A significant part of the family is our furry friends, and we do our best to keep them safe. Accidents and injuries will however, always be inevitable. Knowing and learning skills to support your doggo when faced with an emergency is vital.
Emergencies can happen at any moment, and typically when you least expect it, whether you’re at home, out and about for a stroll, or travelling with your best pal. If they do occur, a successful first move to help you stabilise your dog and even save his life is to respond quickly and properly with first aid techniques. That’s why we at Dog box have put together some helpful Awareness tips for your cute little pooch to help keep them safe!!
Tip # 1: Don’t Panic
The most crucial thing to consider is that if you’re nervous or panicking, you can’t aid and support your pet to the best of your ability. Your doggo will remain much calmer if you stay calm, too. Your pet will pick up on your fear and share in it if you panic. You’ll be able to make a better choice by keeping yourself calm.
Tip # 2: Caring for common dog injuries
Aside from a few whimpers, your dog can’t verbally tell you what’s wrong, so simple pet first aid abilities can help you recognise the problem and what you can do to help. When your doggo is hurt, below are the main measures to consider:
Cuts, abrasions, and wounds from bites
He can be vulnerable to anything while your dog is out and about, from cuts on his paws to bites from other animals. What to do here:
- Over the cut, add a clean cloth. If you bleed, apply pressure before the bleeding stops. Attach another layer of gauze without removing the first layer if the blood soaks through, before you can get your dog to the vet.
- If you think a wild or stray animal has bitten your pooch, call your vet right away to rule out diseases such as rabies.
Dehydration
For a variety of reasons, dogs may become dehydrated, such as infections that include frequent vomiting, fever, heat stroke, or simply not consuming enough water.
A successful cure for mild dehydration is to give Pedialyte to your dog. Mixing it with daily water from your dog will help to recover missing minerals and electrolytes.
Ingesting a foreign object
Our doggos and especially puppies, can get into all sorts of mischief and might try to swallow something he shouldn’t. If you suspect your pet might have eaten something that may be toxic to his bloodstream, check to see if he has dilated eyes, foaming at the mouth, or appears to have an odd mental state.
- You should attempt to retrieve the item by using tweezers or a small collection of pliers if you can see it in the dog’s throat and your dog is calm. Be alert that the item is not moved further down his oesophagus.
- If the item has been fully ingested by your doggo, call your vet for advice on whether to continue to let it spontaneously pass through the gastrointestinal tract or whether an appointment is needed. It helps if you know what has been swallowed by your pet.
- If especially dangerous and sharp objects are swallowed then an urgent call to the vet is crucial.
Poisoning
Various forms of poison call for various types of first aid.
- Before doing something, call your vet or your Poison Control Center (PCC).
- Have all the poison data on hand as well as how much your dog may have eaten.
- Unless instructed by your veterinarian or the PCC, do not cause vomiting.
To know more about what you should do when your doggo is poisoned or exposed to toxins, click here.
Vehicular injuries
If your doggo has been involved in a collision with a car, you can contact your vet right away. Within the meantime,
- With caution, treat your pet. Your doggo might be in shock and may be able to react unpredictably.
- Lift your pooch onto a towel if possible and then take him to the vet.
- You may have to ask your vet to come directly to the scene of the accident if your doggo can’t be moved.
Heatstroke
Your doggo can suffer from heatstroke, or overheating, with summer approaching, if he is left outside without water for too long.
- Place wet cold towels around the body, head, armpits, and groyne of your pet.
- If towels aren’t available, run cool water on your dog’s body over the same places. Make sure there’s cool water, not frigid water.
- Offer some cool water for your dog to drink.
- As soon as possible, take your dog to a clinic.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia can happen to a pet whose body temperature is too low. Your doggo will stop shivering and become lethargic if that occurs.
- Wrap your dog in blankets. If you can, pre-warm them in a dryer.
- If you can, snuggle with your baby.
- As soon as possible, take your dog to a clinic.
- NOTE: DO NOT rub the frostbitten regions if your pet suffers from frostbite.
Click here to gain more insight on doggo Hypothermia.
Sprains and strains
When jumping, twisting, wrestling, or even just running, our four-legged friends can often overdo that. The first warning may be that your dog is starting to limp. What to do here:
- Meanwhile for brief bursts, consider an ice pack or a heating pad.
- If it does not cause your pooch pain, try massaging the area.
- Ensure that your doggo gets rest.
Tip # 3: Assembling Your Dog First Aid Kit
Emergency contact
It is a good idea, as a responsible pet parent, to have emergency contact numbers on hand at all times. Put them on the fridge door, in your pocket, by phone, or anywhere that you can access them quickly and easily.
You need the office and after-hours numbers of your Veterinarian, the number for a 24-hour emergency facility, as well as the Animal Poison Control Hotline (888-426-4435) of the ASPCA. The number of a close, trustworthy friend or family member who can assist in a pet emergency at any time.
Medical history
It’s important to be up to date on your doggos medical history. Be sure to include vaccination records and all the medicines in your kit that your pet is taking.
First Aid Kit
It is very similar to the one you make for human emergencies, to put together a pet first aid kit. It’s possible to buy a ready-made kit or make your own. To use as a muzzle, be sure to include a leash, necktie, dishtowel, or similar soft cloth item, or buy a muzzle to put in your kit. In fear and pain, your doggo may lash out. In an emergency, securing his muzzle keeps you both secure.
Include non-stick bandages, gauze for self-cling, and paper tape for clothing wounds in an emergency. To help determine if your animal is too hot or too cold, you may also want to include a pet thermometer. Splint supplies, compresses, antiseptic spray and wipes, gloves, tweezers, eye droppers, plastic oral medication syringes, clean towels, blankets, and a natural product to help calm your animal may be other helpful items.
*Always remember that immediate veterinary care should be followed by any first aid administered to your pet. First aid care is not a substitute for veterinary care, but until veterinary treatment is received, it may save the life of your pet*
At The Dog Box, we feed a streetie with every box you purchase and ensure their health and well-being. To ensure a safe living for all of our furry babies, let’s work together and make this happen!!
Author,
Rhea Porwal
References
Preventive vet:
https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/pet-first-aid-what-to-do-and-not-to-do
Prestige animal hospital:
Tulare County Animal Services:
https://tcanimalservices.org/animalservices/resources/living-with-pets/pet-first-aid-awareness/
AKC Pet Insurance (doggo picture)
https://www.akcpetinsurance.com/blog/building-your-pets-first-aid-kit