Learning How To Care For Your Dog During An Emergency
Sometimes dog owners find themselves playing the role of dog medics. Dogs are curious and brave, which is normally a great combination but which can sometimes lead to trouble. If your dog has an emergency, you are going to have to help.
The help you give will likely be similar to help you might offer to a wounded human. You will need to perform basic first aid until you can get the dog to the vet. If you put together a kit of supplies before there's an emergency, then if something comes up you will be ready.
Definitely include gauze and tape in the medical kit. These are excellent for slowing or stopping bleeding. If you shop around you can often find blood-clotting topical products too.
Hydrogen peroxide can clean dog wounds without causing stinging and panic. Use an old clean blanket to wrap and comfort the dog, especially if it seems to be going into shock. Other items you want to have on hand are eye wash, antibiotic gel, antihistamine, safety scissors, tweezers, a rectal thermometer, and a medicine syringe (syringe that has no needle). Elastic bandages are also very useful.
Learn the basic techniques of first aid. Then, tuck the relevant medical numbers into the medical kit. Your vet's number is critical. You also want to ask your vet what to do if there is a medical emergency involving your pet in the middle of the night.
Your vet may give you instructions or advice on reaching him after hours. He may also recommend an after hours emergency clinic. Many towns now have these facilities, they are like emergency rooms for animals. If your town has one, include that number in your kit as well.
A dog that is injured and frightened may bite, even if it is normally a very even-tempered animal. It can be a good idea to keep a muzzle in the kit also.
Do not give your dog Tylenol. It is not safe for dogs. Instead, ask your vet what to do for pain, and have some animal-safe pain meds on hand before you need them.
The help you give will likely be similar to help you might offer to a wounded human. You will need to perform basic first aid until you can get the dog to the vet. If you put together a kit of supplies before there's an emergency, then if something comes up you will be ready.
Definitely include gauze and tape in the medical kit. These are excellent for slowing or stopping bleeding. If you shop around you can often find blood-clotting topical products too.
Hydrogen peroxide can clean dog wounds without causing stinging and panic. Use an old clean blanket to wrap and comfort the dog, especially if it seems to be going into shock. Other items you want to have on hand are eye wash, antibiotic gel, antihistamine, safety scissors, tweezers, a rectal thermometer, and a medicine syringe (syringe that has no needle). Elastic bandages are also very useful.
Learn the basic techniques of first aid. Then, tuck the relevant medical numbers into the medical kit. Your vet's number is critical. You also want to ask your vet what to do if there is a medical emergency involving your pet in the middle of the night.
Your vet may give you instructions or advice on reaching him after hours. He may also recommend an after hours emergency clinic. Many towns now have these facilities, they are like emergency rooms for animals. If your town has one, include that number in your kit as well.
A dog that is injured and frightened may bite, even if it is normally a very even-tempered animal. It can be a good idea to keep a muzzle in the kit also.
Do not give your dog Tylenol. It is not safe for dogs. Instead, ask your vet what to do for pain, and have some animal-safe pain meds on hand before you need them.
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