I was browsing through Christmas gift ideas and came across a first aid kit for dogs, specifically hunting dogs. The name is 1st Response Field Dog First Aid Kit. I wanted to see what special things dogs would need for first aid as opposed to people.

"Kit includes: hard-sided plastic carry case, first-aid book, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, bandage, latex gloves, surgical sponges, scrub brush, alcohol prep pads, suture removal kit, cotton-tip applicators, irrigation syringe, cotton balls, plastic bags, skin stapler, hydrogen peroxide and a large, absorbent towel. "

Skin stapler. The ability to do some in the field skin stapling sounds alluring. Looking on Amazon, they are not expensive. A pack of two skin staplers, each loaded with 35 staples sells for $16.99.

And people who bought the stapler also bought the staple remover for $2.43. The reviewers of the staple remover appear to include a lot of people whose staples were installed by medical professionals, but they decided to save several hundred dollars and do their own removal.

I wonder how much trouble a person can get into doing their own skin stapling. Maybe I'd be better off with the box of 100 butterfly bandages for $4.15.

By the way, a suture removal kit generally has a pair of scissors, tweezers (aka forceps in some kits) and a gauze pad and they sell for around $2.50. A real money saver as opposed to going to the doctor for stitch removal, even if you have insurance.