New toy.

I keep the basics.... nothing as well put together as agk but I keep a small selection of meds, staple guns/pullers, ringer, etc. I shop a pretty well known website and get supplies from them.

I'd like one of those pens agk has though. That could be super useful at times.

 

That's about the only thing I like about my job these days and for a very long time now. Not only do I have access to anything I would ever need to use to heal up a mutt minus drugs to an extent but I also can pick the brain of some very highly successful surgeons, anesthesiologists and other surgical specialists to help break down dosages of drugs, surgical techniques or really anything that I would have a question too in regards to anything medical, pharmaceutical or surgical. That indeed is quite a perk to have if involved in this breed of dog and being very untrusting of Vets in general like I am. In that aspect, I do feel blessed. Pay, benefits and work environment is a different story though lmao.

 

A bad day of making money is better than the best day being broke. Just my opinion. Though I just turned down my first call in ever at work to spend the day with the family. I LOVE money and jump at most chances to up the bag lol

 

Thanks for the info AGK, anyone who knows about medical trauma in humans surely a valuable asset since procedures and medicines usually translate to dogs.. In the 80's I got my I.V. lines, catheters and Ringers solution from health care workers, practiced inserting catheters in cephalic vein on a dog's front leg and got pretty good at it.. Messed up recently helping a friend out though, missed vein on first attempt, got distracted on the second and stuck the needle in my own thumb, turned out later the dog had Babesiosis, so if that's transferred to humans I'm probably fckd!

Quick question? Anyone here ever used a Murphy drip on a dog?
I'm clear intra venous is preferred and probably more effective option, but proctoclysis surely easier for a novice than I.V. and if it saved even one good dog, then it be worth a go!

 

I haven't ever used one. Not very common in my end of healthcare. Had to actually look it up to even know what a Murphy drip was. Never seen one used in the 23 years I've work in ORs.

I was going to get into ringers, sodium chloride, iv sets, catheters and the how toos next. Got to get my dogs fed and some things done around my house though first before I loose motivation. Lol

 

Ppl can get babesia from ticks but not from dogs.

I've had quite a few here catch it. Lost a few in the process of getting my own technique down as to saving them. Actually got a call last night and walked someone through what to do, where to get meds, dosages, etc.

 

I actually went to school for Vet Tech back in 99 or 2000ish. Graduated with honors. I did it for myself though not to work in it since I'm allergic to cats and 90% of dogs. I also learned during my externship that I like my animals yours want to bite, scratch or fight me that situation. Plus the human field pays way more and I can't stand the fur mom mentality and most people who work in that field have it.

 

Thanks slim! Never knew that. My drug skill set is not as good as my other medical info is. When I have a drug question I go right to an anesthesiologist to pick their brain. Of course though they can only tell me human doses and what not so I have to end up researching if I can apply it to a dog. I love learning anything though so thanks for that little tid bit.

 

That makes sense. Would it have the adverse effect of "drying them out" like dex does?

I've known folks who have done more damage than help with dexing a dehydrated dog

 

I don't get too crazy with IV sets simply because the flushes in them along with the ringer bags and NaCl bags have a shelf life. Plus I can pretty much get them whenever needed 24/7/365 so I don't keep a ton of it around. Anyways, I do keep catheter sets, IV sets and extra tubing etc. in my bag em box at all times. Just in cause. Hitting veins and inserting catheters isn't as easy as as it looks on TV. Takes a lot of practice to be efficient at it and not just keep infiltrating the vein and going through it. I'm fairly decent with hitting the cephalic in the front legs, saphenous in the back legs and jugular venipuncture. It's been a while since I've needed to so I'm sure I'm a bit rusty at it. I even keep some butterfly needles for those hard to hit the vein dogs.

 

Awesome. Thanks slim

 

Instrumentation is also very necessary to have. At the very least Scissors, needle holders, various vessel clamps and forceps of some kind and a scalpel or 2.

This is only a fraction of my instruments. I just grabbed my quick kit which is pretty basic but probably a bit more than most keep on hand. I have everything from hemostats to bone rongurs, various clamps and most common kinds of forceps down to dental forceps for pulling teeth and various style scalpels..

 

Since I do breed dogs I also keep neonatal supplies such as feeding tubes, injectable oxitocin, bottles and nipples, suction bulbs even dental floss. I used to tie off umbilical cords, I don't do it often these days though. I just let the Dam do her job more so now than in my younger years where I would help the bitch out during the whole delivery so she can just focus on birthing them.

Pretty basic stuff because if I have an issue with a pup I'm more likey to get it to a vet and fast. However, simple things I can do like place feeding tubes and bottle feed or induce labor.

 

Then I also have your various antibiotic ointments, tapes, bandages, gauze, 2% lidocaine, betadine, providine, Dermablast, alcohol swaps, chlorihexidine wipes, scrub and swabs, benadryl, mineral oil, ear cleaning solution, microklenz, stethoscope 3x3s and 4x4s, tagaderm, cotton tipped applicators etc.

I like to be overly prepared. First aid kits are like guns, it's better to have one and not need it than need one and not have it.

This thread also allowed me to better organize my stuff and figure out what I need more of or what needs replaced due to outdates.

 

Last one from me is your gloves, various sized needles and syringes and IV catethers.



Thats about the extent of my humble first aid kit for the dogs. Anything else I typically would need at any given time I can easily get. I try not to keep too many things that expire in my kit because the day I'll need it will be the time I find out It's expired.

 

Opps,

One last thing. Various books I turn to when in need of drug info, techniques, diagnosis of symptoms, emergency first aid and microbiology books that I keep in my cupboard with my supplies for quick reference when I have a particular issue with one of the mutts. I also have 7 or 8 3" 3 ring binders full of medical info from when I went to school that is very helpful at times as well.

Lets face it, having all this crap and not knowing how to use any of it or apply it will basically render a kit useless. One would be better off just biting the bullet and taking a chance with a Vet.

Ok now that's all. Lol.

 

My pup is sick.. when can I make appointment with Dr AGK. Lol

 

Over the years I definitely have aquired quite a kit. I'm always adding to it. Hospitals are insanely wasteful places.