Dog First Aid Kit - Required Items

October 19, 2007 6:58 PM

Dog First Aid Kit A breeder writes a list of must-have items that should be included in all First Aid Kits for dogs.
posted by fe2dell (15 comments total)

Metafilter: You rub it on the behind before inserting it.
posted by basicchannel at 7:04 PM on October 19, 2007

Dog First Aid Kit. Contents:

- One (1) card bearing this inscription: Nobody thinks it is cute when you refer to the dog as your "baby".
posted by DU at 7:12 PM on October 19, 2007

36 items. Perfect for one of those large tupperware storage tubs. You can store it on the bottom of the pile in the back of the garage.
posted by carsonb at 7:43 PM on October 19, 2007

Sure, 36 items seems like a lot. But there's a lot of this that should be in any normally equipped adult household -- scissors, tweezers, penlight, etc etc. And there's a bunch of other stuff that you'd want for human first aid anyway -- hydrogen peroxide, bandages, tape, ointment, and so on.

And there's other stuff on the list that you probably don't need to have on hand unless you live in the Alaskan bush -- if your dog is constipated, then more or less by definition there's time to go to the store and buy a can of pumpkin.

The amount of stuff that a normal adult would go need to buy to have on hand is pretty small. An extra thermometer for the dog, styptic powder or pencil, some syringes, and dog-specific remedies.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 8:03 PM on October 19, 2007

Good tip : to make a makeshift muzzle, cut the toe off of a pair of socks. Slip over snout and you can give CPR through the nose. Also, your local Red Cross probably offers canine CPR classes. Think about taking one.
posted by hindmost at 8:46 PM on October 19, 2007

Also if you have a deep chested breed that is prone to bloat, Gas-X may buy you some extra time on your way to the vet. (Bloat is a deadly condition in dogs and requires immediate vet assistance, do not use gas-x to skip going to the vet)
posted by hindmost at 8:52 PM on October 19, 2007

Very useful list - but I was a little squicked by ky jelly on the list. Sorry, there is no emergency that I can think of where I would want to be that close to my pets!
posted by madamjujujive at 9:03 PM on October 19, 2007

36 items. Perfect for one of those large tupperware storage tubs.

37 items then, if the first 36 don't work.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:03 PM on October 19, 2007 [2 favorites]

Wha hey now... a can of pumpkin?
posted by maryh at 10:36 PM on October 19, 2007

http://www.outdoorsafety.net/sportingdogkits.htm
http://www.medipet.com/

Ha, google returned tons of hits. Never thought of a dog first aid kit.
posted by IronWolve at 11:00 PM on October 19, 2007

Cat First Aid Kid:

1) 1 Dog First Aid Kit
2) Complete body-armor (for yourself).
posted by chime at 6:38 PM on October 20, 2007

maryh -- pumpkin makes the widdle woogums go poopy.

poopy poopy poopy.
posted by CitizenD at 10:30 PM on October 20, 2007

Thanks, CitizenD. My woogums could use some clenchy clenchy clenchy, but I guess that's an askme for the future.
posted by maryh at 11:43 PM on October 20, 2007

Thanks, good info. My dog, a golden retriever seems to get gas and bloating, so I will try some of those things. I also keep with me a bottle of MSM. When we take him on trips and if plays too much, his joints get stiff the next day. I just give him an MSM/Glucosomine (or however you spell it) pill and it seems to really help him. The pet stores and pet sections of stores try to sell the joint medication and joint pills for pets at a lot higher prices than what you can buy in the vitamin section for humans. And it is the same stuff.
posted by JetAPT at 11:07 AM on October 21, 2007

JetAPT - for the gas and bloating try raising your dog's food dish onto something so the dog has to stand up on his hind legs to eat. You can also try feeding him less food more often.
posted by deborah at 11:47 PM on October 22, 2007