I write about places you can take your dog. My NJ Dog and I have traveled across the US. If you do a lot of traveling or hiking with your best 4-legged friend, a dog first aid kit is a necessity to keep in your car. It seems to bring good karma and ward off the 'injured doggie spirits', too!  You can purchase a dog first aid kit, but it still needs to be personalized for your pup, and often doesn't contain all the things you might need.

Even if your dog only goes for the occasional ride, there is the possibility of being involved in an accident, or having your car break down on a hot (or frigid) day. You should be prepared to make your dog comfortable and keep him out of the way of traffic, policemen, or the AAA mechanic, even if he can't stay in the car.

Be sure to copy the list of the contents suggested for the first aid kit and take it on your next visit to the vet. Your vet can answer all the questions and may donate a few items for your kit (tongue depressors, individually wrapped antiseptic wipes, even a slip collar leash). Ask your vet if there are any other items that your particular pet may need.

• Fabric, foldable water bowl
• Towels – old but clean bath towels for wiping muddy feet, helping clean wounds, transporting injured dog, and helping quiet an agitated dog.
• Extra leash or dog cable
• Carabiner - can be used to attach leash to itself around a tree, road sign, etc. If you and your dog are involved in a car accident, you can leash the dog outside the vehicle. My NJ Dog has one attached to the loop of his leash - I can attach him to a tree to tie a shoelace on walks!
• In warmer weather, a bottle or two of water can come in handy for washing feet or flushing wounds.  Warm water is better than no water for a thirsty dog.

Paperwork: Copy your dog's health record, medications, local and national poison control numbers, and vet info. Make sure you have a photocopy of his rabies vaccination. If your dog is micro-chipped, add the information needed, in case he gets lost. Put the paperwork in a sandwich bag and tape it to the inside lid of the first aid kit.

If your dog is a routine passenger in more than one vehicle, make a copy of the paperwork for each vehicle and keep in the glove box.

Plan on updating the information annually (or more often if needed). And at that annual update, check for expired medications in the kit.

Container: The dollar store usually has a plastic 'pencil box' that you can use to store the following items. A red one is easy to see and it fits in the pocket of the car door or back seat. You can also use a resealable storage container, a plastic diaper wipe container, or even a plastic shoe box, although these won't be as small to store in the car. Check for travel-sized containers of the contents (or label empty film canisters / pill bottles) to save space.

Items to always include:

• Tweezers - to remove thorns or whatever the dog gets imbedded in his paws or elsewhere.
• Small pair of scissors – for cutting bandages, gauze pads, and matted fur.
• Small flashlight or penlight
• Slip-collar leash
• Eye-dropper / oral syringe / ear syringe – used to flush eyes or between toes and administer oral liquids
• Ziplock bags (3 or 4)
• Gauze pads (6) – 4x4 pads are a good size and come in sealed envelopes.
• Non-stick pads (4) – packaged like gauze pads
• Gauze bandage (3 inch) - can also be used as an emergency muzzle.
• Cotton balls
• Cotton swaps
• Bandage tape (adhesive and paper) – use when the self-adhering bandage isn’t feasible to hold gauze in place. But remember, the adhesive tape may pull out fur when removed, so avoid taping fur when possible. In a pinch, many people have duct tape or electrical tape in their cars.
• Self-adhering bandage: (3 inch) – eliminates the use of clips or safety pins, and doesn’t stick to fur. It can be put over gauge pads to hold them in place.
• Styptic pencil or powder – to stop bleeding
• Triple antibiotic ointment
• Antiseptic cleansing wipes
• Eye wash solution
• Emergency Thermal Blanket – the thin silver one will work to keep your dog warm, is cheap, and takes up very little space.
• Diphenhydramine 25mg (Benedryl) – check with your vet on the dose. Some vets suggest only the colorless (no dye). These work great for minimizing the swelling of bee stings.
• Aspirin (never Tylenol) - check with your vet on the dose and type. Some vets prefer baby aspirin or coated aspirin (gentler on your dog’s stomach).
• Rehydrating solution (Pedialyte or Gatorade): Gatorade makes a powder that is small to store and mixed with water.
• Vomiting inducing agent - to induce vomiting in the event of poisoning. If your pet is poisoned, ALWAYS consult your veterinarian before inducing vomiting. Syrup of ipecac is no longer favored by most vets.
• Activated charcoal – also used for poisoning when you don’t want the dog to vomit. Can be obtained at a health food store.

For longer journeys, make sure you include any prescriptions your dog may take. Take only what you need plus 2 extra doses. My NJ Dog has a prescription he needs twice daily, two pills each dose (4/day). I always take an extra 4 pills - in case I don't get home when planned or we drop a pill.

Keep an old prescription bottle, just for traveling. It has the dosing and strength on it - in case of an emergency, a strange vet can determine what your pup is taking and have your vet's contact information.

If your dog takes a controlled substance, you definitely want to take the prescription bottle, so there is never any question that the drug was prescribed.

• SAM Splint – emergency splints can also be devised from a tongue depressor, 12-inch wooden ruler or thick magazine
• Diarrhea medication - check with your vet on the dose and type
• Latex gloves and Leather work gloves (to protect you from being bitten)
• Mineral oil - a lubricant and laxative when given by mouth
• Digital or rectal thermometer in a plastic case
• Blanket – an old blanket can work as a stretcher and protect your vehicle.
• Skunk odor remover – available in pet stores
• Bitter-apple spray - to deter licking or chewing
• A current pet first-aid book