Putting Together a Good First Aid Kit
(c) Gryph- if you repost this article, please post with a link back to my website.
Some of the essential rabbit items I like to have on hand in case of an emergency are:
I also keep a good variety of herbs on hand, as I prefer to use natural methods as often as possible. Please see my page on Natural Rabbit Remedies.
- Blu-Kote: germicidal, fungicidal wound dressing and healing aid effective against both bacterial and fungal infections- be warned it STAINS
- Triple Antibiotic (such as Neosporin): first aid antibiotic to help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns
- Symethicone Infant Gas Drops: relieve the discomfort of gas
- 10 ml/cc Oral Feeding Syringe
- 100% Petroleum Jelly to lubricate tip of thermometer
- Digital Rectal Thermometer to take temperatures (normal 101-103)
- 2×2” and 4×4” Gauze Pads
- Injectable Ivermectin (for both fur and ear mites)
- Pen G (keep refrigerated)
- Syringes (1 ml/cc is usually sufficient for most medications)
- Needles for syringes (20g is best, many fluids can be thick)
- Styptic powder to stop minor bleeding after nail trimming
- Pedialyte: helps prevent dehydration
- Baby food or canned pumpkin for when your rabbit refuses to eat; it’s easy to get baby food or canned pumpkin into a feeding syringe
- Gauze and cotton balls and Q-tips to clean and care for wounds and for the application of medicine
- Preparation H to treat the occasional sore hocks, apply daily for five to seven days
- Probios or BeneBac (administer to rabbits that are not eating. Helps to restore balance in an upset tummy)
- Towel large enough to wrap a rabbit in to restrain him, this will stop the rabbit from scratching you and struggling while you force feed, giving a needle, clip nails, check teeth, etc
- Vinyl or latex gloves
I also keep a good variety of herbs on hand, as I prefer to use natural methods as often as possible. Please see my page on Natural Rabbit Remedies.