Be Prepared - What's In Your Doggy FIrst Aid Kit?

When I was scrolling through Facebook this morning, I saw a post in one of my doggie groups about a dog that went lame while on a hike.

The owner tried to carry it out - not easy when it's a 30kg retriever, and you're a petite lady - but the dog hopped to the car on 3 legs. Fortunately they were very close to the end of their hike.

It prompted the owner to think about first aid, and being prepared while in the bush, and gave me the idea to put together a post on the subject of first aid kits.

If you're going into the bush with your dog, in addition to the first aid items mentioned below, please make sure your dog is up to date with paralysis tick preventative, and be sure to check them thoroughly after your visit. If you've never had a tick experience, trust me, it's scary and definitely to be avoided. In my defence we had just arrived in Australia - Miss Bodie Beagle left quarantine, went for a walk and collected a hitchhiker within half an hour.

What should your dog first aid kit contain?

• saline and alcohol swabs or chlorhexidine to clean wounds. Swabs and chlorhexidine can also be used to sterilise a needle or other instruments

• disposable syringe to flush out a wound or eye

• cohesive bandages, cotton gauze squares and gauze bandage roll to clean and dress wounds.

• Hypo-allergenic tape to secure bandages

• elastic bandage for wrapping a sprain

• snake bandage

• scissors to cut bandages

• rectal thermometer – digital preferably as these deliver a quicker reading

• gloves to protect both dog and human from infection, and to ensure clean clear up of bodily fluids

• tick twister to remove ticks

• tweezers to remove thorns

• needle & thread in case a small wound needs stitching

• blanket to keep dog warm

• muzzle to ensure everyone's safety if the dog is in pain

• dogs paperwork in case emergency vet treatment is necessary

• hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting if something poisonous is ingested

• a flashlight – phone battery (flashlight app) might run out so a flashlight will be necessary if it is dark

• prescription medication

Obviously we hope we never need this, and it's probably enough to just make sure your phone is fully charged if you're going for a short walk. But if you're going for a longer hike, or camping in the bush, it's certainly worth being prepared so that you can help your dog if necessary.

Do you know any dog first aid?

Having put together a decent first aid kit, do you know how to use it? Have you thought about a first aid course so that you can help your dog? 

Red Cross run an online course that covers the basics - and it's vet approved. It only takes an hour, so you'll be covering basic things like checking vitals, dressing wounds etc.

If you'd prefer an inperson course, once restrictions are lifted, in NSW Animal Welfare League offer a 2.5 hour course, and some TAFEs also run pet first aid courses. There's a St Johns Ambulance course in ACT - I'm sure all states offer something.

Did this make you think about taking a course, or a refresher? Let me know in the comments.