No matter how safe and cautious you are with your dog, accidents are bound to happen. Sometimes no amount of preventive measures can stop dogs from, well – being dogs. Their impetuous nature makes them somewhat vulnerable to getting hurt and injured.
That is why it is up to you, his owner, to provide him with the knowledge and tools to keep him alive and well, and to treat him when if he does get hurt.
Dog owners can treat minor injuries for their pets if they have the appropriate remedies, tools, and equipment available.
When an emergency strikes, you have to think fast, act fast, and be ready to tackle it. You should have all of the necessary supplies readily available to you.
You need to put together a handy, first-aid kit for your dog that you can easily carry with you in an emergency. Make sure it is well-stocked, and that the whole family, including the pet-sitter, knows where it is. Below is a list of items that should be included in your canine first-aid kit:
• Gauze sponges — 50 four-by-four inch sponges, two per envelope
• Triple antibiotic ointment
• Rubbing alcohol
• Ear syringe — two ounce capacity
• Ace self-adhering athletic bandage — three-inch width
• White petroleum jelly (Vaseline or similar)
• Eye wash
• Sterile, non-adherent pads
• Pepto Bismol tablets
• Generic Benadryl capsules — 25mg, for allergies
• Hydrocortisone acetate — one percent cream
• Sterile stretch gauze bandage — three inches by four yards
• Buffered aspirin
• Dermicil hypoallergenic cloth tape one inch by 10 yards
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Kaopectate tablets maximum strength
• Bandage scissors
• Custom splints
• Vet wrap bandage
• Meat flavored baby foods
Other suggested items were:
• Blanket
• Tweezers
• Muzzle
• Hemostats
• Rectal thermometer
• Ziplock bags
• Paperwork, including the dog’s health record, medications, local and national poison control numbers, regular veterinary clinic hours and telephone numbers, and emergency clinic hours and telephone number (an index card works fine).
A small toolbox works nicely for keeping all the items together in one place. Under the cover, write your name, address, phone number, and the vet’s name and number in case you lose the box.
First Aid for Puppies
For bleeding, apply direct pressure until bleeding stops. Hold for at least ten minutes and bandage wound.
For burns including chemical, electrical, or heat, you will see swelling, redness of skin, and blistering. Run the wound under plenty of cool water. Ice the injured part for twenty minutes. Make sure to wrap the ice pack in a towel first. Call vet immediately.
Diarrhea can cause some serious issues for your pup. Take food away for twelve to twenty-four hours, but leave some water available. Some animals that look constipated are actually sore from diarrhea. If the puppy doesn’t improve, call the vet.
Heatstroke can be quite scary. You will see rapid or difficulty breathing, vomiting, high body temperature and weakness. Run cool water over the animal. Wrap the pup in a cool wet towel and stop all ministrations when temp is 103 degrees. Call vet immediately.
If you think the dog has fractured a limb, call the vet immediately. Look for bleeding wounds and signs of shock. DO NOT try to set fracture yourself, you could do more damage without being aware of it. Transport animal to vet and support limb gently as you can.
If your pup sustains bite wounds from another animal, you must avoid getting bitten. Even non-biting dogs will bite when in pain. Clean the wound with saline and wrap with gauze to keep clean. If bleeding profusely, apply pressure. Don’t ever use a tourniquet. Do wear gloves because you don’t know the extent of the contamination.
