5. First Aid for Dog Emergencies - Common Dog Emergencies

Every dog owner is likely to come across at least one emergency with their beloved pet during his lifetime. Being prepared can make the difference between life and death for your dog. When assessing and treating a dog's injuries, time is always of the essence.

Some of the most common canine emergencies are:

• choking
• car accident/fighting injuries
• poisoning
• eat stroke
  

While it is always best to take your dog into a qualified veterinarian's office in the case of any emergency, immediate first aid treatment is what your pet's life may very well depend upon. However, in your eagerness to help there are dangers that may arise for both your dog and yourself.

Keep the following information in mind before treating any injured animal.

General Precautions

Approach any injured animal, whether it belongs to you or not, with extreme caution. A dog's natural instincts will instruct him to become defensive when he is endangered. In the wild, an injured animal is easy prey for oncoming predators. This will make him defensive, even toward his owner.

In the case of an emergency where your immediate intervention is required, be prepared for a hostile reaction. This does not mean that you cannot help the animal, however using calming words and very slow movements is recommended. Your dog may attempt to snap at your hand, however this reaction is likely to quickly turn into gratefulness. If you are helping a strange animal and he attempts to bite or retaliate, it may be best to simply wait for help from your local animal control services to arrive.

How to Remove an Object From a Choking Dog's Airway

Removal of a foreign object from a dog's airway can be a tricky maneuver. However, in most cases your pet will understand that there is a need for removal of the item, and he will likely comply with your efforts. First, quickly calm the dog with a kind word and a light stroke, if possible.

Do not take more than a moment to do so, however. Remain calm yourself, as your dog can become excited by your tension and inadvertently cause himself more pain.

Your first course of action is to press down in quick, firm movements between your dog's rib cage. Look for the object to appear in his mouth, and then remove it. If this is not effective, hold your pet by his hind legs and shake the object down the airway. If this is also not effective, the item may be lodged in the upper portion of the throat.

Gently slip two fingers down the dog's mouth and into the throat to detect the object, or remove it with a pair of rubber tipped tweezers. These actions would be best applied while you or another family member is on the phone with your veterinarian awaiting further emergency instructions.

Treating Serious Car Accident or Fighting Injuries

Injuries that are derived from car accidents and fighting with aggressive dogs can be very similar. These injuries can be quite serious and will always need immediate attention from a professional. You will also need to perform first aid treatment on your own to prevent further injury. In the case of either scenario, expect to find:

• broken bones
• puncture wounds
• bite marks
• possible internal injuries

If you find the dog in question still lying in a dangerous area, such as in or near a road, place a towel or blanket underneath his body and move him to a safer location nearby. Do not move him more than necessary.

Call a vet immediately, and examine the dog for external injuries. If a bone appears to be broken (the dog will be unable to apply pressure to a broken leg), do not attempt to straighten it. This may cause further damage. If you find bite wounds or other skin injuries, apply a non-burning spray antibiotic and cover with gauze (secure very loosely with medical tape).

Whether a dog seems injured or not, he may still have internal bleeding and injuries that will need immediate attention or death will result. As rabies and other diseases can be transferred during a fight, ask your vet to give your dog a shot if necessary.

Always give your veterinarian information on how your dog was injured in these cases, providing as much detail as possible.

Treatment for Specific Poisons

A dog's natural curiosity can get him into a bit of trouble from time to time. Common household items can be interesting to your dog, whether they are tasty or not. As dog's tend to explore with their nose and mouth, it is essential to be prepared for poisoning emergencies.

Induce vomiting by serving one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide per every ten pounds of body weight to your dog if he ingests any of the following materials:

• arsenic (found in rodent and pest poisons)
• weed killers
• insecticides
• human medications
• antifreeze

If your dog has swallowed anything other than the above items, call your vet's office or an emergency animal hospital before taking action. Never wait for symptoms to clear on their own.

Poison can act very rapidly in a dog's system, causing very quick deaths. If you induce vomiting, take your dog to his vet or to an after hours animal hospital after you do so to make sure that the problem has been completely resolved.

Is it a Heat Stroke or is My Dog Just Tired?

It can be easy to confuse common overheating, which will take care of itself in due time, with the symptoms of a heat stroke in your dog. This is especially true in warmer locals and southern regions where intense heat accompanies every summer day. When determining whether or not your dog requires professional help, look for:

• foaming at the mouth
• a collapse
• abnormal weakness
• excessive panting beyond what is normal for the cool down process

If your dog displays any of the above symptoms, quickly cool his body down. Take him indoors and lie him on a cool surface, such as a hardwood floor. Place ice packs around his stomach and neck to cool his body, avoiding the use of heavy materials such as wet towels.

You can also spray his body with icy water. Keep ice packing materials light, and take your dog to a vet if he does not show considerable improvement after a few minutes of your cooling session. If possible, cool your dog with ice packs in an air conditioned car on the way to your vet rather than waiting.

If your car has been in extreme heat during the day, have someone cool it off completely before placing your dog in it for the trip.

How and When to Perform CPR

In the event that you find your dog not breathing, CPR and heart stimulation will be necessary. To avoid creating further injuries or damage, follow the steps below:

• clear the airway of objects, saliva, etc.
• hold his mouth closed
• breath slowly into his nose every five seconds
• press firmly and very quickly underneath the sternum for heart stimulation between breathing sessions if necessary

In the event that these methods should arise, do not wait to call a veterinarian before you take action. If someone is nearby, have them call.

Otherwise, take action immediately to save your pet's life. Time is limited before a lack of oxygen to the brain will cause permanent damage.

What to Include in your Dog's First Aid Kit

Being prepared for an emergency with your dog is simply a matter of having a few basic materials and a bit of knowledge on hand. You can either purchase a human first aid kit or create your own with the following:

• rubber gloves
• sterile cloths
• gauze
• ice packs
• medical tape
• a sturdy towel
• rubber tipped tweezers
• antibiotic spray
• hydrogen peroxide (for poisoning or wound cleaning)

These items can be kept in any cool area, and they should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from children and pets. Make several of these canine first aid kits, and keep them in your car and home, as well as with anyone who might be caring for him in their own home.

Also, remember to have a list of emergency numbers for your vet, an animal emergency center, and a national poison hotline in your first aid kit, as well as the aforementioned list of poisonous items that require induced vomiting.

Keeping a first aid kit on hand for your dog at all times can be a lifesaving habit.