Thoughtless Thursday: THE first aid kit You never want to think about this.

[don't worry it's removable tape]

In our front hall closet, there is a box that momma calls FIRST AID. It says FIRST AID- Dogs on it.    [I caught momma using it on her cut finger... I am just saying...] It is a box that we hope to never ever ever use. And yet, it is there. It sits quietly taking up space.  And over the years, it has been taken out and rifled through and has had things "updated", but it is always put back in the same spot.  Why?  Because in any emergency the one thing you don't want to waste time thinking about is where the emergency box is. Let alone where the stuff that goes in that box would be. Time is of the essence and there are basic things that are essential.

Obviously every's box will be slightly different as it should be tailored specifically to your particular's pet health issues, but the basics are the same for everyone.

What are the "basic"?

• Individually wrapped, large absorbent gauze pads We like the 4" and the 6" inch.
• Adhesive tape- paper tape is good.
• Antiseptic wipes, lotion, powder, or spray
• Blanket (a foil emergency blanket)
• Cotton balls , cotton swabs  
• Gauze rolls We have 3 in 3 different sizes
• 2-3 rolls of self clinging  stretch bandages
• Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting—do this only when directed by a veterinarian or a poison-control expert)-this is the item that gets swiped out every 3 months so that it is still fresh dated {Hey Jd... remember this?  This is what you got when you swallowed the bird... long storyyyyy... for some other time}
• Ice pack and heat pack
• Non-latex disposable gloves 3 pairs
• Petroleum jelly (to lubricate the thermometer)
• Rectal thermometer (your pet's temperature should not rise above 103°F or fall below 100°F)
• Scissors (with blunt ends)
• Sterile non-stick gauze pads for bandages
• Sterile saline solution (sold at pharmacies like the stuff you buy for your eyes)
• Tweezers and nail clippers
• Small pen flashlight
• A pillowcase to confine your cat for treatment is you have a cat....but it is also good for small dogs.
• A pet carrier-
• ear wash and eye wash
• Benadryl [know the dose for your pet- write in on the bottle!]
• Antibiotic ointment
• Styptic powder or pencil
• Eye dropper and plastic syringe
•  A bottle of rubbing alcohol
• Two small plastic trash bags and two small zip bags.
• Needle nose pliers, small.

One huge BASIC is the CPR chart that is laminated and hanging on the inside of the closet door. 

These are the new guidelines as set by  AVMA on 7-15-2012 [check your chart for accuracy!]

The recommendations for CPR in dogs and cats include the following:

• Perform 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute of one-third to one-half of the chest width, with the animal lying on its side.
• Ventilate intubated dogs and cats at a rate of 10 breaths per minute. For mouth-to-snout ventilation, maintain a compres-sion-to-ventilation ratio of 30-2.
• Perform CPR in 2-minute cycles, switching the person performing the compressions with each cycle.Administer vasopressors every 3 to 5 minutes during CPR.
• 
  

You can get a good chart  HERE  that you can print.

For those of you who are tech savy, you can get an app for your cell phone. Here:

http://www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/pet-first-aid-app

Besides the chart, we have names, phone numbers and addresses, of the closest animal trauma center, er and vet. 

ASPCA poison-control center, which can be reached at 1-800-426-4435

Pet-specific supplies:

Short, concise medical history for each pet with allergies, list of meds and known issues.in a sealed plastic bag. 

Common-sense advice

Add whatever your vet  has recommended specifically for your pet. YES you do ask!

Keep it all fresh and updated. Check the supplies in your pet's first-aid kit occasionally and replace any items that have expired. Just put in on your calender along with check the batteries on smoke alarm and replace air filters....

KEEP IT SAFE! Inside the closet, out reach of pets and children.

And that's all I have for Thoughtless Thursday!

ONE LESS THING TO THINK ABOUT!

'vie


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