Knowing first-aid for your favorite canine will come in handy in an emergency. After all, these fellas hit the wild with you. Surprisingly, discussions on first-aid for dogs are arguably not cherished by many, but not anymore. Let’s see how to save your furry companion before the arrival of the vet.
In this article, we’ll look at essential items in the first-aid toolkit, effective techniques for injuries, how to treat a seizure, how to handle a choking moment, and what to do if your dog may have been poisoned.
Items to Have in your Dog’s First-aid Kit
My dogs are a very significant part of my life, and I assume they are important to you too. Whether we go fishing, hunting, or go on a hiking trip, they are wagging their tails before and beside us, as well as chasing down rabbits. My dog is my best friend!
Packing your dog’s favorite toy, foods, water/food bowls, doggie bed, treats, leash & clothing is only typical when you bring it to the woods. But, how many times have you packed a first-aid toolkit as well? If you’ve never done so and don’t even know how to start, no worries. Let’s look at what and what to have in your dog’s first-aid kit when you go camping.
Note that administering first-aid on your dog doesn’t invalidate the need for veterinary care. First-aid is just to ensure that your dog survives until it is professionally treated.
First-aid Items for Your Best Friend
- Antiseptic solution
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Small flashlight
- Tweezers
- Gauze pads
- Gauze tape
- Cotton balls
- Q-tips
- Scissors
- Instant Hot Pack & Instant Cold Pack
- Hand Sanitizer
- Latex Gloves
- Alcohol Pads
- Daily or weekly prescriptions for your dog
- Dog Aspirin (easily found over the counter)
- Soft Blanket
A muzzle to tame it sometimes. This is because even the best-behaved dog may bite…
Other (Not-so-important) items to Include in your Dog’s First-aid Toolkit:
- Complete medical records of your dog, including its recent history of vaccinations
- Access line to your dog’s vet
- Phone number for any veterinary clinic, where emergencies can be attended to. Remember to consider the availability of an emergency vet hospital before hitting the wild.
- Phone numbers for Poison Control: National Animal Poison Control Center (800) 548-2423. Animal Poison Control (ASPCA) (888) 426-4435.
Administering First-aid Treatment on Your Favorite Canine
Packing a first-aid toolkit is nothing if you don’t know how to perform simple techniques on your dog when it is injured or showing certain symptoms. Pay attention to the techniques below, so you can keep your dog alive before it gets medical treatment.
Wound Care
When your dog is injured, hold it firm, comfort it, and then…
- Clean the wound’s surface and surrounding with cotton balls soaked in hydrogen peroxide. As an alternative, you can make do with alcohol swabs, but this may sting too much and cause your dog to become jumpy, edge, and slightly aggressive. That will make the cleaning difficult.
- Apply pressure on the wound with gauze pad or clean clothing in case there’s any bleeding.
- If the wound is severe or quite deep, maintain pressure on it and get to a veterinarian as soon as you can.
Seizure Care
Your most important job when your pet is having a seizure is to protect it from injuring itself. Nothing extra. Here’s what to do and not do:
- Remove harmful items around to avoid injury while the episode is on. Remember that he is unconscious.
- DO NOT put any object inside his mouth, whether your hand, spoon, or whatever.
- DO NOT try to retrain the fella. The most you can do is have a hand on it as if you were patting it.
After the episode is over, ring your vet immediately, especially if it is the first time.
Keep in mind that if your canine buddy does not snap out of the seizure within 5 minutes, or if he does and then experiences another episode within 1 hour, get him to a veterinarian as soon as possible!
What If it is Choking?
You have to act quickly when your dog is choking…
- If your dog starts choking, hold his upper jaw wide open with one hand, as if you two were wrestling, and then look into his throat to see why he’s choking.
- Do not attempt to put your hand into the dog’s throat except if the object is within your reach and you can take it out.
- If the dog is smaller, raise his back legs into the air, thus allowing gravity to dislodge the item.
- If the object cannot be removed with your fingers or tweezers (which you must be very careful with), deliver four blows on the space between the shoulder blades of your dog using your hand’s heel.
What to Do If Poisoning is Suspected
- The instant you suspect that your dog is poisoned, seek professional help without any delay.
- If you’re unable to get to your veterinarian, ring up the poison control center immediately.
- Again, the numbers to reach poison control are: National Animal Poison Control Center (800) 548-2423. Animal Poison Control (ASPCA) (888) 426-4435. Now, you may see the essence of having these numbers in your dog’s kit. You may be jittery and find it difficult to get any help if it isn’t easily accessible.
Take note of the poisoning symptoms to be shown by your dog if poisoned. He may vomit uncontrollably, become aggressive before going weak, look helpless, be unable to stand, cough out blood, and so many other things to look out for. You can ask your vet for what to take note of.
Concluding First-aid for Your Favorite Canine
Discharging first-aid for your favorite canine requires a capable mindset, as much as it does a stocked kit. When your dog is injured, you must be able to remain calm enough to perform necessary techniques; else, you’ll be aggravating his condition. Again, first-aid is no replacement for expert treatment from a vet. Keep in mind.