How to obtain a urine sample: Your vet will want to perform a urinalysis, so you can help by bringing a clean, recently caught urine sample with you. To obtain a clean urine sample, begin with clean, dry jar, pan or pie tin. Wash your dog's genital area with mild soap and rinse with lots of clean water, then dry. Take your dog outdoors on a leash and when the dog squats or lifts its leg to urinate, quickly slip the pan into the stream to catch the urine. You only need to catch about one-fourth cup of urine for a complete urinalysis within the hour. If you will have to wait longer than an hour, refrigrate the urine. Try not to contaminate the urine with hair, dirt, grass or other foreign materials.

How to obtain a stool sample: This should be done on your dog once a year, especially if he leads an active and mobile life-style. Use a clean food baggy (I prefer zip locks), turn it inside out to pick up the feces. Turn it back over itself and zip it shut. The stool sample should be hours fresh for the bes results.

First Aid Kits Contents: After putting together all of your first aid contents, place them in a portable container with easy access. Remember to replace all items after each use and update twice a year.

Dressing & Bandages:
1. Adhesive tape, 1 inch roll
2. Gauze pads, 3 or 4 inch square
3. Gauze rolls, 2 inch for small dogs, 3 inch for big dogs
4. Triangular bandages

Instruments:
5. Rectal thermometer
6. Scissors (blunt end)
7. Tweezers
8. Eye dropper
9. Syringe (12cc) with needle removed

Ointments, disinfectants & medications:
10. Antibotics (triple)
11. Hydrogen Peroxide 3%
12. Mecurachrome
13. Vinegar or baking soda, a mild alkali for neutralizing burns caused by acids.
14. Activated charcoal for absorbing poisons.
15. Petroleum jelly or other sterile lubricant for thermometer
16. Kaopectate
17. Chemical ice pack

Misc. Equipement & Supplies:
18. Razor blades
19. Needle nose pliers or wire cutters
20. Q-Tips
21. Betadine solution