Your dog is a member of your family, and the time you spend together is important and meaningful. Unfortunately, like other human members of your family, dogs sometimes have medical emergencies. In these cases, your preparedness can mean the difference between life and death.
(Pixabay / Peggy_Marco)
Canine first aid and human first aid have a lot of things in common, so if you know anything about first aid, you’re right on track. There are a few key differences – temperament, communication skills, and anatomy being the biggest – but if you’re prepared for them, you have a good chance of success.
Temperament
When your dog is hurt, he will likely become skittish and snappy, even when he’s normally a calm, loving animal. Animals are fiercely protective of themselves when they’re in pain, so don’t feel alarmed if you see a change in your dog’s temperament.
Communication Skills
Dogs can communicate some things very well through their body language and vocalizations, but the chances are good that they can’t say, “The car accident appears to have fractured my tibia, and I’m experiencing internal bleeding.”
While you can’t make your dog talk to you, you can communicate using calm, reassuring tones. You can also show that you care by offering a favorite toy or blanket and giving soft, slow pets.
Anatomy
Human and dog anatomy are very different, but they still have the same basic parts (though configured differently). Knowing the general location of affected body parts will help you apply basic first aid until you can take your dog to a knowledgeable veterinarian.
How to Calm Down or Restrain an Injured Dog
When a dog is injured, you need to have a plan to calm him down and rein him in. Use a soothing voice when you talk to your dog, and lay a favorite blanket over him to keep him warm.
You might not like the idea of using a muzzle, but a hurt dog is likely to bite, and you need to protect yourself because you can’t help if you’re hurt. You can keep a soft muzzle in your pet’s first aid kit, or a tightened leash or collar will work as a last resort.
Lastly, you may need to restrain your dog before you head to the vet. That could mean wrapping him very tightly in his blanket, or it could mean strapping him to a board using rope or a leash. It’s crucial that your dog stays as still as possible when injured until the vet can look at him.
Basic First Aid Procedures
Note: These are all basic first aid procedures that could help save your dog’s life, but if the incident was serious, you should take your dog to the vet right away.
Rescue Breathing
Rescue breathing helps send air into the body, keeping oxygen flowing to vital organs. You should only do it to an unconscious dog with a pulse.
- Check the airway – move the tongue out of the way as necessary, remove any debris
- Extend the neck, so it’s straight out (if you suspect spinal damage, skip this step)
- Close the mouth and blow into the nostrils – use a Styrofoam or paper cup if it’ll fit over their muzzle and form a seal
- Give two rescue breaths slowly, check for a rise in the chest
- Give 20 rescue breaths per minute
CPR
CPR helps keep blood pumping as well as air circulating during an emergency. Only use CPR if the dog is unconscious and has no pulse and no signs of breathing.
- Lay dog on his right side (if possible)
- Check the airway and remove any debris
- Note where the left elbow lays on the chest- that’s the middle of the ribcage near where the heart is
- Feel for a pulse by placing your hand inside the leg in the groin area
- Make a sandwich with your hands and the dog’s chest (for little dogs, compress using the fingers on one hand) and compress about 40{a28d9fe88b019108ba10d93acd408de466e38e0ac6414dac18ed747bab797210} of the way (About 2” for larger dogs, 1” for small dogs)
- 30 compressions then two breaths to the pace of “Staying Alive” or “Sweet Home Alabama” (about 100 compressions per minute)
Choking
- Hold animal still if you can (wrap in blanket or shirt)
- Open mouth and see if you can remove choking hazard safely
- If the item is still present, turn the dog onto his back and thrust with the palm of your hand sharply into the abdomen
- If the dog falls unconscious or stops breathing, start rescue breaths or CPR
Burns
- Offer water to drink
- Cool off the burned area using cold water
- Slather on a bit of aloe vera if it’s a minor burn
- Call the vet (especially if it’s a chemical burn)
- For chemical burns, flush with plenty of water
Poisoning
- Follow the instructions on the back of the chemical’s label regarding ingestion
- Call your vet right away
- Bring the packaging with you when you go to the vet
Bleeding
- Apply a thick, clean cloth or gauze and hold constant pressure for three minutes minimum
- Apply a pet-safe antiseptic spray if you can get the bleeding stopped
- Bandage using a self-adhesive tape
- If you can’t get the bleeding to stop, call your vet right away for additional instructions
Broken Bones
- If you know where the break is, apply a splint by wrapping the area between two sticks using a leash or rope
- Call your vet
- Move the dog to your vehicle using a coat, rug, or blanket and restrain until you get to the vet
Electrocution
- If you can safely turn off the power, do so immediately
- Call your vet
- Keep warm and observe for any strange behavior over the next few days
Seizure
- Don’t attempt to touch or move your pet, and don’t take anything out of his mouth
- Move anything that might harm him out of the way
- Call your vet
- Wait for the seizure to pass (it may take a few minutes)
- Observe for any strange behavior over the next few days
Heat Stroke
- Move to shade
- Cool the dog down by pouring cold water onto his body, focusing on the hind legs, groin, and abdomen area
- Use a fan if water is not available
Knowing how to help your pet in case of emergency can be a load off your mind. By being prepared, you can be the difference that saves your dog’s life.
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