Just like it is a good idea to have a well stocked first aid kit for the two legged members of the family, it is recommended that you have one for your pets as well. I hope to give you some recommendations here to help you treat those minor ailments at home as well as to be able to triage your pet in an emergency until you can get to a veterinarian.

Remember to stay calm and do not panic. Take a few deep breaths before you begin if you are stressed.  Animals will sense your state and will react better t0 you if you are calm.

Safety is the most important thing to remember when dealing with a hurt or stressed animal. Even your beloved, trustworthy companion may try to protect himself if hurt or frightened. Always begin by approaching an injured or sick animal slowly and watch their body language for signs of distress. Further, it is advisable to apply a muzzle before moving an injured animal or working with the affected area. You can purchase cloth muzzles or, with a dog, you can use a slip lead to fashion a temporary muzzle for treatment and/or transport.

Always approach and work from the rear.  To make the safest muzzle possible, slip the lead over the dogs head like you are going to walk him.  With the lead tight, wrap the close (middle) end of the leash around the dog’s muzzle three to five times securely and finally bring the free end of the leash back to the neck so that you can hold the head from behind. You will need someone to keep a hand on such a muzzle to keep this makeshift muzzle secure.

For animals who are stressed or seem shockey, rescue remedy can provide some relief. Mix 4 drops with one ounce of spring water and mix.  You can dose several drops of the mixture in the mouth every 5 minutes as needed.  It is best to mix this before each use or just use one to two drops or rescue remedy straight from the bottle.  Note that rescue remedy tastes better when diluted.  The homeopathic arnica is also useful for trauma and shock.  A 30 c potency works well and can be dosed in the mouth every fifteen minutes or so if needed in the acute situation.

A digital thermometer is always good to have on hand.  A rectal temperature in a dog or cat will normally run between 100 and 102.5 degrees.  Be sure to lubricate the thermometer before inserting.  Lubricating or petroleum jelly works best, but in a pinch, oil from the kitchen will do.

Temperatures over 103 may just be stress or over 104 are highly suspicious for infection or inflammation in the body. Especially if the animal is not feeling well, a trip to the vet may be in order.   Animals with temperatures in the 106 range may be suffering from heat stroke and are critical.  You can try to begin to slowly lower the body temperature with some rubbing alcohol on the feet while on your way to the nearest emergency facility.  Be careful with temperatures this high not to lower the core body temperature too quickly or the animal may go into shock. Thus, be very careful of immersing such an animal in water.  If you do choose to do this, make sure the water is cool but not cold.

On the other side of the scale, temperatures less than 99 degrees may be dangerous as well.  Smaller animals and young puppies and kittens tend to be most susceptible to hypothermia.  In this case, and if you pet is depressed or lethargic, wrap them in a blanket, and/or use hot water bottles or a rice socks to warm them, and again see the veterinarian.  A rice sock is another handy item for a first aid kit.  You make this quite simply by filling an old sock with uncooked rice.  When placed in the microwave, it will heat rapidly and hold heat well.  A rice sock also works well on sore muscles and joints on which you wish to apply heat.  Always check that your sock is not too hot before applying.

Be aware that small dogs or young animals can be prone to hypoglycemia, low blood sugar.? In these animals,  a sudden weakness or disorientation can sometimes be treated with a bit of Karo syrup or honey on the gums or mixed with water for the animal to drink.  For young puppies and kittens or toy breeds treating for hypoglycemia is well worth trying in cases of emergency such as this when you don’t know the cause.

To apply cold to an area of acute inflammation or pain, keep an extra bag of frozen peas in the freezer or make a slurry out of rubbing alcohol and water to keep frozen in a sealed plastic bag as a cold pack.

Boric acid diluted to half strength or an eyebright solution make a good solution to treat irritation in the eye until you can get the situation checked by your veterinarian.  Flush eyes with contact lens saline solution to remove irritants or debris from the surface of the eye.  It is always good to get eyes checked by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Problems such as ulcers or glaucoma can be very serious, but outcomes tend to be better when the situation is identified quickly.

Moving on to items to treat cuts and scrapes, 3% hydrogen peroxide works well to flush a wound.  Note that it is not recommended to use after an initial cleaning or two as it will delay wound healing.  For repeat cleanings, I recommend a chlorhexiderm solution or scrub rinsed with water.? To decrease the chances of infection,?apply an antibiotic cream two to three times daily after cleaning.? Goldenseal or Calendula ointments can be found at?your local?health food store.

If excessive bleeding is a problem, be sure to apply direct pressure with a sterile or clean 4×4 gauge pad and elevate the body part above the level of the heart if possible. Slippery elm powder can be applied to wounds and will serve both to keep the wound edges fresh and help with healing.  It can help remove toxins locally as well as reduce pain and inflammation.  It makes a wonderful medical dressing for wounds, boils, abscesses and burns.  On an active bleed, you can apply the powder directly to mix with the blood or better, make a paste with water and apply to the affected area.  Another option to use on scrapes and burns is a mixture of sugar and iodine.  The sugar will help keep flesh viable and healthy while the iodine prevents infection.  Vomiting and diarrhea are common problems faced commonly by pet owners.  These signs can be caused by anything from inflammation to infection, a foreign body, parasites or cancers.? The most common cause, however, tends to be “garbage gut” or dietary indiscretion.  With vomiting, it is generally recommended to hold off food for 12-24 hours.  Be sure to replace lost fluids with water or an electrolyte solution like pedialyte.  If your pet can not even keep fluids down, consider a visit to the vet.

To induce vomiting, 3% hydrogen peroxideagain comes into play.  1 tablespoon per ten pounds can be given every 15 minutes for several doses.  Animals should not be made to vomit certain things so check with your veterinarian or poison control for direction before proceeding.  The number for animal poison control is 1-800-548-2423 and should be kept handy.  They do charge for these calls and you will need a credit card number.

In cases of diarrhea, also remember to replace fluids.  Natural kaolin and pectate can certainly help ease diarrhea temporarily but beware of the new Kaopectate formulation as it contains asprin, which can be dangerous to dogs and must be avoided in cats unless under veterinary direction.  A more natural and safer alternative is slippery elm powder. 1/4 to 1/2 capsule twice daily can be used for cats and small dogs.  For larger dogs, 1 to 2 capsules twice daily are recommended.  You can open these capsules and mix them with water, an electrolyte solution or a little yogurt with active cultures to dose.  A natural yogurt or probiotic solution will help regenerate a healthy population of of intestinal flora and can regulate diarrhea or help prevent it in cases where antibiotics are being given.? Be sure in cases of GI upset, vomiting or diarrhea, to see your vet if your pet appears ill or the condition has be ongoing for more than 24 hours.

Always err on the side of caution and get your animal checked by your veterianrian if you are ever in doubt of what you should do.  This information is in no way meant as a substitute for proper veterinary care.