You never know when the unthinkable happens to your pet, especially when you’re away from home. You should be prepared for the unexpected by preparing a Pet First Aid Kit. You can either buy one already assembled or make one for yourself.
Here’s a checklist of pet first aid kit supplies that will help you be prepared for the unthinkable:
1. Phone numbers to your regular veterinarian, Animal Emergency Hospital. This may seem obvious, but during an emergency having these numbers easily accessible will give you access to a trusted advisor.
2. Instant Cold Pack: Use on minor burns or swelling.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide: Used to induce vomiting. Always contact the nearest animal emergency hospital BEFORE you induce vomiting. (For example: DO NOT induce vomiting if your pet ingests acid, alkali, petroleum or rat poison.)
4. Milk of Magnesia or Activated Charcoal: Also used to induce vomiting. You should always contact the nearest animal emergency hospital BEFORE you induce vomiting.
5. Digital thermometer: Check your pet’s temperature rectally. If you have it handy, you can use a little KY jelly to make insertion a bit more comfortable.
6. Gauze: Use in place of a bandage or to control bleeding.
7. Vet wrap or flexible cohesive tape: Can be wrapped around gauze or bandage pad, or be used in place as a muzzle, if you didn’t pack one. Don’t wrap it too tight or you will cut off the blood circulation.
8. Sterile Eye Wash: Flush eye of particles.
9. Syringe or Eye Dropper: To flush a wound or give oral treatments.
10. Latex gloves: To be worn by pet parent during emergency. These can also double-up as a fecal sample baggie.
11. Antiseptic Wipes: Clean abrasion or clean minor wounds such as porcupine quills, fishhooks or grass seeds. Never use on gaping wounds or severe bleeding!
12. Triple Antibiotic Cream: To be used on minor cuts or abrasions. Once again, never use on gaping wounds or severe bleeding!
13. Antihistamine tablets: To use if there’s an allergic reaction to a bee sting or plant.
14. Muzzle: To help cover a pet’s head in case of unpredictable behaviour. Never muzzle your pet if she is vomiting or unconscious.
15. Cotton Swabs: Clean wound.
Buying a similar kit online or spending 15 minutes in a pharmacy to pull these items together into a tote bag – that you keep in your kitchen, in your car or by your front door – will give you extra peace of mind that you (or a friend) can help your pet immediately in an emergency.
Copyright © 2017 Aon Hong Kong Limited. All Rights Reserved.
This article is intended for general information purposes only and is subject to change without notice. It should not be construed as advice or opinions on any specific facts or circumstances. The content of this article is made available on an “as is” basis, without any warranty of any kind, express or implied, including as to accuracy, completeness or otherwise at the time of initial publication or thereafter. To the extent permitted by law, Aon disclaims any responsibility or liability to any person or organization for any loss or damage caused by or resulting from any reliance placed on that content whatsoever. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any way or by any means, including photocopying or recording, without the written permission of the copyright holder, application for which should be addressed to the copyright holder.
HappyTails Insurance is underwritten by MSIG Insurance (Hong Kong) Ltd and arranged by Aon Hong Kong Ltd.
Related Articles
