DOG FIRST AID KITS

 

With the arrival of spring I was reminded of a previous article I wrote on how to deal with snake bites and insect stings to your dogs – please see previous blog article.  And also the need to carry a Dog First Aid kit with you when out walking, especially if you are in more distant exercise areas.

Essentials to carry in your portable First Aid kit

The essentials I carry in my coat or bumbag are:

• A tube of sterile saline solution – useful for rinsing grass seeds, etc, out of eyes or washing a wound.
• A Piriton tablet in case of a snake bite or insect sting. As above, please see link to my previous article on this and particularly note that before using any medication not prescribed by your vet you should check with your vet that this product is suitable for your dog (some medical conditions and medication may mean that piriton is not suitable for your dog).  It is worth checking as it could save your dog’s life.
• A tick remover – apparently we have many ticks in the area at the moment and only last week I helped an owner remove one from her dog’s neck.
• Some sort of clean padding to cover a wound (after cleaning with your saline solution). Sterile pads are included in First Aid kits or just carry a clean individually wrapped sanitary towel or tissues which are kept clean in a sealed plastic bag.
• A self-adhesive bandage to cover the padding and wound.

All of the above products can also be used for people (same note regarding Piriton applies in that you must not use any medication on a person unless you are sure it is suitable for them).

Ensure you have a complete First Aid kit at home and/or in your car

Animal Aiders and Amazon sell more complete First Aid kits – see links below.  These are actually small enough to carry in a large bumbag or small rucksack.

Knowing what to do in an emergency

Buy a suitable book – see below.

Go on a dog First Aid course – Animal Aiders run these and often a local vet or dog training organisation may run them as well so make sure you are on your vet’s mailing list if they have one.

Useful resources

https://www.animalaiders.co.uk/dog-8-c.asp  (Dog First Aid kits from Animal Aiders)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pets-Premium-First-Aid-Green/dp/B01N7VMKSZ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1524844491&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=dog+first+aid+kit&psc=1  (Dog First Aid kit from Amazon)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Aid-Dogs-invaluable-lovers/dp/0995490007/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1524845459&sr=1-1&keywords=dog+first+aid+book#reader_0995490007  (Dog First Aid book from Amazon)

More of my health-related blog articles you may be interested in are:

Ticks
Snake bites

How to keep your dog cooler in the car

Dog insurance policies 

Wishing you happy and healthy dog-walking.

© Sally Bartlett
www.co-operativecanines.co.uk