Malamute First Aid Kit
This is a list of things you might consider for your dog's First Aid Kit. Some items require a veterinary prescription, and the cooperation of your vet to get. However, if you can have them on hand, they can save you precious time getting to a vet or to treat a minor but uncomfortable condition. Especially with the prescription medicines, consult your veteriarian for dosages and before treatment. If your dog requires specific medications, make sure you have an ample supply on hand. This would also be adequate as a disaster preparedness kit as well.
Bare minimum:
- Veterinarian's phone numbers (including closest 24 hr. emergency clinic)
- Sterile gauze pads (3" x 3" and 2" X 2") and gauze bandage rolls (1" and 2")
- First-aid adhesive tape, 1" roll
- Cotton swabs (Q-tips®) and cotton balls
- Tweezers
- Heavy Duty Pliars with cutting edge - to cut through a crate if they get their teeth caught, or pull out porcupine quills
- Scissors
- Plastic freezer/sandwich bags - for fecal samples
- Antibacterial ointment
- Antiseptic cleansing wipes
- Kaopectate® or Pepto-Bismol®
- A current pet first-aid book
- Eyewash
- Eyedropper
- Digital or rectal thermometer in a plastic case
- Leather work gloves (to protect you from being bitten with an upset dog)
- Latex gloves - for the nasty jobs
- Leash
- Peroxide - for bites, to clean up blood, disinfectant
- Cotton swabs or balls
- Muzzle and pantyhose, sheet strips, rope, etc. to muzle or immobilize broken limbs
- Basket muzzle - may be used in place of an e-collar (sometimes works better) and also good for situations where your mal becomes aggressive with another dog or person
- National Animal Poison Control Center (University of Illinois)
217-333-3611
If you have the space add some of this:
- Splint materials (tongue depressor, 12-inch wooden ruler or thick magazine)
- Vet wrap - for the inevitible cuts, scrapes and puncture wounds from fights. Vet wrap holds the gauze/bandage in place better on fur than tape.
- eCollar - to prevent licking of wounds
- SMZ, Sulfamethoxazole - for non-specific diahrrea, giardia, and coccidia
- Canned Pumpkin - for diahrrea
- Can of Salmon or Tuna (for dog that won't eat after hospitalization)
- Mineral oil/Olive oil - for constipation, lubricating possible blockages
- Imodium - diahrrea (with vet approval)
- Benedryl - stings, allergic reactions
- Buffered Aspirin (NEVER Tylenol, acetominophen or Motrin!) and do not use longer than 1 week
- Gas-X - indesgestion, to buy time in a bloat situation
- Crazy Glue - for mending feet and other cuts - works better than stitching sometimes
- Otomax - ear infections
- Bright Flashlight (to look in ears, down throats, etc.)
- Anti-fungal cream (Desenex) - hot spots
- Panacur - Fenbendazole is a medication used to treat infestations with many parasites including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. It may also be used in the treatment of flukes and Giardia. Side effects are rarely seen. In addition to treatment, elimination of parasites must also include proper sanitation and prevention measures to ensure the pet does not become reinfected.
- Droncit for tapeworm - they get tapeworms from fleas and fleas from squirrels and bunnies they've caught
- Bloat needle - in emergency this may save your dogs' life, but know how to use it - if you hit internal organs you can kill the dog
- Large needleless syringe - for administering liquids and medicines - marked with CC's
- Small needleless syringe - for administering medicines (esp. to puppies) - marked with CC's
- Activated Charcoal - for poisoning
- Syrup of Ipecac - to make him vomit, poisoning
- Quick Stop - stop bleeding on nails cut too close
- Meclizine - car sickness for susceptible dogs (Rx)
- Frontline - flea control
- Medicated shampoo - itchy, irritated skin
- Flea shampoo - flea control
- Neomycin Ophthalmic ointment - irritated, infected eyes
- Rescue Remedy - for stress, calming
- Heavy Sheet (to be used as a stretcher for transporting)