Things your home should never be without. This could save the life of your dog.

• A working rectal thermometer. It doesn't matter if its a digital or old fashioned, you should have one on hand to take the temperature of your dog.

• Anti-gas medication. Either Mylanta liquid or Gas-X chewable tablets. I prefer the liquid because its faster acting, but the Gas-X chewable tablets have more simethicone which is what breaks up the gas. The chewable tablets can be carried easier in a portable first aid kit. Check those expiration dates

• A 12 or 20 CC syringe without needle. This is how you give the liquid anti-gas or any liquid medicine your dog may need. I would never be without one in an emergency.

• Pepto-Bismol liquid or tablets. Sometimes the dog isn't gassy, but just feels icky. The Pepto can help calm the stomach, keeping the dog from vomiting later on.

• Anti-diarrheal medicine. Either Keopectate or Immodium. Many dogs have problems with stress and show it with their stool. Left unchecked, the dog could become dehydrated. Usual dosage for Immodium is 1 mg. per 30#

• Pedialyte. This will replace the electrolytes lost with vomiting or diarrhea. Another use for your syringe.

• A jar of honey in the refrigerator. If your animal is ill, the honey will help the dog keep its sugar up. Low blood sugar is a problem when a dog stops eating due to illness. A teaspoon to tablespoon of honey will coat the dog's stomach and keep its glucose normal. There aren't too many dogs who will refuse this treat.

• Jar of baby food. A jar of Turkey or Chicken and Veggies diluted slightly with water or pedialyte can help the dog continue to function. Again, the trusty syringe can administer this if the dog doesn't want to eat.

• Peroxide. If you need to make a dog vomit and don't have Syrup of Ipecac, giving 1-3 teaspoons every 10 minutes will help the dog vomit. Repeat this 3 times.

• Aspirin. It reduces fever, helps the dog deal with pain, etc.  Dosage is 5 or 10mg/lb. of body weight twice a day. (Try the lower dosage first) Enteric coated aspirin is not recommended in dogs because about half the time the coating isn't digested and the aspirin is excreted whole in the stool. Use Ascriptin which is aspirin with Maalox.  DO NOT USE TYLENOL!

  The following chart can be used as a guide. Note that this is not medical advice.

  Weight of dog in pounds	Number of tablets each 12 hours	mg
  8	1/2 baby aspirin or less	40 mg
  16	1 baby aspirin	80 mg
  32	1/2 adult or 2 baby	160 mg
  48	3/4 adult or 3 baby	240 mg
  64	1 adult or 4 baby	320 mg
  80	1 1/4 adult or 5 baby	400 mg
  96	1 1/2 adult or 6 baby	480 mg

 
• Benedryl. Absolute must have. It can save the life of an animal who has been bitten by a bee. Usual dosage 1 mg. per pound.



• Saline Solution. The stuff you rinse your contact lenses out with.  Not the all in one solution like Renu, just plain old saline solution.  Wonderful to use when the animal gets something in its eye.



• The phone numbers of your vet, emergency clinic and poison control taped up near your phone at all times or programmed into your cell phone. You don't want to have to be fumbling around for a phone number when every minute counts.