Dog First Aid and Safety Tips
Learn essential first aid tips for injured dogs, including how to handle them safely, examine injuries, and transport them to veterinary care. Understand common dog emergencies like heat stroke, trauma, and poisoning. Stay prepared and keep your pet's medical records handy for emergencies.
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SUSIE WEIS, DVM UMC-COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE CLASS OF 2003 TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY- BIOLOGY MY JOB: CHIEF VETERINARIAN AT SNKC MY WORK HISTORY: 2+ YEARS NONPROFIT 2+ YEARS EMERGENCY 9 YEARS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE IN ST. LOUIS AND KC Dogs of my lifetime s past: Boo- schnoodle Rasha- sheltie mix Leeloo & Bela- greyhounds My Current Dog count: ZERO (I care for little humans and cats.)
IT IS REPORTED IT IS REPORTED THAT IN THE THAT IN THE UNITED STATES, UNITED STATES, ABOUT 1% OF DOG ABOUT 1% OF DOG BITES AND ABOUT BITES AND ABOUT 5 5- -10% OF CAT 10% OF CAT BITES REQUIRE BITES REQUIRE HOSPITALIZATION. HOSPITALIZATION.
INJURED DOG SAFETY Never assume that even the gentlest pet will not bite or scratch if injured. Pain and fear can make animals unpredictable or even dangerous. Don't attempt to hug an injured pet, and always keep your face away from its mouth. Although this may be your first impulse to comfort your pet, it might only scare the animal more or cause them pain. If necessary and if your pet is not vomiting, place a muzzle on the pet to reduce the chances you'll be bitten. Dogs may be muzzled with towels (torn into a strip), stockings or gauze rolls. Small dogs may be wrapped in a towel to restrain them, but make sure your pet is not wrapped in the towel too tightly and its nose is uncovered so it can breathe. Perform any examination slowly and gently. Stop if your animal becomes more agitated. If possible, try to stabilize injuries before moving an injured animal by splinting or bandaging them. While transporting your injured pet, keep it confined in a small area to reduce the risk of additional injury. Pet carriers work well, or you can use a box or other container (but make sure your pet has enough air). For larger dogs, you can use a board, toboggan/sled, door, throw rug, blanket or something similar to act as a stretcher. Call your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic before you move your pet so they can be ready for you when you arrive. You should always keep your pet's medical records in a safe, easily accessible place. Bring these with you when you take your dog for emergency treatment.
TOP 10 DOG EMERGENCIES Trauma/HBC/broken bone Heat Stroke Breathing issues Poisoning/toxin exposure Seizures Weakness/collapse Vomiting/anorexia/bloody diarrhea Eye injuries Bloat Paralysis
HEAT STROKE = HOT DOG
HYPERTHERMIA HYPERTHERMIA STROKE OR IE.HEAT HEAT STROKE OR HEAT PROSTRATION HEAT PROSTRATION IE. Any time the body temperature is higher than 105 F, a true emergency exists. Heatstroke generally occurs in hot summer weather when dogs are left with inadequate ventilation in hot vehicles. However, heatstroke may also occur in other conditions, including: When an animal is left outdoors in hot/humid conditions without adequate shade. When exercised in hot/humid weather. When left in a car in warm/hot temperatures (as low as 70 F or above) Other predisposing factors may be obesityand/or diseases affecting a pet s airway. Keep in mind that prolonged seizures, eclampsia (milk fever), poisonings, and many other conditions may cause hyperthermia. Also, brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds (Pekingese, Pug, Lhasa apso, Boston terrier, etc.) may suffer from ineffectual-panter syndrome that results in an increased body temperature that may be fatal.
HEAT STROKE Initially the pet appears distressed, and will pant excessively and become restless. As the hyperthermia progresses, the pet may drool large amounts of saliva from the nose and/or mouth. The pet may become unsteady on his feet., may be weak or collapse. You may notice the gums turning blue/purple or bright red in color, which is due to inadequate oxygen. What to Do Remove your pet from the environment where the hyperthermia occurred. Move your pet to shaded and cool environment, and direct a fan on her. If possible, determine rectal temperature and record it. Begin to cool the body by placing cool, wet towels over the back of the neck, in the armpits, and in the groin region. You may also wet the ear flaps and paws with cool water and/or rubbing alcohol. Directing a fan on these wetted areas will help to speed evaporative cooling. Transport to the closest veterinary facility immediately. What NOT to Do Do not overcool the pet. Never use ice! Most pets with hyperthermia have body temperatures greater than 105 F, and a reasonable goal of cooling is to reduce your pet s body temperature to 102.5-103 F while transporting her to the closest veterinary facility. Do not attempt to force water into your pet s mouth, but you may have fresh cool water ready to offer should your pet be alert and show an interest in drinking. Do not leave your pet unattended for any length of time.
TRAUMA/HBC/BROKEN BONE This encompasses Bite wounds from dog fights Torn toe nails Acute moist dermatitis or hot spots (a mild emergency) Lacerations Happy Tail Burns Blunt or penetrating trauma Vehicular trauma Gunshot wounds Jumping out of a pickup truck Crushing injuries, burns BDLD (big dog little dog) Falls.
