Canine Emergencies
^{by Tracy Smith}

Things happen and the nature of an emergency is that it is unexpected. It's near impossible to be prepared for any emergency, but you can be at least partially prepared. Taking the time to learn a little something about basic first aid and keeping a well stocked first aid kit handy could save your dog's life. Keep your veterinarian's phone number where you can find it quickly and make sure you know who to call when your vet's office is closed.

Anytime a dog is in a lot of pain, he or she may bite, even if he is the sweetest, most loyal companion you've ever had. So get a muzzle to keep in your dog's first aid kit, or use a scarf, rope or even panty hose. If it's about two feet long, it will do the job just fine. Do not muzzle your dog if he has sustained a head injury or requires artificial respiration.

Using a Muzzle

You can use a scarf or two foot long rope as an effective muzzle by following these steps.
1. Tie a loose knot with an opening large enough to fit around the dog's nose and place it over his muzzle.
2. Tighten the knot on the top of the muzzle.
3. Bring the two ends around and tie another knot under the dog's chin.
4. Pull the ends around the head and tie a final knot below the dog's ears.

Moving an Injured Dog

If your dog has been injured or is too ill to walk you will have to pick him up to take him to the vet. It's very important that you are careful not to cause further injury. If the dog is not too heavy, you can use a towel or blanket. Gently place the dog on the blanket and then pull all four corners until they are taut. Maintain even tension on all four corners as you move the dog. For larger dogs you may need to use a piece of plywood. You can place the dog on a blanket or towel and then slide the dog by pulling the blanket onto the plywood.

When transporting your injured or sick dog in your car, make sure that he is secure by placing him where you can surround him with padding (blankets or towels will do) so that he has some protection if the momentum of the vehicle causes him to move.

Artificial Respiration

If your dog's breathing has stopped, artificial respiration will be necessary. If you've learned about CPR in humans, you'll realize that the method used on dogs is similar.

The first thing you must do is make sure that the air passages are not obstructed by anything. If you look in his mouth and find some object, remove it gently by using a swabbing, side to side, motion with your index finger, being careful not to push the object down further.

Once you know the air passages are clear, hold the dog's mouth closed and cover the nose completely with your mouth. Then exhale into your dog's nose gently. Continue breathing for your dog at between ten to twelve breaths per minute until your dog breaths on his own.

If your dog's heart has also stopped beating, then you must massage it. It should be done in conjunction with artificial respiration so ideally the procedure should be done by two people. If there is not another person to help then breath three times for the dog and then use the following procedure to pump the heart six times before breathing for the dog again.

1. Place your dog on his right side and put the palm of your hand on his rib cage just behind the elbows.

2. Press down six times and then wait five seconds and repeat.

3. Continue the process until the heart starts beating on it's own, or no beat is felt for five minutes.

Call Your Vet When...

Anytime you are not sure about your dog's condition, call your vet. Remain calm so you can answer any questions in order to help your vet determine the nature of the emergency. Consider any of the following symptoms or conditions to be an emergency and call your veterinarian immediately.

1. Acute Pain - Dogs tend to hide their pain instinctively as a survival mechanism. If your dog is showing signs of pain, you can be certain that it is intense and the condition needs immediate attention.

2. Shock - Shock can be fatal to your dog, even if the injury he's gone into shock over isn't. Signs of shock are listlessness, weakness, lower body temperature making him cold to the touch, and pale gums. Try to help your dog get warm by covering him with a blanket and get him to your vet as soon as possible.

3. Suspected poisoning - There are many common household items that can poison your dog, such as cleaners, drain openers, etc. Call your vet and describe his symptoms. You may be given directions to do something like feeding your dog activated charcoal tablets before taking him to the veterinarian's office. Charcoal tablets are used to absorb certain types of poisons, but not all. Do not give them to your dog without your vet's direction.

4. Snake bites - This can be very serious, even if the snake isn't poisoness. Puncture wounds from fangs can be deep without showing much blood. Deep wounds can become infected and cause a lot of trouble. Take a snake biten dog to the vet immediately.

5. Burns - It is difficult to discern how severe a burn is. Even if you think it isn't much of one, call your vet and do what he or she suggests.

6. Frostbite - This can cause tissure loss and even death if not treated immediately.

7. Dehydration - Dehydration can be fatal. It is important that you discover the cause and that your dog gets the support he needs from your vet as soon as possible.

8. Abnormal vomiting or not eating - If your dog vomits frequently over the course of a day, call your vet. If he only vomits once or twice it is probably not an emergency. This can be caused by something like a change in diet. If it is accompanied by diarrhea, elevated temperature and listlessness, it is probably caused by a virus and your dog should see a vet immediately. If it is frequent but not accompanied by other symptoms, then it may be caused by a blockage in the intestine. This can be fatal and requires your veterinarian's immediate attention. An occasional missed meal is no cause for alarm, but if he misses more than that, you need to take him to the vet and find out why.

