pet first aid – Mannford Animal Clinic

Spring & summer mean not only are we more active outside, but so are our pets! Today, we decided to make a quick how-to guide for putting together your very own Pet First Aid Kit!

Please note, this is not a comprehensive or exhaustive list. If your pet has a favorite snack, that is a good thing to add! Does your pet have any regular medications? Also, a great addition. Please see the bottom of this post for great online sources to learn more!

Per First Aid Kit Checklist

Here are the absolute essentials for what goes in your pet’s first aid kit. A lot of these items work for human first aid too so feel free to make a combo human + pet kit!

Important phone numbers:
- Pet Poison Control
- Your primary vet’s office
- The nearest pet ER
- Animal control (if anyone else’s pet is involved)
- Non-emergency police
- The nearest pet boarding facilities
Digital thermometer
- This is especially useful for hyperthermia (overheating) & hypothermia (getting too cold)
Muzzle: even NON-aggressive patients can bite when injured and/or scared (even people)
Leash & collar with ID
Gauze roll or ACE BANDAGE
Spare towels & washclothes
- For cleaning and as bandage material
Medical tape (non-stick tape)
Oral syringe (like the kind that come with children’s medicine)
Non-scented medical lubricant To protect eyes & wounds
Activated charcoal
- To absorb toxins in the body
3% Hydrogen Peroxide
- This is to induce vomiting if needed: but please ALWAY contact Pet Poison Control or a veterinarian before induing vomiting
- Please note: hydrogen repeatedly used in wounds kills new cells (hence the fizzing) & will slow down healing
Saline Solution (contact solution)
- To clean wounds
Location of pet carrier (small dogs & cats)

Quick Pet Disaster Tips

These tips are for YOUR safety & your pet’s!!

If your pet is injured, they are likely scared, confused, & panicky! Please try to not be bitten, scratched, or hurt.
1. A hurt you cannot help a hurt them
Please do not hug an injured pet. You may accidentally hurt them & they may not respond the way you expect them too!
When you are checking them for wounds, please go slowly & gently
1. If they get more & more agitated, pause and give them a minute.
Drive carefully to your vet clinic
1. A hurt you cannot help a hurt them

Being Financially Prepared

There are many strategies for being financially prepared for a disaster. Of course having savings in the bank is the most common form of preparedness! We do have some other recommendations as well.

Our favorite pet insurance: Trupanion

We have recently partnered with Trupanion pet insurance! It is an affordable insurance that covers accidents, illnesses, & injuries. Our favorite thing about them is that they pay your vet directly. So no waiting on tiresome reimbursements.