April is National Pet First-Aid Month. Hopefully this goes without saying, but if your beloved pet is ever hurt, you should immediately bring them to your vet or the nearest emergency clinic. However, you may need to perform some first aid yourself before transporting them. A local New Albany, IN vet goes over some basic information below.
First-Aid Kits
We can’t overstate the importance of having a good pet first-aid kit … even though you’ll hopefully never use it. You can start with a pre-made kit. The ones made for people can be a good start, but you can also buy one that was specifically made for your type of pet. These are good because they will already be somewhat customized. For instance, a bird one may contain electrolytes that are safe for Polly, while one for a snake may contain a reptile-safe wound wash. A few items you may want to include are gauze pads, styptic powder, tweezers, a magnifying glass, non-stick bandages, towels, cotton balls, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic spray or ointment, milk of magnesia, and an eye dropper. It’s also best to include a muzzle: no matter how sweet and affectionate Fido is, he may bite if he’s hurt. Ask your vet for specific advice.
Storage
We would recommend storing your pet’s first-aid kit in or near their carrier, and keeping them in an easy-to-reach place. This will also be helpful if you ever have to evacuate. Add bottled water, food, treats, a spare leash, and blankets, and you have a decent evacutation bag for your furry friend … which you will also hopefully never need.
Information
Having a pet-first aid kit is very important, but you also need to know how to use it. You can buy or print a pet first-aid brochure. There are also some apps you can download on your phone. The American Red Cross has a good one, which is available for both Android and IOS users. It’s also a good idea to keep your animal companion’s medical records in the same spot, along with the contact information for your vet, the name and address of the nearest 24/7 emergency clinics, and a pet poison control center number. Our number is 856-946-7788. The ASPCA poison hotline is 888-426-4435. (Note: charges may apply).
As your local New Albany, IN animal clinic, we’re dedicated to providing great veterinary care. Contact us anytime!
