Product Review: Advanced Canine First Aid Kit, Book, and Video Tape.
Fred Forrest

There are not many products that we review that get me excited enough to write about, but I must admit I have found a jewel for the working dog community!

Advanced Canine First Aid is actually comprised of 3 separate products all of which are created by Dr. Randy Acker DVM. These items are available individually or as a complete kit. What is even more exciting is that if a topic is not covered after you read the book and watched the video, Dr. Acker will address those concerns in our message forums. So you not only get a fantastic First Aid Kit which covers most injuries a working dog receives, but you have a support system behind it that can help fine tune it to the specific needs or risks your dog is exposed to.

The Book:
The first product I looked at was the "Field Guide to Dog First Aid" subtitled "Emergency Care for the Outdoor Dog". Now I will tell you that when I opened the package, at first glance the physical size of the book had me wondering if it was really worth the $15.00 it costs. It is a paperback and small enough to tuck in a back pocket or slip into your backpack without taking a lot of space.

Well, I opened the cover and immediately read it from front to back and what I found was a wonderfully written comprehensive manual that is easy to navigate, provides accurate information, and does not waste a lot of your time delving through fluff that does not help solve your dogs problem. And I found it covered 100+ emergency first aid topics including Allergies, Bleeding/Lacerations, Breathing Problems, Collapse and Weakness, Drowning, Foot and Pad injuries, Gunshot wounds, Hypothermia/Frostbite, Poisons, Snakebite, Vomiting, Insect and Animal Pests, Fractured and Dislocate Bones, Burns/Scalding, Diarrhea, Fish Hook injuries, Heat Stroke, Lameness, Shock, Stomach Torsion, Disabling Head and Leg Traps, and more. There is even a dosage chart in the back of the book for common over the counter drugs and what the side effects are for them.

The book is written in a manner that assumes you may be out in the field and not be able to immediately access your veterinarian, with the goal to provide the best chance of survival for your canine partner. It even covers stapling open wounds to minimize infection and bleeding. It also is geared toward keeping your dog operational whenever possible so you can complete what you are doing and be able to walk back to your vehicle.

After reviewing it, I can see where it should be included in any working dogs equipment bag, whether you are involved in SAR, Police K-9, Assistance Dogs, Hunting, or just go backpacking with your dogs.

The Video Tape:
The second item I reviewed was a video tape "Advanced Canine First Aid for Sporting and Outdoor Dogs" which really goes hand in hand with the First Aid book. The video shows the practical application of things like splints and bandages, administering medication for various problems, and how to properly use first aid equipment on your dog. The tape is around 1 hour long and covers a lot of ground in a thorough easily understood manner. At $20 it is a steal when you consider what it covers.

The First Aid Kit:
The 3rd product is the "Advanced Canine First Aid Kit" (tm) which is the most comprehensive kit I have seen anywhere! When you compare it to other products costing in excess of $200 you will be amazed that it only costs $125 for the kit by itself or $150 for the Kit, book, and video tape and it includes more than the higher priced Trauma and First Aid Kits..

The entire kit comes packaged in an L.L. Bean pouch.

The "Advanced Canine First Aid Kit" includes prescription drugs for infections, snakebites, shock, etc. some of them are Proparacaine, acepromazine, lidocaine, cephalexin, prednisone, apomorphine, triple antibiotic topical and ophthalmic ointments.

It also includes Medical Instruments for Field Treatment! Things like a skin stapler, hemostat, thumb forceps, scissors, sutures, and syringes to administer medications with.

The Bandaging Supplies include: Vetrap, Cast Padding, gauze roll/sponges, wet pruf tape, elastikon tape, ear stockingette, tefla pads, saline flush solution, povidine-iodine prep pads, exam gloves and more!

If you are serious about your Working Dogs emergency care, particularly if you find yourself in situations where a Veterinarian isn't a short distance away, you can't afford to be without this Advanced Canine First Aid System. As an added bonus for WorkingDogs.com customers Dr. Acker will field your questions to help insure that you understand how to use it for whatever type of work your dogs do.

You can price these products and purchase them by clicking here.

Disclaimer:
This complete kit if utilized correctly can help afford you temporary emergency care for your canine. The kit is not designed nor should it be used as a substitute for professional veterinary care, advice or treatment. WorkingDogs.com and the Veterinarian disclaim any responsibility or liability for any loss that may occur as a result of the use of this kit.