By Deborah Angus

Read first, Part I: The Trauma of a Dog Fight

My mother and I would have never been able to take care of our Rusty in the shape he was in after the attack. Certainly, the vet saved his life and was essential to assuring Rusty’s survival for another five happy years. We did need to procure a number of supplies, however, that were required to nurse Rusty back to health. We needed lots of gauze, hydrogen peroxide, tape and scissors, old towels and, every dog’s favorite, a suitably sized halo ( aka, Elizabethan collar).

Back then, there was probably such a thing as a canine medical kit, although we didn’t have one. Since then, there has been a proliferation of such packages made that are commercially available for prices ranging from $30 to $1,000 plus! I’m not here today to make a recommendation, rather to list some of the items found in a canine med kit that you may want to keep on hand.

Do you have any other recommendations? Please list them in the comments’ section below.

1. Gauze pads, bandage rolls and cotton swabs to cover and treat wounds and control bleeding 

2. Antiseptic (or Antiseptic wipes) and Hydrogen peroxide to clean wounds and prevent infection

3. Adhesive Tape for securing bandages

4. Tweezers, sometimes helpful in removing splinters, ticks and other debris

5. Scissors for cutting tape, gauze, or animal hair. 

6. First Aid Manual

7. Latex Gloves

8. Extra leash and possibly a muzzle

9. Emergency blanket

10. Veterinarian’s information and a list of medications and vaccines.

What supplies have you found most useful in treating pet emergencies?

Tune in next week for Part III: Common Reasons for a Vet Visit