The dog days of summer are definitely here as we’ve seen some extraordinarily hot days across southeast Michigan. After several weeks of heavy rainfall, it seems like they’ve dried up significantly and our dog owners and cat owners in Ann Arbor and Chelsea have some new pet concerns to deal with!
Not to worry, the Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies team is here as a resource to answer this question: are you prepared for summer pet emergencies? We’ve got a quick list of products here that we carry at your local Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies stores in Ann Arbor (2270 W. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103) or Chelsea (1192 S. Main St, Chelsea) that can prevent or minimize a veterinary visit and keep your pet healthy, happy, and safe this summer. We consider them your “pet first aid kit essentials” and we’d be more than happy to help you find these in our stores, just ask a sales associate!
As far as smaller injuries to pets are concerned, we tend to see an uptick during the spring-summer months as both dogs and cats are spending more time outdoors collecting cuts and scrapes, as well as insect bites, bee stings, skin allergies and rashes from poisonous plants. While minor injuries and irritations like cuts, scrapes and bug bites may not seem like a big deal, without quick and effective care, they can certainly pose a much greater health risk. Anything that goes from minor to major should be diagnosed by your veterinarian.
6 Pet First Aid Kit Essentials
Medicated Hot Spot Spray
For those that don’t know, a hot spot is a superficial skin infection that results when the normal skin bacteria overrun the skin’s defenses as a result of damage to the skin surface. This is most often started by your pet chewing or scratching at the site, or becoming otherwise irritated (through a leash, collar, harness, or other accessory).
Hot spot spray numbs and relieves minor pain and itching from hot spots, flea and bug bites, scrapes and scratches, and skin irritations caused by scratching. It also reduces minor swelling and redness, and promotes healing.
Antiseptic Spray/Antimicrobial Gel
Antiseptic spray and antimicrobial gel have more or less the same effect on your pets as it would on humans, with different ingredients that consider your pet’s health, skin, and coat. These products will kill germs that can cause infection, as well as help clean any open wounds or sores. They can also soothe itches and pains from minor cuts, scratches and bug bites. It might sting or cause a bit of discomfort at first, but it will prevent irritation and issues in the future.
At Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies, we strive to provide the best healthy and helpful pet supplies for your pets - antiseptic and antimicrobial products definitely fall into those categories!
Hydrocortisone Lotion
Hydrocortisone lotion is used to soothe skin, reduce inflammation or swelling and relieve itching. It's mostly used on pets with skin rashes, where scratching has irritated or cut the skin, itching resulting from insect bites, healing moist eczema, or flea bite dermatitis.
Liquid Bandages
This is a super cool product and definitely an essential when it comes to your pet’s first aid kit. A liquid bandage is actually a spray rather than an adhesive. It dries quickly and begins soothing and healing immediately. There’s no alcohol and no plastics, so no stinging or discomfort for your pet. A bit more about liquid bandages:
Creates a breathable film that allows air to reach the injury
Great for protecting hot spots from further irritation
Ideal for cuts, scrapes, or paws
Ear Mite & Tick Control
Most of our products like this can be considered a drug, so it’s extra important to follow the directions on the bottle while treating your dog for ear mites. If you are not sure if your dog has ear mites or is scratching his or her ears for some other problem, seek advice from a vet tech or veterinarian.
This is typically a liquid, but can come in other forms. When using the liquid, it has to be poured into your dogs ear canal, which in our experience dogs don’t love. Nonetheless, it’s highly effective and we are certainly in tick season. Keep this product out of reach of anybody that might accidentally ingest it!
Styptic Powder
Used by professional groomers, styptic powder can be used to stop bleeding from minor superficial cuts, such as nicks that occur during nail clipping. This isn’t an ideal product for use on deep open wounds, punctures or burns. If you’ve ever clipped your pet’s nails at home, you know how much they can bleed if you go a bit too short on them.
Your local Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies store also carries a handful of great products that can minimize cuts and nicks if you do at-home grooming of any type. Ask a sales associate to be directed to some of our best pet products that customers and team members alike swear by!
Conclusion
At Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies, we pride ourselves on being your #1 resource for pet supplies, advice, and industry information. We’d be happy to help you pull together these first aid kid essentials to make sure you’re prepared for any pet summertime emergencies that might come your way! Better safe than sorry, right?