Almost every home, car, office, and job site has a first aid kit and attendant to attend the needs of the humans. Dog shows and trials have veterinarian hospitals listed for emergencies. But what about the pet which ends up hurt at home, in the car, or at the park? Ambulances and first aid attendants take care of our human needs until we can reach proper medical care. But who takes care of our pets?

We as conscientious owners can be somewhat prepared to help our pet by at least having a first aid kit prepared specifically for pet needs. Another way we can help our pet is by taking a pet First Aid course. Many local veterinarians offer First Aid courses. Some dog clubs also arrange for veterinarians to come teach classes to the group. Also, check with the local SPCA as some branches offer courses and are heavily involved in the community.

Taking a First Aid course will give you some confidence when assessing the medical situation involving your pet. You will also learn some basic skills to use at home for small emergencies and how to prepare yourself and your pet to enable you to transport it to a veterinary hospital in the event of a serious situation. Taking a First Aid course is never a substitute for professional care. If you ever have doubt about a pets health or injury you should never hesitate to contact a professional.

Here is a list of some articles that should be included in a First Aid Kit for your pet. They should be kept in a handy sealed container in the home or in the car. Don’t forget to take it with you when traveling.



Gauze pads (based on the size of your dog)

Gauze rolls -not only to bandage but to possibly muzzle your dog

Cotton balls

Q-tips

Blunt nose scissors -to cut away long hair and tape

Tweezers

Thermometer

Adhesive tape -athletic type is the best

Sterile water

Alcohol (99% solution)

Hibitane soap (4% solution)

Hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) -to induce vomiting or cleaning wounds

An old sock -to protect bandaged feet

Cohesive flexible bandage -great for wrapping a wound and not having it pull hair like adhesive bandages

Veterinary ointment for small wounds and burns

Eye drops or ointment

Ear cleanser and dryer

Spoon or syringe for administering fluids

Towel or blanket -serves many purposes: controlling temperature, transporting the pet, controlling the pet

Zip lock bags -to contain urine or fecal matter -to keep bleeding paws from staining your clothes, etc.

Quarters

Your veterinarians name and phone number written down on a sheet with

Your name and your dog’s name written down as well. Any medications your dog usually takes.



Other useful items to include are Maalox, Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismal and buffered aspirin. Never administer without first consulting with your veterinarian for the dosage and proper usage based on the needs and size of your dog.

Watch the expiry dates and replace when necessary for optimum effect of the medicines. And most importantly, remember self diagnosis is your worst doctor. When in doubt always consult with your local veterinarian.

As traveling with pets becomes increasingly more frequent a practice, the number of pets injured while away from home is steadily escalating. When a cat or dog is unfamiliar with its surroundings, the animal may be more prone to various types of injuries, especially if the animal is particularly curious and overly inquisitive. Common pet travel injuries and illnesses include: insect stings, motion sickness, pet allergies, cuts, scrapes, and swallowing foreign objects. More serious injuries such as poisoning, infection, and broken bones may also occur.

Pet travel will become a much safer and more rewarding experience once pet owners are better equipped to handle emergency situations. Both knowledge of first aid, and the equipment available to facilitate such care are essential to ensure the best possible outcome for an injured pet. It is best to keep in mind the goals of administering pet first aid: first, to prevent further injury, and second, to minimize discomfort until the animal can be safely transported to a veterinarian.

These objectives determine much of what should be included inside a pet first aid kit. A dog or cat with a preexisting condition or illness may require the presence of additional items. The pet owner should decide what tools, medicines, and equipment to add depending upon their pet’s specific needs. All items should be stored in a waterproof container that can be closed securely.

Sample items in a pet first aid kit may include:

- Pet information card with pet’s current health information, veterinarian’s address and telephone number. Also include poison control hotline number.

