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The following items should be kept together in case of emergency with your cat or dog. You may want one first aid kit to keep at home and another one for when traveling with your pet.
1-Rectal thermometer. A pet’s normal temperature is usually 100.5-102.5 degrees F.
2-A tube of K-Y jelly or some Vaseline to lubricate the thermometer.
3-Hydrogen Peroxide in case of certain poisonings to induce vomiting.
4-Benedryl (generic form is diphenhydramine) in the 25 mg tablet form to be given in case of allergic reactions to bites, stings, vaccinations, or other causes of hives and facial swelling. You want the tablet form so that it can be broken into pieces so that all size cats and dogs can be properly dosed. Start out with the weight of your pet in pounds and give approximately that many milligrams by mouth. For example, if your 70 pound Labrador gets stung by wasps then give it 3 of the 25 mg tablets for a total of 75 mg of Benedryl and get it to your veterinarian, or if your 10 pound cat has been bitten by a snake give it ½ of tablet and get it to your veterinarian immediately.
5-A syringe to squirt the peroxide or other medications that might need to be given by mouth.
6-Sterile saline or eye rinse in case of any trauma or irritation to the eyes until you can transport your pet to the veterinarian. Most eye traumas are emergencies; do not wait to seek medical care.
7-Cotton balls and Q-tips to clean cuts, wounds and sores, as well as to have available to clean ears to prevent and treat infections.
8-Antibacterial scrub or soap or betadine to clean wounds, bite or fight wounds and abrasions until you can get your pet to the veterinarian.
9-Gauze and first aid tape and an ace bandage to wrap up a wound or laceration until you can transport your pet to the veterinarian.
10-Tubes of Cortaid lotion, Benedryl lotion, and antibiotic lotion.
11-Keep your veterinarian’s phone number and the phone number of the local emergency clinics with your first aid kits.
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