When you have a pet first aid kit on hand, you can immediately treat minor or major wounds, illnesses, and injuries. This prevents them from getting worse before you visit your regular veterinarian and can help you control bleeding, prevent infection, and protect the wound or injured area while traveling to an animal emergency clinic in Seattle, WA. Here is your guide to putting together a first aid kit for all types of pets, including cats, dogs, birds, and small animals.
Your Checklist for an Emergency First Aid Kit for Pets
No matter what type of pet you have, your emergency first aid kit should contain certain items that will help you render aid, handle illnesses and injuries, and treat your pet before transporting them to the vet. The most important items to keep in your kit are:
- Numbers for your veterinarian, animal poison control, and the closest animal hospital or animal urgent care facility
- A pet carrier or traveling carrier
- Medical records
- Licensing and microchip information
- Gauze bandages and pads
- Sterile bandages and towels
- Self-adhering bandages or vet wrap
- Blunt-end scissors
- Tweezers
- Syringes or eyedroppers
- Antiseptic wipes
- Disposable gloves
- Thermometer
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Styptic powder
- Sterile saline solution or wound wash
- Antibiotic cream or spray
- Benadryl
- Activated charcoal
- Small flashlight or penlight
If you have a dog or cat, your kit should also have a soft muzzle, leash, and harness, protective gloves, and their favorite treats. If you have a bird or a small animal, your kit should also contain a heating pad or hot water bottle, magnifying glass, and protective gloves.
How to Give Your Pet Emergency First Aid
Stay calm and assess your pet’s airway and look for signs of bleeding, open wounds, or other injuries. If you suspect poisoning, try to quickly determine what your pet ingested. If your pet is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. For minor scrapes or wounds, flush them with saline solution and treat them with antibiotic ointment or spray. If your pet can get up on their own, put them in a carrier for transportation. Otherwise, try to keep them immobile and transfer them to the veterinarian on a hard, flat surface, a blanket, or a carrier.
Signs Your Pet Needs Emergency Care
Your pet needs immediate emergency care if they have:
- Severe breathing issues or an obstructed airway
- Severe swelling or inflammation
- Signs of an abscess or infection
- Blue lips, gums, or tongue
- Excessive panting or drooling
- Lack of appetite
- Changes in behavior, including extreme fear or aggression
- Signs of pain or discomfort
- Swelling or bloating of the abdomen
- Uncontrollable vomiting or diarrhea
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Inability to walk or move
- Inability to urinate or defecate
- Heavy or uncontrollable bleeding
- Injuries from an animal fight or car accident
- Exposure to toxins or poisons
At Emerald City Emergency Clinic, we offer 24/7 emergency pet care in Seattle, WA. Our emergency pet clinic is open 365 days a year and specializes in emergency triage services, emergency diagnostics, and surgical services. Call now to let us know you’re coming in for a pet emergency.