by Jenn Hughes

Created on: July 08, 2009   Last Updated: July 15, 2009

Most of us realize that it makes good sense to have a first-aid kit for humans handy. This is especially true for camping, hiking, and sporting events.

The same holds true for your four-legged friend. Fido needs a first-aid kit too. While some of the items will be the same as those in the human kit, it is best to be prepared for a canine emergency as well. This is particularly true for those of us who participate in canine sports such as flyball, agility, or lure coursing.

Here are some of the items your dog's first aid kit should contain:

Gauze sponges -a package of 50 four-by-four inch sponges, usually these come two per envelope; Triple antibiotic ointment (you can get the generic human version at almost any drugstore); Rubbing alcohol; Ear syringe (two ounce capacity); Ace self-adhering athletic bandage Three-inch width sanitary napkins(these can be invaluable in binding a larger wound): Disposable razor; White petroleum jelly (Vaseline or similar); Eye wash sterile spray Contact lens saline, non preserved (doubles as a wound irrigant) Sterile, non-adherent pads Sterile cotton swabs Elastikon Tape Pepto Bismol tablets Motion sickness tablets (bonine) Generic Benadryl capsules - 25mg, for allergies and bee or insect sting Hydrocortisone acetate - one percent cream Sterile stretch gauze bandage - three inches by four yards Buffered aspirin (not enteric coated) First aid tape Hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting when appropriate Kaopectate tablets (maximum strength) Bandage scissors Custom splints or chopsticks which can be used in combo with vet wrap as splints Vet Wrap bandage Blanket which can double as a stretcher Disposable Mylar survival blanket Tweezers Muzzle Slip lead that can double as a spare lead if you find a stray dog Hemostats Digital thermometer and sheath Ziploc bags Compact First Aid Book if you need it

Some people, if they know they will be at an event where a veterinarian is likely to be present may also carry:

Suture Finer Surgical scissors Surgical glue

It is also important to make sure you are carrying paperwork on the dog, including the dog's health record, medications, local and national poison control numbers, regular veterinary clinic hours and telephone numbers, and emergency clinic hours and telephone number.

Hopefully, you will never need to use any of these items, but they can potentially make the difference in life or death for your dog if you run into trouble.

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