by Rachael Joseph

Created on: August 26, 2009   Last Updated: August 27, 2009

Our dog park emergency kit contains a few essential items we could use to stabilize one of our four dogs, or a dog one of ours might injure in the course of a rowdy day at the park or anywhere away from home.

-The telephone number to our local emergency veterinary clinics. Before using any items that need to be ingested, we always call our emergency veterinarian to ask for proper doses (example: Benadryl for a bee sting allergic reaction). We also have the number to let the emergency room know we are on our way after the pet has been stabilized, or should another pet owner at the park need it.

-Hibiclens: This chlorhexadine based, non-stinging cleanser can be used to lightly wash out minor cuts and scrapes. It comes in an 8oz. bottle with a flip-top cap which is the size we prefer. Never squirt anything into a puncture wound, especially in the abdomen or chest because you don't know how deep it is and there is a possibility it could communicate with the chest cavity or internal organs. Just cover it and let your veterinarian know you are on the way.

-Non-stick dressing, roll gauze, and Vet-Wrap: Once you've washed any minor abrasions with Hibiclens, you can place a non-stick pad over it to slow bleeding, wrap lightly in roll gauze, and then wrap with a stretchy bandage like Vet-Wrap. Take care not to wrap too tightly or loosely as a tight bandage will cause the area to swell rapidly and a loose bandage will simply fall off. Any would or bite that requires bandage also requires veterinary attention, so call your veterinarian after you get the bleeding under control and let them know you are on your way.

-Hydrogen Peroxide and a 12cc syringe with needle removed: Hydrogen peroxide can be used to induce vomiting in your dog if given orally. If it's Halloween night and Fluffy finds his way to the entire pail of Halloween candy, H2O2 can be used at a tablespoon per 10 pounds to induce vomiting. If the dog doesn't vomit after 15 minutes, the administration of peroxide can be repeated ONCE. If your pet ingests something oil based or something you are unsure of, please call your veterinarian before inducing vomiting. Some rodenticides effects can be made worse if vomiting is induced and your veterinarian needs to develop another treatment plan. Either way, after your pet vomits (or not) you need to bring your pet to the veterinarian so thongs like IV fluids and activated charcoal can be administered to absorb the toxins. Never try to get a cat to ingest hydrogen peroxide

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