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Something which I haven't seen many people have or even talk about is first aid kits for pets. I'm sure you have some first aid bits and pieces around for yourself or your family to help take care of minor things yourself or to use until you can get to the hospital or while waiting for an ambulance. So why not have one for your pet?
As someone who has owned numerous different animals over the years, I've often found myself in situations where a pet has had a minor injury or something that doesn't need a vet right away yet have nothing to help them. I believe a first aid kit is really important.
There are several times that I have reached for the first aid kit not just for my own animals, but for others pets too. It's quite versatile and can be a life saver so I thought I'd share what I have.
If you are just dealing with dry skin, rubbing a tiny amount of olive oil on the area can help as well as adding flaxseed, also know as linseed, to their diet. However, if you are unsure, do not treat at home.
I hope you have found this useful and maybe even gets you thinking about making your own if you haven't already. For those of you who do have a first aid kit for your pets, what else do you have in it and why?
As someone who has owned numerous different animals over the years, I've often found myself in situations where a pet has had a minor injury or something that doesn't need a vet right away yet have nothing to help them. I believe a first aid kit is really important.
There are several times that I have reached for the first aid kit not just for my own animals, but for others pets too. It's quite versatile and can be a life saver so I thought I'd share what I have.
General
Disposable gloves - for wound care to prevent any bacteria being transferred from you to your hamster or vice versa.
Cotton Pads - can be used to wipe crusty/gooey eyes. Only do this once you have see a vet though.
Thick gardening gloves - a scared hamster that's in pain is more likely to bite. To protect your hands should you need too. (Can also be used for taming).
Small towel - to wrap your hamster into a burrito so you can administer meds or trim nails.
1ml syringes, including metacam syringes. For administering meds. I like to keep a few extra metacam syringed from past prescriptions in the kit just in case one breaks.
Digital kitchen scales and note pad - Regularly checking their weight is the most important thing you can do in some crises.
Vet grade disinfectant like F10 or Virkon. To help thoroughly disinfect the cage and toys. Useful following illness/death.
Nail clippers/ nail file for trimming nails. However, if you are not confident in doing this, pop to the vets and they'll help.
Container/carrier for vet visits.
Urine sticks to test for glucose and ketones in diabetic hamsters. Can also be used to check the presence of blood in the urine.
Sterilising fluid/ tablets. Can be used to disinfect syringes and bottles.
Cotton Pads - can be used to wipe crusty/gooey eyes. Only do this once you have see a vet though.
Thick gardening gloves - a scared hamster that's in pain is more likely to bite. To protect your hands should you need too. (Can also be used for taming).
Small towel - to wrap your hamster into a burrito so you can administer meds or trim nails.
1ml syringes, including metacam syringes. For administering meds. I like to keep a few extra metacam syringed from past prescriptions in the kit just in case one breaks.
Digital kitchen scales and note pad - Regularly checking their weight is the most important thing you can do in some crises.
Vet grade disinfectant like F10 or Virkon. To help thoroughly disinfect the cage and toys. Useful following illness/death.
Nail clippers/ nail file for trimming nails. However, if you are not confident in doing this, pop to the vets and they'll help.
Container/carrier for vet visits.
Urine sticks to test for glucose and ketones in diabetic hamsters. Can also be used to check the presence of blood in the urine.
Sterilising fluid/ tablets. Can be used to disinfect syringes and bottles.
Recovery and Comfort
Snugglesafe - to help keep an ailing or post surgery hamster warm. It can be placed under a portion of the cage and can provide a warm spot for them. You can also have them in a cozy hide on the snugglesafe while you have them out in their playpen or on your lap.
Cozy hide - to help them feel safe.
Hospital cage with familiar smelling bedding if keeping them in their cage isn't advised.
Mushed up pellets or recovery formula which isn't in the photo but I used science selective pellets.
Probiotics like fibreplex or pro-c. These are typically useful when the hamster has been on antibiotics to keep the microbiome healthy. Use no less than 2hrs after each antibiotic dose.
Cozy hide - to help them feel safe.
Hospital cage with familiar smelling bedding if keeping them in their cage isn't advised.
Mushed up pellets or recovery formula which isn't in the photo but I used science selective pellets.
Probiotics like fibreplex or pro-c. These are typically useful when the hamster has been on antibiotics to keep the microbiome healthy. Use no less than 2hrs after each antibiotic dose.
Injury
Sterile gauze - for applying pressure to or cleaning wounds.
Saline to flush wounds
Styptic powder or cornflour to help stop bleeding nails or small superficial wounds.
Artificial tear gel for eyes. Don't use if you're seeing a vet in the next 24hrs.
Saline to flush wounds
Styptic powder or cornflour to help stop bleeding nails or small superficial wounds.
Artificial tear gel for eyes. Don't use if you're seeing a vet in the next 24hrs.
Breathing and Skin Problems
If you are just dealing with dry skin, rubbing a tiny amount of olive oil on the area can help as well as adding flaxseed, also know as linseed, to their diet. However, if you are unsure, do not treat at home. I hope you have found this useful and maybe even gets you thinking about making your own if you haven't already. For those of you who do have a first aid kit for your pets, what else do you have in it and why?
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