The holiday season is just around the corner and for most dog owners it is clear that their beloved four-legged friend is going on a trip with them. What should not be missing is a first-aid kit for the dog. We have put together for you here which things are important for the dog in the first-aid kit so that they can treat small injuries themselves on the go.
Prepare for possible travel stress
Take breaks: During the trip, you should definitely make sure you take enough breaks to drink and exercise. To save space, foldable bowls can be helpful.
Preventing nausea: If your four-legged friend is prone to nausea, it is best to let him start the car journey on an empty stomach (caution with puppies, they should not fast for too long depending on their age). In addition, for example, Nux Vomica can support.
Supporting the immune system: A new environment, long car journeys, or flights can stress our four-legged friends. And stress also makes our dogs more susceptible to diseases. If a trip is imminent, it is, therefore, advisable to take preventive measures, e.g. with biological medicines. These contain herbal ingredients such as milkweed, which increase the body’s defenses and counteract stress.
Air travel: It is also advisable to consult your veterinarian before an upcoming flight. He knows what needs to be considered – especially with regard to vaccinations or examinations that are required in some countries. During the flight, your dog will appreciate a few familiar things, like a toy or favorite blanket.
Holiday location: Before you start your journey, find out where the nearest vet/animal clinic is. So you don’t have to search first in an emergency.
First-aid kit for the dog – take care of small wounds yourself
Many dogs like to go exploring in the forest, in dense undergrowth, or in sandy hollows. It can quickly happen that a sharp stone, a shard, or a splinter gets stuck in the paw and causes an injury. For this you need in your first-aid kit:
- Water or a saline solution to clean the wound;
- Disinfection spray for wound disinfection;
- Tweezers to remove the foreign bodies;
- Wound and healing ointment containing iodine for treating abrasions and small cracks in the paw;
- Sterile gauze pads to cover a bleeding wound and protect against dirt from the outside;
- Elastic bandage and tissue tape to apply and secure a bandage (be careful not to over-tighten elastic bandages!).
Tip: If the injury is in a place with a lot of furs, you can also carefully shorten the area around the wound with blunt scissors. Large, heavily soiled, and/or bleeding wounds should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. He decides whether a bandage is sufficient or whether the wound needs stitches.
First aid for sprains, strains, or lameness
If your dog suddenly becomes paralyzed while walking or no longer wants to walk, it may have torn the ligaments in its leg or sprained its paw, for example. Such a blunt trauma should be clarified as quickly as possible and, if necessary, treated – even on vacation, it is best to consult a veterinarian if the affected joint swells or gets hot and your darling is paralyzed.
Basically, it is important that you first try to immobilize and protect the joint or the affected area. In addition, you can take the following things with you in the first aid kit for the dog for the initial treatment of such injuries:
- Cooling or pain-relieving gels (please do not apply to open wounds!);
- A cold pack (wrapped with a cloth to avoid freezing the skin) or a rag that can be used wet for initial cooling.
Medications that have anti-inflammatory, decongestant, and pain-relieving effects. Here, for example, biological medicines with natural ingredients such as arnica or marigold can be used.
Insect repellent and grooming
When exploring the holiday destination, insects or parasites can become unpleasant travel companions. Insect repellent is therefore an essential part of your dog’s first-aid kit:
- flea and tick collar or a spot-on preparation;
- flea comb;
- tick tongs.
If your dog rubs, rubs, or rolls over and over again, skin irritation can be the cause, which is usually associated with severe itching. Care products with light-colored sulfonated slate oil are of good service here, as the natural substance relieves itching and supports the regeneration of stressed skin.
Other medicines for the first-aid kit for dogs
Of course, the first-aid kit for the dog should also contain a sufficient quantity of important medication that your four-legged friend needs regularly or in certain situations.
This includes:
- Medicines for diarrhea and vomiting;
- Electrolyte drinks to compensate for mineral and fluid loss;
- Painkillers and light sedatives, as well as travel tablets, can be included in the first-aid kit after consultation with the veterinarian;
- Eye drops, as drafts can easily cause conjunctivitis when traveling.
