Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: Pet Safety: Be Prepared with Pet First Aid Kit

More than likely, you've got a first aid kit in
your home in case something happens to someone in
your family. And, since all areas are
susceptible to disasters, you hopefully may even
have a disaster kit prepared if the need arises.
At the very least, you have the makings of one in
your medicine cabinet: band aids, gauze, hydrogen
peroxide, etc. But what about for your pet? Do
you have all the supplies that you need in case
your pet has some kind of trauma or accident? If
not, you've come to the right place as we are
going to outline exactly what you need to put
together for Fido & Fluffy's First Aid Kit.

The Staples

Each pet is different, so there isn't a "perfect"
standard kit that will meet all the needs of your
particular little companion. However, the
following items will provide a good foundation
for you to start your kit. Don't forget to
obtain two of everything to keep one at home and
one in your vehicle for use when traveling with
your pet.

- A container large enough to hold of all of
these items. It should open and close easily but
be secure and water-resistant if at all possible.

- A list of phone numbers including your regular
vet, emergency vet, animal control, and animal
poison control numbers. It's best to have these
pre-programmed in your cell phone as well.

- A muzzle is a good idea for pets that are very
injured/afraid - even well-trained pets may bite
in these situations, even if they never showed
any kind of aggressive behavior in the past.

- Leash

- Extra towels, wash cloths and a blanket

- Ice and hot packs wrapped in a cloth can cool
down skin after a burn or keep a pet warm if
hypothermic

- Scissors to cut masses that are matted in fur
or freeing her from entanglements.

- Tweezers to remove splinters, or other foreign
materials from wounds.

- Tick remover tool

- Toenail trimmer

- QuikClot (or a similar product) to stop
bleeding.

- Gauze for bandaging or to help stop bleeding.

- Syringe or large eye dropper to flush out
wounds or administer fluids by mouth.

- Small bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide

- Antiseptic wash or wipes

- Ear wash

- Sterile eye wash

- Antibiotic ointment

- Syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting in the event
of poisoning.

- Latex or plastic exam gloves in case the
situation gets messy.

- Pet first aid book - These items will not be of
any use to you if you don't know how to properly
use them. Read up and keep this in the kit for
quick reference in the event of an emergency.

Additional Items

Depending on your pet, you may need to include
more items to complete the kit. If your pet
takes medication, be sure to include a few days
of the prescription. Is your pet extremely
active and takes frequent hikes or outdoor
excursions? It's probably a good idea to include
something to create a splint (tongue depressor,
12-inch ruler, or thick magazine). Ask your
veterinarian for help in customizing a kit that's
perfect for your dog.

Go the Extra Mile

Now that you've got your kit built, why not take
it one step further and attend a pet first aid
and CPR class? Pets obviously need different care
and handling than their humans. Check with your
veterinarian, community college, or local Red
Cross about the availability of classes in your
area. Your four-legged family member will
definitely appreciate it. The Trips with Pets
Blog has even more safety tips and information,
including how to keep your pets safe during
disasters. And for all of your pet travel needs,
don't forget to check out Trips with Pets.

----------------------------------------------------
Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of
TRIPSwithPETS.com. She founded the pet travel
site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet
travel. Kim is a veteran of the travel industry -
formerly serving as Director of Internet
Marketing for Certified Vacations. Her mission is
to ensure that pets are welcome, happy,and safe
in their travels. Visit
http://www.tripswithpets.com

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