By Heidi Clayton
As summer gets into full swing and many of you are traveling to the shore area with your dogs, the last thing you are probably thinking about is a veterinary medical emergency, which is precisely when most of them happen. I travel with my dogs all the time and have a dedicated first-aid kit in our van, as well as one specifically for my home.
First aid is not a replacement for actual medical or vet care. It is used to sustain life or manage an injury until you can get to the emergency room. There are endless ways in which your dog can injure themselves. You certainly can’t be prepared for everything but having a well-put-together first aid kit and a plan to get to the emergency clinic can make a huge difference in your dog’s successful treatment. Things like cuts that will require stitches, possible broken bones or ligament tears, and eating things they were not meant to eat can happen at home as well as when you are at the shore.
My first-aid kit contains a collection of various-sized gauze, non-stick bandages, hydrogen peroxide, an antibiotic spray and ointment that is specifically made for dogs, Tums, Rolaids, a digital thermometer, tweezers, various-sized syringes to either flush out a wound or eye or deliver peroxide and water to induce vomiting, an extra blanket and few towels, an extra leash and collar, a muzzle, and finally wet wipes.
I also keep a few medications on hand in both my home and travel kit that I have had to get from my vet. Medications such as metronidazole for diarrhea, Cerenia used for car sickness and treating vomiting, Rimadyl for slight sprains and strains, and Apoquel or Benadryl to use in the event of a bee sting or insect bite are good to have on hand. Discuss with your vet when it is appropriate to use them as well as the correct dosage for your dog.
To make your life easy, you can always go onto Amazon and look for a canine first-aid kit that is premade and comes with all of the essentials. I have a kit that I love made by Adventure Medical Kits that has everything I need. It also comes with a very helpful and detailed first-aid book for dogs that I have referenced. I made my own kit for my home using a tackle box that I keep in the same spot so I know where it is in an emergency.
Hopefully, you will never have to use your first aid kit, but the reality is your dogs will manage at some point in their life to hurt themselves when you least expect it. Having a first aid kit on hand and briefly reading up on how to apply it can make a scary situation much easier on both you and your dog.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
