzzle
Hemostats
Rectal thermometer
Ziplock bags
Paperwork, including the dog's health record, medications, local and national poison control numbers, regular veterinary clinic hours and telephone numbers, and emergency clinic hours and telephone number.

This page is © 1999, 2000 by DS G ra p hi x. Last updated 02 January 2000.

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