Our Dogs' Medicine Cabinet

First aid kits are great, but they're meant to be compact, mobile, and minimal in contents.

So our dogs' medicine cabinet probably wouldn't qualify.

Somewhere in our soon-to-be-unpacked new garage and basement are about five recycled Flint River Ranch dogfood boxes labeled "Dog Health Stuff." Close at hand are two other boxes labeled "People Health Stuff." Since there are more dogs than people in this household, I guess that's okay. Either that or we've created a bunch of canine hypochondriacs.

We're designating our spacious laundry/mud room as the "dog room." That's where they'll be fed, that's where they'll be bathed, and that's where we'll wipe off the muddy feet before they enter the house. That's also where the "Dog Health Stuff" boxes will get unloaded into upper and lower cabinets. Ah, to have ALL the dog stuff in one spot!

Along with spare leashes, toys, doggy raincoats and grooming tools will be the "first aid" stuff (and I suggest this list for any dog owner):

1. Vet Wrap, 2 dozen rolls of it

2. Gauze bandages

3. Triple Antibiotic ointment

4. Nolvasan wound cleaner

5. Elastikon (stretchy, sticky bandage), a dozen rolls of it

6. Gauze pads (squares)

7. Plenty of waterproof adhesive tape

8. Clean plastic bread bags to keep a bandaged leg or foot dry

9. Electric clippers to trim away hair from a wound area

10. Tweezers

11. Bandage scissors

12. Thermometer

13. Stethoscope

14. Soft muzzle

15. Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting)

16. Bottled saline solution (for flushing wounds)

17. Latex gloves (for rectal exams)

18. A few clean rags

19. Paper towels

20. Gas-X and Mylanta (for relieving bloat)

21. Rubbing alcohol (for sterilizing instruments)

22. Q-Tips

23. A pair of hemostats (I don't know why and hope I never have to use them)

24. A compact flashlight (I use a Petzl headlamp which is WONDERFUL for hands-free light when you're trying to examine or treat a wound)

25. Bottle of pain reliever, like Rimadyl or Deramaxx (both prescription drugs), or plain aspirin.

26. Epsom salts for soaking an obvious sprain.

27. Several small, soft, clean sponges

28. Dog first aid handbook

29. Old, cheap fleece blanket

Now that's just the "first aid" stuff. And I've probably forgotten something. But then there's the "medicine chest" section, which includes:

1. Prescription drugs for each dog

2. Pro-enzyme powder for the Swissies' food (to prevent bloat)

3. Metamucil powder to add to the Swissies' food (aids in good, formed stool)

4. Daily vitamin pill containers, refilled weekly. (They probably don't need any of it, but it makes us feel good.) Supplements include fish oil, Vitamin C, Joint Rescue (wonderful glucosamine/anti-inflammatory pills), Vitamin E, sulphur pills (to help stave off the demodectic mange that plagued Lizzie as a puppy)

5. Anti-fungal cream

6. Ear wash

7. Nail clippers and styptic powder

8. Toothbrush and toothpaste

9. C.E.T. Dental Hygiene Chews

10. Bitter Apple spray

11. Anti-itch home-made lotion

12. Extra ingredients for the above (aloe, tea tree oil, witch hazel)

13. Sunscreen for Lizzie's face

14. Extra dog shampoo

15. "Dry" shampoo (for dire emergencies)

16. Doggy cologne (for even worse emergencies!)
17. Nature's Miracle

18. All our old, ratty towels

19. Shedding blade and slicker brush

These items will be categorized and stashed in convenient, pull-out plastic tubs so it'll be easier to find stuff in a hurry and keep things neat.

Just the other day I realized that the DOGS have three times more ROOM for their "toiletries" in the laundry room than we do for our own stuff in the master bathroom. Good thing, since they have three times more STUFF! Hmmm....