The First Aid Kit


I personally find my first aid kit an essential part of equipment, we don't often run into problems but it is always a good idea to have some essential items at home for emergency treatment, This should in no way replace a specialised and experienced Vet and you should always seek advice if you are unsure. I will try to explain what I would use each item for. I also should point out that these are most items I keep in my first aid box, I am a fully qualified veterinary nurse, and some of the items are for other small animals, dogs, cats etc.

The Basics

Most of this is fairly straight forward. I prefer to do things as sterile as possible but it is a must when treating open wounds.

  • Sterile and non sterile gloves
  • Scissors 
  • Tweezers
  • Thermometer - for checking vivarium temperatures.
  • Probes
  • Tapes
  • Bandages
  • Gauze
  • Clingfilm - for burns, after applying flamazine cream clingfilm can be secured in place.
  • Cotton wool & Cotton buds

Extra Basics

These are a little more specialised. If you need to give antibiotics (only under veterinary supervision) you will need sterile equipment, always use a new syringe and needle.

  • Stethoscope
  • Forceps (different kinds) - removing retained eye caps.
  • Various size sterile syringes- injecting, tube feeding, flushing wounds.
  • Various size sterile needles - injecting
  • Sterile Swabs
  • Scalpel blades & Stitch cutters
  • Tick Remover

Ointments & Solutions

  • KY Jelly - probing, softening retained skin
  • Povidone Iodine Solution - skin cleaner
  • Hibiscrub - skin cleaner (milder than above)
  • Alcohol Hand Gel - sterilising hands between animals
  • F10 - nebulising, disinfectant
  • Eye and Skin Ointment - minor wounds
  • Eye Drops/Vicotears - retained eye caps
  • Mayuka Honey - wound treatment
  • Euculiptus oil - can be used for alternative treatment of respiratory infections.
  • Vasaline - softening retained skin, protecting wounds
  • Spirit - skin cleaner, cleaning equiment

Nutritional Support

  • Poweraid or Rehydration Powder - used for rehydration, usually the reptile is bathed in a diluted solution. Poweraid is readily available. Royal Canine offer an electrolyte powdered solution that works in the same manner.Carnivore Vitamin Paste
  • Repti-boost - probiotic combination of bacteria, enzymes, electrolytes and vitamins
  • Avipro Plus - prebiotic and probiotic blend enhanced with vitamins A, C & E, useful for animals undergoing veterinary treatment as it boosts the immune system
  • Zo-Cal D - Liquid Calcium and D3, used for treatment of nutritional hyperparathyroidism (MBD)
  • Critical Care Formula - emergency feeding of ANY SPECIES
  • Emeraid - Full nutritional support for the long term management of none feeding animals.
Other
  • Frontline spray - Mite treatment
  • Panacur/Drontal - Worming treatment
  • ARDAP - Mite treatment
  • Nebulizer - RI treatment

Specialised

These can only be obtained from a veterinary practice and should not be used without the direction of a suitably qualified vet. 

  • Fluid - Saline/Hartmans/Glucose Saline - Nutritional support, nebuslising, wound cleaning
  • Flamazine - wounds, burns
  • Antibiotics - Fortum/Amakin/Marbocyl
  • Metacam - anti-inflamatory