Creating a First Aid Kit for Your Pet - Glass Pet Doors
Having an updated, well-stocked first aid kit could be a literal lifesaver in the event of a natural disaster; not just for you, but for your pet as well. It’s recommended that you keep a kit made for your pet in your home and place extras in your car, with friends, and at any other place you both frequent. However, you may be worried about what exactly should be put into a kit for your pet to be better prepared for the unexpected. Here are some tips on creating a first aid kit specifically for your pet, brought to you by our pet door installation experts in Glass Pet Doors.
Basic First Aid Supplies
Basic first aid supplies are perhaps the most vital and useful part of assembling a first aid kit for your pet. Bandaging items such as rolled gauze, bandaids, adhesive first aid tapes, and non-stick gauze strips will come in handy both in emergencies and for minor injuries away from home. Other basic medical supplies such as tweezers, scissors, alcohol/non-alcohol wipes, disposable gloves, a rectal thermometer made for pets, and a stethoscope are also recommended.
Prescriptions and Other Medications
If your pet has been prescribed a medication by your veterinarian, finding yourself in a crisis situation and unable to reach a veterinary clinic to refill it for more than a few days. Keep a week or two’s supply in each of your pet’s first aid kits, as well as a written prescription from your veterinarian. An additional stock of over the counter medications (cortisone spray/cream, wound cleaner, antibiotic ointment, activated charcoal, sterile saline, pain medication, etc.) can also be beneficial in an emergency, so long as they have been cleared with your veterinarian beforehand.
Useful Equipment
Emergency care items aren’t exclusively medical supplies. You never know what crisis you and your pet may end up in where you’re forced to use a first aid kit, and the problems you encounter likely won’t be restricted to injuries or medications. That’s why it’s advised to keep a variety of useful equipment along with medical necessities in your kits. Heat and ice packs, for example, will come in handy to soothe an injury. And a muzzle may be necessary for a pet who is scared or hurt (even if you think your pup or cat would never nip at you, in stressful circumstances it may be how they express their fear and pain) so you can render first aid without the worry of them biting. Other miscellaneous items could include a nail clipper for pets, dish soap, cotton balls, oral syringes, water bottles, non-perishable treats, paper towels, a thermal blanket, a large towel, an extra leash, a magnifying glass, and a flashlight.
Records and Phone Numbers
A written record of important information should be assembled and put into your pet’s first aid kit(s) for easy, dependable access. You may have your veterinarian's number saved in your phone, but that won’t do your pet any good in an emergency if you lose your phone or can’t be reached. Everyone in your home (as well as whoever is looking after your pet) should know exactly where to find important information when you aren’t there to help. Write down your veterinarian's name, number, and clinic name/address, as well as any other emergency clinic that could be reached if your vet was unavailable. Other numbers to record that are helpful to have on hand are the Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435), close family members, friends, neighbors, and your own. Documents such as your pet’s health record, vaccinations and updates, titer tests, a list of medications with the details concerning them, and a recent photo of your pet should also be included.
It’s impossible to predict what will be most needed in an emergency, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Putting together a thorough first aid kit for your pet will ensure that you’re not caught unprepared. They’re good to have on hand for milder issues, and they could even save your pet’s life in severe circumstances. Just make sure to refresh your home kit and all extra kits you make at least twice a year. Replace supplies that have been used, examine expiration dates, check that items work well and are not broken or damaged, and put in anything you think should be added. Do you have any questions? A pet door can serve as an extra safety precautions in the event of a disaster, giving them access to escape your home if they become trapped or endangered. Contact Glass Pet Doors today to discuss installing the perfect pet door for sliding glass door in Glass Pet Doors for your pet.