Basic First Aid at Home: Overview

Articles

Dog - Care

Basic First Aid at Home: Overview

Dog Care - Basic First Aid At Home

Basic first aid for your dog involves your dealing with injuries or other physical problems your pet might encounter in and around your home. Three precautions you should take immediately are to learn CPR for dogs in case you ever need it, put together a Dog First Aid Kit and program the phone numbers for your vet, the National Animal Poison Control Center and the closest animal hospital that offers emergency services (if you have one) as speed dial numbers on your home and/or cell phones.

Some of these first aid issues will be minor and you can handle them yourself. Others may involve a medical emergency where you might have to treat the problem immediately, prepare your dog for transporting in a way that minimizes the chance of further injury and then take him to the veterinary hospital. In either case, your responsibility as owner is to know the following:

What symptoms to look for
What the possible causes are
What you should do to treat the animal
What you should not do
When to call the vet or transport your dog to a veterinary hospital

The tables that follow provide this information at a glance, organized alphabetically by the type of problem. They also provide links to find more detailed information, if it's available, on each category.

Bite and Stings, Insect

Symptoms: Redness and/or swelling

Possible Causes: Mosquitoes, chiggers, spiders, other biting insects

What to Do: 1. Try to identify the insect.

2. If you see an embedded stinger, remove it by scraping it with a hard object such as your fingernail or a credit card.

3. Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the affected area.

4. Apply ice or cold packs to the affected area to keep swelling and pain to a minimum.

5. You can apply Calamine lotion or Cortaid for itching and administer an antihistamine, such as Diphenhydramine, if your veterinarian approves. Small dogs (<30 lbs.=10 mg.), medium dogs (30-50 lbs.=25 mg.) and large dogs (>50 lbs.=50 mg.).

6. Call your veterinarian.

What Not to Do: 1. Do not attempt to remove an embedded stinger as you would a splinter; this may release more toxins.
2. Do not attempt to give an antihistamine if your pet is unconscious, able to breathe and not vomiting.

When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital: 1. Transport immediately if your dog exhibits signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face and neck or difficulty breathing
2. If your dog goes into shock or otherwise seems ill.

Where to Look for More Information: Allergic Reactions
CPR

Bites, Snake

Symptoms: Puncture wounds, redness, swelling; if the snake is poisonous, your dog may exhibit signs of respiratory or motor difficulties

Possible Causes: Snake or other venomous animals

What to Do: 1. Keep your dog calm. If he gets excited, the accelerated heart rate will spread the poison (if the snake is poisonous) more rapidly.
2. If you see the snake, remember what it looks like. Identifying the kind of snake is important for determining treatment options.
3. If the bite is on an extremity (his leg, for example), tie a handkerchief or bandage around it between the bite wound and your dog's heart. Tie it loose enough so you can slip one finger underneath it.
4. If your dog goes into shock:

Attempt to calm your dog by talking soothingly.
Put your dog in a comfortable position. Elevate his hind end slightly if you are sure his back is not broken.
Cover your dog with a blanket.
5. If your dog stops breathing, administer CPR.
6. If your dog is not in dire physical distress, wash the wound with mild soap and water.

What Not to Do: 1. Do not try to suck the venom out.
2. Do not put ice on the wound.
3. Do not tie the bandage too tight (you don't want to cut off circulation).

When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital: Transport immediately

Where to Look for More Information: Snake Bite
Shock
CPR

Bite Wounds, Other Animals

Symptoms: Unruptured abscess that is red or blue and swollen; ruptured abscess with foul smelling pus; loss of appetite; fever above 103°F; lethargy.

Possible Causes: Being attacked, fighting

What to Do: 1. Control bleeding.

2. If you witness the attack, try to find out if the animal has rabies or has been vaccinated against rabies.

3. If the attacking animal is wild and it is dead, take it with you to the veterinarian. Wear gloves to carefully pick up the animal and place it in a bag.

If your dog has an abscess or wound, clip the hair around the wound and flush it with water.

What Not to Do: Do not try to capture the attacking animal if it is still alive.

When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital: Transport immediately. Hopefully, your dog has already had his rabies shot. Regardless of that, your dog will need to see your veterinarian as soon as possible to prevent infection.

