One of the most important items to have for your Cairn is a first aid kit. You will find that this also becomes your personal "medicine" cabinet, since most items that can be used for your dog are also items that you and your family can use. The First Aid box is often forgotten about [while our dogs have every new toy in the world], yet I feel it is critical to have all your dog first aid supplies handy and in one area.

Since the Cairn is a hardy breed, they normally don't show you that they are ill or injured until that injury or illness is quite bad.

Start by purchasing a large plastic carry box. Get a box that is larger than what you think you might need, as this fills up fast. This type of a plastic box is normally sold in craft stores, hardware stores (for nuts and bolts) and in sporting good stores (fishing tackle boxes). They have partitions to separate items by type, and usually have more than one layer in which to store items.

If you get a box that is large enough, a section of this can also be used to store your grooming tools. Most items listed below are available at your local drug store or pharmacy, or through Pet catalogs. Any mentioned medical/vet type item can also be obtained from your vet.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS LIST IS FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY, or in the event of minor injuries or illnesses, and this DOES NOT take the place of an examination by your Veterinarian or Emergency hospital.

When purchasing items on this list, your best bet is to purchase the smallest amount size that is available in that product. You can often find smaller sizes or sample sizes in your travel item section of your local drug store. Hopefully every item that you purchase that is dated (expiration date) will be thrown away without using the item. This is your GOAL! Read the labels to see if any item has to be refrigerated once opened, and tell the family that any item that is removed or is almost gone has to be replaced. This first aid box is a wonderful family emergency box and also a great travel (vacation/camping) kit.

IF YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR DOG TO THE EMERGENCY HOSPITAL, ESPECIALY IN THE EVENT OF A SERIOUS INJURY OR ILLNESS, PLEASE TAKE THE ONE EXTRA MINUTE TO CALL THE DOCTOR OR CLINIC AND TELL THEM THAT YOU ARE ON THE WAY. THEY WILL EXPECT YOU WHEN YOU ARRIVE AND YOU OFTEN CAN SEE THE VET SOONER.

Get signed up at your local emergency clinics. No matter how ill your dog is, it is rare for a vet to see a dog without the paperwork and financial arrangements being completed first. Call the office, and request a set of forms to fill out ahead of time. Make a copy for the glove boxes of your vehicles. Mail the forms back to the clinic. In your glove box of all your vehicles, you should have a copy of the current shot record, the emergency room check-in forms, and a photocopy of any recent blood test results, as well as a list of any medications your dog may be on.

It is important for all family members who drive to know EXACTLY where the emergency clinic is. If you have never been there, do a test run, and carry a map with you. Nervousness and fear cause even the best driver to forget where things are.

FIRST AID LIST

• Canine First Aid and Health Book
• Digital thermometer with a flexible tip or mercury glass rectal thermometer. Normal canine temperature 101-102 degrees.
• Vaseline or K-Y Jelly (non-spermacidal) for above use and other purposes.
• Blunt-end stainless steel scissors
• Adhesive tape (roll), 1" in width
• Vet-Wrap for injuries (available in catalogs or at your vet). This is one of my favorite items and has multiple uses. Self-adhesive.
• Alcohol wipes or small bottle of alcohol and gauze or cotton pads for cleaning wounds or for cleaning injuries.
• Betadine Scrub solution (disinfectant) or other similar products (Drug store)
• Hydrogen Peroxide 3% solution (used to induce vomiting after accidental ingestion of poison or a foreign object. 10 ML by mouth every 15 minutes). When using for cleaning, only use this item once or twice on the same wound. Other products work much more efficiently.
• All-purpose ear cleaning solution (pet catalog). General cleaning and removal of debris). Nolvasan is one brand that is good.
• Antiseptic Ointment (topical antiseptic ointment for surface wounds). Nolvasan is one brand that is good.
• Benadryl Tabs (these are used to tread allergies, itching, etc.) 1/2 mg. Per lb. Every 8 hours ~ maximum dose 2 mg. Pound).
• Benadryl Cream ~ great cream for bug bites and other minor scrapes or injuries.
• Pepto Bismol ~ for diarrhea, vomiting and anti-gas. 1 tsp. Per 5 pounds every 6 hours.
• Kaopectate ~ relieves diarrhea. 1 ml. Per pound, every 2 hours.
• Mineral Oil (one time emergency use only) ~ eliminates constipation. Up to 2-tbs. Avoid use unless dog can swallow. Best mixed with a food product. Avoid possibility of squirting into lungs.
• Ferric Powder (also known as Quick-Stop or Quik-Stop) for bleeding nails and other small cuts.
• Q-tips for applying ointments, ear cleaning (outside of ears only) and other general first aid use.
• Baby Aspirin
• Nutri-Cal or similar product (high caloric paste supplement with vitamins, fats, carbohydrates and protein. Good for ill or stressed animals. One tablespoon has adequate daily calories for 10 pounds of body weight).
• Bene-Bac Gel (contains live lactobacillus acidophilus) Aids in eliminating diarrhea, and should be used in conjunction to any antibiotic given to replace needed bacteria in the dogs system. This is a must in the first aid kit. Sold in catalogs.
• Tweezers: Good pair of tweezers. Points must meet and can be used for sliver removal or to remove thorns or stings.
• Muzzle: VERY IMPORTANT ITEM. Even the gentlest dog can bite if injured enough or frightened. Mikki muzzle is a soft fabric muzzle, and in an emergency, a leg from a pair of panty hose can be used, as you can also use the Vet Wrap or tape.
• Tourniquet (available in pet catalogs) or a leg from panty hose and a strong whole pencil. KNOW how to use this to stop bleeding. NEVER put a tourniquet on for more than a few minutes at a time without releasing and starting over.
• Nail clippers and file (for emergency broken or pulled nails)
• Dramamine (reduces motion sickness) up to 50 mg. every 8 hours.
• Leash and Collar or a dog lead (a lead is a one-piece collar and leash). Keep this in your box at all times. Do not use this for every day.
• Measurement items, teaspoon, tablespoon, and syringes.
• Surgical Glue stops minor bleeding (one drop, similar to instant glue) sold in catalogs.
• Space Blanket (this is a brand name). Available in catalogs, folds VERY small and easy to put in a first aid kit. This is 56 X 84 and is a great insulator blanket for heat or cold. This is a plastic material with reflector aspects on one side. This can be used on a car seat for a sick or bleeding dog. This can also be used to keep a dog warm in the event of shock or to shade a dog that is having a problem with being overheated (put cold water or ice cubes inside of the blanket and wrap the dog in this.
• Snake bite kit if your are a camper or have snakes in your residential area. Know how to use this prior to the time it is needed.
• Eye drops to flush foreign bodies out of your dog's eyes. Saline solution also works.
• One or two small white wash cloths. These can be used for clean up and for compression for bleeding.
• Empty clean baby food jars (or similar) for collecting fecal or vomit samples.
• Large and small Zip-Loc bags for above as well as larger clean-ups. ALWAYS take a vomit or stool sample to your vet when you have an ill pet.
• Flash light. Small strong flashlight to adequately see your pet when outdoors or traveling to the vets when they are ill. Store the batteries separately or put the flashlight in a bag.
• Flea Comb, Tick-tweezers if you live in an area with Ticks.
• Extra pair of reading glasses if you wear glasses. Keep these in your box.

By adding a few items typically used for humans such as Band-Aid's, small disposable cups for pills, etc., this kit serves any household quite well.

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