FIRST AID FOR YOUR SPRINGER
This page is to help you to prepare a first aid kit and help you with minor ailments that do not require veterinary treatment, though if in any doubt SEE YOUR VET
FIRST AID KIT
As Springer's are well known for being accident prone a first aid kit is a vital tool, trust me, your kit will grow and grow, at home we have a first aid drawer for the Springer's!!. Anyway here are a few suggestions from myself and forum members of items that are really useful to have in your home. Also think about having a few items in your car if you drive to the park or for when you are away from home.
- Vetwrap - Always have vet wrap, colourful bandage that adheres to itself as it wraps but not to fur, great for wrapping up a cut paw - usually use some duct tape to secure it and keep it waterproof. The original is not cheap but have spotted a cheap version in Poundland which is called a Cohesive support bandage. You can often find this online cheaper than your vet if you do a search.
- Hibiscrub - this is an antimicrobial skin cleanser, its the stuff they use to wash their hands in the hospitals and clean wounds. Ask your chemist, don't buy it from the vet, it only costs about £2-£3 in a chemist for 500ml. Use hibiscrub diluted to clean wounds, broken skin, wet excema and any kind of skin irritation.
- Lint dressings for cuts
- Syringes, ask your chemist, these are ideal for flushing wounds, but also for giving cough mixtures.
- Styptic powder or a styptic pen, if you have a dog with black claws and you cut them too short they will bleed, a styptic pen will stop the bleeding.
- A selection of scissors, sharp blunt ended are ideal so that you can't hurt your dog if they bash into them
- A set of tweezers
- junior disprin for minor discomfort
- Piriton for wasp stings, bee stings,
adder bites or allergic reactions.
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES AND NATURAL FIRST AID
Here are some additional suggestions for your first aid kit, these are natural medicines or homeopathic medicines which you may like to try.
- Liqourice root - if mine get kennel cough I make an infusion of liqourice root by pouring a kettle of boiling water over 2 sticks of root, a tbsp of honey and let it cool overnight, remove roots and replace their drinking water with it, you can buy liquorice root from most health food shops or chinese herbalists, it looks like strips of bark.
- Arnica - homeopathic treatment for bruising etc, ideal for post operative healing, after a knock or injury
- Colloidal Silver - antiseptic, anti-fungal and good for all sorts of things from warts to wounds
THIS PG IS IN PROGRESS, POP BACK SOON!!