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emergency pet care for dogs? ?

I have three dogs and realized I am clueless about emergency care other then run to the emergency room, I am put togather a home first aid kit for them what should I include? Also how do I do doggie cpr? and what do I do if they are choking and can't get it out? Thanks!

Public Comments

1. Hi. I had these smae questions. I got this reallllllly good book. "The First Aid Companion For Dogs & Cats" by Amy D. Shojai. I really recommend it. :)

2. Thats a great idea. Everyone should have a basic knowledge of first aide for dogs
Dog CPR
http://www.pgaa.com/CANINE/health/dogcpr.html
Dog First aide kit
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/fstaidk.html

3. i have 2 first aid kits. one in my car in case i see an injured animal on the side of the road (no leash law here).
the basics in both:
leash, collar, muzzle, vet wrap, latex gloves, small scissors, thread, tweezers, wire cutters (this is cattle country and there's barb wire. i recently had to cut a baby deer free), old towels or sheets, a small bag of cheap food and treats (for bribery), bag balm and neosporin.

4. There's not enough room to give you all the first aid training here , but you can get that information in many books about owning, breeding, or training dogs.

For your emergency kit, put in :

peroxide (good for making them throw up toxic things if they eat them , like chocolate or raisins etc. ) also great for cleaning minor wounds.

Listerine Old Fashioned Mouthwash, great for minor wounds and fungal skin infections like ringworm (apply 4 times a day), it kills all types of germs and is safe to get in their mouth.

Visine Eye drops that get the red out, for irritated eyes.

Large bandages, and "vet wrap" which is like an ace bandage that clings to itself. Vet wrap can also be used for a makeshift muzzle.


A blanket. Dogs that are "down" with bad illness or injury, are safest carried on a blanket so you don't get bit or hurt the dog, while you're rushing to the vet.

Pepto Bismol or Doggie Kaopectate for diarrhea episodes. Black Walnut tincture corrects the bacterial over growth (get at www.mynsp.com/peopleandpets ) so add that to her water, to the color of light to medium iced tea...about 1/2 hour after giving the diarrhea medicine.

Antibiotics , oral type only if you are expert enough at diagnosing the type of bacteria you have, and they type of antibiotic you need for a day or two till your vet opens , in case your dog gets ill or hurt on a weekend, and you have a couple of days before you can get into your vet. Probably not something that people should do unless they have decades of experience, or are a nurse like me.
I keep zithromax, amoxicillin, clindamyacin, clavamox, etc around all the time.

5. Red Cross give a dog frist aid coarse
it teaches what to do in emergencies.

6. get a Terra Nova book on your specific breed of dog. It also should have a list of stuff that you should put in an emergency kit. Here's what I got out of mine-

anti-biotic ointment
anti-diarrhea medicine
bandage scissors
benadryl capsules
booties
bottled water
buffered aspirin
documentation- (medical records,poison control #, vet phone number)
eye wash (saline solution in a bottle
gauze sponges
hemostat
holistic remedies
hydrocortisone cream
hydrogen peroxide
liquid medicinal soap
material to use as splints
rubbing alcohol
plastic bags
soft muzzle*
sterile stretch gauze pads
sterile nonadherent pads
thermometer
towels
tweezers
vet wrap self-adhesive bandage rolls

*the muzzle and towels are just in case your dog is in so much pain, he shows aggression. You put it on so that you can transport him/her without being bitten. Hope this helps!