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First aid kits, oh my….
Hi everyone!
Recently I started researching first aid kits not only for pets but, for humans too.
I quickly realized how many options there were for both.
I settled for one of each finally but, not without a lot of thought of what would be beneficial and what not so much.
I will still add a few items just because I think they are needed but were not included in the ones I purchased.
I think when these kits expire I will build my own!
Did anyone else have a hard time deciding what should be a part of the kit and what was absolutley usleless but, was part of the “better” choice?
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29 Replies
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There’s a ton of great options on the market. I currently have the MYFAK LARGE Pro that My Medic makes. I use it for dogs and humans and the only thing I’ve needed to add to it was some extra Benadryl, a slip lead, 1 inch vet wrap, and 2 inch vet wrap. Otherwise it pretty much had everything else covered! It is rather pricey so I think if I rebuilt it in the future I’d follow their “guide” and just stock it myself.
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@AlexisLee
Thanks for your thoughts! I looked up Myfak large and they are pricey.
I am curious as to what the expiration date is for most of their items.
My new human first aid kit hs an expiration date of 2-4 years, depedning on item.
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oooh what a great topic. I’m kind of a minimalist with my first aid supplies… essentially my goal is to stabilize them enough to get them to the pros. So my kit includes ways for:
- muzzling
- stop the bleeding
- make them vomit
- pull the quills/stickers (unless there are zillions, then we’re gonna sedate at the vet!)
- protect the eyes (ointment)
This is just off the top of my head. What am I not thinking of? Mostly, I’m gonna run to the ER if we need something seriously. These days, I’m no longer traipsing around in the woods far from help. When Joy collapsed in my back yard I had her in the vet’s office in 15 minutes, calling them on the way to let them know we were coming… a story for another time.
In OK, the one thing I’m most concerned about is a snake bite. There are some biggies/baddies here and the only real support is antivenom… which reminds me, I still need to call around to find out which ER has it! I also need to check expiry dates… I bet my peroxide is old. Thanks for the reminder!
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I was trying to think of the minimal approach (as I am not a vet but, how can I stabalize a possible significant injury).
I found it difficult to find an all inclusive kit without the added unnecessary items like a “cheap” plastic pooper scooper and tweezers, pill bottles, a comb, magnifying glass.
I chose one that had a emergency blanket and a towel. The whistle was bonus.
Sting and anti-septic pads, tournequettes, bandages and wraps of assorted sizes, tongue depressors, soft muzzle and some basic essentials like a water bowl, pen style flashlight, small garbage bags, gloves etc.
I did not think of the peroxide for vomiting- that is something I will add now myself. I think the trick with that one is, when to and when not to make the dog vomit. But still worth having for sure.
We have a few poisonous slittering slimeys here in my area but…….I can’t even imagine out in OK.
I think next time, after all the items expire, I will build my own now that I have some decent items that won’t expire.
I look back at how (thankfully) I have never needed anything in an emergency. I hope I never do.
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Good thoughts.. and yes the peroxide… it’s really tough to get down a dog. I have it (and have used it) but would rather have the vet drop some apomorphine to get the job done. So easy and quick, and much more reliable. If I’m more than 30 minutes from a vet, I’ll try the peroxide… but otherwise, it’s worth the $200 or whatever fee to let them drop that little tab in the eye.
You can use everyday items for the major things. A leash can be a muzzle. A coat can be a blanket, or a leash & coat can be used to be a pressure wrap in a pinch! A good first aid class can give experience teaching the what-if scenarios, and once you have a good understanding of the goal, you can use what you have. And learning multiple ways to get the job done is handy.
For example, choking – I know at least 3 ways to get a stuck ball out of the throat of a dog!
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I had two very good first aid classes which I learned like Catherine said , how to make a muzzle out of a leash in a pinch. Another great thing I have is a cloth bag that I cut down both sides so it can lay flat and still has the handles, if I need to help the dogs back end you can put this under the dog and support their weight and carry with handles. Also he said using the flooring you pull up to get to your spare tire in trunk, to use as a back support to transport the dog in a pinch. Of course depends on your dogs size. I just really enjoyed the class ! I do have a first aid kit as well. Great topic!
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@jenz and I didn’t mean to diminish your research and preparations in any way… I was thinking last night about how much 1st aid stuff I have collected over the years… so my “minimalist” idea is in the context of being a bit of a hoarder, and mom of (grown) boys. lol
This discussion is a great reminder that I need to check my supplies though. Thank you!
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No diminish taken! ????
Always great discussions, thoughts, opinions, ideas and feedback!
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That’s definitely urgent to have a plan for wildlife bites. Especially snakes, if you live in an area where that would be an issue.
I am looking for a good class to renew my first aid. I originally took an online self-paced one, PetProHero, but it was very “dry”…I’d like to find a different one. If anyone has any suggestions, I’d appreciate it.
My first aid kit is probably expired. I need to check on that…
One thing I find with training outside and doing walks during the summer is that sometimes a bee sting happens! So far, it’s not been life threatening, and we’ve been able to apply ice to the area…but I always worry about a dog mouthing back at the bee, that they could accidentally get stung in the mouth or worse, swallow the bee.
I know a lot of you are probably thinking about your own dogs, but have you ever had to help a client with any emergency during your lessons?
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Eep. Bee stings… I have a bug eater now. Magic MUST. EAT. BUGS. It’s like she’s starving or something. ???? So, yeah, I see a bee sting in her future. (Spicy!) Ugh. Benedryl, right? What else would you do if it’s in their mouth? @bernerlabreclectus
Photo of bug eater for tax.
