Knowing how to perform basic first aid on the animals in our care is essential for all pet care professionals. Once groomers have a good understanding of how to care for pets in the event of an emergency, they should consider assembling a first aid kit to keep at hand. A good basic kit will have items to treat minor injuries on both humans and pets.
While ready-made first-aid kits are available for sale, they are not always put together with the most practical or high-quality items. Gathering the essentials and creating a kit with products you are familiar with is probably the best solution. Most items can be purchased at a well-stocked pharmacy or online.
Your first aid supplies can be stored in something as basic as a cardboard box, but a small to medium-sized tackle, tool, or craft box with a latch and hinges is the most practical and sturdy solution. In addition, the kit should be labeled and stored, so everyone on staff knows where to find it.
The first aid course you take may give you a list of suggested items to keep on hand, but if not, here is a list you may find helpful:
- A first aid manual- to remind you of procedures you don’t feel confident about.
- Gauze pads- These can be used to clean wounds and apply anti-bacterial medication.
- Non-Stick Gauze pads- These can be placed as a base layer on a wound and are easier to remove than regular gauze.
- Gauze tape- to wrap up a wound and hold the non-stick pad in place.
- Rolled gauze- to be used as padding under the tape for specific injuries.
- Self-adhesive tape- (commonly known as “Vet Wrap”) This slightly elasticized tape product adheres to itself and is used as a top layer of bandage. Bonus, it comes in fun colors.
- Saline solution- To rinse eyes if something (like shampoo) gets in them and rinse wounds without damaging the skin.
- Adhesive bandage tape- Useful to have for wrapping specific injuries.
- Scissors- a dedicated pair to stay in your kit is a handy idea.
- Anti-bacterial ointment- for abrasions and minor cuts.
- Hydrogen peroxide- to induce vomiting and clean up blood stains. Do not apply directly to wounds.
- Clotting gel such as Clotit to stop bleeding.
- Muzzles (basket style is best)-A variety of muzzle sizes should be included in the kit. Injured dogs may bite. Basket muzzles allow dogs to pant, which will prevent overheating.
- Small flashlight- to help see minor injuries in tight places (such as between toes.)
- Exam gloves- To keep bacteria from human hands out of wounds and to prevent blood and fluids from contaminating your skin.
- Kennel leash- These small, lightweight leashes can double as a muzzle in a pinch and are good to have on hand if the pet must be transported.
- Pillowcase- a plain pillowcase is excellent to have on hand to wrap and or transport small dogs and cats.
- Thermal blanket (for vet transport)- A thermal blanket can be handy if a pet is shocky and needs to be transported.
Consider this list as suggestions and add or substitute items that you believe will work best for you once you are armed with knowledge from your pet first aid training. With any luck, the thing will collect dust and never have to be used, but as the saying goes, “It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.”
By Daryl Conner, MPS, MCG
Daryl Conner has been devoted to making dogs and cats more comfortable and beautiful for almost 40 years. You can find her happily working at FairWinds Grooming Studio with her daughter and infant granddaughter, or typing away at her latest grooming-related article. Daryl was awarded both a Cardinal Crystal Award and Barkleigh Honors Award for journalism. She shares her meadow-hugged antique Maine farmhouse with her practically perfect husband and too many animals.
