First aid box?

[JulesDoug]

OK I am sure I should have done this a while ago but can anyone give me suggestions for a rat first aid box? Basic stuff that would come in handy in emergencies. Do you guys already have such a thing.
Thanks in advance

[DesertSands]

Part of that depends on your medical experience and how much money you want to invest. Here's a really advanced medical kit:

Rat Medical Kit

Mite/lice spray
Ivermectin paste
Aloe vera vet cream
Hydrogen peroxide
Betadine solution
Neosporin ointment
Blu-kote
Nail clippers
Styptic powder
Skin stapler      
Nexaband skin glue
Oral syringes
Nutrical
Ensure
Tylan
Tetracycline
Amoxicillin
Cefa-drops
Baytril
Eye drops
Surgical blade      
Bandages/tape      
Topicaine

I think there's a list on the RMCA or RFC site as well, but I'm not sure.

[Suebee]

Note that some of the items on that list (Amoxi, Baytril, etc.) are prescription-only items. Personally, I don't think they belong in a "first aid" kit -- they are something a vet should prescribe as needed after examining your rat in person and determining the best medication for the symptoms.

And that is a VERY advanced kit -- specifically for someone with veterinary training. Not something you would expect to find in the average rat household. I might edit it for the "layman" as follows:

Ivermectin paste (I don't trust those sprays, personally)
Aloe vera vet cream*
Hydrogen peroxide
Betadine solution
Neosporin ointment
Blu-kote*
Nail clippers
Styptic powder, flour or cornstarch (to stop bleeding)
Oral syringes (the vet can supply these)
Nutrical
Ensure
Eye drops
Bandages/tape

*I have a first aid cream product that I used in lieu of Blu-Kote (which stains) and the Aloe Vera cream -- it works well for both injuries and bumblefoot. It's made by Noah's Kingdom, but for some reason it is not listed on their web site. Parts of the site are still under construction, however.

It's a good idea to keep some kind of electrolyte drink around, perferable in a powdered form so you can mix it as needed (because of the sugar, Gatorade WILL mold if kept too long...). This is good for dehydration.

If I think of more, I will add them.

[Aileen]

Hiya Jules

Ours is pretty basic.

Oral syringes
Styptic pen
Nail clippers
Eye drops
Complan
Critical Care (animal complan from the vet)
Sudacrem (yes the baby cream, vet recommended for Lilith's plook on her bum!) (A sebaceous cyst - the cream helps keep it clear and clean when we've emptied the cyst).

We've also got prescribed meds, oue vet always gives us more than we need, just in case, but we consult with the vet before using them.

Aileen
and Lilith and Phoebe Ratson

[JulesDoug]

 :oOk thanks for the replies..now I know this sounds dumb,but some of this stuff I havent even heard of, do you think you could explain what each item is used for...sorry to be so thick!!

[Ruckers Ratties]

I can certainly do without the skin stapler! Yuck!!

[JulesDoug]

  Skin stapler seems a little scarey!!

[DesertSands]

I probably should have mentioned this in my first post, but I do wildlife rescue as well. That's the reason for the extreme medical kit. You never know what's going to come in the door next.
As for the skin stapler, they're safe and simple, although I'd imagine not as comfortable as sutures. I don't like them much, but that's what our vet uses for a lot of cases. They get the wound closed quickly so the animal can get back into a quiet corner and recoup. With wild animals just spending too much time on the table can cause stress related deaths.  

[Paul]

I don't recognise a lot of those items either and suspect they may be either US only, or available in the UK under a different name.
If you put the names into a search engine which allows UK only results (ie http://www.Google.co.uk) I reckon you will come up with the answers.

[Yresim]

Mine is SO basic by comparison.  Obviously, it needs an update.  However, there are some things in my kit that I consider must-haves, which I noticed were not on anyone else's lists:
       Syringes (lots)
       KMR
       Baby Food
       Latex Gloves (more for my protection, but I keep them in there anyway)
       MediStyp Septic Powder (for nail bleeding)
       Gatorade
       Spare Water Bottle (not having water is definitely an emergency)
       Nail Clippers
       Eyedrops
       Bandaids, some patches, tape
       Hydrogen Peroxide

Ivermectin paste (I don't trust those sprays, personally)
Aloe vera vet cream*
Hydrogen peroxide
Betadine solution
Neosporin ointment
Blu-kote*
Nail clippers
Styptic powder, flour or cornstarch (to stop bleeding)
Oral syringes (the vet can supply these)
Nutrical
Ensure
Eye drops
Bandages/tape

*I have a first aid cream product that I used in lieu of Blu-Kote (which stains) and the Aloe Vera cream -- it works well for both injuries and bumblefoot. It's made by Noah's Kingdom, but for some reason it is not listed on their web site. Parts of the site are still under construction, however.

