For pet owners, ensuring your beloved companions’ well-being is a top priority. And just like having a first aid kit for yourselves and your family, having one tailored to your furry friends is equally crucial – after all, they are family too.
Says Tanya Trenoweth, the head of MediPet’s in house vet team: “While it’s vital to remember that certain human medications are unsafe for pets, preparing a pet-specific first aid kit can be a lifesaver in minor emergencies. It’s also good to have an idea of how to tend to our fur family members when they start displaying signs of distress, or in some cases, how to pick up the signs when they are trying to mask their pain.”
MediPet has compiled a comprehensive guide to the top items you need when assembling your pet’s first aid kit. It is important to please remember this does not replace a vet when your pet is feeling poorly:
- Digestive distress: “I always keep Diomec paste handy at home. If my dogs have stool that isn’t as firm as usual (this could be from drinking sea water at the beach for example), I will give them a dose and often it sorts out their tummy. Other pasts like Prokolin or Canigest are reliable alternatives,” explains Tanya.
- Gastrointestinal support: Activate charcoal aids in gastrointestinal issues as well as probiotics like Protexin. However if your pet is vomiting, rather get them to the vet as the pastes and tablets will not have time to take effect.
- Wound care: “I like to keep a disinfectant that contains chlorhexidine to clean a wound or a sore. Hibitane & Biotaine are pink disinfectants that you can get from your vet. There are also soap-based versions which are very helpful for cleaning a dirty paw with a cut for example. Ask your vet for a small bottle to keep at home. They are diluted before use, so a small bottle lasts a long time.”
- Additional wound care advice: Keep cotton wool on hand and gauze swabs with it to clean the wounds and some antibacterial cream for small cuts and grazes. Gauze bandaging material is a worthwhile addition to keep larger wounds closed while you are on the way to your vet. Gloves are handy and so are a pair of scissors to cut the gauze bandage.
- Eye and wound flushing: Saline solution and clean syringes serve multiple purposes such as flushing out wounds through to eye flushing should they have something irritating in them. However, persistent issues do require a vet’s attention as they can check for corneal ulcers or foreign bodies.
- Dealing with constipation and hairballs: Laxapet paste helps with constipation in dogs and cats, and if your fluffy feline struggles with hairballs, a dose of Laxapet often helps move the hair through the gut nicely.
- Viral support for cats: “Felisine paste, a vitamin supplement with L-lysine, helps slow down viral replication so if your cat gets snuffles, give them a does during any stressful time to prevent them flaring up,” recommends Tanya.
- Ear care: Include ear flush and wipes for regular ear cleaning as it removes wax out of ear folds. “I recommend weekly ear cleaning with a good ear wash like Epiotic – it’s also good to do this after a swim or groom. If there is an ear infection deep in the ear canal, you will see the wash coming out dark brown, then you know it’s time to go to the vet for a good look in those ears.”
- Essential tools: “Nail clippers and tweezers are indispensable. Trimmed nails are less likely to get hooked and tear. And tweezers are worth having if you are searching for a grass seed awn in between the toes, or if you can see a splinter under the skin.”
Tanya adds that while a first aid kit is beneficial, always seek professional veterinary guidance when in doubt. “By assembling a pet-specific first aid kit and knowing when to seek professional help, you can provide immediate care while ensuring your furry companions receive the necessary attention during emergencies. Your preparedness could be the difference between a minor issue and a major health concern for your beloved pets.”
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MediPet is an Authorised Financial Services Provider FSP 32613 – Underwritten by Renasa non-life insurer.
