A First Aid kit for your dog

Just like with humans, there are various situations in everyday life in which your dog can injure itself unprepared, no matter how careful you are as a dog owner. To make it easier for you in the event of an accident, we have put together a list of things you can do and buy at home to be as prepared as possible.

The first thing you should do to prepare yourself is to find out the phone number of the nearest 24-hour veterinary clinic. Save the number in your mobile phone so that you can easily find it in the event of a serious accident.

You can also prepare yourself by creating a small first-aid kit with things that are useful for minor injuries and that you can take care of yourself. Here is a list of things you should have at home:

Compresses

Sterile compresses are used for wound care. They can reduce the risk of infection by cleaning fluid, colonised and infected wounds.

Cotton, preferably on a roll

Cotton is used for wound care and dressings. It is impact and pressure resistant under elastic bandages. Cotton also collects fluid from the wound.

Self-adhesive wrapping

Adhesive tapes are used to hold dressings in place.

Saline solution

Saline solution can be used, for example, to rinse dirt from wounds or skin diseases or to rinse eyes or ears. Saline solution does not sting when used. You can buy ready-mixed saline solution from the pharmacy or make it yourself. The advantage of a ready-mix is that you can store it at home for a long time. Self-mixed mixtures should not be kept for longer than 24 hours.

Chlorhexidine solution

Chlorhexidine can be used to clean and disinfect wounds. The solution kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria. Be sure to read the package leaflet before use.

It's important that you don't just use any disinfectant to clean your dog's wounds, as some products intended for humans should not be used on animals. Products containing Octenidine , such as the Octenisept wound disinfectant spray, should never be used to treat your dog's wounds, just like any other antiseptic products of this brand, as it can lead to tissue damage when used on deeper wounds. In the worst case scenario, this can lead to necrosis, i.e. the death of the tissue in question.

Fluid replacement for dogs

Just like humans, dogs can also suffer from fluid loss. If you exercise a lot with your dog, especially on warmer days, your dog's fluid balance may need to be restored. You can also give your dog a fluid replacement if he has been ill or had diarrhoea to restore its body. Fluid supplements for dogs are available as a powder in a sachet either from your vet or from a pharmacy.

Neck collar/ Pet Cone

A neck collar reduces the risk of your dog biting, licking or scratching wounds or injuries.

Thermometer

The normal temperature of a dog is around 38-39 degrees, and you measure the temperature in the dog's anal opening.

Plasters for the dog

Your dog can also injure itself, which is why it makes sense to have plasters at home for it too.