Building a First Aid Kit

My background is a bit different than many of the dog handlers on the SportDOG® ProStaff. I’m a tactical paramedic. I work with law enforcement and service dogs. In fact, I’ve never hunted with dogs. However, I’ve trained explosive-detection canines, and I specialise in cadaver dogs. Today, I teach canine handlers and emergency medical responders how to care for and treat dogs in emergency situations.

My emphasis is on dealing with injuries in the field, and the number one goal is to stabilise the dog until you can seek professional treatment. My canine first aid kit reflects this goal. With that in mind, one point I like to emphasise up front is that in an emergency, don’t be afraid to be a “MacGyver.” In other words, as long as what you are doing is working, it’s probably a good idea.

My canine first aid kit is also my personal first aid kit, because a kit for a dog is basically the same thing as a kit for a person. Most of the supplies have crossover use. When you think of it that way, it takes some of the mystery out of preparing for emergencies. One thing you don’t want to share, though, is a thermometer, because we take a dog’s temperature rectally! Many canine health emergencies are related to hyperthermia (too hot) or hypothermia (too cold), so that’s why the thermometer is so important. See my previous article on dealing with heat-related emergencies.

Whilst the contents of a first aid kit might vary somewhat due to personal preferences, my advice is to start with your own personal kit and then add to it. If you already have a kit, I’d guess it includes plasters, tweezers, some compression bandage and some sort of antiseptic. Build on that. Again, there’s no reason to have two kits. Add that thermometer I mentioned, or better yet, add two. I suggest adding some extra gauze as well.

Some other contents I never leave home without include superglue and duct tape. If they can duct tape a NASCAR car together, you can certainly duct tape a dog. It’s cheap and it’s readily available. If your dog is cut up and you need to close him up right now, duct tape is probably a good option. You don’t need to buy expensive medical tape. It might not even stick in a situation where your dog is soaking wet, but duct tape sticks to pretty much everything.

Hydrogen peroxide is another good crossover item. It's used for cleaning wounds, but if your dog ingests something that it shouldn't, it also induces vomiting in canines. Use caution, though, because once you induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide, there is no off switch. The dog is going to be sick until it's sick everything up. Still, if you're not sure what the dog just ate and you have a suspicion, it's probably best not to risk your dog. I know I won't. I'm going to make him be sick up everything he ate. Be sure to consult with your vet about the proper use of hydrogen peroxide in emergency situations.

Rubbing alcohol is another item that has double purpose. It can clean wounds, and you can use it to help cool your dog down because it evaporates faster than water, making it ideal in humid environments.

You can use human medication on dogs, too. Bear in mind when administering medication to dogs; they are like a 7-year-old with an extremely fast metabolism. The medicine is absorbed and goes through their system quicker than in adults. Again, check with your vet so you understand the effects of various medicines and the correct dosages. Paediatric Benadryl is something I always carry. It's excellent for mild allergic reactions. The usual dose for dogs is 1 mg per pound, up to a maximum of 50 mg. The paediatric pills come in 25 mg doses, so most hunting dogs will probably get two pills.

I also keep buffered aspirin in my pack for pain. For dogs, it has to be buffered and it can only be used for short-term treatment. Long-term use can create ulcers in the dog’s stomach. Again, this is just for the short term to help the dog get through the pain on the way to the hospital.

Below is my basic first aid checklist. You may want to add to it, but with this basic list you are ready for short-term emergencies, both for yourself and your dog.

First Aid Check List

• Thermometer
• Travel size bottle of rubbing alcohol
• Travel size bottle of hydrogen peroxide
• Neosporin
• Several sizes of gauze pads (sterile and non-sterile)
• Duct tape
• Medical tape
• Trauma pad
• Super glue
• Alcohol prep pads
• Band-Aids
• Veterinary self-cling wrap
• Trauma shears
• Multi-tool with needle-nose pliers
• Knife
• Pediatric Benadryl
• Buffered aspirin
• Israeli pressure dressing (a great add-on option that can be found online)