- Latex gloves, cotton swabs, and hand wipes

- Rectal thermometer, and lubricating jelly pack

- Scissors, tweezers, nail clippers, oral syringe

- Triple antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream

- Sterile eye flush, eyedropper

- Old necktie (for making a muzzle)

- Bandaging materials (gauze squares and bandage tape)

- Clean towel

- Spare collar and leash

- Pet first aid booklet

Remember to package spillable items in leak-proof plastic bags, and rotate items so that medications and ointments do not expire. Store the pet first aid kit safely away from children and pets.

In a perfect world there would be no use for a pet first aid kit, but do not procrastinate. Having the necessary tools and equipment on hand during a critical situation can make a difference in the health and safety of your pet.

You have a pet dog and would love it to be disciplined, obedient and well-behaved. It may not be easy but with patience, and understanding, it can be. Just remember to treat your dog as a member of your family and it shall learn its lessons well. Dogs are a lot like humans in behavior through their growing years. Hence, train them when puppies. If it is a young one, be patient for they shall tend to ignore you like teenagers do. You need to handle them like your kids.

Whenever we wish to tell someone something, we generally call out his/her name. Same thing goes for the dogs who love to have their own names. They obey commands if said along with their names as: Danny, Sit! Among the common commands taught to pet dogs is Sit; a tricky one to teach wherein you can either motivate the dog sit on its own (motivational dog training) or you can gently teach it how to sit.

The first method needs practice and can take time but is a well tested and reliable one wherein the dog willingly sits due to your action. Here, you need to attract the dogs attention with something (treat/toy) it likes. Take the object and dangle it right above its nose, such that the dog is forced to look up. With the dog attention firmly on the object, move your hand slowly and gradually backwards over its head. Don’t be too fast or slow or else the dog shall lose interest in the object. Now, the dog will have to sit to see the object; while it is lowering its back to sit, speak out Sit and encourage it to sit. After the dog sits, reward it with praises, or a treat. Once the dog learns to sit quickly, a simple hand movement over its head is enough to make it sit.

The second method is to make the dog sit by your side (say left) and use your hand (right) to dangle something in front of the dog to hold its attention. At the same time, with your other hand (left), gently press down its back so that it moves into a sitting position. Keep saying Sit, till it finally sits. For large dogs, you need to wrap your arm around its back and gently force their back legs to sit, thus making them sit.

Command the dog to sit, gently and warmly such that it feels good, like Sit, good boy, Danny! or Sit down, well done! If the dog is already sitting, make it feel good by patting it or with praise.

Dog training techniques are varied. You have the choice and can seek the help of CDs, DVDs, videos, cassettes, books or consult the pet store or society. Internet (via google.com) is another place with tons of information; through search phrases such as dog training techniques or dog training aids or how to make pet dog sit etc. Check out the techniques and try out whichever you like.

Do you have a 24 hour emergency veterinary clinic in your vicinity?  Do you know how to get there? Many places don’t have access to 24 hour pet health care, so what do you do if your dog cuts his paw? First aid classes for pets and pet first aid books are available through the Red Cross. Knowing some pet first aid helps.

Let’s start with a simple cut on your pet’s leg. Put direct pressure on the wound with clean gauze. Then, take a roll of gauze and wrap it tightly around the leg. Be sure it’s secure but circulation is still good. Use the end of the gauze roll to make a knot. Have the knot over the wound so it can provide more pressure.

What about poisoning? If your pet has gotten into something toxic, the best thing to do is induce vomiting.  When we use the word toxic, we tend to think of chemicals or medicines.  But when we’re talking about animals, there’s several more things to consider as toxic.  Things like garlic, chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins and even coffee grounds can be toxic. Always have these items stored away safely.

Would you be able to give CPR to a choking pet?  There are a few differences based on the size of the dog as well as for cats. For medium to large dogs you lay the dog on its right side. Look for signs of breathing by the chest moving. Check for a pulse on the femoral artery of the rear legs. If there’s no breathing, blow into the nostrils and then give three compressions pushing in two to three inches, then another breath. Repeat if necessary. For cats and small dogs you blow one breath into the nostrils and compress both sides of the chest in about one-half inch five times.  Then repeat, if necessary.

