[CorkyMax]

Every pet owner should have a Pet First Aid Kit.

Here are some basic items that all first aid kits should contain.

1. Rectal Thermometer - the newer electronic kind works best. The electronic ones beep when they are finished registering a temperature. They are slightly smaller than the glass kind. They do not break as easily. They can be covered with thin sleeves to halt the spread of germs. They can also be used as oral thermometers. They do have a battery which will need replacing and they are more expensive then the glass ones. [normal canine temperature - 100.5 to 102.5F]

2. Lubricating jelly to lubricate thermometer

3. Gel packs that can be sued for hot and cold compresses

4. Adhesive tape to secure bandages - both non-stick tape and water proof tape

5. Blunt tipped scissors (a must for animal first aid - used for cutting hair away from wounds)

6. Bandage scissors

7. Splints

8. Alcohol swabs to sterilize instruments or small areas of skin

9. Antibiotic ointment for wounds (not for eyes) (ie. Polysporin, for non puncture type wounds)

10. Contact lens solution for rinsing eyes, to clean wounds (water can be substituted)

11. Cotton swabs (ie. Q-tips)

12. Hibitane - a mild antibacterial soap for cleaning skin, wounds

13. Sterile cotton or cotton balls

14. Sterile Gauze Pads (the larger 4" size is better since it can easily be cut smaller if necessary)

15. Rolls of gauze or cling gauze bandage(1-2")

16. Hydrogen Peroxide - 10 ml every 15 minutes to induce vomiting in animals that have ingested a non-caustic poison

17. Razor Blade can also be used to shave away hair and abrade the skin following a tick bite.

18. Stockingette to protect bandage on leg or foot

19. Rubber bulb ear syringe - used for flushing eyes, ears, wounds

20. Forceps and/or tweezers

21. Self-adhesive bandage (ie. Vetrap)

22. Numbers for the Animal Poison Hotline & Poison Control for Pets (800/548-2423 or 900/680-0000 both numbers charge a fee). The National Poison Control Hotlines for humans should also be included.