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Health & Fitness

First Aid For Fido

A quick primer on how to be prepared for medical emergencies in dogs.

Would you prepared to help your dog if he:

-  was overheating on a hot summer day?
-  was attacked and injured by another animal?
-  ate a whole bag of chocolate or some other substance poisonous to dogs?
-  had a seizure?
-  suffered some accident and started limping or, worse, couldn't move at all?

Feelings of panic may accompany these situations, but preparation - with knowledge and the right supplies - will go a long way toward ensuring that you have the clear head and confidence needed to reduce a dog's pain and suffering or perhaps even save his life.

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Obviously, it is better to avoid emergencies than to deal with their consequences. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to provide a safe environment and I strongly recommend that you acquaint yourself with information about how to keep your dog safe. But prevention can't remove all risk to your dog, so you should prepare yourself for pet medical emergencies. Preparation is essential for effective treatment of any injury or illness.


There are a number of excellent pet first aid guides on the market. There are also a number of informative websites dealing with animal first aid on the internet. I recommend that you check here and here. For those who already have training in advanced human first aid, such as first responders, those trained in search and rescue and medical professionals, this is an excellent site, which provides detailed information to help in canine triage.

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You'll need a dog first aid kit. You can buy a prepackaged dog first aid kit, and customize it with extra supplies or put one together yourself. The do-it-yourself method will probably be cheaper and has the added advantage that you will be completely familiar with the supplies in the kit and their use.


Basic Canine First Aid


These phone numbers should be available for quick reference in case of an emergency (It is recommended that they be kept on a card in the kit) :

  •     Veterinarian
  •    
  •     Animal Poison Control Center  -  888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435)

 

Here's what you should include in your doggie first aid kit:

  • Nonstick bandages--Controlling bleeding/cover wounds                                                   (Substitute with clean strips of cloth or towels )             
  • Cotton gauze--Wrapping wounds
  • Adhesive tape for bandages--Securing gauze wrap/bandage                                             (DO NOT use human adhesive bandages like Band-Aids)
  •  Hydrogen peroxide 3 percent solution--Inducing vomiting                                                     (ALWAYS contact a vet or animal poison control center before treating a dog for poison. The wrong treatment can be worse than no treatment at all)
  • Eye dropper--Administering oral treatment/flushing wounds                                          (Substitute with large syringe without needle)
  • Muzzle--Preventing your dog from injuring you/others                                                      (One can be improvised from gauze, towels, rope or similar material at hand. NEVER muzzle a vomiting dog!)
  • Leash--Transporting your dog  (Use ONLY if he can walk with further injury!)


Obviously, most of the items here can be found in a standard human first aid kit, but organizing one for your pet, especially including the quick reference phone numbers, will help prepare you to render the best possible immediate emergency care.


If your pet is injured, he may well be in pain. He will likely be scared and confused. You
must exercise caution to ensure that you are not bitten or scratched.

  • DO NOT assume that your dog will not bite or scratch, no matter how gentle he may be in normal circumstances. Pain and fear can make animals unpredictable or even dangerous.
  • DO NOT attempt to hug an injured dog. While this may be your first impulse to comfort your dog, it may frighten him more or cause him pain. Always keep your face away from his mouth.
  • Perform any examination gently and stop if he becomes more agitated.
  • Call your vet or emergency veterinary clinic before you move your dog for advice and  so they can be ready you when you arrive.
  • If necessary, place a muzzle on him to reduce the chance you'll be bitten. Large dogs may be muzzled with towels, stockings or gauze rolls. Small dogs may be wrapped in a towel to restrain them, but make sure they are not wrapped too tightly and their nose is uncovered so it can breathe. NEVER muzzle your pet if it is vomiting.
  • Try to stabilize any injuries before moving an injured animal by splinting or bandaging them, if possible.
  • While transporting an injured dog, try to keep it confined in a small area to reduce the risk of additional injury. Pet carriers are the obvious choice, but you can use a box or other improvised container (make sure your pet has enough air). For larger dogs, use a board, toboggan/sled, door, throw rug, blanket or something similar as a stretcher.
  • Serious injuries mean handling your dog carefully and transporting her to the veterinary clinic. You'll have to lift her in a way that limits any further damage, and minimizes her pain.

If at all possible, you should take a copy of your dog's medical records with you if you are not taking him to your regular vet.

During an emergency, you'll need to act quickly and correctly if a dog is seriously ill, injured or poisoned. Learn what dog first aid to provide in various situations to relieve his suffering and keep him alive until a veterinarian can take over. If you're familiar with the signs and symptoms of illnesses and injuries that can harm your dog, you can provide the right aid faster, and more confidently.

Learn how to recognize the signs of poisoning, illness and shock.  Read up on how to determine if he has broken bones after an accident. Know the symptoms of illnesses and diseases that are common in your dog's breed.


Planning and preparing for a canine emergency may be something many of us don't want to think about, but you do need to them for your dog's sake. You'll feel better knowing that you can keep your dog alive and reduce his suffering during any emergency situation.

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