Having a dog is very similar to being a parent to a human child… Both count on you to care for them and protect them. Accidents can occur at any time and it's not always possible to get to the vet immediately. The best insurance you can have when faced with unexpected accidents is knowledge and preparedness. Here are some prevalent accidents our pups experience and how to combat them until you can get professional care:
1. Stings - Remove the stinger if it is still ingrained in your pooch’s skin then wash the area. Use an ice pack to help take the swelling down. Benadryl can also help ease swelling. Your vet will be able to educate you as to the proper dosage for your dog. If the affected area is your pup's mouth or throat, get in touch with your vet immediately. Swelling in this area of the body could hinder your pet's ability to breathe.
2. Poisoning – If you think that your dog has consumed poison, try to find any packaging from the item ingested and have it with you when you contact the vet. If your dog has eaten a poisonous plant, attempt to figure out what kind of plant it is. If your pet is vomiting, collect that as well and bring it with you to the vet's office. Contact your vet or the Poison Control Center Hotline. They suggest that you to induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide and the will tell you on how to do so.
3. Seizures – If you pet is having a seizure, steer them away from any objects that could injure them, such as furniture. Do not try to constrain your dog until the seizure is finish and stay away from their mouth while they are seizing to prevent yourself from being inadvertently bitten. Try to record the length of the seizure. Once your pet has stopped seizing, try to keep them as warm and quiet as you can and call your vet.
4. Eye Injuries – If your pet has gotten chemicals or other substances in their eyes, flush it out with water or eye wash solution. If your pup’s eye is bulging out of the socket, apply a wet dressing and call your vet. Keep your dog from rubbing or scratching their eye as this will only worsen the situation.
5. Broken Bones – If you have a muzzle, put it on your dog. Dogs bite out of fear and pain and you could get hurt. Gently lay your pet on a stretcher or transportable flat surface. You could also use a blanket or towel as a sling. If you are able, secure your pet to the stretcher to prevent as little movement as possible on the way to the vet. This could be as simple as wrapping a blanket around your pet and the stretcher.
6. External Bleeding – Press a thick clean gauze pad over the wound and apply consistent, firm pressure with your hand until the blood starts clotting. This could take a few minutes, depending on the severity of the bleeding. Do not continually check to see if the bleeding has stopped as removing pressure will make it take longer. Apply pressure for 3 minutes and then check. Repeat if necessary. If the bleeding is severe and on the legs, you can apply a tourniquet using elastic or gauze and then apply the bandage over the wound. Loosen the tourniquet for 20 seconds every 15-20 minutes. Severe bleeding is extremely life threatening and you need to get your pet to the vet immediately.
7. Burns- If your pet is burned, run cold water over the burn for at least 5 minutes and then contact your vet for further instruction. Try to keep your pet warm.
8. Choking – Use extreme caution! A choking pet is more likely to bite due to panic. If your pet can still breathe, get to your vet immediately. Look into your dog’s mouth to see if the object is visible. If you can see the object, try to gently remove it, but be extremely careful - you could end up pushing it further down the throat and worsen the situation. Do not spend a lot of time trying to remove the object if you can’t reach it – Instead go directly to your vet. If your pet collapses, place both of your hands on your dog’s sides, where the rib cage is and apply quick, firm pressure. You can also lay your pet on their side and hit the rib cage 3-4 times with the palm of your hand. You are trying to forcefully push air out of their lungs that will in turn push the object out. Keep doing this until the object is out or you arrive at your vet’s office.
9. Heatstroke – Take your pet to the vet as soon as possible. In the mean time, put a cold, wet towel around your dog’s neck and head but do not cover their eyes, nose or mouth. Remove the towel and re-wet with cold water and put it back on every few minutes or when you can feel the towel getting warm. Use a hose or shower nozzle to run water over your pet’s body, especially the legs and abdomen. Never leave your pet in the car on a warm day. The temperatures inside a car reach dangerous levels even on mild days. Heatstroke can quickly kill – Seek help immediately.
10. Not Breathing – As frightening as it is, stay calm. If it’s possible, have someone call the vet while you help your pet. Open your dog’s airway by gently opening the mouth, grasping their tongue, and pulling it forward until it is flat. Check for objects that could obstruct breathing and remove if found. Perform rescue breathing by holding the mouth closed and holding your mouth over your dog’s nose and breathing in until you see his chest rise, about 20 times a minute. If you can’t feel a heartbeat either, push on your dog’s chest just behind the front legs every second. Give 2 breaths into your dog’s nose for every 15 chest compression. Continue until you hear a heartbeat and your pet is breathing regularly, or until you arrive at your vet clinic, where they can take over resuscitation.
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