Canine First Aid Kit
Canine First Aid Kit
Several companies such as Ready Dog, VSI, and Adventure Medical make canine first aid kits of varying size and contents. An alternative is to make your own. Even if you purchase a pre-assembled kit, check to be sure it contains everything you need.
Many hunters will keep a small emergency pack in their hunting vest with some basic bandages, QuikClot, a tourniquet, sugar, tweezers, and other immediate response items. The list below is for a more comprehensive kit to be kept in the vehicle or back at home/camp.
Wound Care
- QuikClot
- non-stick bandages
- gauze
- medical tape
- sterile pads and cotton
- self-sticking wrap, often referred to as “vet wrap”
- anti-biotic wipe packets
- neosporin or anti-biotic cream
- Seal It or Vetericyn Gell
- hydrocortisone cream
- scissors for cutting gauze and bandages
- large plastic syringe for irrigating a wound
- dog wound stapler and staple remover
- tourniquet
Bites, Stings, and Other Critter-Induced Problems
- Benadryl tablets
- Benadryl cream or hydrocortisone cream
- hemostat or tweezer for thorns, quills, etc.
Meds and Miscellaneous
- hydrogen peroxide for inducing vomiting
- activated charcoal powder or tablets for antidote to toxins
- Gas-X
- dog aspirin
- eye wash (saline) and eye ointment
- a dog first aid manual to explain treatments and dosages
- paw balm for abraded or roughed pads
- sugar or honey packets
Gear
- tick puller
- booties
- nail trimmer
- muzzle
Many hunters ask their veterinarians for prescription medications for their dogs when they travel to treat diarrhea, stomach upsets, symptoms of tick-borne illness, etc. In some instances, over-the-counter drugs such as Imodium, Claritin, Pepto-Bismol, and Benadryl can be used, but it is important to know the proper canine dosage.
Several online resources have dosage charts that you can print out and keep in your kit along with the medications.
