 Accidents happen. When one happens to your dog, you may need to perform some first aid to stabilize or comfort him until you can get to professional help. The American Red Cross, as well as other organizations and companies, offer Pet First Aid courses and books. If your dog or puppy is rambunctious or if you both have very active lifestyles, it may be a good idea to invest the time and money to attend such classes. You can also ask your veterinarian about other classes that may be available in your area.
In An Emergency
In an emergency, keep a level head and get your dog to the veterinarian quickly. Call first. If your veterinarian's office is not open, call the nearest emergency pet clinic. Keep emergency phone numbers such as your veterinarian, an emergency veterinarian and animal poison control centers like the ASPCA (1-888-426-4435), programmed into your mobile phone. Note: Animal poison control centers are different than those for humans, and they typically require a fee to provide assistance.
Some quick tips on common injuries and issues:
- General Injuries: Wrap your dog in a heavy towel or blanket to keep him warm as appropriate and restrict his movements.
- Not Breathing: Unless you have been trained to administer CPR, it is best and safest to seek immediate veterinary care.
- Bleeding: Apply a pressure bandage (sterile gauze or a handkerchief) and, if possible, elevate the extremities to help stem or stop bleeding. The severity will dictate how to best address the situation, but in serious cases, the dog should be taken to the veterinarian.
- Burn: Apply cool water to a burn and gently hold a sterile nonstick pad or clean moist cloth over the area until you get to a veterinary clinic.
- Poison: Call your veterinarian or poison control. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by your veterinarian or animal poison control. Note: 911 is for human assistance only, so pet owners should call their veterinarian or an animal poison control center in the event of an emergency.
- Choking: At any sign of choking (drooling, difficulty swallowing, pawing at the mouth, gagging) don't attempt to remove the item because you will put yourself at risk for being bitten. Seek immediate veterinary care.
- Heatstroke: Take your dog to a cool spot and sponge him with cool water, then take him to your veterinarian. (Heatstroke is a life threatening condition and requires professional help.)
- Frostbite: Get your dog in a warm place. Apply warm moist towels to frostbitten areas. Frostbite can damage paws and ear tips, so see your veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Fever: Check your dog’s temperature. If it’s above 103° degrees F, contact your veterinarian. Read about taking your dog’s temperature
- In ALL Cases: It’s worth repeating: Contact your veterinarian. Even small cuts can become big problems due to infection, and there can be internal injuries you can’t see and your dog can’t tell you about.
First Aid Kit
Having some supplies ready in case of an emergency is a good idea. You won’t have to go searching for what you need at a time of crisis. There’s no need to replicate a veterinary hospital, but these basic items may come in handy. Many large superstores carry pet first aid kits in the sporting goods or pet supply sections of the store.
- Muzzle – dogs in pain may bite
- Antibiotic ointment for cuts and scrapes
- A rectal thermometer – store your dog’s separate from everyone else’s
- Tweezers – to remove thorns, stingers, splinters
- Wrap-style bandages and padding
- A blanket or large towel to wrap your dog
- Gauze
- Adhesive tape – for wrapping legs or using as a restraint when necessary
- Dog first aid book
- Styptic powder – used to quickly stop the bleeding during nail cutting (available in veterinary stores)
- Your dog’s medical records
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