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First Aid Kits for PetsEssential Emergency Kit Supplies for the Home and Car
Keeping a fully stocked first aid kit in the home and car will ensure that you have the supplies to administer first aid to your pet...and the occasional human.
Broken bones, poisoning, cuts, bite wounds – they can happen to any pet at any time and keeping a complete first aid kit in every home and car will ensure that your animal receives the best possible care in the event of an injury or other emergency. “Administering first aid can really improve a pet’s prognosis,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM. “Broken bones can sever arteries and ligaments if they’re not properly splinted. If you don’t induce vomiting, the body could absorb a deadly dose of toxin by the time you arrive at the [vet’s] office. If you don’t stop bleeding, the body can go into shock, seizures – all sorts of terrible things can occur between the time an incident occurs and the time the animal arrives at the veterinarian’s office.” In addition to maintaining a complete pet first aid kit in the home and vehicle, pet owners should also consider taking a pet first aid class to learn basic first aid skills, CPR and the Heimlich maneuver for pets. Many animal rescue leagues and other humane organizations offer pet first aid courses, as do some pet stores. Every pet owner’s first aid kit should include the following supplies:
The following medications should also be included in each kit:
Phone numbers for the following should be included in both first aid kits:
In addition, for pets who are chronically ill and require medication for survival, keep two days’ worth of prescription medication on-hand in the car and inside the home kit. This includes medications for diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, and other diseases, like Addison’s Disease. “Pet owners should always contact a veterinarian in the event of an emergency. And keep the necessary supplies on-hand – there’s not going to be time to run out to the store if your pet is bleeding to death,” Dr. Levine indicated. Pet owners should also have some basic knowledge of first aid. The following basic skills can help owners save their pet’s life:
Notably, pet owners should always contact their vet before inducing vomiting because in some instances, more harm may occur if the animal vomits.
The copyright of the article First Aid Kits for Pets in Pet Care is owned by Mia Carter. Permission to republish First Aid Kits for Pets in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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