The Essential Items For Your Pet First Aid Kit

For pet parents, every month is Pet Care Awareness Month! Take a few minutes to brush up on an important tip that most pet owners forget: keep a well-stocked pet first aid kit!It is extremely critical to be prepared for emergency situations. A study by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) reveals that as much as 25% more pets would have survived if even one first aid technique was given before getting emergency veterinary attention. These types of incidents can be handled in a quick, controlled and most importantly, safe manner if an owner has the right tools on hand. This is where a first aid kit and a list of important contacts (vet, poison control hotline, and emergency animal hospital) comes in very handy.Just like their human pals, the majority of pet accidents occur nearby or inside their home. Some of the most common incidents are foreign object ingestions resulting in gastrointestinal damage, toxic body ingestions, dog bites, high rise syndrome, and issues with giving birth. A practical way to prepare for many of these situations is to have a pet first aid kit in your home, readily visible and easy to grab once the occasion calls for it.Take a look at these suggested items to store in your kit, as provided by Pet Poison Helpline®:

• Hydrogen Peroxide 3% -- Check its expiration date!
• Oral syringe – You’ll use this to administer the Hydrogen Peroxide
• Ophthalmic saline solution
• Antibiotic ointment – Make sure you get one that can be used for dogs. This is NOT suitable for cats at all.
• Canned pet food
• Liquid dish washing detergent
• Rubber gloves
• Vegetable oil
• Corn Syrup
• Vitamin E oil
• Pet-suitable drink that contains electrolytes
• Anti-histamines – Preferably, Diphenhydramine tablets that don’t have any combination ingredients

Before attempting any method with your pet first aid kit, seek the help of a vet or a poison control expert, even if it’s via a phone call. Also, one important note that pet parents should always remember is that administering human medications to pets without first speaking to a professional is a big negative.  Once first aid is given, seek veterinary care as soon as possible and hopefully you and your pet will be on the way to recovery in no time.