Feline first aid

[Gillian Harvey]

Is it worth including things like styptic powder, pro/pre biotics, sensitive tum food, vitamin powder, high-calorie vitamin pastes (eg the feline equivelent of things like ferretvite), hairball paste etc? (or am I going a bit OTT? )

And don't forget Rescue Remedy! 

[madkittyrescue]

kitty kit is a great idea and we always carry the essentials  with us to enable us to get initial stem  of bleeding, cover wounds, fluids, etc until we can get to the vet.

Depending on severity it can be right away or the next morning. 

Only thing I would say though folks... is be aware of what you need in relation to your capabilities.  There is no point putting something in your kit if you don't know what its for or how to use it and in what quantities .  So please be careful.       You don't want to do more damage through not knowing how to use or apply something.

I'm sure your vet will be happy to advise. 

[CurlyCatz]

someone mentioned styptic powder , you can also get this in small pencil type forms (or called silver nitrate pencil) Not a bad idea at all for nail clipping time for both cats and dogs (esp dogs) as this cauterises any bleeing if you over cut.  However be aware it will stain any light coloured carpets permanently so beware !

[CurlyCatz]

I'd make a couple of amendments to that list (sorry)

1) the blunt ended scissors, if you can try and get a rounded one like you may have seen the vet using.

2) Really if anyone is going to be shoving a thermometer up a cats bum they really should be aware of the rectal sphincter damage they can do if they dont know how to do it so perhaps consult vet for advise on this so they know for future ref.  Personally I'd only use a stubby bulb thermometer on my cats. (lubricant should also be added to list if your gonna have a thermometer on there)

3)  Personally I wouldnt be advising anyone to be putting hydrogen peroxide on any wounds unless a vet has specifically instucted them to do so.

I always keep some sofban (the cottony wool equivelant bandage for the padding layer) and a couple of rolls of co-form (top layer bandage)

[Team Svartalfheims]

I'd always recommend having a foil blanket as well to help keep them warm on the way to the vets if they are in shock.

[unseeliechylde]

Is it worth including things like styptic powder, pro/pre biotics, sensitive tum food, vitamin powder, high-calorie vitamin pastes (eg the feline equivelent of things like ferretvite), hairball paste etc? (or am I going a bit OTT? )

[Ralph's mum (angie)]

Sam you are wonderful you know that?   

I'm just good at internet searching  ... but thanks anyway guys!

And honest with it, thanks anyway I have often wondered about a first aid kit but thought maybe I was a bit mad 

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

I'm just good at internet searching  ... but thanks anyway guys!

[unseeliechylde]

Ruth is right - Sam, you're a star! I'll definately be taking that "shopping list" with me to assemble a kitty-kit  ()

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

Sam you are wonderful you know that?    I shall be stocking a kit up with this... never realised how much sense it makes even with an indoor cat who never says boo to anything!

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

   1. ssemble the following supplies in a box with a secure lid. Keep the box near your cat food supplies in case you need to find it in a hurry.
   2. Tweezers, preferably very sharp pointed.
   3. Rectal thermometer. The digital variety is preferable because it is more readily read.
   4. Small scissors, preferably with blunt ends. (For cutting hair, bandages, tape.)
   5. Sterile gauze pads, rolled sterile gauze, white surgical tape.
   6. Cotton balls and a roll of cotton padding.
   7. Hydrogen Peroxide for cleaning out wounds.
   8. Sterile eyewash solution (The human variety is fine.)
   9. Antiseptic cleaner, such as Bactine.
  10. Hydrocortisone ointment for insect stings.
  11. Eye droppers. You can buy these separately at your pharmacy.
  12. Emergency ice pack. (Keep this item in your freezer, and wrap in a towel before using.)
  13. The telephone number of your veterinarian, including night and emergency numbers. Keep this information in a waterproof packet, along with your pet's medical records.

Tips:

   1. Rotate your supplies so the medications will be fresh.
   2. Package spillables in plastic zip-lock bags in case you have to evacuate during a disaster.
   3. Do not use your First Aid Kit in lieu of seeing a veterinarian, in case of serious injuries or illness.

http://uk.search.yahoo.com/search?p=feline+first+aid+kit&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=UTF-8&rd=r1


Info also on here:  http://www.purina.co.uk/Home/All+About+Cats/Health+and+Wellbeing+Cat/Healthy+Living+Cat/First+Aid+Kit.htm

[clarenmax]

This is a good post, and although I have no useful information to add to it, I will be interested to know what is advised 

[unseeliechylde]

Just been getting lots of great advice about kitty wound care on another thread, and it got me thinking - what would be included in a feline first-aid kit? All parents know you should have a good first aid kit for the sproglets, but what about our furbabies? Given that they are sensitive to different things than us primates, what would a cat emergency kit involve? (of course, as a responsible owner, I would never assume a good first aid kit to be a substitute for good veterinary care, just a complement to it)