Here are some items you may or may not have on hand - please feel free to add.
Muzzle: This item is a must in preventing your pet from defensively biting you while you attend to the injury. Even the sweetest of our furry friends can bite when frightened or in pain.
Digital Thermometer: Sold at any drugstore, a thermometer is key in gauging how sick your pet really is. The average temperature range for a dog or cat is 100°F to 102.5°F. A temperature lower than 100 or higher than 104 is an emergency that requires immediate attention from a vet.
Hydrogen Peroxide: This household item is useful in cleaning wounds, but also for inducing vomiting if a pet has swallowed something dangerous. Always check with your veterinarian or the poison control center before inducing vomiting, because if the substance ingested is caustic, it might be more harmful coming back up.
Triple Antibiotic Ointment: This is good for keeping small wounds and lacerations free of infection. It can often be more effective than taking antibiotics by mouth, says Dr. Christiansen.
Styptic Powder: This helps stop the bleeding from a broken or torn nail, and is sold at most pet stores. You dip the nail into the powder to help form a clot. However, Dr. Christiansen notes that using household flour can also do the trick.
Bandages: These include nonadhesive gauze pads, gauze rolls and flexible bandages. However, homemade pet bandages should be checked and rewrapped by a veterinarian as soon as possible after the injury. A lot more damage can be done than the initial wound if its improperly wrapped, says Dr. Christiansen. He adds that if you are comfortable wrapping a wound yourself, put pressure on it to help clot the bleeding, wrap it up and get your pet to a veterinarian right away.
Benadryl (diphenhydramine): To treat allergic reactions (from insect bites and bee stings), have this over-the-counter human medication on hand. It comes in a pediatric liquid variety, which allows you to give a lower dose than the adult tablets. As a rule: Give 1 to 2 mg of Benadryl per pound of weight. For instance, if your cat weighs 5 pounds, start with 5 mg. If more is needed, increase to 10 mg.
Eyewash: Used to flush out harmful substances sprayed into your pets eyes, this is the same eyewash that people use, found at most drugstores. After flushing the eyes, Dr. Christiansen recommends putting an E-collar on your pet to prevent him from scratching his cornea.
Tweezers: These are the best tools for removing splinters and ticks. Avoid using your hands to remove a tick because of the risk of tick-borne diseases.