Being aware of these first aid tips could be the difference in your pet’s life. For further information on pet first aid, contact your local Red Cross.  

ns, pets can become sick or injured at any time. Broken bones, cuts, poisoning and bite wounds are only some of the possible emergencies that your pet might encounter.   According to pet doctors in urbane scrubs, first aid can greatly improve a pet’s condition and prognosis.  For example, broken bones can sever ligaments and arteries of they are not properly splintered; the pet’s body can absorb deadly toxins if you don’t induce vomiting immediately; and seizures and shocks can occur if you don’t stop the bleeding on time.  A lot of things can happen from the time of an accident or injury and the time that you bring your pet to a pet emergency clinic. Aside from keeping a first aid kit for your pet handy, it is imperative to take a pet first aid class to learn the basics of pet CPR, basic first aid skills, and the Heimlich maneuver for pets.  Some pet stores and many animal rescue organizations offer pet first aid courses.

Basic first aid kit for pets

A basic first aid kit for pets should include the following supplies: cotton swabs, gauze pads, four rolls of gauze, two rolls of bandages, hydrogen peroxide (3%), Betadine, two bottles of wound wash saline, three instant cold packs, one large blanket, one small blanket, tweezers, forceps, stethoscope, muzzles, medicine droppers, antibiotic ointment, scissors, medical tape, duct tape, three wire coat hangers for splinting, six washcloths, two hand towels, and one gallon of water.  Medications to be included in a basic first aid kit include buffered Aspirin, Pepto Bismol, Mylanta Gas, Benadryl, Activated Charcoal, Milk of Magnesia, Glycerin Suppositories, and Mineral Oil.  In addition to supplies and medicines, you should always have emergency numbers included and easily accessible or visible in the first aid kit.  Numbers you should include are your veterinarian’s phone number, 24-hour emergency vet clinic hotline, and pet poison control phone number.  In the event of a pet emergency, pet owners should always call a veterinarian and keep the first-aid supplies on hand. In a lot of emergency cases, there is no time to run to the pet store to save your pet.           

Special cases

For pets who require medication to survive or who have chronic illness, pet owners should always keep two day’s worth of medication on-hand inside the home kit and in the car.  Chronic illnesses and critical conditions in need of medication may include heart conditions, epilepsy, diabetes, and others.

Required skills

It is almost useless to keep first aid supplies and medications without knowing how to administer first-aid.  To save a pet’s life, you should know basic first aid skills such as stopping a bleeding by applying pressure on the wound, flushing and disinfecting a wound, administering pet CPR, examining a pet’s vital signs and knowing what values are normal, making a splinter for an injured tail or limb, learning the Heimlich maneuver for pets and knowing how to handle a choking emergency, understanding how to use and make a muzzle from scratch, and knowing how to induce vomiting in the event of food poisoning.         

In homes around the world, the family pet is definitely part of the family and there is simply nothing we wouldn’t do to make sure our pet has a long, happy, and healthy life. And that’s why more and more of us are taking time to learn a little animal first aid.

Knowing even just a little bit of pet first aid, means that you will be able to help your pet should it become injured or ill. Just like kids, animals can be curious and as a result, they can sometimes get themselves into trouble. We are prepared to handle both minor and major emergencies with our children, and although we hope that never happens we are prepared. With animal wound care we can be just as prepared.

A pet kit will hold many of the items that a human first aid kit will hold – Gauze, tape, scissors, antiseptic; alcohol to clean wounds, antibacterial cream for infection, tweezers, and rubber tubing, or a muzzle. You can also buy self-adhesive wrap at the pet store, which can be used for sprains and to hold gauze in place.

When an animal is in pain it may snap and even bite trying to keep you away from the wound. Be careful because no matter how much your pet loves you when in pain they can be unpredictable. The rubber tubing that you put in your animal first aid kit can be used to gently tie your pet’s mouth so that you can safely look at the injury. If your pet is a dog and you have a muzzle in your first aid kit, then of course use it. You don’t need a bite to deal with while trying to administer first aid.

