Emergency First Aid Pack

[Indy]

I do a lot of mantrailing with Bandit and I also spend a lot of time with him in very rural areas. It's dawned on me that I don't carry an emergency first aid kit for him, and for me for that matter. If he needs first aid at home I just bob into the horse first aid drawers.

I don't want to become a state of the art mobile hospital I'm just thinking about in an emergency so I can get him safely to a vet. What would you realistically carry in an emergency first aid kit? This is what I've come up with

Tape
Vetwrap
Dressing
Scissors
Tick remover
Muzzle
Tweezers
Adder kit? (maybe)
Surgical wipes
TCP/Dettol
Sterile water pod things

Anything else you think might be useful

 

[Titchy Pony]

Not a specialist - I still haven't made up my own 1st aid kit - but recently did a course with a vet who recommended first of all a thermometer as one of the highest risks to dogs is overheating and you need the thermometer to be sure you've got the dog back to the correct temperature. I don't think adder kits work very well on dogs. You could replace the muzzle with a soft piece of rope if you want to save space.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Wound powder
Botanica/Leucillin/silver spray rather than TCP or Dettol.
I used to keep spray plaster too but didn't realise how incredibly stingy it was until I used it on myself

 

[AmyMay]

I bought a small one to carry around in my back pack. It’s got everything in it for emergency care when out and about (including a foil blanket).

 

[skinnydipper]

Steri-Strips, if you have a dog with a fine coat and thin skin like a sighthound.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I would add in antihistamines in case of stings etc.

 

[Goldenstar]

I would add in antihistamines in case of stings etc.

And adder bites I always have this in my pocket in the hills especially at this time of year .

 

[paisley]

Some sort of paw boot, although I bought a pair of baby socks that fitted very well . I like a roll of Soffban for padding if bandaging. And I use the saline eye wash you can get in boots for wounds, sterile and cheap!

 

[Morwenna]

I bought a small one to carry around in my back pack. It’s got everything in it for emergency care when out and about (including a foil blanket).

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I have something very similar and added some piriton and sachet of electrolyte mix.

 

[AmyMay]

I have something very similar and added some piriton and sachet of electrolyte mix.

Brilliant idea. Will make a note to add the same.

 

[druid]

Wound dressing stuff - for me that is some packages of ready made prediluted wound flush sachets (sterile hibitane flush) melonin, soffban, gauze conform banage, vetwrap, elastikon and Duct tape - will cover most issues.
A decent multitool including wire nippers. Will double as scissors etc.
Overheating stuff - thermomemeter, instant cold packs, sufficent readily available water, electrolyte powder.
Allergy/bite/sting - antihistamines, tweezers, tick remover
Honey or glucose gel sachets.
Pawz boots in the relavant size

All of that should fit in a small zip bag without issue and easily carried.

 

[oldandgold]

Following this with interest - what would go into an adder kit?

Last year when we were on holiday, walking through woods we found an adder sunning itself on the path. Fortunately our dog saw it before we did and she swerved around it and it didn't move.

 

[Indy]

I bought a small one to carry around in my back pack. It’s got everything in it for emergency care when out and about (including a foil blanket).

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I think I'd probably like to make my own up. I could use the horses 1st aid drawer for a lot of stuff and then buy and add the other things I haven't got

 

[AmyMay]

I think I'd probably like to make my own up. I could use the horses 1st aid drawer for a lot of stuff and then buy and add the other things I haven't got

It was as cheaper to buy the kit tbh.

 

[SOS]

Sounds like a good kit! Note: some antihistamines are not suitable for dogs.

A foil blanket is good to have to keep them warm should they be in shock following a trauma.

I can’t think of anything convenient to carry as a splint but that’s another. If you’re caught far away and there is a suspected fracture they won’t take too kindly to being carried with it unstable.

Not for the kit but a collar tag with your contact details on and an emergency contact. Obviously the former is a legal requirement but the latter may help should someone else finding him when you’re in a place with poor signal. You could use a tracker on him to negate this risk but I dont know enough about them to advise on one that would be suitable for a very rural situation.

 

[Indy]

It was as cheaper to buy the kit tbh.

I've just had a look and it's cheaper than I thought it was going to be so now I'm thinking I could use it as a base and add to it.