Basic First-Aid for Your Dog

Today I want to talk to you about basic first-aid you can do yourself. Keep in mind, this is only to be used in minor incidents - go to your veterinarian at once for anything major or beyond your comfort level. Minor problems can be divided into two categories:

1. Ones you are able to treat yourself
2. Treatments to carry out to keep the problem to a minimum before taking your dog to the vet

What should you have in your first-aid kit?

Many pet owners do not have a first-aid kit for their animals, if you are reading this and you don't have a first-aid kit - TAKE NOTES! A first-aid kit can come in especially handy in case of an incident, it needs to be kept in a place where it is easily accessible. Let's go over the items you need in your first-aid kit:

• MOST IMPORTANT: The name and telephone number of your veterinarian
• Absorbent cotton wool
• Gauze and adhesive bandages
• Gauze swabs and sterile wraps
• Cotton buds
• Sharp-pointed scissors
• Thermometer
• Forceps/tweezers medium-sized with a blunt point **Note: these should never be used for probing around in your dog's skin!! You MUST always be able to see what you are attempting to remove**
• Plastic syringe
• Eye drops
• Cleansing ear drops
• Antiseptic or antibiotic ointment
• Antiseptic powder and wash
• Rescue cream
• Medicinal liquid paraffin

If you already have a first-aid kit for your dog, it is a good idea to check it once a year to make sure you still have all the supplies, and that everything is still in good, working condition.

The next section of this post I am going to talk about different minor first-aid tasks and the steps necessary to get them done the right way!

* Taking Your Dog's Temperature *

As most of you can already guess, this isn't a pleasant one, but here are the steps necessary:

1. Shake the thermometer so the level of mercury is well below the expected temperature of the dog.
2. Slide the lubricated thermometer carefully into the dog's anus and press it lightly against the side of the rectum.
3. Hold the thermometer in place for about 60 seconds before reading.

* Bandaging a Paw *

1. Pad the leg with cotton-wool strips between the toes.
2. Put a generous amount of extra padding over the end of the foot to cushion it before starting to bandage.
3. The bandage must always include the foot and be extended above the wound.
4. Bandage the leg firmly but be sure the bandage isn't too tight (your dog's circulation will be restricted if the bandage is too tight).
5. Tie the bandage off well above the site of the wound.
6. Cover the whole of the bandage in an adhesive dressing firmly (NOT TIGHT!) and secure at the back of the dog's leg.

* Heat Exhaustion *

This is something to keep in mind when summer comes around - it is very important to remember these steps:

1. Signs of heat stroke include obvious distress, excessive panting, inability to breathe deeply, the dog's tongue is swollen and blue.
2. The dog should be cooled immediately by sponging or hosing down with cold water. Make sure the dog's head is drenched!
3. A wet towel (changed frequently) will help to cool the dog down and in a hot environment may help to prevent heat stroke.

* Bandaging an Ear *

If your dog ever gets into a fight with another dog, chances are he may have damage to his ear. Following these steps will help get any injury under control until you are able to take him to the vet.

1. Clean the wound then place an absorbent pad behind the affected ear.
2. Carefully fold the ear back on to the pad.
3. Place the pad over the folded back ear.
4. Start bandaging around the neck from behind the ear and work your way forward enclosing the affected ear (NOT TOO TIGHT!!).
5. The unaffected ear should not be included in the bandaging.

* Bandaging a Tail *

1. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT LIMBS TO BANDAGE! First, enclose the tail lengthways in a bandage.
2. Lay strips of bandage along the length of the tail.
3. Bandage the tail around it's length (whenever possible, include some of the dog's tail hair within the turns of the bandage).
4. Cover the bandage with an adhesive dressing.
5. Take the adhesive dressing well above the end of the bandage and include strands of hair within each turn.

It is very important that you remember these tips are for MINOR INJURIES ONLY!! Any seriously injured dog should be taken to your veterinarian.