Where to Look for More Information: Abscesses

Bleeding

Possible Causes: Animal bites, fighting, injury

What to Do: 1. Cover the wound with a piece of sterile gauze or a clean washcloth and apply direct pressure to the wound site. If blood soaks through the covering, apply more cloth or gauze over the wound, repeating as necessary.
2. If the bleeding doesn't stop and the wound is spurting (which indicates a cut artery), apply pressure to the area just above the wound with your hand. If the wound is oozing but not spurting, apply pressure below the wound.
3. If the wound is still bleeding, apply a pressure bandage by wrapping gauze or another soft material around the wound. Check periodically for swelling.
4. If the wound is on a limb and the limb is not broken, elevate it above your dog's heart to slow the bleeding.
5. If the wound is spurting and continues to bleed after Steps 1 through 4 have been completed, apply a tourniquet. To make a tourniquet, tie a piece of gauze or cloth above the wound. Make a loop and insert a stick in the loop. Twist the stick until the bleeding is under control. Be sure to loosen the tourniquet for two to three minutes every 30 minutes to allow blood to flow into the limb.

What Not to Do: 1. Do not remove the gauze or cloth from the wound because this can dislodge a formed clot and restart bleeding.
2. Do not use neck pressure on animals with head injuries.

When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital: Transport immediately if the bleeding is severe and cannot be stopped if the wound needs cleaning or stitches or if there is an embedded object.

Where to Look for More Information: Wounds and Bleeding

Breathing Problems

Symptoms: Increased breathing effort, pale or blue mucous membranes, fainting, voice changes, cessation of breathing.

Possible Causes: Asthma, lung infections, overheating, electrical shock

What to Do: If the dog stops breathing, start artificial breathing:

1. Lie the dog on his right side.

2. Open the mouth and clear any blockages.

3. For medium/large dogs, put your hand around the muzzle to seal the mouth.

4. Put your mouth over the dog's nose and exhale until the chest expands. If the dog's chest does not rise and fall during mouth-to-nose breathing, breathe more forcefully until it does.

5. Give four or five quick breaths, then check to see if the dog is breathing. Continue artificial breathing until the dog begins breathing on his own.

Perform CPR if there is no pulse.

For small dogs (<30 pounds):

Continue artificial breathing. If another person is available nearby, they can help with breathing or heart massage.

Place the palm of one of your hands over the ribs where the elbow touches the chest. Place your other hand underneath the right side of the dog.

Compress the chest to one inch five times; administer artificial breath and repeat.

Pause every two minutes to check for breathing and pulse.

Continue until the heart starts beating and the dog is breathing on his own.

For large dogs (>30 pounds):

Kneel or stand with the dog's back toward you.

Straighten your arms and cup your hands, one over the other.

Press down on the chest one to three inches where the left elbow meets the chest. Complete five compressions, then one breath and check for a pulse.

What Not to Do: 1. Do not put your fingers in the mouth of a conscious animal.
2. Do not assume there is no pulse if the animal is not breathing.

When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital: Transport immediately.

Where to Look for More Information: Loss of consciousness
Poisoning
Drowning
Respiratory Emergencies

Broken Bones

Symptoms: Lameness, swelling, abnormally positioned limbs, pain, maybe bruising, bone protruding through skin

Possible Causes: Car accident, falling from a high place, fighting, abuse, rough play, bone disease

What to Do: 1. If the dog is conscious, try to calm him.

2. If the dog is unconscious, check for breathing and pulse and administer CPR if needed.

3. If a bone is protruding through the skin, wash the area with water, place a loose dressing over the wound and wrap it with tape. Make sure the dressing is loose enough to not disturb or move the bone.

4. Splint the fracture with a magazine or newspaper. Put the magazine or newspaper under the leg and loosely roll it around the leg. Put a piece of tape around the top and bottom of the splint. DO NOT pull on the leg.

5. Begin taping just above the magazine to attach the splint to the leg for transport. Continue taping all the way down the leg, but do not cover the toes.

What Not to Do: 1. Do not splint the limb unless you are sure you can do it properly. Improper splinting can cause further injury.
2. Do not splint the limb if the animal struggles excessively.

When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital: Transport immediately.

Where to Look for More Information: Leg or Tail Injuries

Burns

Symptoms: Red skin, pain, swelling, loss of skin, charred appearance of skin

Possible Causes: Chemicals, electric shock, fire, hot water, heating pads, hair dryers

What to Do: 1. Apply cool water. This can be done by immersing the area in a cool bath, by running water over the burn or by applying cool compresses to the area. If more than one area is affected, do not immerse the dog in a cool bath because this can cause shock.
2. Apply a sterile non-stick bandage to the area to keep it clean.

What Not to Do: Do not apply ointments, butter or petroleum jelly.

When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital: Transport immediately.