TRAUMA-BLEEDING What to do: #1-STAY CALM!! Use direct pressure and gently place a compress (a pad of clean cloth, feminine sanitary product or gauze) over the bleeding area and hold in place using a non-stick/self-clinging bandage material such as Vet Wrap (athletic bandage) or Ace bandage. For nails clipped too short- You can try packing the nail with flour, corn starch, Kwik Stop or take a bar of soap and run the bleeding nail down it a couple of times. The soap packs into the opening quite well.
BREATHING ISSUES IE DYSPNEA OR RESPIRATORY DISTRESS Respiratory distress is recognized by increased effort to breathe; noisy or squeaky breathing; cyanosis (a bluish tinge to the lips and mucous membranes); and an inability to fully inhale or exhale. Differentials include: Congestive heart failure Cancer Fluid buildup in or around the lungs Blunt trauma Pneumonia Laryngeal paralysis Obstruction of the trachea Electrocution
RESPIRATORY DISTRESS What to Do Keep the pet and yourself calm. If the pet has choked on a foreign body, perform the Heimlich maneuver and/or a finger sweep (without getting bit!!) Perform rescue breathing if necessary If the pet is overheated, moisten the feet and ears with cool (not cold) water or rubbing alcohol to promote heat exchange. Seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible. What NOT to Do Do not upset the pet. Do not perform rescue breathing on a conscious pet. Do not give anything by mouth.
BREED-SPECIFIC RESPIRATORY RISK Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds (e.g., English bulldog, Pekingese, and Pug) warrant a special mention. Because of the short nose, the soft palate can interfere with breathing. On hot days or in hot environmental conditions these dogs try to cool off by panting vigorously, and the soft palate interferes even more. This cycle continues until the dog is severely dyspneic and overheated. Cooling these dogs is imperative. Move them to a cool environment and seek immediate veterinary care. This syndrome is manageable only by protecting these breeds from heat, keeping your pet s weight healthy or by pre-emptive surgical reconstruction of the soft palate.
CPCR Cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation (CPCR, formerly abbreviated as CPR) is the treatment required to save an animal (or human) life when suffering cardiopulmonary arrest. The intent of CPCR is to provide sufficient blood flow and oxygen to the brain and vital organs to support life until more advanced medical therapy can be started. Unlike what we see on television, most patients who suffer from cardiac arrest are unable to be saved, even with CPCR. In a study from the JVECC, researchers discovered that long-term survival among canine patients is extremely poor. In this study, only 4.1% of canine patients who received CPCR survived to be discharged from the hospital alive. This closely parallels findings of similar studies in human medicine. CPCR consists of two parts:Rescue breathing and chest compressions.
CPCR Skip mouth-to-mouth unless two people are present (and the pet is unconscious!) Lay a larger dog on its side and forcefully push on the chest at it s widest point. For small breeds, you can place them on their back and cup your hand around the chest so your fingers and thumb can depress the rib cage circumferentially. Faster chest compressions (120/minute) result in better outcomes. Sing a song in your head like "Stayin' Alive" or "Another one Bites The Dust" during compressions. Transport to a Veterinary Hospital immediately!
POISONING/TOXIN EXPOSURE Chocolate.The active ingredient in chocolate that causes problems with dogs is called theobromine, which is a distant cousin of caffeine. Nervousness/restlessness Twitching Panting Seizures or death Vomiting &/or Diarrhea Abdominal pain Lack of appetite Antifreeze OTC medications-The Pet Poison Helpline reports that 50 percent of their calls are regarding human medications that pets are getting into. The most popular drugs that we get called about are antidepressants and anxiolytic drugs. Rodenticides. (rat/mouse poison). Do not have this in or around your house. OTC flea preventative. Xylitol, grapes, raisins.
POISON CONTROL HOTLINE The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) free mobile app provides a wealth of knowledge in the palm of your hand. Or contact your local veterinarian or emergency clinic.
SEIZURES A seizure is any sudden and uncontrolled movement of the animal's body caused by abnormal brain activity. Seizures may be very severe and affect all of the body, or quite mild, affecting only a portion of the pet. The pet may or may not seem conscious or responsive, and may urinate or have a bowel movement. Seizure activity that lasts longer than 3 to 5 minutes can cause severe side effects, such as fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) or brain (cerebral edema). A dramatic rise in body temperature (hyperthermia) can also result, causing internal organ damage. Differentials: Toxin exposure Epilepsy Cancer Low blood sugar or other metabolic problem
SEIZURE MANAGEMENT What to Do Protect the pet from injuring herself during or after the seizure. Keep her from falling from a height and especially keep away from water. Remove other pets from the area as some pets become aggressive after a seizure. (post-ictal period) Protect yourself from being bitten. Record the time the seizure begins and ends, and if it started with a certain body part (such as twitching of an eye). If the seizure or convulsion lasts over 3 minutes, cool the pet with cool (not cold) water on the ears, belly and feet, and seek veterinary attention at once. If your pet has two or more seizures in a 24-hour period, seek veterinary attention. If your pet has one seizure that is less than 3 minutes and seems to recover completely, contact your veterinarian s office for further instructions. A visit may or may not be recommended based on your pet s medical history. If the pet loses consciousness and is not breathing, see a veterinarian immediately. What NOT to Do Do not place your hands near the pet's mouth. (They do not swallow their tongues.) You risk being bitten. Do not slap, throw water on, or otherwise try to startle your pet out of a seizure. The seizure will end when it ends, and you cannot affect it by slapping, yelling, or any other action. AVOID using over-the-counter flea preventative. Avoid hartz and sergeants products for cats especially!!
