House-Bunny first aid kit

[HOWsMom]

This will be quite different than the first-aid kid you have for a rabbitry, but I still think it will be a good idea to have on hand. Especially since rabbit savvy vets are not easy to come by around here.

This is a list I found - is it a good list ?
source : http://www.thebunnychick.com/2013/04/25 ... -kit-uses/

Syringes (without needles) – to force feed if necessary or to administer medication
Syringes for subcutaneous fluids (this should only be included if you have experience administering and your rabbit-savvy vet approves)
Saline Solution
Styptic Powder (Baking flour or corn starch will also work) – used to stop bleeding of nails cut too close to the quick – NOT TO BE USED ON SKIN!
A&D original or plain Desitin Diaper Ointment – can be used to help soothe sore hocks
Infant Simethicone (gas relief drops) – used for the relief of minor gas symptoms
Heating Pad (or hot water bottle) – used for hypothermia but be sure to wrap a hot water bottle in a towel
Plain Baby Food (no additives or preservatives) – used for mixing medicine or force feeding if necessary; can also use canned pumpkin – NOT PUMPKIN PIE FILLING!
Cotton Swabs – to clean wounds
Dilute povidone iodine (Betadine) – for cleaning wound surfaces and abscesses
Gauze bandages, Bandaging Pads, Butterfly Bandages – used for dressing wounds
Bandaging Tape – used with bandages
Neosporin (or other triple antibiotic) – used to treat wounds (NOT NEOSPORIN PLUS!)
Baby Cornstarch Powder – used for “dry bath” to treat poopy butt; preferred over wet bath
Digital Infant Thermometer – used to take temperature (apply lubricant and insert gently into rectum; normal rabbit temperature is 101-103 degrees Fahrenheit); ask your vet to show you how!
Petroleum Jelly – used to lubricate thermometer before insertion
Saline Eye Wash – to flush foreign matter out of eyes
Stethoscope – to listen to gut movements
Otoscope – to check inside of ears (inexpensive version can be found at medical supply stores)
Pedilayte – for dehydration
Clippers – to buzz away fur around wound area
Scissors
Critical Care – also used for force feeding
Small Animal Nail Clippers – for clipping nails

 

[Miss M]

It's generally a very good list, but I would make some alterations:

Syringes (without needles) – to force feed if necessary or to administer medication
Syringes for subcutaneous fluids (this should only be included if you have experience administering and your rabbit-savvy vet approves) - I would keep one, decently large. The caveat is there not because you can't do it, but to keep the website owner from being sued. It should be obvious (but isn't to most these days) that if something you do turns out not as hoped, no one on RT is responsible. If you are not going to go to a vet, we will happily give you guidance on administering SQ fluids yourself with no prior experience.
Saline Solution - I would not keep this, unless you can find some that has a very long expiration date. There are instructions available online for making your own sterile saline solution.
Styptic Powder (Baking flour or corn starch will also work) – used to stop bleeding of nails cut too close to the quick – NOT TO BE USED ON SKIN!
A&D original or plain Desitin Diaper Ointment – can be used to help soothe sore hocks
Infant Simethicone (gas relief drops) – used for the relief of minor gas symptoms
Heating Pad (or hot water bottle) – used for hypothermia but be sure to wrap a hot water bottle in a towel
Plain Baby Food (no additives or preservatives) – used for mixing medicine or force feeding if necessary; can also use canned pumpkin – NOT PUMPKIN PIE FILLING! - I would not do baby food, because it is expensive. You can get a few cans of different fruits (in fruit juice) and applesauce and keep them on hand. The fruits can be run through a processor to puree. Extra can be frozen in an ice cube tray, and cubes can then be kept in a plastic baggie. Canned pumpkin, yes.
Cotton Swabs – to clean wounds
Dilute povidone iodine (Betadine) – for cleaning wound surfaces and abscesses
Gauze bandages, Bandaging Pads, Butterfly Bandages – used for dressing wounds
Bandaging Tape – used with bandages - you can't tape securely on fur, so you have to wrap around the leg, the chest, whatever, to make a secure bandage (as long as the rabbit lets it be secure) and then tape all the way around, too. "Vet wrap" is pretty cheap, often $2 for a nice roll. Get at TSC or feed store.
Neosporin (or other triple antibiotic) – used to treat wounds (NOT NEOSPORIN PLUS!) - I have used Neosporin Plus. :shrug:
Baby Cornstarch Powder – used for “dry bath” to treat poopy butt; preferred over wet bath - can use plain cornstarch
Digital Infant Thermometer – used to take temperature (apply lubricant and insert gently into rectum; normal rabbit temperature is 101-103 degrees Fahrenheit); ask your vet to show you how!
Petroleum Jelly – used to lubricate thermometer before insertion
Saline Eye Wash – to flush foreign matter out of eyes - make your own sterile saline and use a new syringe
Stethoscope – to listen to gut movements - if you want
Otoscope – to check inside of ears (inexpensive version can be found at medical supply stores) - if you want
Pedilayte – for dehydration - pretty sure this doesn't have a long expiration date either. MSD has posted a recipe for electrolyte solution.
Clippers – to buzz away fur around wound area - if you want
Scissors
Critical Care – also used for force feeding - don't know about expiration on this
Small Animal Nail Clippers – for clipping nails

I would add Super Glue -- for closing cleaned lacerations
And baby aspirin -- for pain, unless you have a willow tree. Dosage is up to 2 whole per day. Caution is advised. I have split pills and given 1/2 twice a day.

 

[HOWsMom]

Thank you, Miss M.

I was going to suggest to Bug4H that we keep some of the powdered Pediatlyte on hand, instead of the pre-mixed. It should have a longer lifespan.
But the home-made recipe should be good too - I know I made my own a few times when the kids were wee ones and had stomach bugs or high fevers.

I will look up the saline recipe.

I do know that the *plus* version of neosporin is not suggested, as it has Lidocaine in it, which is supposed to be not good for small animals - we just had that chat with out vet, but about a dog not a rabbit.

 

[Miss M]

I was going to suggest to Bug4H that we keep some of the powdered Pediatlyte on hand, instead of the pre-mixed. It should have a longer lifespan.

That should work well. I wasn't sure this came powdered, so that's good to know.

I do know that the *plus* version of neosporin is not suggested, as it has Lidocaine in it, which is supposed to be not good for small animals - we just had that chat with out vet, but about a dog not a rabbit.

Okay, thanks!

Ours (store brand) actually contains pramoxine HCl (10 mg per gram of ointment) instead of Lidocaine.

LD50 Mouse ip 300 mg/kg
LD50 Mouse sc 750 mg/kg

I will no longer use it on rabbits.