First Aid Kits For Your Pet

Being prepared for everyday accidents can mean reducing the extent of treatment required or even saving your pet’s life.

A basic first aid kit should be made up of:

• Your vet’s telephone number, including emergency and after hours numbers

• First Aid manual

• Rectal thermometer and lubricant

• Sterile gauze (cover wounds and prevent further infection)

• Bandages (soft conforming bandages are best)

• Scissors

• Adhesive tape

• Cotton wool

• Sterile saline (to flush debris out of wounds)

Other items that may be useful in your first aid kit include splint material (such as a piece of wood), a leather lead (to make a noose to approach a frightened or aggressive animal), strong material if a tourniquet is needed and a blanket to keep the animal warm or use as a stretcher.

- Last updated 2 July 2013