First Aid
- Posted on 19th September 2010
- in Featured
- by jvfairbanks
I am not a vet just a seasoned dog owner, breeder, and dog lover. Please always check with your vet! But in the spirit of “be prepared”
First Aid Kit
Having some supplies ready in case of an emergency is a good idea. You won’t have to go searching for what you need at a time of crisis. There’s no need to replicate a veterinary hospital, but these basic items will come in handy.
- Phone numbers for vet, animal hospital and poison control
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Instant ice packs
- Muzzle or strips of cloth to use as a muzzle
- *snake bit kit if you live in snake area
- Bacitracin, Antibiotic ointment for cuts and scrapes
- A rectal thermometer – your dog’s separate from everyone else’s
- Tweezers – to remove thorns, stingers, splinters
- Wrap-style bandages and padding
- A blanket or large towel to wrap your dog
Accidents happen.
When one happens to your dog, you may need to perform some first aid to stabilize or comfort your pet until you can get to professional help. Read up in your puppy books how to perform CPR, what to do when a puppy chokes, and how to deal with puppy/dog shock if injured. Having knowledge before hand will help you deal with a real life emergency that hopefully never happens.
Remember, first aid should not be the only aid your dog receives. When in doubt to take your puppy in, take them in. Better safe than sorry.
In An Emergency
In an emergency keep a level head and get your dog to the veterinarian quickly. Call first. If your doctor’s office is not open, call the nearest emergency pet clinic.
Keep emergency phone numbers near your telephone. Some quick tips on common injuries and issues:
General Injuries:
Wrap your dog in a heavy towel or blanket to keep him warm and restrict his movements. Not Breathing: Unless you have been trained to administer CPR, it is best and safest to seek immediate veterinary care. (If you want to learn pet CPR, ask your veterinarian to recommend a program in your area.)
Bleeding:
Apply a pressure bandage (sterile gauze or a handkerchief) to stem or stop bleeding.
Burn:
Apply a cold compress or ice to a burn and gently hold it there until you get to the clinic.
Poison:
Call your veterinarian or poison control immediately to determine if vomiting should be induced.
Choking:
At any sign of choking (drooling, difficulty swallowing, pawing at the mouth, gagging) don’t attempt to remove the item. Seek immediate veterinary care.
Heatstroke:
Take your dog to a cool spot and sponge him with cold water. Encourage him to drink small amounts of water.
Frostbite:
Get your dog in a warm place. Apply warm moist towels to frostbitten areas. Change them until the area becomes flushed. Severe frostbite damages paws and ear tips so see your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Fever:
Check your dog’s temperature. If it’s above 103° degrees, contact your veterinarian for advice or medication. Read about taking your dog’s temperature
In ALL Cases:
It’s worth repeating: Contact your veterinarian. Even small cuts can become big problems due to infection, and there can be internal injuries you can’t see and your dog can’t tell you about.
