First Aid Kit Species: dogs

Being prepared for everyday accidents can mean reducing the extent of treatment required or even saving your pet’s life. Buying a first aid manual is a good start if you have, or consider having, a pet. The ‘Guide to First Aid for Your Pet’ by the Animal Emergency Centre in Brisbane can be purchased online and kept on hand with your first aid kit. 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.Always get a check up from your vet if you have had to use first aid on your pet. For 24 hour emergency service call 07 4151 5044.