Dog owners know that dogs are family, and they’re also aware that accidents happen. Whether you’re a new dog parent or a veteran of puppy life, it’s vital to be prepared for when your pup gets injured. And while most people already have a basic first-aid kit at home, some items are specifically made for pups. Below is everything you need to create your pet’s first-aid kit.
Amoxicillin Capsules
Dogs are susceptible to a wide range of bacterial and fungal infections like staph, ear infection, and more. Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It is the most commonly used to treat ear infections, pneumonia, strep throat, bronchitis, and other respiratory tract infections. This medication can be taken with or without food and should be taken at the same time daily.
Amoxicillin comes in Amoxicillin capsules and liquid form (called “oral suspension”). You may want to purchase the capsule version so that you don’t have to measure your dog’s dose daily. Feed one capsule per 10 pounds of body weight twice daily for seven days. The liquid option may be easier for some dogs, but if you opt for this route, make sure you know how much fluid your pet needs per dose. This information will vary with age and the size of the dog.
Sterile Gauze Pads
Sterile gauze pads are a must-have for any dog first-aid kit. They can be used to stop bleeding, clean wounds, and even act as bandages. To stop bleeding from a wound, apply pressure with the pad over the affected area until it stops bleeding.
All dogs are prone to lick their wounds as it helps them soothe the pain and discomfort caused by the injury. Sterile gauze pads prevent your dog from licking the injury and making it worse. Therefore, these are a staple in every first aid kit.
Adhesive Tape
Some dogs are prone to tearing or ripping their bandages, so you should consider using adhesive tape instead of traditional medical tape. Adhesive tape has a stronger hold and is more durable than regular medical tapes. It can be used on any wound, especially on those treated with antibiotic ointment or other medications.
Adhesive rolls are available at most pet stores, and they’re easy to use. Wrap the tape around the injured area until you’ve reached your desired length (the width should match that of the wound). Make sure not to wrap too tightly, you don’t want to cut off circulation. Leave your dog’s new bandage alone for at least 24 hours before removing it. It will give the skin time to heal so that it doesn’t break open when removed from its dressing later on down the road.
Antibiotic Ointment
Antibiotic ointment prevents infection and speeds up the healing of cuts, scrapes, and burns. It is also a skin protectant if your dog suffers from allergies or has sensitive skin. Consider purchasing the ointment in a mild formula if your dog has sensitive skin. It will help reduce any itching or burning sensation while they heal. It is crucial because skin makes up for 24% and 13% body weight of a puppy and adult dog, respectively. It is the dog’s first layer of defense against the elements.
You can apply antibiotic ointment directly to minor wounds on your dog’s feet or legs after cleaning them thoroughly with warm water and soap. Use enough pressure when applying the antibiotic to cover all sides of the wound. But not so much pressure that it causes more damage than good.
Hydrogen Peroxide (3 Percent)
Hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant to clean the skin and fur around wounds. In some cases, it has even completely healed small cuts on its own.
It should be kept in mind when making your first-aid kit hydrogen peroxide will not work on infected wounds or any other kind of infection. You must get any serious wound checked out by a vet before trying anything else with it.
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Sterile Saline Solution (For Rinsing)
When you have a dog that develops an injury, it’s crucial to rinse its wound with sterile saline solution before cleaning it with any other products or tools. It will prevent bacteria from entering the wound and causing infection, which can be very dangerous for dogs because their immune systems are not as strong as ours are.
If your dog bites into something poisonous (or eats poop), you should use sterile saline to flush out their mouth and stomach. This way, there’s less risk of him developing severe symptoms such as vomiting or seizures because of chemical poisoning.
Disposable Latex Gloves
Disposable Latex Gloves are another must-have for your dog’s first-aid kit. These gloves protect your hands from being infected with any bacteria or parasites lingering on your dog’s skin. Disposable latex gloves are relatively easy to find and cheap. You can buy them in bulk at any pharmacy or online.
Bacteria and parasites aren’t the only things you’ll want to protect yourself against when treating wounds on your dog’s body, but there’s also blood. When dressing a wound or cleaning it out, some blood will probably spill onto your hands at some point. It is why it’s important to wear disposable latex gloves when handling these wounds so that you don’t get infected by something like rabies or distemper (both deadly diseases) through contact with a bleeding wound.
Rubbing Alcohol (To Clean the Tweezers)
Rubbing alcohol is a disinfectant used to clean tweezers, often shared among family members and other pets. Use it to clean the tweezers before you use them on your dog’s wounds. Rubbing alcohol kills bacteria and germs, which is why it’s an essential item in any first-aid kit for dogs.
It’s important to note that rubbing alcohol does not cause harm when used on dogs because it doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients. However, human skin tends to break down with repeated exposure over time. So if you’re going to use this product regularly on yourself or your pet(s), consider using non-alcoholic versions instead.
Conclusion
The best way to keep your dog’s first aid kit up-to-date is to replace the items that are expired or used up. You should also check which medications need refrigeration before adding them to your dog’s first aid kit because some medicines must stay cool at all times if they’re going to work properly.
