BigT & BigLenny Mission 1: Canine Emergency Kit

 

I can honestly tell you this is not how I envisioned starting my mission with you. I know this topic is not fun and sexy, but it was well received in the forum, is relevant and maybe even educational. Before I hear anything from the peanut gallery. For those in the forum you will see some of the same information I provided before as well as some new information that was not included in that original thread. As Leader and Primary speaker for the Big Boyz Crew we vow to bring you more entertaining content moving forward. 

For those of you who do not know me yet. My name is BigT, I am a OneTigris Samurai, who is disabled with severe degenerative spinal cord injuries resulting in mobility issues. I am lucky though as on good days I am ambulatory with assistive devices for 100-150 feet anything further and I have to use The Chair. With my disability and mobility issues I was paired with a mobility assistance Service Dog, BigLenny aka Partner In Crime (Get yourself a P.I.C. Patch today). It is because of this Big Golden Bear (“BigGoldenBear” Use this Discount Code @ www.onetigris.com) that I have accrued more information than I ever would have imagined on canines. I hope even longtime dog owners can take something new away from this.

For this first mission I will be talking about my Canine Emergency Kit or E Kit. I have tried to break this down to the requisites, so I will cover E Kit Core Items, Canine CPR, and BigLenny’s Small & Large EDC – E Kit’s including what additional items I carry and why. This whole topic is not to scare you. On the contrary this is all about being prepared. It is the same principal as carrying a gun or a condom. I would rather have one and not need one than need one and not have one.

Before even getting into the E Kit. You always want to make sure you have the contact information (location & phone) of your local Vet as well as the nearby Emergency Veterinary Clinics. Given technology if you are planning a trip with your dog, especially a hiking/camping trip it is important to plan ahead and research this information so you already have it with you if you were to need it.

 

Vet & Emergency Vet Hospitals are becoming more common place and should be your FIRST CHOICE if your pet is sick or injured!!!

 

That being said, there are times when we are mapping our own existence and are out of reach of professionals.

 

The following list was created in partnership with my Dr. of Veterinary Medicine and is a culmination of many years of experience with service dogs and contains Dr. BigT’s core items in a canine E Kit. This does not mean your E Kit will not have more or less items in it. It just means use the E Kit core items as a guide to build off of. These core items are essential for how they can assist you in making your dog more comfortable if you ever have an emergency off the beaten path until you can get your dog to a Vet. 

E Kit Core Items:

  • Scissors
  • Triple Antibiotic Ointment – for minor abrasions/cuts.
  • Hydrocortisone Cream – for insect bites and hot spots.
  • Benadryl – generic is Diphenhydramine HCL (1-2 mg/lb. of body weight) for allergic reactions with associated itch, facial swelling, vomiting.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide To Induce Vomiting – (1 Tbsp. per pound of body weight) if ingested antifreeze, chocolate, Tylenol, ibuprofen, rat poison. DO NOT induce vomiting if caustic (ex. acid) or petroleum based toxins. Can repeat above dose if no vomit after 15 min.
  • Bandage Material – 2x2 inch gauze pads, 3x4 inch Tefla (non-stick), 3-4 rolls of Kling/conform bandage, 1-inch cloth tape, 3-inch self-adhering elastic bandage.
  • Rubbing Alcohol – to cool down with heat stroke – apply to feet ears and groin.
  • Eye Irrigating Solution – to rinse eyes, cleanse a wound.
  • Rectal Thermometer – to monitor in case of heat stroke or infection. Dog’s normal temp is 102. In case of heat stroke, stop cooling efforts once you get below 104.
  • Large Towel – to be used as a sling or part of a bandage or splint.
  • Duct Tape – to secure a large bandage or splint.
  • Newspaper – to be used flat as a clean barrier over a large wound or rolled up to act as a splint.
  • Buffered Aspirin/Ascription – for pain relief (10 mg/lb. of body weight).
  • Pepto Bismol – for vomiting/diarrhea (2 Tbs. per 50 lbs. of body weight).

Credit: BigT, OneTigris LiFE Ambassador

(To be continued...)