Always remember that any first aid administered to your pet should be followed by immediate veterinary care. First aid care is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it may save your pet's life until it receives veterinary treatment.
First Aid Supplies
| Phone numbers and your pet's medical record (including medications and vaccination history) Veterinarian: Emergency veterinary clinic: Animal Poison Control Center: 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435)(there may be a fee for this call) | You need to know these numbers before you need them. If you do not know the number of the emergency clinic in your area, ask your veterinarian or go to the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society Web site for a searchable list of emergency clinics by state. |
| Gauze | For wrapping wounds or muzzling the injured animal |
| Nonstick bandages, towels, or strips of clean cloth | To control bleeding or protect wounds |
| Adhesive tape for bandages *do NOT use human adhesive bandages (eg, Band-Aids®) on pets! | For securing the gauze wrap or bandage |
| Milk of magnesia Activated charcoal | To absorb poison. Always contact your veterinarian or local poison control center before inducing vomiting or treating an animal for poison. |
| Hydrogen peroxide (3%) | To induce vomiting. Always contact your veterinarian or local poison control center before inducing vomiting or treating an animal for poison |
| Digital Thermometer —you will need a "fever" thermometer because the temperature scale of regular thermometers doesn't go high enough for pets | To check your pet's temperature. Do not insert a thermometer in your pet's mouth—the temperature must be taken rectally. |
| Eye dropper (or large syringe without needle) | To give oral treatments or flush wounds |
| Muzzle (in an emergency a rope, necktie, soft cloth, nylon stocking, small towel may be used) | To cover your pet's head. If your pet is vomiting, do not muzzle it! |
| Leash | To transport your pet (if your pet is capable of walking without further injury) |
| Stretcher (in an emergency a door, board, blanket or floor mat may be used) | To stabilize the injured animal and prevent further injury during transport |
Tips When Traveling
1. Be sure to pack a simple travel-size first aid kit for your pet, similar to the one you keep at home.
2. Be sure to have handy the phone numbers of your veterinarian, the national animal poison control hotline (888.426.4235) and a 24hr emergency hospital in the area you will be visiting.
3. Your pet should be wearing an ID tag that contains your home information and contact number in addition to a travel tag or collar with information on where you will be staying.
4. Perform a daily "health check" on your pet when away from home. Contact your veterinarian or a local veterinarian if you are concerned about any physical or behavioral changes.
More Resources
American Veterinary Medical Association
American Red Cross
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