Just as a first aid is a major part of our households, in a similar way it is of utmost importance that you keep a first aid kit for your little pet as well. As much as keeping a furry pet to be by your side is full of joy, sometimes emergencies may come along your way to test you. No one plans on dire situations to occur, however if one may arise, you should be prepared on your part.

Your pet depends on you, thus you should be alert of any changes that may occur in their behavior and keep yourself prepared in case of emergencies. Being prepared will not only prove to be life saving for your pet but also prevent panic.

Through this blog, we will cover this important topic of how one can prepare a first aid kit for their pet and will educate you what to do in case of some common emergencies.

Building a First Aid kit

Just as you have kept a first aid kit for your family members at home, make a dedicated first aid kit for your dog to be kept at home and a travel friendly version of it to carry with you on the go.

While making the first aid kit, keep in mind a few essentials that must be there in your kit, such as:
Cotton balls
Pet safe antiseptic solution
Adhesive tape
Bandages
Sterile gauze piece
A clean cloth
Scissors
Disposable gloves
Adhesive tape
Tweezers
Digital thermometer
Emergency contact numbers of a vet or nearby clinic
Emergency medicines (prescribed by the vet)
If you are unsure about which medicines are safe and important to keep at home, you can read our guide on 10 Essential Medicines Every Indian Dog Owner Should Keep at Home, where we explain commonly recommended medicines and their usage.

It is of utmost importance to understand that your pet’s needs are a bit different than yours, thus you need to make sure that you DO NOT use human medicines on your pet unless approved by your vet.

Moving further, let us cover a few basic emergencies and how to deal with them:

1. Cuts, Wounds and Bleeds

Gently calm your dog down and restrain him
Rinse the area with clean water or saline
Put slight pressure on the wound to stop the bleed with the help of a gauze or sterile cloth
Loosely cover it with a bandage
If the cut is too deep or the bleeding does not stop, go to the vet immediately.

2. Heatstroke

Especially in a country like India, where the summers are extremely hot, you need to pay close attention to your pet. During hot weather, dogs overheat faster than humans. You have to stay alert and pay close attention to notice any warning signs including Excessive panting, redness of gums, drooling or weakness. If you notice any of these signs, then:

Immediately take your dog to a cool and shaded place
Make sure proper ventilation is provided
Gently offer small sips of water
Cool down its body surface with wet towel
Immediately take your dog to the nearby vet.

3. Vomiting, Diarrhea and Poisoning

Pay attention to what your dog consumes as some food items that may even be nutritional for us can be poisonous for your pet. Although occasional vomiting may not be a serious concern but if the vomiting is recurrent than you need to seek professional care.

You should consent with a vet as soon as you can in the following cases:

If the vomiting or diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours
If there is blood preset in the vomit
If your pet has ingested any kind of chemical, medication or food that is toxic such as chocolate or grapes

4. Sprains, fractures and limping

Your pet is free spirited and carefree. They might get hurt while playing. Thus, you need to pay close attention if anything seems off. Pay attention to the gait and behavior of your pet, if your dog is suddenly limping or unable to move or seems to be in pain, do the following:

Gently restrict movement your dog
Try keeping them calm since they are in pain
Use a cloth as a sling to un mobilize the affected limb
Transport to the vet immediately

5. Choking and Breathing Difficulty

Your pet cannot talk to you regarding their troubles, but they will indicate their concerns by their behavior. As their parent you should make sure you read the signs your pet is giving you when they need your help. Keep an eye on your dog for ingestion of any object that may obstruct their airway, keep an eye out for their breathing patterns. If your pet is pawing at the mouth, coughing, panting or in panic, then:

Look in their mouth for any object that might have obstructed your pet’s airway
If it is possible, then try to remove the object
If you are unable to retrieve the object or the breathing seems to worsen, immediately seek the help of a vet.

Although first aid is not a replacement for professional care, but it stabilizes your pet until professional help is available. Having basic first aid knowledge can reduce your pet’s suffering and even save their life and avoid panic so that you can think clearly in the best interest of your little friend.