Below is a list of what a well regarded web site considers to be a first aid kit for you pet.

I don't know about you but I don't have that much stuff in my own first aid kit at home let alone for the dogs.

So lets simplify it a bit and admit that you aren't going to be doing major surgery at home. First aid is exactly what it says - the aid given first - which suggests there will be a second aid - mostly delivered by your vet.

The aims of first aid are to keep you and your pet safe until you can get to second aid at the same time as not interfering with the delivery of that second aid.

 So here is our list of what you might realistically need.

Remember this isnt a medicine cabinet like the table above. It is a list of things that are useful in an emergency. I know what you are thinking - where is the disinfectant? Where are the anti histamines for the potentially fatal allergic reaction?  Where are the antibiotics?

We are talking about first aid not secondary aid - keeping your pet alive and preparing them as well as possible for secondary aid given by us. But to answer the questions above. Most disinfectants used by humans like dettol are nasty for animals. In almost 20 years of being a vet I have never seen a fatal allergic reaction. The use of antibiotics is not first aid.

Let me give you some examples.

Trauma - is one of the most common emergency situations we come across. Dogs and cats being hit by cars is extremely common and fractures and open wounds are the consequence. First step is to restrain the stressed, nervous and in pain animal. This is best one with a cat carrier or applying the leash and placing the dog on a blanket or towel then placing a towel over them to make it dark and quiet and also to help protect you from a bite.

If there is bleeding a moistened tea towel is as good a dressing as you will find and hold it in place with a bandage. If there is an obvious fracture dont attempt to splint it yourself. Get the dog or cat to the clinic as quickly as possible.

Poisoning - with the exception of caustic substances such as draino, petroleum products etc vomiting is generally indicated for animals who have been poisoned fo that exposure to the injested substance is decreased. 5 ml of 5% of hydrogen peroxide or one flake of washing soda given orally is enough to induce vomiting within 5 minutes.  

Snakebite - Australian snakes cause little swelling or discomfort at the site of the bite so it can be hard to know if your pet has been bitten. A wobbly gait, dilated eyes, vomiting, fainting, salivation, floppiness and death are all signs of snake envenomation. A constriction bandage is the recognised first aid for limbs with people however without being able to identify the bite site in most cases, first aid generally consists of getting to the vet immediately.

Seizures - Remain calm. Do not put your hand in your pet's mouth. This will not help your pet and you may be bitten. (Contrary to popular belief, your pet will not swallow his tongue.) To prevent injury to your pet, remove nearby sharp or hard objects (e.g.; tables and chairs). If your pet is on a couch or human bed, lower your pet to the floor, if it can be done safely. This will avoid any injury from falls.Remove children and other pets from the area. Observe your pet closely. Call your veterinarian if the seizure lasts more than 3 minutes, or if your pet has one seizure right after another. Severe and long seizures are a medical emergency and can be fatal.

SEEK IMMEDIATE ATTENTION 

·     Inability to breath: noisy respiration blue tongue, gasping for air. Open mouth breathing in cats

·     Bleeding that does not stop: after you have applied pressure

·     Inability to urinate or move bowels: straining and continued efforts

·     Inability to deliver pups or kittens: keeps trying or has stopped trying and it has been 2 hours or more since last one was produced.

·     Vomiting, diarrhoea or urination: with any amount of blood

·     Loss of balance or consciousness: includes tremors, coma, staggering, convulsions and feinting

·     Penetrating wound: any place but especially of the chest or abdomen

·     Bloated abdomen: if your pet has just eaten and the abdomen is distended and uncomfortable.

·     Poisoning: if you suspect your pet has eaten or come in to contact with some poison

·     Injury: with continuous pain and/or total lameness

·     Any other serious sign: such as eye out of socket, exposed bone

SEEK SAME DAY ATTENTION 

·      Vomiting and diarrhoea: with no blood, pain and no unusual contents

·      Difficulty breathing: with or without coughing, animal is not frantic and able to still eat and drink.

·      Sudden lameness: especially if there was no apparent cause

·      Swallowed object: even if you think your pet has not swallowed it

·      Severe itching: with self mutilation causing body sores.

·      Strange odour or discharges: arising from any part of the body usually due to severe infections

·      Burns: caused by either heat or chemicals, if extensive get immediate attention

·      Injuries: especially to eyes

SAFE TO WAIT OVERNIGHT 

·      Vomiting and/or diarrhoea: if only mild then stop foods until able to bring your pet to the clinic.  Water must be still freely available.

·      Itching: mild to moderate, not continuous, with no skin damage.

·      Lameness: that comes and goes with little or no pain

·      Thirst and urination: excessive drinking and/or urination with no blood, no straining, no discomfort.  Try and get a urine sample to bring with you.

·     Loss of appetite: skipped one meal and no other signs of illness.