Canine First Aid

FIRST AID FOR DOGS

The aims and rules of first aid

First Aid treatment is based on three aims and four rules.

Aims

1. To preserve life

2. To prevent suffering

3. To prevent the situation from deteriorating

Rules

1. DonÐŽ¦t panic

2. Maintain airway

3. Control haemorrhage

4. Contact a vet

The limitations of first aid

The goal of first aid is to help the patient as best as you can - no more than that. First aid should only be used to preserve life until a veterinarian can be found. It must be remembered that not all patients can be saved: some will die.

The following is a guide for basic first aid in various situations involving dogs.

Poisoning

Many items found in the home and garden can be poisonous to animals and it is vital that you know what to do if you suspect the dog has been poisoned.

There are three ways for dogs to get poisons into their system:

„h Ingestion

„h Inhalation

„h Absorption

It is important to bring the following to the vet if you suspect a dog has been poisoned:

„h Packaging

„h Note of approximate amount taken

„h Time taken

This will help to speed up the process of treating your dog.

Ingestion (non-corrosive)

If the dog has ingested a non-corrosive poison vomiting should be induced. There are various ways to induce vomiting, these include:

„h Salted water

„h Mustard and water

„h Washing soda

„h Rompun injection (by veterinarian)

„h Wash out stomach (by veterinarian)

Ingestion (corrosive)

If a corrosive poison has been ingested it is vital that it is given a substance to either dilute or demulcent.

To dilute:

„h Water

To demulcent:

„h Milk

„h Olive oil

Inhalation

If the dog has inhaled a poisonous substance you should do the following:

„h Get into fresh air

„h Keep warm

When the dog gets to the vet they should have oxygen therapy.

Absorption

If the dog has absorbed poison (such as from chemicals on the fur) the following action should be taken:

„h Wash the dog, making sure to wear protective clothing

„h Stop the animal from licking itself

It is important to not use any chemicals when washing substances from the dogÐŽ¦s coat.

If you are unsure if your dog has been poisoned

If you are unsure if your dog has been poisoned, look out for the following symptoms:

„h Breathing difficulty

„h Unusual actions

„h Digestive upset

„h Irregular heart, rapid, or weak

„h Shivering

„h Convulsions

„h Salivation

There are many different types of poisoning; each will affect your dog differently. Many do not produce immediate symptoms. Do not make the dog vomit if it is a corrosive poison or you do not know what kind of poison the dog has consumed. Consult a veterinarian for further instructions.

Snake Bites

In the UK there are only two main native species of snake ÐŽV the non-venomous grass snake and the venomous adder. However, with exotic pets becoming increasingly popular a lot of pet snakesÐŽ¦ escape from their ownersÐŽ¦ houses ÐŽV increasing the chance of dogÐŽ¦s being bitten. Thankfully, many of these exotic species are non-venomous.

Symptoms of snake bites:

„h Pain

„h Lethargy

„h Vomiting

„h Diarrhoea

„h Salivation, thirsty

„h Swelling at the area of the bite

„h Shock

If a dog has been bitten by a snake seek immediate