Saving your dog’s life when the worst happens

An emergency can happen to any of us at any time. What if your dog has a medical emergency ? Are you able to administer first aid to your dog if needed? She receives extensive medical training for the medical treatment of animals correctly and thoroughly. However, you can still learn some simple ways to potentially save your dog’s life. As a dog owner, it is a good idea to understand some of the basics of life-saving first aid in case your dog has a medical emergency.

Call yourself first

The ideal place to treat a home medical emergency is at a veterinary clinic. If possible, the best option during an emergency with your pet is to call his office immediately, then turn to him if he is advised. Even better, you can get in the car and call your veterinarian’s office on the way there. If an emergency situation occurs when your veteran is locked up (or when you are not out of town with your dog) then a 24/7 emergency clinic is the best choice. Familiarize yourself with the location of emergency veterinarians near your home and near places where you travel with your dog. If an emergency occurs and you cannot transport your dog right away, calling a veterinary office is the first step.

Keep an Early Accessory

It is a very good idea to carry a first aid kit that is made especially for your dog. The items will be similar to what you would carry in a first aid kit.

However, it is a better idea to keep them separate. Although pet stores sometimes sell ready-made first aid kits, you may prefer to make your own pet emergency kit. Talk to your vet if you have questions about supplies that are right for you. The following items should be in your dog’s first aid kit:

  • Thermometer and lubricant (water based)
  • Antiseptic wound cleanser and / or wipes (betadine or chlorhexidine-based, not alcohol or hydrogen peroxide)
  • Antibacterial oil powder
  • Bandage tape (adhesive and non-adhesive)
  • Sterile non-adhesive wound pads
  • Gauze squares
  • Bandage scissors
  • tweezers
  • Doreza latex
  • Eye wash (sterile saline)
  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
  • Hydrogen peroxide, fresh and unopened (to induce vomiting, not sores)
  • Towels, wash clothes and blankets
  • Nail knives and styptic powder
  • An urgent guidebook for animals, e.g.

Alternatively, you can purchase an assembled pet first aid kit that contains some or all of the necessary supplies.

Keep the pet first aid kit in an easy place to reach home. Remember to bring it with you when traveling with your dog . Better yet, make some first aid kits to keep at home and in your car. Remember to check first aid kits every few months to make sure they are organized, well stocked and that items are not expired.

What to do if your dog has an emergency

If an emergency occurs, stay calm but act quickly. The first thing you need to do is evaluate your dog: is that spirit? Conscious? Bleeding? Once you know how to respond, you can take steps to stabilize your dog.

Then, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Follow the advice of your veterinarian, who often is to get your dog to the veteran right away.

It is best to take the time before your dog has an emergency to learn how to identify and treat some of the most common emergencies. Remember, the best plan is to be on your way to your clinic and / or on the phone with your clinic. In the meantime, here are some steps you can take to get started:

Respiratory disorders and choking

If your dog is gasping for air or gagging, it is possible that he is choking or experiencing some other form of respiratory emergency. If able, carefully try to open your dog’s mouth and look for an airway obstruction. If you see an object, you can try to remove it. Be careful not to get bitten!

If the object cannot be removed, try removing the dog from the ground with the head pointing down (for large dogs, raise the back end, raise the abdomen).

If the object does not fall, you may need to try some other choking maneuvers for the dogs.

CPR

If your dog is completely unconscious and is NOT breathing, there is a good chance there is no heartbeat. Your first step should be to try to get your dog’s attention and make sure there is no response. Next, try listening to a heartbeat by placing your ear on the left side of your chest just behind your elbow. You can also try feeling an impulse by placing two toes on the inside of a back foot, especially between the inner thigh. If you can not detect a heartbeat or pulse, it is possible for the dog’s heart to stop.

CPR (cardiopulmonary recovery) is best performed by a trained professional. Sadly, the fact is that a very small number of animals experiencing respiratory and heart arrest will recover and continue to live healthy lives. However, if you want to give your dog the best chance, you may want to start CPR. There are two main components to CPR: rescue breathing and chest compressions . Take the time to learn how to perform CPR in advance in case you ever need it.

bloodshed

Trauma can result in external and / or internal injuries to your dog. If your dog is bleeding from the nose, mouth or other muzzle, there is not much you can do but get to the vets right away. If your dog is actively bleeding from an external wound, gently place gauze or a clean cloth over the wound and apply moderate, steady pressure to the bleeding site. In cases of excessive bleeding, lift the area if possible. Try not to disturb the frost by removing gauze or cloth. If it becomes stained with blood, simply apply another layer of cloth or gauze. Keep pressure on the wound until you get to your clinic and a professional can take over.

