As I review what I hand hand in order to restock my dogs medical and first aid kits I realized it's easy to find suggestions for standard First Aid Kits but there is not a lot about the extras that we should also have on hand in our K9 medical kits. As a multi dog owner sometimes it seems like something is always coming up. Sometimes It is completely unexpected and out of the blue but sometimes it’s a recurring issue that I can recognize immediately and begin treatment before it blows up into a medical emergency.
Here is what I find essential to have in my medical kit. Many of the things are brand specific only because it is a brand I use so I trust. I am not a paid affiliate for any brand I list here. Some products can be purchased over the counter but some may need to be purchased directly from your Veterinarian. I do highly recommend that you do purchase most of your dog specific, over the counter medications from your Veterinarian. This will help to ensure correct, good quality ingredients and proper administering instructions. Doing so also helps you build a trusting relationship with your regular veterinarian, who may then be more likely to trust your judgment and experience, enabling you to pick up some medical supplies after a phone consult rather than an in person visit for minor issues.
ESSENTIALS AND WHY;
Vet Wrap – Self-adhering bandages
Oral Syringes – Various sizes. Good for administering medication but also for irrigation as well. Individual ones can be purchased from some drug stores at the pharmacy counter.
Medical Hemostat – One of those must haves that I hope I never have to use, think porcupine, large slivers.
Tweezers – Good for removing small foreign bodies and tick removal.
Trauma Scissors/Medical Grade Scissors.
Nitrile Gloves – protection from zoonotic diseases.
30ml Medicine Cup - Disposable Plastic. I use these for everything, they are indispensable for mixing, measuring medications and ensuring there is no cross contamination.
Cotton Pads and Cotton Balls – For administering creams and lotions and preventing cross contamination. I prefer cotton make up pads over cotton balls for most applications
Magnifying Glass For reading fine print on medication bottles and for looking for small foreign bodies.
Styptic Powder an anti-hemorrhagic agent that stops light wounds from bleeding such as nail injury.
Multiple Tick Removers – for the car, the boat, the wallet, the house, the cottage...
Flashlight – With batteries stored separately.
Digital Thermometer – with slip covers. A dog's normal temperature is between 101.0 to 102.5°F (38.3 to 39.2°C). If your dog’s temperature rises above 104°F (40.0°C) or falls below 99°F (37.2°C), take your pet to your Veterinarian.
The Absorber® – Not only can it absorb a lot of water drying your wet dog without having to worry about wet towels soaking your car but it can be soaked with cold water to help cool down an over heated dog.
EAR CARE
Drying, Ear Cleaner – A “Veterinary use only” brand for both maintenance and as a cleaning and drying treatment prior to administering medication for infection. When it comes to delicate ears, I do not purchase pet store brands but instead go for quality I can trust.
• Pro-Otic® Ear Cleansing Solution
• EPI-OTIC® Advanced Ear Cleanser
IRRITATION AND INJURY SKIN CARE
• Douxos3 Pyo Mousse. This is my go-to, at home skin care treatment. While expensive I will always have a bottle on hand for just in case scenarios.
Antibiotic ointment
• 1st choice Hibitane® Veterinary Ointment choice,
• 2nd choice Theraderm
Hydrogen Peroxide
• used for the initial flushing of a wound only. I believe there are better safer more effective products for long term use.
• Use to induce vomiting. Always contact your Veterinarian or Poison Control first
• Neutralizing skunk spray. 4 parts hydrogen peroxide to 1 part of baking soda, with a teaspoon or so of dish detergent added. To be effective, the solution must be used while 'fresh', or still bubbling, and must be applied directly to the sprayed areas
Rubbing Alcohol
• Mixed with distilled water for helping to dry up hot spots
• Disinfecting the skin before injection.
• Disinfecting Instruments
Diphenhydramine Tablets aka Benadryl. For insect stings and allergic reactions. Always contact your Veterinarian for correct dosing instructions.
WORMERS
Pyrantel Pamoate aka Strongid T
Fenbendazole (brand names Panacur®, Safe-Guard®)
GAUZE
• Sterile Gauze Pads 2”x2” (5)
• Sterile Gauze Pads 4”x4” (5)
• Non Adherent Gauze Pads 3"x4” (5)
• Abdominal Pad 5”x9” (2)
• Clear Medical Tape 1” Roll (1)
• Roller Gauze 2” Roll (2)
• Roller Gauze 4” Roll (2)
What do you have in your k9 medical kit? Anything you recommend I add to my supplies?
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