THE VET EMERGENCY TOOL BOX KIT

By AKKPS Member Debra Allen of Allen's Acres

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The information presented in this article is a guide ONLY. 

No amount of advice is a substitute for your veterinarian!

Always check with a vet immediately and follow their instructions. 

Injuries to livestock such as cattle, sheep, horses, goats, and pigs tend to be inevitable and can occur in numerous ways that might be difficult to predict. And they always seem to happen at night or on weekends!  Illnesses and birthing are also instances wherein immediate care may need to be rendered. It is essential to have emergency plans in place along with a well-stocked and readily available first aid kit to address critical emergencies efficiently.

 

ORGANIZATIONAL THOUGHTS

Access to and organization of first aid kits are essential to immediate, efficient, and proper care. Kits should always be clearly labeled and stored in dry, easily accessed locations. Everyone caring for the livestock should know the kit location(s).

  • Use one large container, and try to group supplies in separate smaller containers or bags, especially if they might be used together.
  • Some items may need refrigeration. Consider a separate small refrigerator for animal only items. 
  • Most medications should not be stored in a barn or a vehicle, as most medications are temperature/light sensitive. Store the kit with medications in a house, office, or temperature controlled area. Take needed items to animal area when needed. Non sensitive items should be stored in animal areas. . 
  • Set reminders to check and replace supplies with expiration dates.
  • Include copies of medical information and records and a list of phone numbers for emergency contacts (e.g., veterinarian, local trusted producer, manager, or owner of similar livestock).
  • Consider compiling additional mobile kits to store in trailers that haul livestock and in vehicles used for pasture checks
PRINTABLE VITAL SIGN CHART (CLICK HERE)
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ITEMS IN THE BELOW LISTS

The following lists are comprehensive and may contain items you will not need on your farm.

If you have animals other than pigs, you may need more than one kit or separate bags for each species, though there is some overlap in items.

This list is intended for owners of KuneKune pigs.

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GENERAL FIRST AID KIT

ITEMS THAT WILL FIT IN YOUR FIRST AID BOX

  • First-Aid Box (to hold your items) tackle box/rolling tool box etc. 
  • Copy of normal vital signs chart and emergency contacts taped to inside of lid
  • Thermometer (digital is best  as it works quickly) for rectal use
  • Stethoscope
  • Bag Balm (emollient/antiseptic ointment
  • Betadine Scrub (antibiotic soap/cleanser)
  • Cranberry Juice (urinary infections)
  • Needles and syringes (including 60 cc catheter tip) various sizes from ½” 22 gauge to 1” 18 and 20  gauge to 1&½” 18 gauge
  • Canned pumpkin (for constipation)
  • Peroxide and/or rubbing alcohol (topical antiseptics)
     Triple antibiotic ointment
  • Sterile water/Saline (solution to flush wounds)
  • Flashlight/extra batteries 
  • Scissors 
  • Latex gloves
  • Bulb syringe (remove fluid from mouth/nose)
  • Roll cotton or disposable diapers or puppy pads (absorbent)
  • Towel
  • Wire cutters
  • Hoof pick
  • Duct tape
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Small notepad and pencil
  • Super glue
  • Tweezers
  • Styptic pencil/blood stop powder/ cornstarch
  • Gauze pads
  • Vet wrap
  • Cotton swabs

ITEMS THAT WILL NOT FIT IN YOUR FIRST AID BOX

  • Method of restraint
    • hog panel
    • pig board
    • wood pallet
  • Merck Manual for Animals (book resource on illnesses, medicine, etc.)
  • Fan (cooling)
  • Heat pad
  • Heat lamp
  • Karo syrup/honey/molasses (to increase blood sugar)
  • Beer (for calming)
  • SlapShot (used to give shots)
  • Clippers (remove hair from area)
  • Sweet PDZ or lime (stall pest and odor control)
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FARROWING FIRST AID

  • Colostrum replacer
     Milk replacer or goat milk (fresh or canned)
  • Acidophilus/probiotics
  • Tums/Rolaids (calcium)
  • Baby Rice Cereal
  • Iron dextran injection 100mg/ml (inject 1cc IM on day 3 for newborn piglets, may repeat in 10 days)
  • Calcium gluconate injection (milk fever)
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MEDICATIONS - NO RX NEEDED

  • Iodine (for navels) or equivalent 
  • Catron spray (fly repellant ) only one approved for use directly on open wounds. Keeping flies away from wounds is critical! 
  • Swat (fly repellant)
  • SuperLube (antiseptic lubricant) or equivalent 
  • PT Alpine spray (animal housing approved fly bait/killer) or equivalent. Keeping flies away from wounds is critical
  • Dectomax inj (dewormer)
  • Ivermectin inj (dewormer)
  • Safeguard pellets (dewormer.)
  • Swine Guard pour on (for mice/lice/ticks)
  • Diatomaceous earth food grade 
  • Permethrin spray ( premises spray for lice/mites/ticks)
  • Vetricyn spray (for wounds)
  • Vetricyn for the eyes
  • Terramycin eye ointment 
  • Colloidal silver (wound treatment)
  • Epsom salts (to make solution for soaking wounds to remove debris)
  • Vaccines (if using)
  • Melatonin (for calming)
  • Omeprazole/Famitidine (Prilosec/Pepcid for ulcers/stress)
  • PeptoBismol (GI issues)
  • Kaopectate (diarrhea)
  • Fleet enema/mineral oil enema
  • Metamucil/Miralax (laxative)
  • Buffered aspirin (pain/temp)
  • Tylenol ( pain/temp)
  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, for allergic reactions/itching)
  • Dextromethorphan (coughing)
  • Saline solution
  • Activated charcoal/peroxide (must only be given in certain circumstances for poisoning..info in companion article Emergency Medical Care For The KuneKune)
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RX ONLY MEDICATIONS

Only a vet may determine need and dosages for the following medications.

A prescription is required from a veterinarian.

  • LA200 inj (antibiotic)
  • Penicillin injection (antibiotic)
  • Excede inj (antibiotic)
  • Draxxin inj (antibiotic)
  • Baytril inj (antibiotic)
  • SSD cream (silver sulfadiazine, antibiotic cream especially used in burns)
  • Cephalexin inj/oral suspension (antibiotic)
  • Tiamulin (antibiotic added to water)
  • Tylosin (injection or soluble powder)
  • Lincomycin inj (antibiotic)
  • Neftin (antibiotic, feed additive or oral)
  • Oxytocin (stimulates uterus during farrowing)
  • Banamine inj (pain/infoammation)
  • Metacam (pain/infoammation)
  • Tramadol (pain)
  • Lutalyse (multiple uses in reproductive issues)
  • Dexamethasone (reduces swelling/inflammation, pain)
  • Ammonium chloride (treats urinary tract stones)

EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE FOR THE KUNEKUNE 

Please View the Companion Article EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE FOR THE KUNEKUNE in the link below.

VIEW ARTICLE
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