First Aid Kits:
-Vets phone number as well as emergency cell and 24 hr emergency clinic number
-Copies of vaccination records
-Rectal thermometer (not glass)~normal temp is between 100-102.5..... (you may want to consider taking your pets temp when it is healthy for a baseline.)
-Dog first aid guide (This should be the first thing you acquire. Your vet or local book store will certainly carry these. Remember to read it before you need it!)
-Blanket (This may be necessary to retain heat if your Dane is going into shock. It is also a very handy tool to move your Dane if your Dane can’t move itself. Also makes a good body sling for hoisting into a vehicle)
-Tweezers (Handy for splinters, cleaning debris out of wounds etc)
-Scissors (Cut bandages and wraps)
-Antiseptic wipes (to clean tools)
-Iodine Wash (to clean wounds, cuts)
-Polysporin (or other over the counter antibiotic ointment to prevent onset of infection in cuts, abrasions etc)
-Povidine Iodine ointment (infection prevention for burns)
-Cotton gauze pads (to cover wounds)
-Cotton gauze wraps 3” (to secure gauze pads)
-Vetwrap (a flexible bandage that adheres to itself. Used to stabilize injuries)
-Hydrogen Peroxide~to clean wounds, (mixed with equal amounts of water...straight peroxide may cause irritation)
-Oral medication syringe
-Small syringe for flushing wounds
-Benadryl~ for stings/bites
-Styptic powder
-Instant Ice compress (to try and control swelling for bone injuries)
-Peptobismal (or similar product for upset stomach)
-Imodium (diarrhea)
-Aspirin---A child dosage is recommended and never give tylenol or an anti inflammatory such as Ibuprofen. Both these medications are poisonous for your Dane.
-Bloat Kit
As all responsible Dane slaves know, bloat is an ongoing concern for this breed and if anything can be classed as a medical emergency, this stomach twisting is it. If your Dane starts to bloat, you may only have about 30 minutes to get emergency medical attention. After that, the condition may become fatal. Of course, there is no option other than emergency medical attention – surgery is often required to untwist the stomach. And if there is a 24/7 animal emergency hospital near you (i.e. within 15 minutes) a bloat kit is not necessary.
But if you don’t have access to this kind of support, a bloat first aid kit should be considered. It should only be used in extreme situations, but if the alternative is watching your Dane die, it isn’t a hard decision to make.
The best person to see about building a bloat kit is, of course, your vet. It should include:
-Instructions
-2” needle (used for gas release if gastric tubing cannot be inserted into stomach)
-Rolled gastric tubing cut and measured to each individual dog. One end should be tapered with two holes cut in sides just above the end
-Nylon Stocking (to make a muzzle)
-2” roll of medical tape (inserted into mouth to stabilize for the muzzle. The tubing is inserted through the hole in the tape roll and then down the throat. This ensures your dane can’t bite down on the tube and therefore prevent insertion. Another option is a block of wood with a hole drilled through it.)
-Water soluble lubricant
-Antacids
Also to Keep in Your Car if Your Dane Travels With You:
-Extra leash
-Paper and pen in case your dog is attacked and you need to write down info
-Benadryl
-Small bowl for water
Be Prepared! Dog first aid isn’t a subject that many casual dog owners have spent much time trying to learn. But it’s important. Not only will prompt attention often mean avoiding big vet bills by preventing a condition from developing into something more serious, but in cases of more severe trauma a bit of knowledge and the right material will help stabilize your Dane until you get him/her proper attention.
Hopefully we never have to use our kit. But it’s there if we ever need it. Yours should be too.