Must Haves For A First-Aid Kit

Every household must have a first-aid kit.  A well put together kit can be used for human and pet emergencies equally.  They can be purchased or homemade.  I have 2: one for the house and one I keep in my car.

1.  A muzzle that fits your size dog.  No one wants to think that their dog will ever bite them, however, when a dog is in pain it will lash out.  Again, this may also be used for humans;)
2.  Roll gauze; this could also be used as a muzzle in a pinch.  This is used to secure bandages.
3.  Large sterile gauze pads, tape, antibiotic ointment, and wraps to clean a wound and cover it so you can get to an emergency room.
4.  An assortment of Band-Aids.
5.  Non-latex gloves
6.  Bleeding can be a serious problem.   Consider purchasing Quick Clot or Kytostat online.  These are special chemically-treated dressings that help blood clot instantly.
7.  An inexpensive stethoscope is great to have to listen to the heartbeat or abdomen for increased belly noises.
8.  Cloth to be used as a triangle bandage to make a sling, cover an injury, or hold on a larger wound to control bleeding.
9.  Tweezers to remove small splinters, big scissors to cut clothing or gauze, and self cling style Vetwrap.
10.  Benadryl and aspirin should be in every HUMAN first-aid kit.  Benadryl can be used in case allergic reaction is suspected in dogs upon advice from you vet.  An aspirin should be chewed if a human heart attack or stroke is suspected.  is one inexpensive item everyone should have in their first aid kit, but most people don't.
11.  Petroleum jelly and plastic cling wrap
12.  Eye wash
13.  Rectal thermometer
14. Hydrogen Peroxide- to induce vomiting in case of toxic ingestion
15.  Copy of vaccines/current labwork, emergency directions, emergency phone numbers

 A first-aid kit is to be considered first line treatment until you can get to a veterinarian.

Chris