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Health Matters To Neuter Or Not To Neuter Puppy Supplies Grooming Your Silky Silky First-Aid Kit Keeping Your Silky Safe
Silky First-Aid Kit
Assembling a doggy first aid kit for home or travel use is a really good idea. It should never replace you seeking proper medical attention from your Vet., but it can help deal with minor problems and give immediate first aid (as directed by your Vet) in the event of an emergency.
The following are a collection of suggestions, compiled from various breeders and dog owners over the years.
THINGS TO PUT IN THE FIRST AID KIT
Cotton gauze bandage wrap
Vet Wrap -- 1 inch width, and 2 inch width
Ace bandage
First aid tape
Cotton gauze pads
Regular bandaids
Cotton swabs or Q-tips
Benadryl
Ascriptin (buffered aspirin)
Kaopectate
New Skin liquid bandage (useful for patching abrasions on pads)
Oral syringes (for administering liquid oral medicines)
Safety pins in several sizes
Mini battery-operated clippers (to shave an area around a wound)
Matches (for ticks)
Styptic powder (to stop bleeding)
Tweezers
Hemostat (useful for pulling ticks, thorns, large splinters, etc)
Small blunt end scissors
Canine rectal thermometer
Antibiotic ointment
Saline solution (simple mild eye wash)
Bottle of hydrogen peroxide
Bottle of rubbing alcohol
Alcohol or antiseptic wipes (in small individual packets)
Jar of Vaseline
Specific prescription medications YOUR dog may need (for allergies, seizures, etc.)
ALWAYS consult your own vet about the correct useages and doses before giving your dog any medications. And be sure to read about possible side-effects before use -- although those named above are usually considered safe for dogs, some dogs might have allergic reactions.
What you next need for a good first aid kit is a suitable container. A small tackle box or other plastic box with a handle is a good choice. It's a good idea to label the box in very large letters: FIRST AID so that it's always easy to spot. Tape to the inside of the box lid, a card with the following information:
*Your name, address and phone number.
*Name & phone number of someone to contact, in an emergency, who will take care of
your dogs if you are unable to.
*Your dog's name/s and any information on any medications they take, allergies or any significant medical conditions they may have, plus tattoo numbers to identify who's who if you have more than one.
* The name & phone number of your vet.
Also tape to the inside of the box lid, a card with a list of common medications, their general dosages, and the specific dose for the weights of your own dogs:
Benadryl 1-2mg per lb, every 8 hrs
Aspirin 5 mg per lb every 12 hrs
Hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting: 1 tsp every 10 min until dog vomits
Kaopectate 1 ml per 1 lb per 2 hours
Immodium 1 mg per 15 lbs 1-2 times daily
Mineral oil (as a laxative) 5-30 ml per day..do not use long-term
NEVER EVER give Tylenol (toxic to liver) or Ibuprofen (Nuprin, Motrin, Advil, etc.). Ibuprofen is very toxic and fatal to
dogs at low doses. Only aspirin is safe for dogs, and buffered aspirin or ascriptin is preferred to minimize stomach upset.
Check with your vet to confirm dosages before using. If symptoms persist, consult your vet ASAP -- do NOT continue to try to treat at home, the problem might be more serious than you think!
TIP: give liquid medications using an oral syringe tucked into the side of the dog's mouth, holding jaws closed (rather than poking straight down the throat and risking getting liquid into the lungs).
It's a good idea to keep copies of your dog's vaccination records, including a copy of the Rabies Certificate, in the First Aid kit and always carry the kit with you (in the car, on holidays etc.). In addition your emergency contact person and your vet information should be posted on your refridgerator or home bulletin board where anyone who needs it can easily find it.... you never know when you may be injured in an accident, or even just away for the day, and your dogs may be in the hands of a complete stranger who will need this information.
All other supplies can be purchased, over the counter, at most drug stores or through pet supply stores.
You also might want to ask your vet about having a small amount of a general purpose antibiotic (such as Amoxil) on hand so that you could administer immediately (upon Vets instructions) should the need arise. This is especially important if you live in a rural area and it takes a fair amount of time to get to your Vet.
Be sure to clearly LABEL all medications and supplies with their name and expiration date. Be sure to replace medications that may have exceeded their recommended expiration date. Go through your kit at least once a year, replacing expired medications, replenishing used supplies, etc. Always do this before travelling with your dog/s so you know everything is up-to-date and complete when you are travelling and away from your vet.
For good canine first aid descriptions and instuctions:
Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook
by D.G. Carlson and J.M. Giffin
Howell Book House, most recent edition,
ISBN 0-87605-764-4
or:
The Merck Veterinary Manual
C.M. Fraser et al. (editors)
published by Merck & Co.,
7th Edition 1991.
ISBN 911910-55-7
*** If in doubt, see your vet! ***
Your dog's health is too precious to play guessing games with! Remember first aid is just
that -- the "first" aid given as you get the patient to a doctor for proper medical attention.