It can happen to even the most careful

You just adopted a new dog. You researched the best foods. You bought nice bowls and a mat to sit them on. You bought a cool collar and lease. You bought brushes and a toothbrush and toothpaste. You bought a crate. You bought a dog bed (or two, or three). You've talked to your vet about EVERYTHING! You have heart worm preventative and flea preventative. You are prepared to give your dog the best life possible. But what about dealing with those little problems that can happen to even the most careful among us.

Do you have a first aid kit?

There are a number of lists out there for things that should be in a first aid kit. The Human Society's (http://m.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/pet_first_aid_kit.html) basic first-aid supplies include:

•    Absorbent gauze pads
•    Adhesive tape
•    Antiseptic wipes, lotion, powder or spray
•    Blanket (a foil emergency blanket)
•    Cotton balls or swabs
•    Gauze rolls
•    Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting—do this only when directed by a veterinarian or a poison-control expert)
•    Ice pack
•    Non-latex disposable gloves
•    Petroleum jelly (to lubricate the thermometer)
•    Rectal thermometer (your pet's temperature should not rise above 103°F or fall below 100°F)
•    Scissors (with blunt ends)
•    Sterile non-stick gauze pads for bandages
•    Sterile saline solution (sold at pharmacies)
•    Tweezers
•    A pillowcase (to confine your cat or small dog for treatment)
•    A pet carrier

The Pet Education site (http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1677&aid=2881) has an even more specific list. They state that "since you never know when an accident will happen, keeping a pet emergency kit at your home is a good idea. A smaller kit could be used in the car. You can put a first aid kit together yourself and buy the items separately, or buy one ready-made. If you make one yourself, use a small plastic tub with a tight fitting lid to store the following items:

Important Phone Numbers

•    Veterinary clinic phone number and directions to the clinic
•    Emergency clinic phone number and directions
•    Poison control center phone numbers

 Equipment and Supplies

•    Muzzle, or roll of gauze for making a muzzle
•    Magnifying glass
•    Scissors
•    Tweezers
•    Nail clippers and metal nail file
•    Styptic powder or sticks, Kwik Stop, or cornstarch
•    Penlight
•    Nylon slip leash
•    Eye dropper or oral syringe
•    Cotton swabs
•    Cotton balls
•    Clean towels - cloth and paper
•    Rectal thermometer
•    Lubricant such as mineral oil or KY Jelly (without spermicide)
•    Disposable gloves
•    Syringes of various sizes
•    Needle-nose pliers or hemostats
•    Grease-cutting dish soap
•    Bitter Apple or other product to discourage licking
•    Pet carrier
•    Towel or blanket to use as a stretcher, another to keep your dog warm during transport (some pharmacies and camping outlets carry a thermal blanket)
•    Cold packs and heat packs (wrap in towel before using)
•    Stethoscope

Bandaging Materials

•    Square gauze of various sizes - some sterile
•    Non-stick pads
•    First aid tape - both paper (easily comes off of skin) and adhesive types
•    Bandage rolls - gauze and Vetwrap
•    Band-Aids (for humans)

 Nutritional Support

•    Rehydrating solution such as Gatorade or Pedialyte
•    Nutritional supplement such as Nutri-Cal, Vitacal, or Nutristat
•    High sugar source: Karo syrup

 Medicines*

•    Wound disinfectant such as Betadine or Nolvasan
•    Triple antibiotic ointment for skin
•    Antibiotic ophthalmic ointment for eyes, e.g., Terramycin
•    Eye wash solution
•    Sterile saline

•    Antidiarrheal medicine such as Pet Pectate

•    Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for allergic reactions (obtain dose from your veterinarian)

•    Cortisone spray or cream, such as Itch Stop

•    Ear cleaning solution

•    Hydrogen peroxide (used to make a dog vomit - only use as directed by a veterinarian)

 •    Activated charcoal to absorb ingested poisons (consult your veterinarian before using)

*Watch the expiration dates on any medication, and replace as needed.

•    http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/diy-make-your-own-canine-first-aid-kit/4629
•    https://www.avma.org/public/EmergencyCare/Pages/Supplies-Checklist.aspx
•    http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4440087_First_Aid_Kit_for_Pets.pdf
•    http://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/emergency/pet-first-aid-kit
•    http://www.canismajor.com/dog/fstaidk.html
•    http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/veterinaryqa/f/FirstAidKits.htm

Basic kits will all have the same general items included. However, Different breeds (or species), age groups, and pet lifestyles have different first aid kit needs. For example, pets who take medications regularly should have a couple days supply of all current medications. Your veterinarian can help you customize a first aid kit to meet your pet's additional medical needs.

Of course, as stated in the pet first aid article by Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, purchasing or building a kit is a great first step, but won't be a lot of help in the event of an emergency if you are not familiar with how and when to use the items. Dr Tobiassen recommends any or all of the following to be prepared in the event of an emergency:

•    Take a pet first aid class - check with your veterinarian, community college or the Red Cross.
•    Read pet first aid or animal health books - also a good idea to include one in the kit.
•    Find a Pet First Aid or similar (there are several) app - to familiarize yourself and have "on hand" at all times.
•    Familiarize yourself with pet emergency clinics - in your area and to places you travel to.

And, above all, stay safe.