(Dean Golja)

Emergencies can occur anytime and being prepared just in case, is the best thing you can do for your pet. Having a first-aid kit ready will help to reduce anxiety in the case of an emergency happening. Keep the kit readily available and periodically check to make sure all the items are up to date and present. A small plastic toolbox or fishing tackle box works well to hold all the necessary equipment. Make sure all of your household members know where the kit is, and how to use it.

On the outside of the box, write your name, address and telephone number in case you lose it. Also include the telephone number of your veterinarian as well as the telephone number of a local veterinary emergency facility. The more information you have on your kit, the more likely you are to get it back if it gets lost.

If someone is taking care of your pets while you're away, be sure to discuss your pets with them. Make sure they understand what you consider an emergency, how to contact you, the name and phone number of a secondary contact person you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you were unavailable, your vet’s name, and where to take your pet in case of an emergency. You may want to consider leaving a credit card number to pay for any unplanned expenses relating to your pet's health, but do not write this information on the kit itself.

Once the emergency information is complete, it's a good idea to have separate information sheets for each pet. Include a photo of each pet with the name, age, breed, sex, identification (micro chipping information, tattoos, etc.), and any health problems. This can help if your pet is lost or if someone unfamiliar with your pet is needed to care for him, and save valuable time in treatment.

Taking the time to have a well stocked, first aid kit, complete with accurate pet files can make an emergency situation easier to handle for everyone involved –including your pet-. Be responsible, and set one up for your home/car today!

A well-stocked first aid kit for dogs includes:

o Oral syringeso Pediolyte® or other balanced electrolyte fluido Baby food – meat flavors work besto Large towelo Exam gloveso 1 inch white tape (in addition to gauze tape)o Rolls of elastic wrapo Emergency ice packo Thermometer (both oral and rectal thermometers can be used rectally)o Roll cottono Some cotton ballso Gauze padso Gauze tapeo Hydrogen peroxide (check the expiration date)o Hydrocortisone ointmento Scissorso Eyewasho Silver nitrateo Tweezers

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