First Aid Kit for Cattle

 First Aid Kit for Cattle

Just as you keep a first aid kit in the house, a well-stocked kit should be placed in the barn as well. Place the contents in a large plastic fishing tackle box as sold in most discount stores. Or you can improve and use any other large container as long as it is sealable. You need a tight seal so that dust and moisture can be kept out of the kit. For safety reasons, be sure to label it with tape in a red cross configuration. Keep it in an elevated location that is secure from children and/or any animal intruders. The following list is a suggestion of items to keep in your first aid kit for the barn:

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  • Plastic digital rectal thermometer with an 18 string tied through the hole in the end (normal temp. is 100 +/- 1 and for foals the normal temp. is 101 +/- 1).
  • Bandage scissors or plastic protective bandage knife.
  • Stethoscope (normal heart rate is 40 +/- 6 beats per minute a count of one beat sounds like lub-dub and normal respiration is 16 per minute).
  • Vetrap 3 rolls.
  • Gauze squares. We offer Gauze Sponges 4″ x 4″ x 12 Ply for your convenience.
  • Vaseline (for oozing below wounds).
  • Antiseptic wound ointment spray. We recommend Fungisan spray.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide.
  • Betadine Scrub.
  • Betadine Liquid.
  • Biocaine First Aid Lotion (with Lidocaine to relieve pain).
  • Latex gloves.
  • Flashlight with extra batteries.
  • Saline solution (to make your own mix one tsp. salt in one pint sterile water).
  • Sterile cotton (minimum of 1 roll).
  • Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol).
  • Forceps and/or tweezers.
  • Epsom Salts (may be used for food abscesses add to warm water until it no longer easily dissolves).
  • Disposable diaper or sanitary napkins.
  • Farriers rasp.
  • Duct tape.
  • Bute Paste or Banamine Paste. Banamine Paste is only available through a prescription. It alleviates musculoskeletal-related pain.