Your animal kit is the first line of treatment should your pet become injured. If the injury is serious your pet should immediately see the vet. Minor cuts and scrapes can be easily handled but should always be disinfected and properly cleaned because they can quickly become infected. When in doubt always see your veterinarian. You should also keep an eye on minor injuries to make sure they don’t fester.

Lifesaving first aid may be beyond the ability of your animal first aid kit; however do the best you can and then transport immediately to your vet. Keep the number of your vet handy, and hopefully someone can phone ahead for your arrival so that the vet’s office is prepared.

To go with your animal first aid kit it’s also a good idea to get some basic wound care skills. Your vet can probably assist you with the basics and there is plenty of help online that can have you ready to handle any pet emergency.

You can either put together your own animal aid kit or you can buy a handy kit that’s already got everything in it, plus a convenient case. Keep it handy in the house and if you take your pet with you in the car you should have an animal first aid kit in your car too.

Your pet is part of your family so make sure you have your animal first aid kit ready for any emergency.

Remember to consult with your vet for hands on training if desired.

Airway

After determining that the animal is non-responsive, step one in performing dog CPR is obtaining a good airway. This is a very important step. You should seek to achieve this first before continuing on.

Remember that making sure your pet has a clear airway is the most important aspect of CPR. Without oxygen your pet could die within minutes.

Pull out the tongue of your pet carefully. The emphasis here is on carefully. Pets, even when unconscious can bite by instinct. Keep the pet’s neck straight, and line up the neck and the back. In case there is neck trauma, do not hyper-extend the neck.

Then, try giving the animal two rescue breaths. Perform this by putting your mouth to its nose, and keeping the animal’s mouth closed. If your breaths go in then you can continue. However, if they do not go in, it means that there is an obstruction in the animal’s airway.

In this case, inspect the animal’s airway, and try to extract the obstructing object. If you cannot, try doing a modified Heimlich maneuver. Turn the animal over with its back against your chest and its head towards the ground in a bear hug. Deliver five thrusts to the abdomen. Imagine making each thrust dislodge the object. Be careful that you do not deliver too much pressure as it may cause damage if overdone.

Do not stop until you are able to clear the airway. Even if the animal goes into cardiac arrest (meaning no heartbeat), the primary concern is to open the airway and keep it clear.

Breathing

When the airway is cleared, determine if the animal is breathing on its own. If it is not, pull out its tongue again (again very carefully) so that the tongue does not itself obstruct the airway, and perform mouth to nose respiration.

Circulation

The last step of animal CPR should only be done if the airway and breathing are stabilized. Make sure there are no pools of blood or spurting. If there is, control these as necessary.

Lay the animal on its right side, now put your hands on the part where the animal’s left elbow touches its chest. This is the marker for the middle of the animal’s rib cage. Compress this part fifteen times then administer two rescue breaths. Repeat this cycle of 15 compressions then 2 rescue breaths.

This compression will change according to the size of the animal. If the pet is small use compressions that are half an inch deep, for medium dogs one inch, and for large dogs, one and a half inches. Repeat this as necessary until emergency assistance arrives.

When administering animal CPR, you must make a deliberate decision to be calm and collected. Doing CPR in a panic will only result in wrong decisions that may further imperil the life of the animal.

Remember that your CPR actions are first-at-the scene maneuvers, and that your pet will still need expert medical attention. Make sure that the veterinarian has been alerted as soon as you are able.

Pet CPR is a very important skill for those who deal with emergency medical cases concerning dogs. Further training is recommended. Contact your vet to ask about this training. This article is only meant to provide an introduction to dog CPR. Although not everyone learns it, those who do are a vital factor in saving the lives of many beloved pets.

Cats are an interesting animal that must be given respect. You cannot force a cat to comply with your rules like other animals and in fact trying to do so will yield in aggressive cat behavior. If a cat thinks it is cornered or you are trying to force it to do something it doesn’t want to do, it will either run away or go into a defensive position (if it thinks it cannot get away). You don’t want to touch or try to pick up a frightened cat, that would be a mistake you will regret with painful cuts that will ensue when the cat starts to slice you with his claws both hands and feet.

