First Aid And Emergency Care For Your Pet

Pet First Aid

Puppy love flows back and forth. He’s there when you need him, giving big sloppy kisses. Do you know how to care for him in an emergency???

Some Basic First Aid Techniques:

Choking

Symptoms: Gagging, drooling, pawing at mouth or crying in pain

Solutions: Act fast. Pull down lower jaw and remove object with fingers or tweezers. If object remains lodged, and your pet is still breathing, get to an animal hospital right away. If breathing stops, perform the Heimlich maneuver for animals. The Heimlich maneuver for animals is similar to the method for humans. As your pet faces away from you, wrap your arms around its belly, below the rib cage. With the heels of your hands, press up in a quick jerking motion. It my take several attempts to dislodge the object.

Minor Cuts

Symptoms: Shallow cut with minimal bleeding

Solutions: Before starting first aid some dogs may need to be muzzled. A quick way to make a shift muzzle is to wrap a strip of gauze twice around the nose, cross under the chin and tie behind the ears. Do not muzzle an unconscious animal or one with breathing difficulties. Next, you must control the bleeding. Using clean gauze or a towel, apply direct and gentle pressure to the wound. Bleeding should stop in several minutes. Carefully trim surrounding hair. Clean with iodine-based soap and rinse thoroughly with warm water. Dab with antibiotic ointment and allow to heal uncovered. Repeat daily. If you notice any sign of infection such as swelling, redness, or a yellowish discharge contact your pet’s veterinarian immediately.

Bee Sting/Minor Insect Bites

Symptoms: Swelling, redness, pain, pawing or biting at sting/bite site

Solutions: Place ice pack over sting/bite site. Let a veterinarian treat any allergic reaction: vomiting, breathing difficulties, diarrhea, prolonged swelling.

Heat Exhaustion

Symptoms: Prolonged panting, gasping, weakness, unsteady gait, fainting

Solutions: Move animal to a cool, ventilated place. Immerse in cool water. Do not treat animal with ice water, which could lead to shock. Offer drinks of cool water and take animal to the hospital immediately.

Exposure to Cold

Symptoms: Shivering, lethargy, gray gums and tongue

Solutions: Move to warm area and dry with a towel. Warm the body with heating pads or place near heater. Offer warm broth to raise internal body temperature. Wrap your pet in blankets and transport to the hospital right away.

Household Toxins

Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, fainting, strange breath odor, bluish gums and tongue

Solutions: Wrap in a blanket. Determine poison source (antifreeze, cleaning compounds) and call your veterinarian for instructions, or call the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Hotline, 1- 800-548-2423 (cost is about $30).

RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Pet First Aid: Cats and Dogs

RELATED PRODUCTS
Pet First Aid Kits       Shampoo- Dry Wipe