Melissa
Kaplan's
Herp Care Collection
Last updated
January 1, 2014
First Aid Kit For Reptiles
Compiled by Melissa Kaplan, 1993
The following is the first aid kit of goodies I keep around for my animals. It may contain more than you require considering the fact that many of the items listed here are used when working with rescued and injured reptiles and other animals.
Betadine (povidone-iodine
Nolvasan (chlorhexadine diacetate- or Hibiclens [chlorhexadine gluconate])
Assorted needles
Assorted syringes
Assorted feeding tubes
Eye dropper
Small turkey baster
Dental curettes
Scalpel handles and assorted blades
Claw clippers
Kwik Stop or corn starch (many small containers to avoid transmitting
blood infections and parasites)
Pill cutter/crusher
KY Jelly (without spermicide; for lubricating feeding tips)
Condoms (make great occlusive bandages for snakes)
Paper first aid tape (goes against reptile skin and releases without damaging
the skin)
Adhesive first aid tape (goes on top of paper tape)
Vetrap (goes on top of adhesive or paper tape to make the bandage water
resistant and harder for the reptile to get off)
Gauze sponges, assorted sizes
Mineral oil (lubricating old feeding syringe plungers)
Cotton-tipped swabs
Toothpicks (good to open baby chelonian mouths)
Tongue depressors
Popsicle sticks
Rubber kitchen spatulas
Magnifying glass
Stethoscope
Stacks of clean terry towels
Calcium gluconate
Calcium glubionate
Ensure
Hill's a/d
Ensure - regular and low protein formulas
Baby food beef, vegetable, fruit
Nutristat or Endura-jel
Pedialyte
Gatorade
Lactated Ringers
Sterile Saline
Triple antibiotic ointment
Silvadene cream
Fenbendazole (Panacur)
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Baytril (Enrofloxacin)
Amikacin (amiglyde sulfate)
Terramycin ophthalmic ointment
Triple beam gram scale (for weighing small animals)
10 lb food scale
Lab beakers
My car kit has Betadine, Nolvasan, alcohol, gauze pads, tape, scissors, scalpel blades and handles, triple antibiotic ointment, Band-Aids (for humans), disposable rubber gloves, zip lock bags, towels, and mammal gloves.
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