Pet Party Line is a column written by Beth Byrd and is featured weekly in The Citizen News, one of our local newspapers.

"A HOME FIRST AID KIT FOR YOUR PET"

Q: Are there some things we can keep at home for my pet in case of a medical need?

A: Here are some suggestions for a first aid kit you can put together yourself:

• Aloe vera lotion for treating minor burns.
• Betadine for cleaning wounds.
• Buffered or coated aspirin for fever or miscellaneous aches & pains; give 1/4 of a 325 milligram tablet for every 10 lbs of weight, once or twice a day. (ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR VET BEFORE GIVING HUMAN MEDICATIONS TO PETS.)
• Epsom salts for cleaning and soaking wounds or sores.
• Hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) to induce vomiting; give one tablespoon for every 15-20 lbs of weight.
• Pepto Bismol for diarrhea and other digestive complaints; give one teaspoon for every 20 lbs. of weight every 4 hours.
• Saline solution for flushing eyes and for soothing irritation.
• Triple antibiotic ointment or cream.
• Witch hazel or soothing minor inflammations as well as insect bites or stings.