First aid can be defined as immediate attention to a situation that reduces the he alth of our pet, obviously, it is very important that we understand that this attention is intended to provide a first response, but under no circumstances replace veterinary care.
It is just as important to know the main practices that can occur when applying first aid to dogs as it is to have the necessary material to carry them out, otherwise it is possible that the attention we can give in a situation emergency is not the right one and therefore it is not so beneficial for the he alth of our dog.
In this AnimalWised article we show you what a first aid kit for dogs should have, so you can be prepared to adequately deal with any situation that requires an immediate response.
1. Physiological serum
Physiological saline is the best solution for cleaning dog's wounds and eyes, therefore, it is essential in the medicine cabinet since we will use it when any injury or eye condition has occurred.
For optimal storage of the whey, we recommend that you purchase single-dose containers, which contain approximately 5 ml of whey and are used for a single application.
The physiological serum has a certain conservation, you must be aware of the expiration date and change it when necessary.
two. Neutral and hypoallergenic soap
When a wound occurs, the most important thing to keep in mind is that you cannot proceed with disinfection without prior cleaning.
To clean a wound before disinfecting it you can choose various products, it is essential that you have at least one of them in your medicine cabinet:
- Neutral and hypoallergenic soap suitable for pets
- Vaseline soap bar
- Coconut soap bar
3. Chlorhexidine digluconate
It is an excellent disinfectant as an alternative to alcohol, iodine and hydrogen peroxide, compared to these, chlorhexidine digluconate is a very mild product that disinfects without irritating the skin.
You can find it in various pharmaceutical forms, from gel to lotion, however, the most recommended and easiest to apply is the spray. You must apply this product once you have cleaned the wound and repeat the application with each dressing.
4. Pure Aloe Vera Gel
Unless you have aloe vera plants in your home, human grade pure aloe vera gel should be a mustin the first aid kit for your pet.
This is an ideal product for any skin irritation or dermatitis, although it also has a important repairing action on the skin, therefore, it is an excellent treatment for healing wounds or burns.
5. Bandages, gauze and tape
Cotton bandages and gauze (preferably sterile) are necessary in wound care, since they not only allow bandaging in those cases where it is necessary, but alsoThese products are essential to be able to create a homemade dressing.
For this we will also need adhesive tape, it must be made of hypoallergenic fabric so that our pet's fur can tolerate it without any problem.
6. Cure and measurement material
The following materials are essential to be able to perform first aid properly:
- Thermometer: It must be suitable for veterinary use, resistant and unbreakable, since the temperature must be measured rectally.
- Tweezers: Needed to remove ticks, spikes or other foreign bodies.
- Blunt Scissors: They are scissors with a round tip and are necessary to cut bandages and gauze.
- Plastic syringe: Needed to apply liquids or medications.
- Towels: A cotton towel will be essential to apply cold through compresses in case of inflammation or heat stroke.
Organize the kit
It is just as important that you have everything you need in your first aid kit as it is that this material is well organized and tidy.
In the event that an immediate response is necessary, it is essential that you be able to find what you need simply and quickly, this, for Insignificant as it may seem, it will save you time, and acting quickly is essential in urgent situations.
