Have you ever thought about what should be on hand or in a first aid kit for your dog?
Most of us have first aid kits or most of the items that would be in a kit. Let’s tackle the very basics of a pet first aid kit.
First, we have the basics:
Sterile Gauze : rolls as well as large guaze pads.
Nonstick bandages if possible
Vet wrap -the bright colored wrap that sticks to itself
Scissors
Tape
Slanted tweezers
Digital thermometer
Syringe
Styptic powder
So the guaze of course to help stop bleeding and wrap the leg, ears or bleeding area. Of course, the large pads if the bleeding is excessive or muscle is showing. You can use the vet wrap as extra wrap, support as well as to help stabilize a possible break. Tweezer to remove foreign objects, like all of the stickers we have here in Texas. Scissors for cutting the guaze of other wraps. The syringe can help flush a wound or administer medication if needed. Then the thermometer to monitor for a temperature variance. A dog’s temperature ranges from about 99.5 to 102 with 100 being about average. Styptic powder is great for stopping bleeding from a nail trim or other minor injuries.
Now, those were the basics. Let’s get into first aid products to clean and treat wounds, scrapes, rashes, etc.
Colloidal Silver
Vetericyn
Microcyn
Mountain Salve
To clean a wound both Microcyn and Vetericyn are great. Both are antibacterial and antifungal which make them great for flushing out wounds, scrapes or scratches.
Then we could use colloidal silver which is a natural antibiotic and can be used both externally and internally to help remove impurities and bad bacteria and will help fight infection.
After the wound is cleaned you can place Mountain Salve on it as an ointment. This utilizes natural antibiotic and antifungal herbs. This is also good for any itchy rashes or hot spots.
OK, now for the remedies that every pet owner should absolutely have on hand, whether in the firt aid kit or in your medicine cabinet.
Arnica Montana: For any injury or trauma. Sore muscles when they have been paying to hard.
Arsenica Album: For digestive upset, diarrhea. More for when there's mucus or blood in the in the diarrhea
Nux Vomica: Also, for digestive upset, diarrhea. This is really good for the vomiting and overall helping the GI tract get in balance.
Podophyllum: Another one for digestive upset. This is really good for that, really watery diarrhea.
Ledum: For stings or insect bites. It's also great for any kind of puncture wound if your dog steps on something sharp or just happens to get a little puncture wound.
Carbo Veg: Great for gas but more importantly bloat. Bloat is an extremely life-threatening situation and does need a vet visit ASAP but carbo veg can be given while making the appointment and on the way to your vet.
These are all homeopathic remedies.
My final must have is CBD; This can help calm a dog down in a stressful situation, storms, fireworks etc. It is also great for inflammation.
Now, like I said, these are the basics. There are a lot of great items I would suggest keeping on hand.
When it comes to the products and what brand should you buy..great question because not all are created equal.
Glacier Peak Holistics are my go-to for colloidal silver and mountain salve. They are a great company and their colloidal silver is patented and has dozens of scientific studies to back it up. For these products click here.
The homeopathic remedies are by Boiron.
CBD, my go to is Pet Releaf or the Prospect Farms.
This information is just that, information and is not meant to replace
a veterinarian and is only the bare minimum of what your pet first aid kit should contain.