|
Your pet is part of your family. And just like any other member of the family, pets can become ill or injured. Would you know how to care for your pet in an emergency? Here are a few tips:
- Always approach a sick or injured animal slowly and cautiously.
- Watch the body expressions and sounds your pet makes to warn you. Even your own pet can be aggressive when in pain or frightened.
- Do not make quick, jerky, or loud movements. They might further scare your pet.
- When necessary, use towels or blankets to subdue cats or small dogs.
- Keep the phone number and address of your veterinarian in a convenient location.
- Have the phone number and address of an after-hours veterinary clinic on hand and keep directions to that clinic in the same place. Whenever possible, call ahead to let them know you'll be coming.
Pay attention to what is normal for your pet so you can detect signals when something is wrong.
In case your dog gets sick or gets in an accident, it helps to know what to do. Here is some good advice on dealing with such problems as poisoning, cut paws, and diarrhea.
The following information will help you when it comes to giving first aid to your dog in an emergency. Print this out and keep it accessible, for example, next to your veterinarian's telephone number. This page is only a guide - always call your veterinarian for advice.
When attending a dog that has been injured, it is important that the first aid provider takes steps to prevent bite wounds inflicted by the animal being treated. Many dogs, even the family pet, may bite when hurt or frightened. A muzzle is an excellent way to prevent being bitten while rendering first aid. Commercial muzzles are best, as many of them can be used without interfering with breathing; the problem is they are not always available during a crisis.
If a muzzle is not available, the first aid provider must improvise. To make a muzzle, get a rope, cord or other similar strong material (such as a necktie or a belt). Wrap the cord or rope two or three times around the muzzle, being careful not to wrap the material too close to the soft, fleshy part of the nose. The muzzle must be applied to the bony part of the nose to avoid interfering with breathing. Bring the ends up past the ears and tie the securely behind the head.
These muzzles cannot be used on dogs that are having difficulty breathing, are unconscious, or have an injury to the mouth. They're also not indicated for short nose breeds (e.g., Chinese Pug, Pekingese, Bulldog).
Some injured dogs may vomit. If the dog appears to become nauseated or begins to retch, the muzzle should be removed at once.
You may actually see the incident, or your dog may return injured. Ensure that your dog is removed from further possible injury, i.e. off the road. Keep your dog as quiet, still and as comfortable as you can. Restrain him if necessary to prevent further injury. Put pressure on any obviously bleeding points with a clean bandage or cloth. Call your veterinarian as soon as possible to get advice.
Sudden bleeding due to a laceration from broken glass or other sharp object often happens on beaches and out on walks. If bleeding is profuse, wrap the paw in gauze dressing or clean cloth and put a firm ace bandage with even pressure around the paw. Take the dog to your veterinarian for appropriate treatment. Never use an elastic band or other form of tourniquet around the limb, especially for prolonged periods (over 15 minutes).
Look carefully for any obvious foreign body, such as a grass seed. Perforating foreign bodies must be removed very carefully under general anasthetic by a vet, as they can easily be pushed in further. This may be done by flushing the eye with clean, warm water. Prevent the dog from rubbing the affected eye with his paws or on furnishings, and take him to a vet for examination and treatment. If the eye is severely injured then cover it with a damp gauze and take the dog to the vet immediately.
It isn't too worrying if your dog vomits occasionally, and it is only when it occurs several times over a short period of time, or the animal appears generally unwell that you need be concerned. If your dog is vomiting persistently, take note of both the act of vomiting and the nature of what he vomits, so that you can describe it to your veterinarian. Collect some vomitus in a bottle for the veterinarian to examine. Do not feed your pet, and call your veterinarian for advice.
This is defined as very loose stools which may contain blood and/or mucus. Sometimes, it's accompanied by vomiting. Withhold all food and keep your dog warm. Offer small volumes of water with some glucose, or weak bouillon. If the dog is weak, lethargic or depressed, take him to your veterinarian immediately. If he's otherwise bright, make a vet appointment at the next available time. Telephone your veterinarian first and take careful note of any advice given.
This is often identified by sudden acute pain often followed by swelling and sometimes discoloration of the skin. If a dog has been stung in the throat, breathing may be difficult. Keep your dog cool and avoid any exercise. If swelling persists for more than one hour, or if the sting is around the face or neck, take your dog to the veterinarian.
Keep the tongue forward and the airway clear if possible. If a limb has been subjected to a snake bite, a firm pressure bandage should be placed around the limb. Identify the type of snake if possible, and take your dog to the veterinarian immediately.
When your dog is having sudden, uncontrolled spasmodic movements, often with champing of the jaws and usually accompanied by salivation, urination and defecation, then he's having a fit or a seizure. Your dog may also fall onto its side. Keep an eye on violent twitching of the muscles under the skin of the head, neck and limbs.
First thing you should do is to remove the collar and ensure that the dog is away from any danger (e.g. fireplaces, stairs, unstable tables). Make sure he can breathe by holding the head and keeping neck extended if possible. Do not put your fingers inside the dog's mouth. Keep the environment darkened and quiet and prevent all sudden noises like door bells and slamming doors. Most fits are over quite quickly (although it seems a long time!)
Make a note of the exact signs before, during and after the seizures and call your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Your dog will scratch his ear and may hold his head to one side. He may rub it along the ground, shake his head, whine and be reluctant for anyone to touch his ear. If this is a sudden onset, there may be grass seed, foxtail, or another foreign object in the ear. Do not put anything at all in the ear and contact your vet. Ear problems must be attended to early, before secondary changes occur, making the condition more difficult to treat.
If you or someone in your family see your dog swallowing a known poison, call your vet for advice immediately. Seek his or her advice quickly and take the rest of the poisonous agent and/or its packaging to the veterinarian if it is available.
Your dog may be gagging, or tearing frantically at its mouth with its paws. Try to open his mouth and remove the obstructing object - note that you stand the chance of being bitten in doing this. Look at the roof of the mouth, as sometimes sticks or bones get wedged across the top.
In some cases a general anesthetic may be required to safely remove an object from the mouth area. Even after you have removed the object, it's a good idea to get your dog checked by your veterinarian.
If your dog collapses, get veterinary advice immediately. Put your dog onto a blanket and keep his airway free by extending the neck and holding the tongue out of the way.
If your dog's abdomen appears distended and full of gas, phone your vet immediately, and arrange for an immediate appointment.
Transporting your dog to the veterinary practice in an emergency
It is usually preferable to take your dog to the vet hospital rather than for your veterinarian to come out. This is because there is specialized equipment and trained personnel in the practice. Do not give your dog anything to eat or drink, just in case he requires a general anasthetic. Gently slide your dog onto an old blanket or coat on the ground, dragging with the body first.
Two people can pick up the corners of the blanket to form a soft stretcher to transfer the dog to the back seat of the car. The person walking backwards should go right through the car so the dog can be lowered gently onto the seat. Someone should stay in the back with the dog on the way to the clinic. If the dog is trying to bite, a necktie or bandage can be temporarily tied around his muzzle. Do not leave it on for any prolonged period as this may compromise his breathing. If the dog is panting, do not tie his muzzle closed.
Finally, notify the veterinary practice that you are on your way so that they can prepare for your arrival.
Much of this information was complied from several sources. |