9. Bleeding - If you find blood, find it's source. Small scrapes and cuts can be treated at home, but if there is a deep wound or the cut is larger than a half inch in length, take your dog to the vet.

10. Seizures - Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The causes of such abnormal electrical activity are many and the seizures can range in severity from trembling and stiffness to rapid, intense movements and foaming from the mouth. Some poisons can cause seizures as well as some genetic conditions. Always consider a seizure as an emergency and call your vet.

11. Bloat - This can be very dangerous. It's a gastrointestinal problem that usually occurs in larger dogs who eat one large meal a day. The abdominal area will be swollen and painful to the touch. Sometimes the stomach actually twists so that nothing can move in or out of it and surgery is necessary to save the dog's life. You can help avoid this by feeding your dog two or three smaller meals a day.

12. Deep Wounds - Deep wounds, especially puncture wounds, can become infected. If the wound is more than a surface scratch, take your dog to the vet for an examination. If the wound is minor you can clean and treat it at home. If you're not sure about the severity of the wound, go to your vet. Dogs tend to hide their pain. It's better to be safe than sorry.

13. Heatstroke - This occurs when the dog's body temperature is higher than the normal 101.5 degrees. The dog will feel hot to the touch, and his breathing will be rapid and shallow. The dog needs to be cooled down immediately, preferrably by wetting him down with cool water. Then wrap him in a cool, wet towel and take him to your veterinarian immediately.

14. Fracture - If a fracture is suspected, move the dog very carefully to avoid further damage and take him to the vet as soon as possible. Don't try to treat it yourself as you could cause a lot more damage. Broken bones need to be set by a professional.

15. Skin Problems - There are a lot of different things that can irritate your dogs skin. In order to treat it you'll need to know what the probem is and that can only be determined by your vet. Consider the skin irriation to be an emergency when it becomes infected (is warm, red or swollen) or simply won't heal up all the way on it's own.

A Dog's First Aid Kit

Keep a well stocked first aid kit for your dog. Make sure that all the products are in good condition and up to date(not dried up, spilled or too old). Replace anything you use as needed. The following items and products will comprise a good first aid kit for your dog.

Activated Charcoal tablets
Adhesive Tape (1 and 2 inches wide)
Antibacterial Ointment
Aspirin (NOT ibuprofen)
Bandages, including: gauze rolls (1 and 2 inches wide); dressing pads
Cotton Balls
Diarrhea Medicine
Dosing Syringe
Hydrogen Peroxide (3 percent solution)
Muzzle
Petroleum Jelly
Rectal Thermometer
Rubber Gloves
Rubbing Alcohol
Scissors
Tourniquet
Towel
Tweezers

If you don't want to put one together yourself, you can find a good kit at Earth Shakes. They have first aid kits and emergency survival kits for humans and pets! Just click on their pet kits and supplies link. Visit EarthShakes.com

Giving Your Dog Medication

If your vet determines that your dog needs medication, you may be asked to administer it at home. Usually the medication that owners give their dogs at home are in pill or capsule form. It's important that your dog gets the entire prescribed dose, so it's necessary to give the dog the pill instead of mixing it with his food where it may be left out or spit out. To give your dog a pill or capsule, follow the steps I've listed below.

Administering Pills

1. Open your dog's mouth and place the pill on the middle of his tongue.

2. Hold his head up with his mouth held shut and stroke his throat.

3. After the dog swallows you can let go.

Administering Liquid Medicene

Sometimes the medication your vet will prescribe is in liquid form. This is much easier to give to your dog. It's best to use a dosing syringe because you can measure out the exact amount prescribed. Use the following steps to give liquid medication.

1. Hold your dog's head upward at about a 45 degree angle.

2. Place the end of the syringe in the area at the back of the mouth between the cheek and back molars.

3. Press the plunger of the syringe and remove the syringe.

4. Hold your dog's mouth closed until he swallows.

Administering Eye Medication

If you need to apply eye drops or ointment, pull your dog's lower eyelid down, creating a little pocket and place the medication inside the pocket. Next, close the eye to gently disperse the medication.

Administering Medication in the Ears

Generally, the drops are placed in the ears and then the base of the ear is massaged.

When your vet prescribes medication to be given by you at home, he or she will usually demonstrate how it is to be administered by giving your dog the first dose. If your vet does not do this and you are not sure how to adminster the medication, just ask and he or she will glad to show you.