Dog First Aid Kit
It is not difficult to have items for your dog’s first aid with you at all times.
***PLEASE consult your own vet about appropriate uses and doses before giving your dog any of these medications. Also be sure to become familiar with the side effects and Adverse Reactions before using any of these medications -- while they are considered fairly safe and are not prescription medications, there may be some dogs that will react badly to some of these drugs.***
Find a suitable container—one that can travel with you. A tackle box, cantle pack, or airline mini-bag are a few ideas. Label it with "First Aid" on all sides—in an emergency someone else might have to locate and use this kit. On the inside where it can be easily found have the following information:
- your name, address (including state), phone number
- name & phone number of an emergency contact that can take care of your dog(s) if you are unable
- your dog’s name and any information about any medications he/they take, any allergies or significant
- medical conditions he/they have
- your vet’s name & phone number
Also a card with a list of common medications, their general dosages, and the specific dose for the weights of your own dog(s) should be included. Here are a few common ones.
- benedryl…1-2 mg per pound every 8 hours
- aspirin…5 mg per pound every 12 hours
- hydrogen peroxide…1-3 tsp every 10 minutes until dog vomits
- pepto bismo…1 tsp per 5 pounds every 6 hours
- kaopectate…1 ml per pound every 2 hours
- immodium…1 mg per 15 pounds 1-2 times per day
- mineral oil (laxative)…5-30 ml per day (not to be used long term)
These are for emergency use only and only for short-term use. If the problem persists consult your vet! Give liquid medications using an oral syringe tucked into the side of the dog's mouth, holding jaws closed rather than poking straight down the throat and risking getting liquid into the lungs.
***NEVER EVER give Tylenol (toxic to liver) or ibuprofen (Nuprin, Motrin, Advil, etc.). Ibuprofen is very toxic and fatal to dogs at low doses. Only aspirin is safe for dogs, and buffered aspirin or ascriptin is preferred to minimize stomach upset.
It is also a good idea to keep copies of your dog's vaccination records, including a copy of the Rabies Certificate in your vehicle.
First aid kit items
- cotton gauze bandage wrap - 1.5 and 3 inch width
- Vet Wrap -- 2 and 4 inch width
- Ace bandage
- first aid tape
- cotton gauze pads
- regular bandaids
- cotton swabs or Q-tips
- Benedryl
- ascriptin (buffered aspirin)
- Pepto Bismo tablets
- New Skin liquid bandage (for abrasions on pads)
- oral syringes
- needle & thread
- safety pins in several sizes
- razor blade (paper wrapped for protection)
- matches
- tweezers
- hemostat (pulling ticks, thorns, large splinters, etc)
- small blunt end scissors
- canine rectal thermometer (one made for dogs)
- antibiotic ointment
- sterile saline (simple mild eye wash)
- small bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
- small bottle of isopropyl alcohol (rubbing)
- alcohol or antiseptic wipes (in small individual packets)
- small jar of Vaseline
- Epsom salts
If your dog takes special medication or has severe allergies be sure to consult with your vet for those items before you go on an extended outing or an outing where care is not readily available.
DO NOT try to be your own vet. This is for emergency use until you can get your pet to the doctor.