A First Aid Kit For Your Dogs

Keep a canine first aid kit on hand for general care and emergencies.

Check it periodically to make sure liquids have not spilled or dried up, and replace medications and materials after they are used. Your kit should include:

- activated charcoal tablets
- adhesive tape (1 and 2 inches wide)
- antibacterial ointment (for skin and eyes)
- aspirin (buffered or enteric coated, not Ibuprofen or acetaminophen)
- Bandages: gauze rolls (1 and 2 inches wide) and dressing pads
- Cotton balls
- Diarrhea medicine
- Dosing syringe
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%)
- Petroleum jelly
- Rectal thermometer
- Rubber gloves
- Rubbing alcohol
- Scissors
- Tourniquet
- Towel
- Tweezers

Sometimes a dog exhibits no greater signs that something is different than increased lethargy, weight gain and even a poor coat. It may be time to consider checking the dog’s thyroid levels for a possible hypothyroid condition.

Low thyroid most commonly results in a poor coat and skin and eventual infertility in an intact male or female. A thyroid test will indicate what levels of the function of the thyroid are low and whether daily thyroid medication should be given.