Pet First Aid - Jersey Shore Animal Center

always be prepared

Your pet first aid kit should include the following:

Latex gloves
Gauze sponges (available at most pharmacies) in a variety of sizes
Roll gauze – 2” width
Roll bandages, such as gauze wrap that stretches and clings. These are available in most pharmacies, pet stores or pet catalogs
Material to make a splint. This can include pieces of wood, newspaper and sticks
Hypo-allergenic adhesive tape
Non-adherent sterile pads. These make excellent dressings
Small scissors
Grooming clippers (available in pet stores and pet catalogs) or a safety razor
Nylon leash – at least one
Towel(s)
Muzzle. A cage muzzle is ideal, but a soft collapsible one may be more convenient. Get one you already know fits your pet. If you do not want to purchase one, at least have enough roll gauze to improvise.
Compact thermal blanket or regular blanket
Pediatric rectal thermometer (may be digital)

Water based sterile lubricant (will wash off easily)
Three (3%) percent hydrogen peroxide (please check the expiration date).
Isopropyl rubbing alcohol
Over-the-counter topical ointment
Epsom salts
Baby dose syringe or eyedropper (non-glass). These are available at your local pharmacy or baby section of your grocery store.
Sterile eye lubricant
Sterile saline eye wash
Diphenhydramine, appropriate for your pet’s size, if approved by your veterinarian. This will have an expiration date.
Glucose paste or corn syrup.
Styptic powder or pencil. This can be found in your local pharmacy, pet supply store or through pet catalogs.
Expired credit cards to scrape away stingers.
Petroleum jelly
Penlight
Clean cloth
Needle nose plyers

Courtesy of Bobbie Mammato, DVM, MPH, member of the American Red Cross, Humane Society of the United States, Mosby-Year Books, 1997.