Autumn Years Fall 2023

HEALTH & WELFARE

Dog First Aid Kits What You Need to Know By Paige Chernick As a pet owner, it is important to always be ready for any emergency that may arise with your furry friend. Especially dogs. Emergencies can strike at any time, whether you are at home, running errands around town or traveling. When they do occur, pet owners should always be prepared with a dog first aid kit and basic first aid supplies. A well-stocked first aid kit can help you handle any situation, whether it is a minor scrape or a more serious injury, until you can get your dog to immediate veterinary care.

PET FIRST AID KIT ESSENTIALS TO PACK If you are an experienced traveler, you probably already have a human first aid kit or a box of first aid supplies. However, if you take your pets along, it is important to be sure that your kit is stocked with items specific to their needs. The exact items you need in your first aid kit will of course depend on the activi ties you do with your pet, but there are some things every owner should readily have on hand. Based on different activity levels and interests, here is a helpful list of pet first aid item must haves. These items are crucial for wrapping and securing minor wounds, as well as stopping bleeding. Make sure to have a variety of bandages and sizes avail able. Lightweight, latex-free white medical gauze is a key first aid item to have around in the event of an injury. Self-adhesive bandage material and wa ter repellent bandages work well on dogs without sticking to their fur. Gauze pads, non-stick bandages and adhesive tape

Tweezers Tweezers are an essential part of any first aid kit, particularly if you enjoy hiking or other outdoor activities. The safest way to remove a splinter or a tick is with a clean pair of tweezers. Disinfect the tweezers with alcohol well before and after each use. Tweezers can be used to remove splinters, thorns or other foreign objects from your dog’s skin or paws. Sterile saline solution This can be used to flush out wounds and help keep them clean. A sterile saline solution is used to wash, flush or rinse parts of the body (e.g., wounds). It can also help stop bleeding even with a torn toe nail.

Antiseptic wipes or solution Cleaning a wound is a critical step in preventing infection in any animal. Antiseptic wipes or solution can be used to clean the area around a wound before dressing it and seeking vet erinary treatment. (THE SWIPE wipes by PRIDE+GROOM are recommended.) Hydrogen peroxide This is a must-have item for inducing vom iting if your dog has accidentally ingested something toxic. However, it is important to note that you should only induce vom iting under the direction of a veterinarian. If you think your pet may have in gested a potentially poisonous substance, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at 1-888-426-4435.

20 AUTUMN YEARS I FALL 2023