Tulsa Emergency Vet Explains Top 11 Items to Include in a Pet First Aid Kit

First aid kits are a given for your family, but what about your four-legged family members? Accidents and emergencies never happen at a convenient, expected time, so it’s important to be prepared. As your Tulsa emergency vet, it’s our goal to help pet parents through all types of stressful situations. Whether you need care for your pet or advice about what to do next, we’re here for you.

A pet first aid kit can be situated right next to the first aid kit for the rest of the family and should include*:

• Phone numbers for your pet’s primary veterinarian, our emergency vet hospital, and the Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435)**
• Rolls of gauze
• Non-stick bandages and towels, or strips of clean cloth
• Adhesive tape for bandages (do not use Band-Aid brand or other human bandage brands)
• Activated charcoal or milk of magnesia for absorbing poison (Disclaimer: Please contact a veterinary professional before administering activated charcoal or milk of magnesia to your pet)
• Hydrogen peroxide (3%) to induce vomiting (contact us or the Animal Poison Control Center before administering hydrogen peroxide to your pet)
• A digital “fever” thermometer (pets have naturally higher body temperatures than we do, and a fever thermometer’s scale goes higher)
• A large syringe without a needle, or an eye dropper to flush out wounds or provide oral treatment
• Muzzle
• Leash for transporting your pet to the hospital (if they can walk)
• A stretcher for stabilizing your pet following an injury and to prevent further injury during transport

*List referenced from the American Veterinary Medical Association

**You may be charged a fee for your call.

Memorize all phone numbers and keep the pet first aid kit stored in a place that’s easy to reach in a time of need. If there are any items you’re unfamiliar with, please contact us for help at (918) 665-0508!