ANIMAL FIRST AID KITS 15 items you should have Becky Krampen

Why Have First Aid Kit? Having a first aid kit on hand can help a animal owner in many different cases. With the kit, owners can treat small injuries, or in worse cases, you can provide temporary treatment while transporting your animal to the vet.

Scissors Scissors are very important in a first aid kit. You can use them to cut bandages. Scissors may also come handy if you need to cut fur out of the way of a wound or burn. * Top Photo: Sharp scissors Bottom Photo: Lister Bandage Removal scissors. It may come in handy to have two pairs of scissors, one sharp, and one with a blunt end Blunt end scissors are best when dealing with an upset animal that is moving, and removing bandages to you don't cut the animal.

10cc Syringe Without a Needle A 10cc syringe can come in handy during any emergency. If you have to give medication, flush wounds, or if necessary, you can force feed with a syringe.

Rubber Gloves Rubber gloves are of major importance in any first aid kit. They help keep your hands clean, and help prevent contaminating any animal with bacteria on your hand. Gloves are important to have in case you have a wounded animal, body secretions, or working with strange animals.

Rectal Thermometer A dog's temperature ranges from degrees Fahrenheit. Take your dog's temperature on a day where he is healthy, and relaxed to see what his normal temperature is. That way, in a case of emergency, you can take their temperature and see if it is normal or not, to help indicate whether your dog is sick. *Make sure you use a fever thermometer when doing temperatures. Dog's normal temperature is higher then a human, so using a fever thermometer will give you a more accurate reading.

Thermal Blanket Thermal blankets are always of great use. They can be used to help keep an animal from going in to shock. In severe cases, you can also use a blanket as a stretcher. Blankets trap in body heat, and keep out cold, wind, and rain.

Sterile Gauze Pads Sterile gauze pads can be used to clean wounds. They can also be used to help bandage wounds. Sterile gauze pads come in different sizes, and are highly absorbent. *If holding off bleeding, NEVER take a soiled layer of gauze off. Always leave the soiled layer on and add more gauze on top.

Rolled Gauze Rolled gauze can come in handy when you need to stabilize a joint. Rolled gauze can be used to wrap a bandage, to hold on ear flaps,and even as a muzzle.

Adhesive First Aid Tape Adhesive Tape is always important to have. You can use this tape to help secure gauze wraps, or other bandages.

Vet Wrap Vet Wrap can be used to help bandage wounds or burns. You can also use it to help support limbs. Vet wrap is self-adhering, so you can put it directly on your pet's fur without it sticking on the hair, as it only sticks to itself.

Petroleum Jelly or Vaseline Petroleum Jelly and Vaseline can be used to provide lubrication to a rectal thermometer. Petroleum jelly can also provide temporary relief for minor burns.

Hydrogen Peroxide 3% Hydrogen Peroxide 3% is used to induce vomiting, if the animal has been poisoned. Always call your Vet, or animal poison control before you induce vomiting, or treating your animal for poisoning.

Antibiotic Ointment Antibiotic Ointment is a must in first aid kits. It is used to help clean and heal small wounds. If you bandage any wound with antibiotic ointment underneath, be sure to change it frequently to help aid drainage of pus, and so you can also re apply ointment.

Benadryl Diphenhydramine HCI Benadryl is something that can become very helpful, especially when on outside adventures. You can use Benadryl to help stop allergic reactions in animals.

Muzzle A muzzle is a good thing to have in your first aid kit because when some animals are in pain, they may become fractious. Using the muzzle will help keep you, and any other people involved in the emergency situation safe.

Hot Cold Pack Hot and cold packs are used for many things. You can use a hot pack to help keep a cold animal from going in to shock, and cold packs to help your animal from having a heat stroke. Cold packs are also useful to help relieve joint and muscle pains.

Having a first aid kit can save a life. In severe cases, always call your Veterinarian for help.