Many dogs seem mostly indestructible and can launch themselves off or at more or less anything without a scrape! It's best to be prepared however, as occasionally even the toughest of hounds can get himself into a pickle. In the event of any serious calamity of course, the aim of canine first aid is to patch up your patient to prevent deterioration on the way to the vet, but there are many small incidents which can be simply and quickly treated with a bit of TLC and the right kit. I would recommend to all dog owners that they do a short pet first aid course which you can find online, or speak to your pet's vet about the next session to enroll in, that way you won't be caught of guard when an accident happens!
What Should my Canine First Aid Kits include?
Below you'll find two lists for your basic pet first aid kits, one for home and one for on the move. You'll notice that there's lot's of duplicate items here - So, do you need two? Yes! In an emergency situation at home, you don't want to get half way through your treatment to realise your scissors are in the first aid kit in the car, or be out for a trek and not be able to secure an emergency bandage!
Travel First Aid Kit for dogs on the move!
I've included here the larger sizes only for certain items to keep your kit compact, if a smaller dressing is needed for example it's quick and easy to cut a large one in half instead of carrying every size around in your travel kit. Keep this first aid kit with you in your car, or in your backpack if you're going out on a long hike with the dogs.
- Non-adhesive dressing pads 10cm x 10cm - First Contact on wound
- Wound dressing 20cm x 20cm - Second contact on wound
- Cotton wool - pad around a larger impaled item to control bleeding instead of removing it in the field!
- Crepe Bandage - To secure wound dressings
- Cohesive Bandage (CoFlex) - To secure bandage in place on the way to the vet
- Triangular bandage (can be used as an emergency stretcher to move the patient)
- Self-heating Body Warmers (to prevent heat loss in a patient on the way to the vet)
- Emergency foil blanket
- Alcohol Wipes - For small injuries
- Round tipped safety scissors
- Tweezers
- Tick removers
- Styptic pencil
- Disposable Gloves
Dog First Aid box at home
Emergency first aid aside, there are many ailments which you can treat at home yourself that might not require immediate (or any) vet attention. This list indicates a useful kit to have in a cupboard or utility room in case you need to treat an ailment at home.
- Non-adhesive dressing pads - selection of sizes
- Wound dressing - small, medium and large dressings
- Cotton wool wads
- Crepe Bandage
- Cohesive Bandage (CoFlex)
- Old blanket or towel
- Bicarbonate of soda - for stings
- Saline solution - something in the eye
- Epsom salts - poultice for cysts or abscess
- Hydrogen peroxide 3% - use only if indicated by vet in an emergency to induce vomiting!
- Round tipped safety scissors
- Tweezers
- Tick Removers
- Inflatable collar
- Alcohol wipes
- Styptic pencil
- Disposable Gloves
Do I need to do a First Aid Course?
I'd advise all dog owners, or professionals working with dogs, to complete an emergency canine first aid training course, the same as a human one! You never know when you'll need it, hopefully never, but it's best to be prepared. At a minimum sign up for an online course which helps you to understand some of the signs and symptoms to look out for if your dog becomes suddenly unwell, or what to do in the event of an accident or injury. Ask your local vet about running a course, and get all your local pet owner friends to attend! If there's a lot of interest in the local area then a vet may be inclined to run a half day workshop.
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