First Aid for Your Dog

I came across this article on First Aid for your dog, that I found really informative and practical, and couldn’t wait to share it with you. I’m not actually sure who wrote the article, but a guy called David the Dogman has published it.

There were two things in particular that I learned from the article. The first was the misconception that all dogs can swim. Well, I don’t know about you, but I was one of those misinformed people who believed this old wives’ tale to be true. I was quite surprised to learn that not all dogs can swim. So if you have a puppy or young dog who’ve you’ve never taken to water, keep an eye out the first time you take him/her for a swim. S/he just might be one of the few who can’t actually swim.

The other thing that really took my interest was how to help a choking dog. This is information that a neighbor of mine could have used to possibly have saved his dog’s life. My neighbor’s dog, Rex, was a Rottweiler like my Kara, and he was playing with his owner, John, in the park close by our home. John was being completely responsible, and was right there playing with Rex and his two other dogs. Rex had found a ball in the park. It was a small ball, about the size of a golf ball.

Sadly, and shockingly, the ball became stuck in Rex’s throat and he started to choke.

Poor John did everything he could to try to get the ball out of Rex’s throat, including putting his hand into Rex’s mouth and trying to physically pull the ball out of Rex’s throat, but the ball just wouldn’t come out, no matter what John did. Imagine that poor, poor dog.

And imagine if you were John and your dog was choking to death before your eyes and you couldn’t help. It’s such a sad story.

There was a vet’s practice only about 200 metres away, and when John realized he couldn’t save Rex himself, he ran for the vet, but by the time the vet got to Rex it was too late.

This article has some great tips, so that if anything like this ever happens to your dog, you’ll know exactly what to do – by pumping the chest as the author describes, you just may be in a better position to save your dog than John was with Rex.

Enjoy (and learn from) the article!

Basic First Aid for Pets

presented by David the Dogman

reprinted from the Collins Dog Photoguide

Traffic Accidents First Aid for Pets
A traffic accident is probably the most common cause of serious injury to a cat or dog. Always approach the animal with caution, it may react aggressively because of the pain.

Move the dog as little as possible, but if you must move it, it is probably best to use a blanket, sliding it underneath the dog. Seek the assistance of another person and lift the dog gently to safety. Check for heartbeat and any haemorrhaging. Attempt to stem excessive bleeding by holding a clean pad or clean handkerchief over the wound, binding it tightly with a makeshift bandage. Call the nearest vet’s surgery to warn of your arrival.

Burns First Aid for Pets
The only recommended first aid is to clean off the offending substance and immerse the body part under cold running water for as long as possible. Seek professional advice immediately.

Heat Stroke First Aid for Dogs
This occurs most commonly when a dog has been left alone on a hot day without ventilation. If your dog has not already collapsed it may be panting, vomiting or frothing at the mouth.

Remove froth and lower the dog’s temperature as soon as possible by placing or dousing the animal in cold water. Take the dog to the vet immediately where it will be treated with drugs and more cold water.

Poisoning First Aid for Dogs 
Signs of poisoning may include collapse, muscular twitching, vomiting, bleeding or convulsion. Do not hesitate to contact the vet. Take some of the noxious substance to the vet with you if you know what it is. If the dog has recently swallowed the poison, try to make the dog vomit. Salt and mustard in water will usually work quickly, or a small piece of washing soda (sodium carbonate) pushed down the throat.

Drowning First Aid for Dogs
It is a popular misconception that all dogs can swim, but this is not always the case. You must attempt to empty the dog’s lungs of water as soon as possible. You must attempt to empty the dog’s lungs of water as soon as possible. Place the dog’s head lower than its body, open its mouth and begin to pump the chest by pressing down on the ribs and releasing the pressure immediately. Repeat at five-second intervals.

Choking First Aid for Dogs
Sometimes a piece of stick, bone or small rubber ball may get stuck in a dog’s throat. Your dog may be unable to breath as a result and swift action is necessary.

Open the dog’s mouth carefully and see if you can see the object. Pumping the chest, as in the case of drowning (see above) may dislodge the foreign body, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible where the object can be removed under anaesthetic.

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Do you have any problems with your pet? Then why not send your problem to DAVID THE DOGMAN . David is a Canine Behaviourist who works and lives in Marbella, Spain. Tel/Fax (00345) 2883388. His web site is located at: http://www.thedogman.net/ . David has his own radio and TV shows, and writes for many newspapers and magazines. David has been working with dogs for many years and started his career in Israel, working on the Border Police. He has been involved in all forms of training, including air sea rescue, air scent work, and has trained dogs for finding drugs. David has devoted the past 10 years to studying behaviour and the very passive approach. He does not use choke chains, check chains, or any form of aggression.David The Dogman is available for private consultations in your home, for further details telephone; Tel; (95) 2883388
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Hope you found these First Aid tips for your dog as useful as I did! Feel free to leave any comments you may have below – especially if you have any other First Aid tips relating to dogs that you’ve found useful.