A cat demands respect and there are ways to give it such respect while still demanding that the cat behaves a certain way. You have to approach a cat with diplomacy and tact. A cat that respects you and has a rapport with you tends to listen better but you will have to make the cat think that it’s decisions are his (or her) own. You can find manuals on cat training that will show you a glimpse into the cat world, the cat psychology, so you understand the foundation of how a cat acts and reacts.

Knowing what works and what will become counter productive is key to training a cat to behave. Often a cat becomes aggressive due to being abused in the past, or people scaring it. Cats have a good memory and associate behavior of other people to new people until it has a chance to get to know the new people and realize they mean it no harm. Aggressive behavior is not always there to prove dominance or testosterone, it is more often than not a protective mechanism and it can be deactivated by simply respecting the cats space and giving him a chance to come around.

Patience is a virtue in this situation but you can not just ignore the cat and expect it to come around completely on its own. You want to communicate with the cat, place desirable food close to him but do not chase him into the pantry or force him to come out. Patience and time are needed and putting yourself in front of the cat from a distance will forge a relationship with the cat. In time the cat will come to trust you and will build a relationship with you.

Just because the cat is laying down right in front of you doesn’t necessarily mean it wants or will let you pet it yet. Moving in close slowly like putting your hand near him and gauging his reaction is essential. Once he lets you pet him pet him for a moment then draw back slowly increasing the time you pet him each time. Once a cat fully trusts you then there are additional ways to train him to behave in your space.

In this article we hope to give you some ideas on how to creating your own home first aid kit and the things that are needed inside the kit. These products as well as some medication also may be used in an actual emergency. NOTE: As to medications never! Give your cat aspirin or an aspirin substitute unless you have contacted our Vet, and then after calling your Vet, he will then direct you to do so as well as amount to administer.

Ant diarrheal medication: (Kaopectate) you may give your cat one tablespoon five times a day as a treatment for simple diarrhea. Call your Vet if the diarrhea persists longer then one day.

Bandages: Keep a supply of different sizes and sterile dressing as well as cotton swabs; also have a roll of adhesive tape. You also will want a pair of scissors to cut the tape as well.

Hairball remedy: This petroleum based medication this can be purchased at your pet store or even drug store as well. Ask your Vet to recommend a brand to you and then as always fellow the enclosed directions.

Hydrogen peroxide: You will use this to clean out cuts and disinfect small minor cuts, scratches and wounds. Caution! On wounds around the head do not get in the mouth of your pet at all.

Liquid antacid: (Maalox, Mylanta). You may give one tablespoon for every five pounds of your cat’s weight to relieve an upset stomach. If the vomiting persists, for more then a day sees you’re Vet for more information.

Mineral oil: You may use this to clean your cat’s ears, NOTE: do not use ant Q-tip in the pet’s ear. You may also mix one tablespoon with the cat’s dry food once or twice a week to help relieve constipation, and also help with the cat hairballs problems as well.

Petroleum jelly: You can rub this over your cat’s eyes area when you are bathing. When you do this it will keep the water and soap out of the eyes.

Rectal thermometer: When using the thermometer you must keep your pet still and relaxed as much as possible. The normal range for your cat’s temperature will range from approx. 100 to 102.5 degrees. Consult your veterinarian if your cat’s temperature moves from this range.

Tweezers and needle nose pliers: You can use the tweezers to carefully remove broken glass, splinters, or even ticks from the cat.  Use the pliers to remove half swallowed objects out of the cat’s throat if necessary. NOTE: While looking to remove something from the pet’s throat look carefully for any tears in the lining of the mouth and into the throat.

We hope that you can see that if you can have these things in our first Aide kit we you just might see what it means when they say “Be Prepared” and your cat as well as a dog will love you for it as well. After all our pets belong to our families as well, and we want to take care for them correctly.