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Ah, what a beautiful bug eater she is!
I used to watch a little senior Min-Pin who was quite the bug eater! She loved beetles (she’d dig them up) and cicadas especially! Glad no bees.
I hope Magic doesn’t snap any buzzy bees up in that pretty smile! What a cutie. Thanks for sharing. And the Benadryl advice! I have some of that in my cabinet for my parrot, maybe I should carry some on my training pouch this summer…
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Yeah, she’s crunched many a cicada… still buzzing… ????
If she ever has to be self-sufficient in the wilderness, she’ll be fine. ????
I found this resource which includes a great reminder to use only plain benedryl:
https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/what-to-do-if-your-dog-is-stung-by-a-bee-wasp-or-hornet#:~:text=Yes.,progress%2C%20seek%20veterinary%20care%20immediately.
preventivevet.com
What to Do if Your Dog Is Stung by a Bee | Preventive Vet
Did your dog get stung by a bee, wasp, or hornet? Read about at-home treatments, when a trip to the veterinarian is needed, and bee sting prevention tips.
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Thanks, @catherine . It’s a great reminder!
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On the topic of bee stings, I am currently working with a 7 year old Lab mix (best guess by owner) who was stung last summer multiple times after stepping on an in ground nest. She is now showing fear based and aggressive displays at the vets after getting her last annual shots. I am suspecting the bee stings made quite an impression.
Thankfully, I have never had any real life-threatening emergency with my own or clients dogs.
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Poor pup. I had a similar experience many years ago. I was walking my 4 dogs off lead and pushing a stroller with my new little bambino in it. The dogs had raced ahead, on our way to the pond. One of the dogs stirred up a ground hornet nest and all the dogs came yelping back in a rush. The Golden, the Sheltie and the Aussie all had thick enough coats that the stingers were having no effect, and they knocked the hornets off their noses on their own, but the poor Pibble… she must have had a dozen stinging her all over. I started trying to knock them off by swiping her with my leash… you can imagine how that looked… but the stinkers just redirected. By then the swarm caught up with the scent trail and started attacking me and the baby! I scooped him up, abandoned the stroller, called all the dogs and we all ran home (couple blocks away.)
The baby and I were stung a couple times. ????
I had to pull several stingers out of the Pibble’s skin. She forgave me everything, bless her. She had some swelling, but was otherwise okay (I can’t remember if I gave her Benedryl; probably did.) I never noticed any after-effects except maybe a little more snappy at buzzing bugs.
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ACK!! The stuff of nightmares!
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That’s scary!!! I’m so glad your dog forgave the piling of the stingers. I’m glad you and the baby were OK! Poor baby! Poor you!
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Yeah it was no bueno. Could have been so much worse though. I was very grateful that all the dogs listened to me and we were able to get home. And that I didn’t drop the baby. haha
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Timely topic for me. I was just thinking about my own personal first aid kit. As a pet sitter I do overnights in other peoples houses. I recently had a situation where I couldnt find bandaids, Neosporin, or my personal essential go-to –hydrogen peroxide. I’m super cautious about cat scratches, scrapes and cuts and always use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect. I think Im going to buy a small plastic spray bottle of 1-3 oz of HP (Amazon has them for cheap) and then refill from bigger containers as needed. I’ll put that into a ziplock with bandaids and neosporin to take with me. At this stage I would be taking any dog right to the vet, which is close, so I’m going to hold off on a larger doggy first aid kit I think. Thanks for all the great ideas though for when I’m ready…
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts with your experiences. Basic essentials and, a vet close by! I like it!
Most of my out and abouts may bring me about 20-40, even 60 minutes from an emergency 24/7 vet.
So interesting to learn about everyone’s unique “must have” specifics items.
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Good tip, @Ruth !
I keep a basic kit in my truck so I have it with me wherever we go. Comes in handy when I need it. Again… time to check and restock, I’m sure.
Thermometer. That’s the other basic essential. I used to have a pet ear digital one… but who knows what happened to that. I need to replace it. @jenz
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My new kit has a thermometer but, that’s another item in my opinion is not important to me.
If I manage to get a temperature
1. What do I do with that info? ( as a means to administer first aid and to what capacity without being a vet)
2. Chances are whatever I need a vet for will be more severe and overt than a temperature.
Do you use a temperature for any specific treatment? ( I am genuinely not aware of any medical issues or path to help with that info)
Thanks!
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@jenz great questions. I consider a thermometer essential because it may help me make the decision about whether or not I need to go to the vet. Here are some examples:
If I have a dog who is a little lethargic, maybe has a runny stool or has upchucked a couple times, it may be just fine or it may be that there’s more going on like a virus, parasites or bacterial infection. A temp of 103 or higher will tell me.
Heatstroke is another situation where knowing how bad it is can tell you whether the dog can just come into air conditioning or should be run to the vet for more treatment. (Skin hydration test is another key indicator.)
In breeding dogs, the thermometer will help determine when whelping will occur (within 24 hours of a temperature drop). If labor is stalled beyond that, I’ll know something is up and we need some help.
With the ear thermometer I could temp regularly. Knowing your dog’s normal in different situations is helpful because you can then easily tell when it’s elevated. Normal range is 101 to 102.
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Thanks for this additional info, clarification and examples! It helped!
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???? Happy to help!
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