Bunny first aid kit

[Amys Animals]

What do I need for a bunny first aid kit?  I know I probably should have had this done BEFORE I adopted bunnies but the only thing I thought about was the stuff to stop bleeding for the nails.  

What else should I buy for a bunny first aid kit?

[bmt87]

This was posted by Scarlet_Rose a little while back and has been reposted a few times….although I think (and it seems most people agree) most ailments with rabbits NEED to be seen by rabbit savvy vet so these are only temporary solutions most of the time:

You might want to consider also having an emergency med kit, I have mine in a portable “file box,” equipped with the following:
Syringes without needles to force feed
Syringes for subcutaneous fluids – this should only be done if you have experience and your vet has given you the nod to do so.
vetwrap – spongy stretchy self stick wrap
ointment
saline solution – to rinse out eyes and/or irrigate wounds, you might want to have a special narrow tipped syringe for this.
diluted peroxide – to clean wounds
flea comb
styptic power
pedilayte – dehydration
canned pumpkin
clippers – to buzz away fur from wound area
scissors
sterile gauze – for wounds and soaking in saline & wiping a rabbits face free of dust & debris, ears too.
sterile gauze pads
thermometer
aloe vera gel
nail clippers
Critical Care (you might want to check for the shelf life of) it’s made by Oxbow and you’ll need to get it from a vet
baby food (also check expiry date)
hot water bottle
cold ice pack
ear wax remover
mini flashlight
magnifying glass
tweezers
Q-tips
echinacea
lint roller
Rescue Remedy
Here is a little write up from the HRS on including your animals in an emergency plan:
http://www.rabbit.org/care/emergency-planning.html
These are some good write-ups to print out and have in your kit too:
http://www.rabbit.org/journal/2-4/emergency-preparedness.html
http://www.coloradohrs.com/articles/medical_common-problems_generic.asp
I’ve also made a recipe box of ailments and what to do, filed alphabetically.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I think the big mistake people make when thinking about first aid is that it’s an option instead of vet care. The intent is that this is the first thing to make sure they live comfortably on the way to seeing a dr. or vet.

You’d never bandage up a gunshot on a human and skip the doctor, but you would do it on the way to the doctor. So thinking of it in that frame of mind is correct; this is the ‘first aid’ to make sure your bunny can make it until the vet office opens, or on the way.

At my pet first aid class there were a few people taking the course to avoid the vet. The instructor called them out on that; it’s to handle emergencies, on the way to the proper health authorities.

So that being said-it’s awesome to have a bunny first aid kit! I keep a bag of all animal meds, but I keep all first aid stuff in one kit. For one there are a lot of items you’d use on any animal or human-guaze, tape, neosporin, for another, I want to go to one spot should their be an emergency.

For me-the must haves are-Critical care, gauze, neo/polysporin, metacam, syringes.

[RabbitPam]

K&K, When my Big Guy pulls off a Job and catches a bullet in the process, we’re on the lam. No docs for him. I just wrap a bunji cord above the wound and pull the slug out with my teeth. He’s tough, he can take it. LOL

Seriously, K&K makes an excellent point. First aid is to buy you time to get the medical assistance you need.

As for the list, anything posted by Scarlett Rose is excellent.

[Author]

Messages