The short answer is yes! You must be prepared if your Shih Tzu is ever faced with an emergency. As a responsible Shih Tzu breeder and dog owner, I always have a dog first aid kit in my home, in the car, and a spare for walks or travel. A well-stocked first aid kit will come in handy if a situation should ever arise. A properly stocked first aid kit will cover everything from minor scapes to bee stings. Below I will go over the basics essentials that every first aid kit should have inside. You can make your first aid kit or purchase a ready-made kit and add on items.
Some of the items I feel are essential to a good first-aid kit include:
- Hydrogen peroxide (Your vet may have you induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide if poison was ingested.)
- Activated Charcoal (May be administered to absorb toxins or poison if ingested.)
- Unflavored Benadryl (Great for allergic reactions. Talk to your vet about proper dosage.)
- Antibacterial ointment (Neosporin is great for minor cuts and scrapes.)
- Nutrical or honey (Both are helpful if your Shih Tzu ever has low blood sugar.)
- Styptic powder (Stops bleeding quickly.)
- Unflavored Pedialyte (Useful to have around in case your dog is struggling with vomiting or diarrhea. Make sure it is xylitol-free!)
- Scissors
- Hydrocortisone cream (Helps stop itching.)
- Diarrhea aid (Check with your vet for safe options.)
- Canned or powdered pumpkin for dogs (Great for loose stools.)
- Ice pack
- Tweezers
- Gauze
- Cotton balls
- Medicine syringe
- Thermometer
- Latex gloves
- Alcohol wipe pads
- Saline eye wash
- Flashlight
- Vetwrap
- Magnifying glass
- Heating pad
- Washcloths
- Bottled water
- Important phone numbers (Including local emergency veterinarian phone numbers.)
Always remember, to contact your veterinarian or local animal hospital if a true medical emergency takes place. The first aid kit should never be a replacement for veterinary care. The kit is simply meant to assist with minor nuances such as cuts and scrapes. A true medical emergency should receive professional medical attention immediately. If you think your pet may have been poisoned contact a poison control center such as https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control right away! Swift action could save your pet’s life.