WEAKNESS/COLLAPSE Fainting is the sudden loss of consciousness or a sudden and marked weakness. It may be associated with numerous medical conditions and can be caused by anything from low blood sugar and neurological diseases to severe heart disease. What to Do Immediately position the pet with the head down and the hind quarters elevated. This will improve brain blood flow. Cover the pet with a blanket to preserve body heat. If the pet vomits, make sure he or she does not inhale any of the vomitus into the lungs by keeping the head down. Seek veterinary attention. What NOT to Do Do not administer anything by mouth. It can be aspirated into the lungs and cause serious problems. Do not slap the pet or douse him with cold water trying to shock him into consciousness. Do not fail to seek veterinary attention just because the animal recovered quickly and seems fine now. Several of the conditions that cause fainting or dizziness are extremely serious and require diagnostic tests in order to determine the cause and prevent future episodes.
VOMITING/ANOREXIA/BLOODY DIARRHEA What to Do In the case of Vomiting, remove all food and water. Check for signs of dehydration- diminished skin turgor or tacky mucous membranes. Seek veterinary attention if your pet vomits more than once within 12-24 hours and/or is not eating Isolate the sick pet from other pets. What NOT to Do Do not administer any over-the-counter or prescription medications to your pet without talking to a veterinarian first. Do not allow the pet to eat or drink anything until there has been no vomiting for 12 hours. Vomiting and diarrhea are associated with a host of problems that are referred to collectively as gastroenteritis. Some cases are quite severe (e.g., poisoning), and some are not (e.g., dietary indiscretion). If fever is present, infection may be a cause. Most infections that cause diarrhea and vomiting are contagious, so it is wise to assume that other pets might be vulnerable if they are exposed. I don t consider diarrhea an emergency necessarily unless the pet has a bloody liquid discharge.
BLOAT IE. GASTRIC DILATATION-VOLVULOUS Symptoms: The hallmark presentation of bloat is a sudden onset of abdominal distention, distress, anxiety and pain (panting, guarding the belly, anguished facial expression), and multiple attempts at vomiting that are frequently unproductive. Not every dog will have a classic appearance and some dogs will not have obvious abdominal distention because of their body configuration. If you are not sure, it is best to err on the side of caution and rush your dog to the veterinarian IMMEDIATELY. Risk Factors for Developing Bloat? Classically, this condition affects dog breeds which are said to be deep chested such as Great Dane, Greyhounds, German Shepherds, Boxers and so on. Still, any dog can bloat, even Dachshunds and Chihuahuas.
EYE INJURIES INJURY IS LIKELY IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOTED: Your pet squinting, protecting an eye or the third eyelid is elevated Any & all of the above = pain!! Any suspected trauma to the eye Abnormal appearance of the eyeball Excessive redness to the white part of the eye (sclera) Any time the eyelid cannot cover the eyeball Eye discharge-yellowish or green
HELP! EYE NEED HELP! What to Do If an eye has been dislocated from the socket (proptosis) or the lids cannot close over the eyeball, keep the eyeball moist with saline solution, K-Y jelly, water, or moist compresses. For eye discharge- keep skin dry and clean If an irritating chemical or other product accidentally gets into the eye, flush it with running water, contact lens saline or homemade saline solution squeezed from a compress or a sponge for a minimum of 15 minutes. (Saline: dissolve 2 teaspoons of table salt in 1 quart of water) Always seek veterinary attention immediately. Eyes are quite fragile and just a few minutes could mean the difference between sight and blindness. Referral to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) may be needed for more severe cases. What NOT to Do Do not attempt to treat the eyes or remove a foreign object yourself. Do not try to push a proptosed eyeball back into the socket. This must be done under anesthesia so as not to cause damage to the eyeball's interior.
PARALYSIS Paralysis is a loss of function of limbs. This typically occurs in the hind limbs of suspension bridge -type breeds such as the Dachshund. But it may not always discriminate!
FIVE TOP TIPS FOR SURVIVING OR FIVE TOP TIPS FOR SURVIVING OR AVOIDING THE VETERINARY ER AVOIDING THE VETERINARY ER Be Patient Ask the right questions Save up or get insurance Be prepared Practice preventive and protective medicine
SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS!! AND MICROCHIP THEM! THANK YOU!! GRACIAS!! MERCI!!
