Quote: Lynne Peck

Dana that would be wonderful if you are willing to take on tne task! thanks.

I'm happy to do it. Other than the hydrogen peroxide, activated charcoal and hotline #'s...

List of what would be good in a first aid kit?

List of items you might consider carrying in your car (i.e., bolt cutters like Aaron suggested)?

I'll look back at the posts and see what else others have mentioned.

Let me know and I'll start the list!

I keep one first aid kit for both kids and dogs in the car and at home.

It has the Neosporin with pain reliever in it (miracle!!)

The Bandaid hurt free wound wash (also a miracle!!)
Hydrogen peroxide
super glue
An assortment of bandaids, gauze, and tape.

Benadryl tablets and cortisone cream for bites, rashes and assorted itchies, as well as full blown allergic reactions. Gold bond powder is also great for rashes, raw spots and weepy skin irritations.

EMT gel, I should be a spokesperson for this stuff, it was originally formulated for hunting dogs with gunshot wounds.

It is safe for punctures, totally natural, and even safe for birds and reptiles.... it is the most amazing thing in my medical kit.
It helps stop bleeding, takes the pain and burning out of things like cat scratches and minor burns, forms a protective layer for wounds and speeds up heeling dramatically.

I also try to keep a couple of doses of antibiotics if possible, this has really come in handy when out camping or when something happens at midnight on a saturday, that doesn't require an ER visit but could quickly become infected without treatment. (think cat puncture wounds!)

"EMT gel, I should be a spokesperson for this stuff, it was originally formulated for hunting dogs with gunshot wounds."

I've never heard of this. Where do you find it?

I also make sure I have an Epi-pen with us (usually one of my husband's extras). My Rottie is EXTREMELY allergic to beestings and insect bites. I've seen her head swell bad enough to make her look like a sharpei after being stung on the nose. I'm afraid what will happen the next time she gets stung.

Vet Wrap (actually it's 3M now and also another brand) is an excellent bandage. It adheres to itself and is stretchy. Works especially well near or around joints and places where regular gauze and tape doesn't always hold too well.

 Quote: dana martin

"EMT gel, I should be a spokesperson for this stuff, it was originally formulated for hunting dogs with gunshot wounds."

I've never heard of this. Where do you find it?

I know you can order it online from lot's of places.

I have found it at my local higher end pet supply stores. But they also carry it at Bass Pro and Cabela's. There is also a spray version with something very bitter added to it that is great for bigger areas or dogs that won't leave owies alone.

 Quote: Dana Martin

I also make sure I have an Epi-pen with us (usually one of my husband's extras). My Rottie is EXTREMELY allergic to beestings and insect bites. I've seen her head swell bad enough to make her look like a sharpei after being stung on the nose. I'm afraid what will happen the next time she gets stung.

Vet Wrap (actually it's 3M now and also another brand) is an excellent bandage. It adheres to itself and is stretchy. Works especially well near or around joints and places where regular gauze and tape doesn't always hold too well.

Did you check with your vet about the epi pen dosage? I'd be a bit hesitant about using something that was prepped for a human on one of my dogs since they can have far different dosage requirements.

I really love vet wrap, too. Always keep it on hand for both sheep and dogs. Simple, cheap and works great. I used vet wrap, a couple paint stir sticks and Scot shop rags to splint the broken leg on a week old lamb once. Worked great!

I did, many moons ago when we first discovered her allergy. Since she weighs 102# her size is not an issue. If she was a small dog I would never consider it.

I would also use it only in an extreme case such as we were way out and transport to a vet would be such a length of time that she would not survive. I keep it only as a last resort.

When I got my mare she'd had a severly injured hind leg. Her fetlock had been fileted open when she stepped in a hole and pulled it out catching it on something (we never foudn out what). I bought vetwrap by the cases in every color - still have a variety off it. My husband never uses the pink or purple so they are always safe :-)

Oh, I also keep disposable baby wipes around, too.

Helps with cleaning up those messy paws when they step in things as well :-)

 Quote: jennifer lee

 Quote: dana martin

"EMT gel, I should be a spokesperson for this stuff, it was originally formulated for hunting dogs with gunshot wounds."

I've never heard of this. Where do you find it?

I know you can order it online from lot's of places.

I have found it at my local higher end pet supply stores. But they also carry it at Bass Pro and Cabela's. There is also a spray version with something very bitter added to it that is great for bigger areas or dogs that won't leave owies alone.

Yep, I "googled" it (ok, I actually "binged" it) and it is quite prevalent out there. After seeing the pic I'm pretty sure I've seen it and probably just never paid any attention to it.

And I also want to correct myself - "Vetwrap" does still exist. It must have just been my local feed store that prefers "3M".

I've also told human patients of mine that if they need to use it to go to a feed store or animal supply store to pick it up. It's hugely cheaper than the same thing that they sell in drug stores for humans :-)

I work at a Thoroughbred racetrack and we use Vetwrap every day for the horses. The 3M version is exactly the same, but just a little cheaper. When you buy in large quantity like we do at the track, the difference of $.25 a roll makes a difference.

So, I decided I'd open my pet first aid kit since I probably haven't looked at it since I got it and was again pleasantly surprised at some items I forgot was in it.

1 slip-tip syringe, a cotton slip lead, blunt nose scissors, cotton tipped applicators, thermometer, lubricating jelly (for the thermometer), tweezers, eye wash (this one is a boric acid solution but a saline wash would work, too) and gloves. There is also a great little "Pet First Aid" book developed by 2 vets that has some good info in it, too. I'll look through it and see what I can add to our instructions.

However, something that had totally slipped my mind was this:

Be sure to check expiration dates!!!

on any hydrogen peroxide, neosporin, antiseptic wipes or gels....anything that is liquid or has a medication in it. Several of mine were very out of date. This would be ok at home since I have tons of this stuff for personal use - but if this had been in my car I would have been SOL. Definitely don't want that to happen!!!

Oh, and for those of you with iPhones or Androids....you can get a Pet First Aid App. It was developed by PetTech of Vacaville who it says are experts in Pet First Aid and Pet Emergency Preparedness training. Here is a link to their website:

http://petcpr.com/

It costs $3.99. I'm going to bite the bullet and purchase it to see if I agree or disagree with what the reviews say and I'll let you know.