HOW TO MAKE A PET FIRST AID KIT

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By Alisa Boomer, DVM

In honor of the upcoming Pet Disaster Preparedness Day, we have made a quick how-to guide for making your own pet first aid kit!

Please note, this is not a comprehensive or exhaustive list. If your pet has a favorite snack, that is a good thing to add! Does your pet have any regular medications? Also, a great addition. Please see the bottom of this post for great online sources to learn more!

PET FIRST AID KIT CHECKLIST

Here are the absolute essentials for what goes in your pet’s first aid kit. A lot of these items work for human first aid too so feel free to make a combo human + pet kit!

  • Important phone numbers:
    • Pet Poison Control
    • Your primary vet’s office
    • The nearest pet ER
    • Animal control (if anyone else’s pet is involved)
    • Non-emergency police
    • The nearest pet boarding facilities
  • Digital thermometer
    • This is especially useful for hyperthermia (overheating) & hypothermia (getting too cold)
  • Muzzle: even NON-aggressive patients can bite when injured and/or scared (even people)
  • Leash & collar with ID
  • Gauze roll or ACE BANDAGE
  • Spare towels & washcloths
    • For cleaning and as bandage material
  • Medical tape (non-stick tape)
  • Oral syringe (like the kind that come with children’s medicine)
  • Non-scented medical lubricant
    • To protect eyes & wounds
  • Activated charcoal
    • To absorb toxins in the body
  • 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
    • This is to induce vomiting if needed: but please ALWAY contact Pet Poison Control or a veterinarian before inducing vomiting
    • Please note: hydrogen repeatedly used in wounds kills new cells (hence the fizzing) & will slow down healing
  • Saline Solution (contact solution)
    • To clean wounds
  • Location of pet carrier (small dogs & cats)

QUICK PET DISASTER TIPS

QUICK PET DISASTER TIPS

THESE TIPS ARE FOR YOUR SAFETY, AS WELL AS YOUR PET’S!

  1. If your pet is injured, they are likely scared, confused, & panicky! Please try to not be bitten, scratched, or hurt.
    1. A hurt you cannot help a hurt them.
  2. Please do not hug an injured pet. You may accidentally hurt them & they may not respond the way you expect them too!
  3. When you are checking them for wounds, please go slowly & gently
    1. If they get more agitated, go ahead and give them a minute.
  4. Drive carefully to your vet clinic
    1. A hurt you cannot help a hurt them

BEING FINANCIALLY PREPARED

There are many strategies for being financially prepared for a disaster. Of course having savings in the bank is the most common form of preparedness! We do have some other recommendations as well.

PET INSURANCE

Human medical insurance is a must-have but pet insurance can be very useful too! There are two types of pet insurance: preventative insurance & disaster insurance. Here are a few insurance companies we recommend:

TRUPANION

We have recently partnered with Trupanion pet insurance! It is an affordable insurance that covers accidents, illnesses, & injuries. Our favorite thing about them is that they pay your vet directly. So no waiting on tiresome reimbursements.

PUMPKIN

Pumpkin is another great pet insurance company. They offer preventative & disaster policies. They also allow you to customize your plan to meet your needs!

Pumpkin is another great pet insurance company

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

There are several companies that offer credit financing specifically for pet health disasters.

CARECREDIT

Unlike traditional pet financing or veterinary payment plans, the CareCredit credit card gives you the flexibility to use your card again and again for your pet’s procedures.

SCRATCHPAY

Scratchpay is another great method of financial assistance sspecifically for pet health disasters. It is the method with the highest approval rate & it does not require a credit check!

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