You should have a veterinarian assess your dog’s wounds as soon as possible. Wounds have a better chance of healing if they are addressed properly and quickly. Waiting for the wound to be treated by a veterinarian will increase the likelihood of infection and other complications.

Wounds

If your dog has a sore that is not too much bleeding (or if the bleeding has stopped), the best thing you can do is get to your vet for medical attention. If you cannot get to the vet right away, try cleaning the wound with sterile saline rinsing or a betadine-based antiseptic wipe. Cover the wound with a non-stick pad, wrap in some gauze and secure with medical tape until you reach the veteran.

NOTE: This bandage should remain in your pet for no more than 24 hours. The sooner you can get to the veteran, the better. Within an hour of injury is ideal. Wounds from fighting with other animals are particularly prone to infection, so do not delay.

Broken bones

If your dog has suffered a trauma, you may or may not be able to tell if he has broken any bones. If you suspect broken bones, make sure to minimize movement in that area. If there is an open wound, proceed with the above recommended recommendations for bleeding and wound trying to keep the area stable (minimize movement). Refer to the veteran immediately so the fracture can stabilize and your dog can take pain medication.

Insect stings / bites

Dogs are very sensitive to insect stings and bites due to their natural curiosity. Most dogs will be minimally affected by one or two bee stings or bug bites. However, stings / bites (or a sensitive dog) can lead to a serious allergic reaction. if your dog has been hit or bitten by an insect, clean the bite area (remove the stinger if visible). If a mild swelling appears, you may want to give your dog some diphenhydramine. (Ask your veteran about the right dose. Most dogs can safely have up to one mg of diphenochramine per pound of body weight. Be aware that this can cause drowsiness.) If the swelling is severe at the site of the bite, the dog there is swelling of the face or capsules, or if your dog develops difficulty breathing,

Snake cuts are another matter. These can be fatal if left untreated. If you know your dog was bitten by a snake, go to the nearest veterinary clinic right away. If what you think was a bug bite, bee sting or mild wound starts to look more serious, you should not wait to see a vet.

seizure

A seizure is not always an emergency, but it should not be discounted either. If your non-epileptic dog has a brief seizure and is recovering well, you should see your veteran as soon as possible (within a day or two). If your dog has a seizure that lasts more than a minute or has multiple seizures in a row, you should go to the nearest veterinary clinic immediately.

Heat stroke

Dogs are not efficient in their cooling, which makes them prone to overheating. If your dog has been in a hot environment and is in any distress, it may be heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Take your dog’s rectal temperature . If it is above 104 ° F, it may be heat exhaustion. Above 106 ° F is heat stroke. Proper cooling is the first step of treatment. Take your dog to a cool area with plenty of cold air circulation (air conditioning is best, but a fan is better than nothing). Wet your dog down with cold water. WARNING: Do not use ice or very cold water.These can cause blood vessels to constrict and become overheated. Continue to check rectal temperature. Stop cooling your dog to 103.5 ° F to avoid over-cooling. See your vet as soon as possible, even if your dog looks better. Internal damage may not be apparent for days.

Toxin exposure

Different toxins require different treatments, so in no way can they deal with the exposure of the toxin to the dog. If your dog has come in contact with a dangerous substance, your best bet is to call an animal or poison control medical line. If a poison is taken, you may or may not be instructed to induce vomiting . If there has been skin contact with a toxic substance, you should wash your dog thoroughly. In most cases, a follow-up with your veterinarian is recommended. In some cases, you may need to rush to the veteran.

GDV / kapardisem

Gastric dilation-Volvul (commonly called bloom or GDV) is a serious condition where the stomach fills with gas and / or food and curves. Large dogs, obese and obese, are at a particularly high risk for this condition. If your dog develops an extreme abdomen associated with extreme lethargy and, in some cases, unproductive constriction, it may be GDV. There are no first aid measures you can take. The only thing you can do is go to the veteran right away.

Other Injuries and Diseases

Any injury or illness that your dog experiences will require attention on your part, even if it is just to see and be seen. Know the signs of the disease in dogs and how to react. If you are not sure how serious your dog’s condition is, contact your veterinarian. When in doubt, do not wait. Just look at your vet. Hopefully, you will never experience an emergency with your dog. However, the opportunity is always there. By taking the time now to learn how to proceed, you may be able to save a dog’s life one day.