With the weather getting nicer, this is an optimal time to start going on more adventures with your favorite fur-friend. From traveling, to hiking, having a pet first aid kit on hand can be extremely helpful.
Things to keep in your emergency kit would be:
-Water and water bowl for hydration: My favorite are the squeezy water bottles that allow you to give your dog water, without wasting what they don't drink. To encourage more water intake on hot days, you can mix the water with broth to make it more exciting. Did you know that on hot days, water can be used as a motivational reward? Some dogs are less likely to eat treats during extreme activities.
-Menthol alcohol: Rubbing on paw pads during early signs of heat exhaustion can help reduce the impacts of heat stroke. Because dogs sweat through their paw pads, the menthol gives fast cooling relief and can aid in keeping your dog nice and cool. This is a must-have to help keep your dog safe while having fun in the SC heat.
-Lemon juice: During heat stroke, dogs start to foam at the mouth. This foam blocks their airway making it challenging for them to breathe. A shot of lemon juice can help clear the airway and help them breathe at a faster rate. Having lemon juice in your emergency kit can help not only save your dog but others as well!
-Pet carrier evac backpacks: If you love to hike with your dog, I would say this safety tool is a must! You never know when a bad injury can occur and you should be prepared to carry your dog back if you are out on long hikes. For me, my biggest fear of having cold weather huskies is that one day they may have heat exhaustion, and I want to make sure that if ever needed, I could carry my dog back to safety. I got my carry backpack after my dog almost stepped on a copperhead as we were several miles into a hike. I realized if I had to have carried her home, we probably wouldn't have made it to the veterinarian in time. After I got it, I suggested this device to a client who travels and hikes with her bulldog and it came in handy one day out on the trails, she thanked me for giving this piece of advice as it saved her dog's life. If you have a larger dog and you go hiking a lot, I highly suggest having a K9 emergency evac carrier backpack to aid you on your journey back to safety.
-Protection aids: Such as mace, airhorn, ultrasonic remote, or a taser can come in handy in many situations. As your dog's advocate, you should be prepared to handle any situation that comes your way. These protection aids have protected both my pack and clients when out in public.
-Extra leashes/collars: I always keep extra leashes on me, it can be helpful for preventing dogs from entering your space if you swing it like a lasso to create space from off leash dogs. Leashes can also be used to stop dog fights, if a dog is latched on, pulling them off your dog can do more damage than good. Utilizing the leash to cut off their air supply is the quickest and safest way to get the dog to unlatch their bite. It can be used to stop bleeding if needed as well. Having an additional collar is always helpful. I once had a dog break through their plastic buckle but luckily I had an extra collar on hand.
-Pet medical first aid kits: Alcohol, gauze, medical tape, tweezers et. These kits have everything you need to keep your or your pup safe when the unexpected happens. I had my kit unopened in my car for over three years before I needed to use it, but I was so grateful that I had it on hand when the time of need came.
Keep your dog safe all year long by being prepared!
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