April is National Pet First Aid Awareness month. Most families have a First aid kit in their home or vehicle but not usually a pet first aid kit. It is important to remember that if your family has a pet, having a pet first aid kit at home and in your vehicle when traveling is vital. Be prepared for any type of pet emergency by keeping a first aid kit readily available.
You can purchase a ready made Pet First Aid kit or you can build your own first aid kit, one for the home and one for your car. Either way, it is important to be prepared for anything that may leave your pet injured and remember, an injured or frightened animal may get agitated and bite when you try to help. Having a properly fitted muzzle is a must. First aid kits for pets should have the following:
Pet First Aid checklist
Tick Remover
Latex Gloves
Emergency Blanket
Non Adhesive Dressing
Adhesive Tape
Saline Eye Wash
Ice Pack
Styptic Powder
Antiseptic
Digital Thermometer
Skunk Odor Remover
Tourniquet
Emergency ID Tag
Slip Lead/Leash
Emergency Food & Water
Portable Food & Water Bowl
Liquid Bandage
Blunt tip Scissors
Hydrogen Peroxide 3%
Soft Basket Muzzle-Properly Sized
Many of these items can be found in your local drug store and in your local pet store. In addition to having an emergency first aid kit every pet owner should know how to perform CPR. Many local pet stores offer CPR classes. The time invested in a class could pay dividends later if an emergency should arise.