Dog First Aid

First and foremost keep calm and always be prepared. Emergencies can occur at any time so be ready. Always have the following to hand:

• A basic first aid kit - see below for content

• The telephone number of your vet and the telephone number of the out of hours emergency service. Ask your vet for a card with this information printed on it and keep it in your wallet or purse. If you have the facility, enter these numbers in your home and cell phones. Put the numbers in your first aid kit or write them on the side of it.

• The name of your veterinarian practice in case you do need to look up the number.

• Directions and/or a map to your vet and emergency service.

A small plastic tool box or fishing tackle box make ideal containers. The following items form the basics that you should stock:

• Bandages - crepe/self adhesive and conforming/open weave

• First Aid Tape - adhesive and paper types

• Cotton Wool and Cotton Wool Buds (Q-tips)

• Gauze Pads

• Non Stick Absorbant Dressing

• Thermometer

• Tweezers

• Blunt Ended Scissors

• Eyewash Bottle

• Sterile Saline Solution

• Antiibiotic Ointment

• Muzzle

• Elizabethan Collar

• Disposable Gloves

Check the box regularly to make sure it is complete and up to date.


Vital Statistics

Temperature

• Normal Temperature is 100-102.5 degrees Farenheit

Taking the dog's temperature is not difficult, but it is a task best performed with two people. Have someone, preferably someone the dog knows and is friendly with, hold the dog still.

• Apply petroleum jelly to the head of a rectal thermometer.

• Slowly slide the thermometer into the dog's rectum about 1 inch deep.

• Wait 3 minutes for a mercury thermometer.

• Remove slowly and read the thermometer.

• Shake down the thermometer and clean thoroughly.

To check the pulse rate place your fingers on the inside of the hind leg and slide hand upward until the back of your fingers touch the abdomen. Move your fingers back and forth on the inside of the hind leg until you feel the beating pulse. Count the number of pulses in 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to get the bpm - beats per minute.

Key Procedures

Restraint

If your dog is injured it will probably be frightened and in pain and as such may become agressive. If this is the case you will need to restrain the dog for your safety as well as the dogs. Unless the dog is unconscious, has a mouth injury or is struggling for breath muzzle it.

• Be calm and do not make sudden movements

• Approach from rear or side (not the front if you can avoid it) and slip the muzzle on the dog and secure.

• If you don't have a muzzle available you can make one from a bandage, rag, belt, necktie etc about 3 feet long.
  • Make a loop in the centre and slip over dog's nose.
  • Bring under chin and secure snuggly behind ears.

• For a small dog use a thick towel or blancket to restain it

• Open dog's mouth, pull tongue forward and check for and remove any obstructions

• Remove collar or any other restrictive items

• If the dog is still not breathing apply artificial respiration

• Extend the head with nose pointing forwards

• Hold the mouth closed and blow into nose every 3 seconds

• If you cannot detect a heartbeat - place ear on dog's chest and listen or check pulse - push on the chest just behind the front legs every second. Give two breaths into nose for every 15 compressions of chest.

Keep calm and contact the vet. Whatever the situation call the vet first to:

• Make sure the vet is present

• Get immediate first aid advice

• Get alternative instructions if necessary - have paper and pen available.

Bleeding	Broken Bones	Burns and Scalds
Heatstroke	Drowning	Stings
Eye Injury	Poisoning	Shock
Minor Cuts and Grazes	Fights