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  • It's Important to be prepared for emergencies with our pets, especially when away from home.

    This is a brief overview of what a canine first aid kit should contain. I recommend having 2, one for home & one in your vehicle.


Key Components of a Canine First Aid Kit

Basic Supplies

  • Gauze Pads and Rolls: Essential for controlling bleeding and protecting wounds.

  • Adhesive Tape: Vet Wrap, Helps secure gauze and dressings in place & make an emergency muzzle if needed.

  • Gloves, kitchen towel, Wet wipes (for cleaning up)


Medical Supplies

  • Antiseptic Wipes or Spray: Vital for cleaning wounds and preventing infections. I use Leucillin spray & always have several bottles of different sizes handy.

    Can be used to flush wounds & as an eye wash too ( I've used it on myself)

  • Antibiotic Ointment: Helps prevent infection on cuts and scrapes.

  • Probiotic Paste: Such as Pro-Kolin+. Useful for soothing upset stomachs.


Tools and Equipment

  • Tweezers: Ideal for removing ticks, splinters, or other foreign objects.

  • Scissors: Necessary for cutting bandages or fur away from injuries.

  • Tick Remover: Even if you never need it an essential item.

  • Digital Thermometer: Allows you to check your dog's temperature during emergencies.


Advanced Care Items

Emergency Medications

  • Benadryl: Can be helpful to control allergic reactions but should be dosed carefully.


First Aid Manual

  • Pet First Aid Guide: Cements basic knowledge and provides instructions on how to perform first aid. Even better find a first aid course to attend locally as well.


Storage and Maintenance

Choosing a Bag or Container

  • Durable, Waterproof Container: Ensures all supplies stay safe and dry.

  • Easy to Transport: A portable kit is useful during road trips or excursions.


Regular Checks

  • Expiration Dates: Check medical supplies and replace any expired products.

  • Restocking: Ensure all items are readily available after each use.


Don't forget

  • Always have you vet on speed dial including out of hours emergency number.

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Writer's picture: K9 Capers K9 Capers

How many of you use one of these when you walk your dog?

Every day I see owners using them, totally oblivious to the damage they can do & the issues they can cause to other walkers & their dogs. People pull up in the car park of my local park, and throw open the boot & before the dog has even jumped out they are launching balls in all directions, regardless of other people & dogs in the area. They do not consider their dog at risk of physical injury due to such activity when they haven't been properly warmed up.


As well as the physical injury, there's a risk of obsessive behaviour, especially in herding breeds, which can become fixated on chasing a ball over everything else. The whole walk for them revolves around chasing a ball.


Owners of active/high-drive breeds seem to believe that physical exercise is needed to tire their dogs out. This just isn't the case, whilst all dogs need exercise to keep them physically fit, mental exercise is far more tiring. Hiding a toy, or ball for them to find during their walk, allows the dog to use its natural senses to locate it, rather than running wildly back & forth. As for other owners, having another dog running flat out toward you in pursuit of a ball is worrying. It's also highly dangerous. What if you're walking an old, reactive, nervous dog or puppy in training? How do they feel about another dog racing in their direction? Whilst a game of fetch with your dog is great fun, don't let it become obsessive, dangerous, or a substitute for proper exercise & mental stimulation.




I'm adding links to some excellent articles on the subject

The Veterinary Perspective from the Canine Arthritis Management Team HERE

National Institute for Canine Ethics HERE Theo Stewart - Dog Behaviourist HERE Gina Pink KCAI HERE
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Writer's picture: K9 Capers K9 Capers

Fireworks

Firework season will be upon us again before we know it. November 5th is on a Sunday this year, Diwali falls on Sunday, 12 Nov New Year's Eve also falls on a Sunday . Some dogs get really worried by the noise, smells & flashes.... but with a little preparation & effort on your part, it can be a lot easier for them. If you have a puppy, or young dog, with no prior experience of fireworks, you have a blank canvas with which to work. Your dog can be taught that fireworks are a positive, rewarding thing !!! Firstly.....prepare.

Check microchip details & I.D tags are up to date ( if the worst happens & a scared dog escapes they are much easier to reunite) Ensure your dog is walked before dusk, but be alert to possible daytime fireworks. Draw the curtains earlier. Raise the volume on TV's & radios slightly. Pop the heating up a wee bit higher. Feed a meal higher in carbs....it has the effect of us eating a heavy meal & just wanting to snooze. (Sweet potato is ideal for this, boiled & mashed, it's a natural calmer) Try & keep everything as normal as possible. Whenever I have a pup or young dog, at the 1st sound of fireworks I start a training session indoors, loads of treats, lots of praise, doing things the dog knows well (this isn't the time to try & teach a new behaviour) If your dog stops & listens, that's completely normal (Don't forget their hearing is incredibly sensitive) If they want to run off & hide, let them. If they want to go outside & watch, let them, as long as it's safe for them & they are free to come back in (Go outside with them) All dogs react differently !! Older dogs that may have been ok all their lives, can react as they get older. It's because of changes in their hearing. They lose mid-range ability & only hear really high, or really low sounds (Making fireworks & thunderstorms more audible.) START NOW Preparation really is the key to avoiding a stressed pet. The Zylkene website HERE has some excellent, free sound resources, which you can play to accustom your pet to the noise & create a positive association. Zylkene is made from natural ingredients & helps relax pets at times they are finding stressful. An ADAPTIL collar or diffuser is another option, which works the same way. Many people also swear by music to calm their dogs. There are lots of free options online THIS is a good one (tested by my own dogs) If over the counter products aren't working, or your dog has been scared & anxious in previous years, please see your vet as early as possible. By taking the stress away a dog can eventually overcome its fear.

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