First aid kit for small dogs: dog first aid

What to do

1. Save your vet's number, the nearest emergency vet and a pet poison line if there is one where you live, and keep a copy of your puppy's health records in the kit.
2. Pack gauze, non-stick dressings, self-sticking bandage wrap, adhesive tape and blunt-ended scissors.
3. Add saline for rinsing eyes and wounds, fine tweezers, disposable gloves, a small flashlight and a needle-free syringe.
4. Include nail clippers, styptic powder, a clean towel, a cone, and a carrier for moving a small dog.
5. Keep a digital thermometer. Take your puppy's temperature once while it's healthy and calm, so you know its normal. Above about 102.5°F (39.1°C) is higher than normal.
6. Pack a small, soft muzzle that fits. Never muzzle a puppy that is vomiting, and take the muzzle off as soon as it's safe, because muzzled dogs can overheat.
7. For toy puppies, keep glucose (dextrose) gel, a sugary syrup or regular honey, not raw honey. It's only for low blood sugar on the way to a vet.

Why

Having the basics and your vet's numbers in one place saves time in an emergency. First aid can help until you reach a vet, but it never replaces one.