As requested...

This past weekend was a cleaning one.  Mostly the study as it seems to be the place to dump stuff when 1, you are in a hurry, 2, have no clue where that something really belongs, or 3, you're a chicken recovering from an injury.

I also dug into the first aid kits-time to pitch, replace, and take stock of what we used up.  We've only had a few minor issues with livestock and dogs this winter.  cough, cough

As requested, here's a list of what goes in our kits and some use of those items:

First-in any first aid kit, have your vet's number taped to the inside.  Also a small pad of writing paper and pen to take notes.   We also keep a laminated sheet with info on temperatures, respirations, heart beats, etc.  Just those panic pieces that you can never remember.  ICE-in case of emergency numbers in addition to our vet's many numbers.

Now for the list:
Liquid items:

Pepto bismol - Liquid - 3-4 tablespoons every 6 hours
Benadryl (allergic reactions/bee stings etc.) - 1-2 mg. per lb. every 8 hours
Aspirin-make sure it's the non buffered, 81 mg(low dose) 5 mg. per lb every 12 hours
Honey - to raise blood sugar
Hydrogen Peroxide to induce vomiting/clean wounds- 1-3 tsp every 5 minutes orally.  Make sure to keep in a dark colored bottle.
Bottled water--we have one or two 8 oz bottles that have diluted cholohexidine which is by far a better item to use to clean wounds.  Ask your vet for some of the undiluted, though a gallon jug is cheap but will take you years to use up(unless you have horses).
Extra unopened bottles of water for hydration, flushing wounds or cleaning hands
Rubbing Alcohol
Saline eye wash
Betadine
Vaseline
Triple Antibiotic ointment-can be used on both wounds or in an emergency in the eye
Nitrofurazone-equine wounds
Hydrocortisone cream--use on wounds on horses to stop granulation
Quik Stop
Blue Kote(for the chickens)
Nutri Drench(for the chickens)
Vet Rx(again, for the chickens)
Nutrical(for the dogs)
Non liquid items:
Latex or nitrile gloves(I get a big box and put several pairs in a ziploc bag)
Gauze  1" and 4" rolls
6" brown gauze--mostly used in our equine kits
Non stick 4 x 4 gauze pads
Vetwrap-3M brand is the best as it sticks in any weather condition
Panty Hose (to use as a muzzle) or a cheap slip lead or bandana
Adhesive Tape-athletic works best
Duct tape
Scissors-both normal and a bandage cutting type
Tweezers or Forceps
Hemostats-several different types and sizes
Ice and Heat Packs-the instant type that you squish around to activate
Clean Cloth for washing areas-several including some hand towels
Syringe-small 1 cc up to 60 cc sizes for use in cleaning out wounds or administering meds.
Needles for syringes-#18  works great for attaching to the syringe and forcing the chlorahexidine through to clean wounds.
Stick to use as a splint-we keep a pair of chop sticks in the canine kit
Nail Clippers
Thermometer (rectal or ear type)--make sure to mark DOG or HORSE on them!
Bulb syringe
Cotton Balls and QTips
Safety Pins
Razor Blade
Needle
Small bowl-margarine container or something similar
Small flash light
pen
pad of paper
sharpie
People bandaids!

From Your Vet:Antibiotics
Metronidazole
Eye Ointment
(anything he/she feels is safe for you to administer in an emergency)

Now for the stuff we have but isn't in a normal kit, simply because it's stuff we've found works great in a pinch:

Diapers--yes you heard me!  Great for emergency bandaging on leg or hoof wounds for horses.
old fashioned Maxi pads-same reason, they work great at absorbing, duh
Hand warmers--when it's cold out they are great for keeping medications from not freezing
Paste Bute-a must for anyone dealing with horses!
Polo wraps-again used for wrapping injuries
High loft quilt batting-great for wrapping leg injuries.  Way cheaper than cotton batting you buy at the medical supply stores.
Dog pee pads or whelping pads-good clean items to lay down on the floor when dealing with wrapping or cleaning out wounds
Mustard--a plain jar of mustard.  If you don't have quik stop handy, works to stop bleeding.  Next best thing is cornstarch
An old laundry detergent container-mark for sharps and dirty bandages

I know I've got more odds and ends but really this is the basics and the must haves for anyone dealing with livestock or pets.  It's really important for you to be prepared, because you just never know when something will happen.  Feel free to copy this--we keep the full list plus the emergency numbers and basic health information in a laminated sleeve in the kit.  We can then do an inventory, check expiration dates and restock.  Also, when traveling, we include an ICE(in case of emergency) form with all the animal's information as well as a permission to treat form.

Let me know if you have any other suggestions!

Later gators...
C