Do You Have a First Aid Kit for Your Dog?

Many people have first aid kits in their homes for emergencies. Those, along with earthquake kits, should be a staple in homes throughout Pasadena. But emergencies can happen for pets as well and the items you need to treat them can differ somewhat from those needed for a human.

Planet Doggy tries to empower pet guardians by providing educational workshops on Pet First Aid, Adult CPR/AED, Human Standard First Aid, Wilderness Remote First Aid, and Disaster Preparedness. They have firsthand knowledge on how to help your pet should they ever need emergency medical attention. While no emergency kit can replace a veterinarian, it’s crucial to know how to stabilize your pet and keep them calm until you can get them to the vet. This may be easier said than done, but having the right tools and knowledge can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency.

Your dog first aid kit should include:

• bandages–a roll of self-adhesive or crepe bandage
• conforming/open-weave bandages
• a box of sterile 4” x 4” absorbent gauze pads
• some non-adhesive absorbent dressings to cover open wounds
• butterfly bandages
• waterproof surgical sticky tape
• duct tape
• a box of cotton wool
• blunt-ended scissors, preferably curved
• tweezers
• disposable razor
• irrigation syringe
• saline solution
• triple antibiotic ointment with lidocaine
• a thick towel
• an Elizabethan collar
• muzzle

Emergency situations:

First, you need to ensure the safety of yourself and others. Stay calm and make a thorough assessment of the situation before you act. Any injured, frightened animal may try to bite when touched, and your beloved dog is no exception, which is why a muzzle is a must for any pet first aid kit.

If possible, contact your veterinarian right away. You should always have your vet’s number in your phone and know the name of their practice. You should also have the numbers for Animal Poison Control and the closest veterinary hospital in case your animal is exposed to toxins. Phone first to get the best advice on how to handle your particular emergency. When you call, have a pen handy to write down any numbers they might give you to call for further help.

If you find yourself muzzle-less in an emergency, smaller dogs can be handled by putting a thick blanket over their head. Alternatively, you can subdue larger dogs, by using tape or gauze around the snout and tied behind the ears to safeguard against biting unless the animal is having trouble breathing.

Human medicines, most times, will do more harm than good for a dog so don’t use them. Do not offer your pet food or drink in case there will be a need for an anesthetic later on.

You can learn more about how to handle emergency situations by attending educational workshops and seminars offered by Planet Doggy. Knowledge is the key to survival in an emergency and the more you have, the better off you and your pets will be when things go wrong. Call them today to enroll in a workshop and become a better-prepared pet guardian.

Planet Doggy is located in Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 793-7344 or visit planetdoggy.com.