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Having a well-stocked first-aid kit is as crucial as knowing how to care for a police K9's wounds in the field, says Dr. Chyrle Bonk, a veterinarian, an online dog magazine and website.
“Things like bandages, disinfectant, antihistamines, gloves and booties are important to include in a first-aid kit, and all police handlers should have proper training to know how to use these items,” Bonk stresses.
Bonk, who is also a pet care consultant for Dogster.com, also advises K9 handlers to schedule routine veterinary care for their K9 partners and always have a list of emergency vet hospitals on hand.
Muzzle Up
The No. 1 item that every K9 first-aid kit needs is a muzzle, according to Mat Glassman, a board certified veterinary surgeon and founder and CEO of Dr. Cuddles, a pet care brand that offers pet first aid and hygiene solutions.
“A frightened and injured dog is more likely to bite,” he says.
According to Dr. Julie Hunt, a veterinarian from Embrace Pet Insurance, a well-fitted muzzle made of nylon or leather can prevent a dog in pain from biting during treatment.
“A muzzle is critical when moving or treating an injured, painful dog,” she says.
The importance of muzzle training is highlighted in an article on Preventive Vet. According to the article, it’s vital to teach a dog to accept a muzzle before the need arises.
The first step is to buy a muzzle that fits well. Next, introduce the dog to the muzzle and allow them to get used to it. To motivate the dog to put its nose in the muzzle, start by placing a treat at the opening and slowly move it deeper inside. Once they are comfortable, teach them to keep their nose in the muzzle. This requires patience, practice, and rewards.
Hunt also suggests having a nylon stretcher available to move a large dog in pain, although it is not essential. Another option is a large blanket, constructed of non-stretch material, which can be carried by two people and accommodates the dog's size.
Tourniquets and Bandages
Other important firs-aide items include tourniquets and bandages, adds Glassman.
“They at least need something absorbent they can press against wounds to decrease bleeding,” adds Hunt. “This can be something specifically designed for stopping wounds from bleeding (e.g. stack of clotting gauze) or a clean cloth or towel.”
Glassman suggests the kit should include all four components of bandaging material. The first is a contact layer. Glassman recommends a Telfa Non-Adherent Dressing Pads, which do not adhere to wounds and should be the first layer applied, he says.
Next, he recommends the intermediate layer, including a padded layer as well as a compressive layer. The padded layer is a roll cotton, such as BSN Medical Specialist Cotton Blend Cast Padding. The compressive layer, such as Covidian 2247 Curity Stretch Bandage, placed after the cushion layer helps with stability and to maintain integrity of the bandage.
The tertiary bandage layer should be vet wrap, a self-adhesive bandage wrap that helps hold the bandage together, protecting it from moisture, while also allowing it to breathe.
“This layer keeps the bandage together and helps it stay on,” he says. “You can put that layer on really tight if you want, especially if you’re trying to stop bleeding while you transport a dog to emergency veterinary care- but be careful with stopping blood flow to a limb for too long.”
Medical tape or Elastikon, a stretchy tape, can be applied last to keep everything intact and help keep the bandage in place.
“To put this on, you will also need a good pair of bandage scissors,” he adds.
A splint or bandage material for fractured limbs also makes sense. “But these items are only helpful if the person applying the bandage or splint is trained in how to do so,” Hunt says. “Otherwise, bandages and splints can inadvertently do more harm than good.”
According to Hunt, a stressed dog can become overheated. She suggests using instant ice packs to cool them down when experiencing heat stress. “The dog can be doused with water and/or ice packs can be placed against its body to cool the dog to a normal body temperature,” she says.
Protect Yourself
It’s also a good idea to include things that protect handlers in the kit, according to Hunt.
This might include masks, gloves or even protective eyewear. “Nitrile gloves that fit the handler, for example, can prevent the handler from coming in contact with the dog’s blood or other bodily fluids,” she says.
K9 handlers should receive instruction on how to use everything in the kit. In addition, the kit should contain Instructions that describe how to treat a range of conditions.
Invest in Two
Lyn Schuh, CVT, operations manager of Operational K9 Medical Team of Wisconsin, recommends K9 officers carry two first aid kits, a larger kit kept in the patrol vehicle and a smaller kit carried with them.
The larger kit should contain everything listed above, from oxygen masks to bandage materials, to Narcan for fentanyl overdoses and ReadyRESCUE if the animal eats an organic poison while working, and water. The other kit should be small enough to clip to a dog’s vest and contain things like clotting gauze, a chest seal, a needle for needle decompression, bandage material, a thermometer, and bandage scissors.