Oral syringes
Styptic pen
Nail clippers
Eye drops
Complan
Critical Care (animal complan from the vet)
Sudacrem (yes the baby cream, vet recommended for Lilith's plook on her bum!)

Suebee: what is the stuff from Noah's Kingdom called?  Or is it just called "First Aid Cream"?

Also, what is (and where do I get):
Ivermectin paste (or spray)
Aloe vera vet cream
Betadine solution
Blu-kote
Nutrical
Complan
Styptic pen

[Suebee]

Suebee: what is the stuff from Noah's Kingdom called?  Or is it just called "First Aid Cream"?

Also, what is (and where do I get):
Ivermectin paste (or spray)
Aloe vera vet cream
Betadine solution
Blu-kote
Nutrical
Complan
Styptic pen

It's called Noah's Kingdom Herbal First Aid Ointment (For Dogs & Cats). I had my vet look at the ingredients, and she overwhelmingly approved of it. It's Aloe Vera-based, with things like St. John's Wort, Tea Tree Oil, and vitamins, among other herbal ingredients. I've used it on cuts, bumblefoot, sebeceous cysts and abscesses all with great results!

I found a place online that sells it (finally!):

EarthAnimal.com

Nature's Pet

(a search only brought up four results, one was useless, and one was Olga quoting me on her web site! LOL!)

Ivermectin paste may be available at a pet supply store or a tack shop (horse supplies). I can get it at a store called Petwise, but I think it is a local chain (they don't sell animals). Blu-Kote can also be found at tack shops, but if you can get some of the Noah's Kingdom Herbal FA Ointment, you don't need Blu-Kote. Personally, I think the ointment works better on bumblefoot.

Nutrical can be obtained from the vet or at Petco and Petsmart. It's in a tube, and is usually over in the medical department. It's marketed for dogs and cats.

Stypic pencil can be gotten at any pharmacy. Personally, though, I think cornstarch hurts less! I used the styptic pencil on my hubby when he cut himself, and he screamed like a girl!

The ones I am not sure on are Aloe Vera Vet Creme (from the vet? The Noah's Kingdom stuff will work, though, since it's aloe-based), Betadine solution (is that like Bactine?), and Complan. I thought Complan was like Ensure... someone correct me if I am wrong...

[Raven Paw]

I have a few questions.  What is Ivermectin paste/spray and what's it used for?  And what's the difference (in terms of usage) between Neosporin and something like Noah's Kingdom Herbal First Aid Ointment?

[Suebee]

I have a few questions.  What is Ivermectin paste/spray and what's it used for?  And what's the difference (in terms of usage) between Neosporin and something like Noah's Kingdom Herbal First Aid Ointment?

1. Ivermectin is a horse wormer paste used to treat mites and lice. It's a neurotoxin. The dosage is a small amount, about the size of an uncooked grain of rice, once a week for two to three weeks. You have to squeeze the whole tube into another container and mix it well to be sure the ivermectin is distributed evenly through the paste. Brand names are Zimectrin and Equimectrin. It can be obtained at tack shops some pet supply stores.

It is also available from the vet in an injectable formula, but it should NEVER be injected into a rat. A small drop on the head is enough -- they will groom it off an ingest it.

Since it is a neurotoxin, an overdose can cause paralysis and even death. It should be used carefully, and those who have not had experience with parasites before should have any suspected infestation confirmed by a vet.

2. Ingredients, plain and simple.

Neosporin contains pharmeceutical chemicals like polymoxin B sulfate (whatever the heck that is!), while Noah's Kingdom is completely herbal and is cruelty-free. Neosporin is also ineffective on bumblefoot, while the N.K. First Aid Ointment works.

[Raven Paw]

After doing a bit of reading I've come up with my own list, and I want to know what others think.  Anything I've missed?  Anything I need to alter?  I don't feel comfortable giving a lot of those medications myself without first seeing a vet, so I've left those out.  I also have a few questions about specific things that I've noted.

