Sometimes first aid kits are overlooked – but they are very important to keep around not only for yourself, but for your ferrets (and other pets). We’ve come up with a simple list of items that you should have on hand at all times. These items should fit into a plastic shoe box very easily for storage.
Also – Drs. Foster & Smith carry a wonderful first aid kit, click here to check it out.
| Phone Numbers and Records | |
| • | Veterinary clinic phone number and directions to the clinic |
| • | Emergency clinic phone number and directions |
| • | Poison control center phone numbers |
| • | Vaccination and health records and a list of medications your ferret is receiving – take these with you on every veterinary visit |
| Equipment and Supplies | |
| • | Muzzle |
| • | Magnifying glass |
| • | Scissors |
| • | Tweezers |
| • | Nail clippers and metal nail file |
| • | Styptic powder or sticks, Kwik Stop, or cornstarch |
| • | Penlight |
| • | Eye dropper or oral syringe |
| • | Feeding tubes of various sizes if you are trained in how to use them |
| • | Cotton swabs |
| • | Cotton balls |
| • | Clean towels – cloth and paper |
| • | Rectal thermometer |
| • | Lubricant such as mineral oil or KY Jelly (without spermicide) |
| • | Disposable gloves |
| • | Syringes of various sizes |
| • | Needle-nose pliers or hemostats |
| • | Grease-cutting dish soap |
| • | Bitter Apple or other product to discourage licking |
| • | Pet carrier |
| • | Towel or blanket to keep your ferret warm during transport (some pharmacies and camping outlets carry a thermal blanket) |
| • | Cold packs and heat packs (wrap in towel before using) |
| • | Stethoscope |
| Bandaging Materials | |
| • | Square gauze of various sizes – some sterile |
| • | Non-stick pads |
| • | First aid tape – both paper (easily comes off of skin) and adhesive types |
| • | Bandage rolls – gauze and Vetwrap |
| • | Band-Aids (for humans) |
| Nutritional Support | |
| • | Highly palatable food such as Hill’s a/d, Oxbow Carnivore Care or Eukanuba MaxCal (Feline) |
| • | Rehydrating solution such as Gatorade or Pedialyte |
| • | Nutritional supplement such as Nutri-Cal, Vitacal, or Nutristat |
| • | High sugar source: Karo syrup |
| • | Probiotics as advised by your veterinarian; often prescribed for ferrets receiving antibiotics |
| Medicines* | |
| • | Wound disinfectant such as Betadine or Nolvasan |
| • | Triple antibiotic ointment for skin |
| • | Antibiotic ophthalmic ointment for eyes, e.g., Terramycin |
| • | Eye wash solution |
| • | Sterile saline |
| • | Antidiarrheal medicine such as Pet Pectate |
| • | Ferret or cat laxative in paste form (e.g.; Doctor’s Foster & Smith Hairball Remedy, Laxatone) |
| • | Pediatric diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for allergic reactions (obtain dose from your veterinarian) |
| • | Cortisone spray or cream, such as Itch Stop |
| • | Ear cleaning solution |
| • | Hydrogen peroxide (used to make a ferret vomit – only use as directed by a veterinarian) |
| • | Activated charcoal to absorb ingested poisons (consult your veterinarian before using) |
| *Watch the expiration dates on any medication, and replace as needed. | |