Syringes
Septic Powder
Nutrical
Eyedrops  [what kind of eyedrops?]
Bandaids, some patches, tape
Hydrogen Peroxide
Animal first aid ointment
Cotton balls
Clean rags
Electrolyte drink (preferably powdered)
Dried red raspberry leaves (good for diarrhea) [does anybody know where I might be able
to find these?]
saline [is contact lese saline solution ok?]
Small scissors
Small magnifying glass
Tweezers
Q-Tips
Wrap that sticks only to itself
Eye wash
Hot/cold pack
Box to keep it all in

(added to list)

[JulesDoug]

Can I add I have some Complan (build up drink) that I have found invaluable this weekend since Babs was ill. Knowing where your hot water bottle is , is always a good plan too!!

[astralmoons]

Raven Paw,

Here is a site that I buy all of my dried herbs from.  These people take pride in the herbs that they sell and no herb you order will be more than 2 weeks old.  You can buy them by the ounce or the pound.
Hope this helps you

Http://www.homehealthresource.net

[mustang_grl143]

neosporin, peroxide the wrap that sticks to its self and not fur and put it in a rat proof box

[Yresim]

I have updated my first aid kit to include:
       Syringes (lots)
       KMR
       Baby Food
       Latex Gloves (more for my protection, but I keep them in there anyway)
       MediStyp Septic Powder (for nail bleeding)
       Gatorade
       Spare Water Bottle (not having water is definitely an emergency)
       Nail Clippers & Emery Boards (eh?)
       Eyedrops
       Bandaids, some patches, tape (adhesive and non-adhesive)
       Hydrogen Peroxide
       Hot/Cold pack
       Tweezers
       Eyewash
       Neosporin
       Biocaine
       Noah's Kingdom Herbal First Aid Ointment
       Q-Tips

I have decided not to get ivermectin paste because I would be too afraid to use it: my ratties can survive with worms a few days for the vet and, if not, there are enough emergency vets in my area to make it not worth the risk.  

I may consider adding raspberry leaves at a later date, as it would be very nice to have something that helps with diarhea (I've seen animals die from it, so...).

[Raven Paw]

I found a Goldenseal/Echinacea Blend at that Nature's Pet site that Suebee linked to.  It also has Alfalfa, Garlic, and Spirulina in it.  Does that sound like a good thing to have on hand?

[Piper]

Is there an online rat first aid "book"? I want to make the first aid kit - but I don't know what all the things on the list are - let alone how to use them

[Raven Paw]

Oh, also, What exactly is Complan?  What's KMR?  Do they sell those wraps that stick only to themselves for humans or do I need to get them from a vet or something?

Sorry I'm asking so many questions!

[joolzratbag]

I agree with Suebee - not only are meds like Baytril prescription only, but Baytril only has a shelf life of 30 days once the bottle is opened.

There is a comprehensive first aid kit here:
http://www.absolutely-vile.com/spazrats/firstaid.html

and for anyone who missed this first time around:

http://www.nenuphar.plus.com/FirstAid/

[Yresim]

Oh, also, What exactly is Complan?  What's KMR?  Do they sell those wraps that stick only to themselves for humans or do I need to get them from a vet or something?

Sorry I'm asking so many questions!

KMR is Kitten Milk Replacer.  KMR is actually a brand name.  When most people talk about KMR, they are talking about the KMR that is made for newborn kittens.  It has a lot of nutrients in it, and I use it anytime one of my babies (almost regardless of species) is sick.  

You can get KMR (or a local version of it) at most pet stores.  There is a generic version available locally, but I have found that my pets seem to find it less tasty, and it doesn't last as long, so I get the actual KMR.

I get the impression that Complan is something similar to Ensure, although it seems to be a non-USA thing, so I have no direct knowledge.

I got the wraps that only stick to themselves for humans.  As far as I know, they don't make any specifically for animals.  I don't know why they would have to: the wraps themselves are pretty simple.  

The only concern I've encountered with the non-stick wraps is having them too tight or too loose.  If they are too tight, they will cut off circulation.  If they are too loose, they will slip off.  

Before using it in a real situation, I suggest "testing" it on yourself (on your fingers & wrist) to get an idea of how it works.  

I've never actually been in a position to use it on an animal, since the only cuts any of my animals have had have been in places that were not easy to wrap (like under the chin, or next to the eye).  However, I know from my own experience that it is much more comfortable (especially on hair) than sticky tape.