Where to Look for More Information: Electrical Shock
Burns in accidents & emergencies

Choking

Symptoms: Cessation of breathing, difficulty breathing, making loud noises when breathing, anxiety, blue-tinged or white gums

Possible Causes: Foreign object in throat, illness (choking on vomit), allergic reaction (swollen tongue), trauma

What to Do: 1. Open the dog's mouth and feel for any foreign objects with your finger.

2. Remove the object, if possible.

3. With the dog standing, lift his hind legs into the air (like a wheelbarrow), leaving his front legs on the floor or table, to dislodge the object.

4. If that fails, perform the Heimlich Maneuver:

Make a fist with each of your hands and place them below the dog's last rib. Thrust up rapidly on the abdomen. Repeat five times.

5. Perform artificial breathing. If a tiny bit of air gets past the object, it may be enough to dislodge it when you repeat Step 4.

6. Repeat Step 4.

7. If the object is still stuck, take the palm of your hand and sharply strike the dog between the shoulder blades to dislodge it.

8. Put your fingers in the dog's mouth and feel for and remove the object.

9. Administer CPR as needed.

What Not to Do: Do not put your fingers in your dog's mouth if he is alert or growling.

When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital: Transport immediately if you could not dislodge the object. Otherwise, transporting depends on the severity of incident. Call your vet and ask. If the problem is caused by illness (vomiting), transport immediately.

Where to Look for More Information: CPR

Cold Exposure (Hypothermia)

Symptoms: Dilated pupils, shivering, body temperature below 95°F, unconsciousness, coma or stupor, pale blue mucous membranes, weakened pulse or decreased heart rate

Possible Causes: Being caught in a storm, left outside, shock, illness, inability to regulate temperature (puppies)

What to Do: 1. Immediately remove the dog from the cold.

2. Check for breathing and pulse and administer CPR as necessary.

3. Check for shock and treat as necessary.

4. Take the dog's temperature rectally.

5. Give the dog a warm bath and rub him vigorously with towels afterward.

6. Wrap the dog in a blanket and place warmed bottles of water under his armpits and next to his chest and abdomen.

7. Check the dog's temperature every 10 minutes until it reaches 100°F.

8. Mix four teaspoons of sugar with a pint of water and encourage the dog to drink some.

When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital: In severe cases, take to the veterinary hospital to make sure the dog has no perman

Bite and Stings, Insect
Symptoms:	Redness and/or swelling
Possible Causes:	Mosquitoes, chiggers, spiders, other biting insects
What to Do:	1. Try to identify the insect. 2. If you see an embedded stinger, remove it by scraping it with a hard object such as your fingernail or a credit card. 3. Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the affected area. 4. Apply ice or cold packs to the affected area to keep swelling and pain to a minimum. 5. You can apply Calamine lotion or Cortaid for itching and administer an antihistamine, such as Diphenhydramine, if your veterinarian approves. Small dogs (<30 lbs.=10 mg.), medium dogs (30-50 lbs.=25 mg.) and large dogs (>50 lbs.=50 mg.). 6. Call your veterinarian.
What Not to Do:	1. Do not attempt to remove an embedded stinger as you would a splinter; this may release more toxins. 2. Do not attempt to give an antihistamine if your pet is unconscious, able to breathe and not vomiting.
When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital:	1. Transport immediately if your dog exhibits signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face and neck or difficulty breathing 2. If your dog goes into shock or otherwise seems ill.
Where to Look for More Information:	Allergic Reactions CPR

Bites, Snake
Symptoms:	Puncture wounds, redness, swelling; if the snake is poisonous, your dog may exhibit signs of respiratory or motor difficulties
Possible Causes:	Snake or other venomous animals
What to Do:	1. Keep your dog calm. If he gets excited, the accelerated heart rate will spread the poison (if the snake is poisonous) more rapidly. 2. If you see the snake, remember what it looks like. Identifying the kind of snake is important for determining treatment options. 3. If the bite is on an extremity (his leg, for example), tie a handkerchief or bandage around it between the bite wound and your dog's heart. Tie it loose enough so you can slip one finger underneath it. 4. If your dog goes into shock: Attempt to calm your dog by talking soothingly. Put your dog in a comfortable position. Elevate his hind end slightly if you are sure his back is not broken. Cover your dog with a blanket. 5. If your dog stops breathing, administer CPR. 6. If your dog is not in dire physical distress, wash the wound with mild soap and water.
What Not to Do:	1. Do not try to suck the venom out. 2. Do not put ice on the wound. 3. Do not tie the bandage too tight (you don't want to cut off circulation).
When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital:	Transport immediately
Where to Look for More Information:	Snake Bite Shock CPR

Bite Wounds, Other Animals
Symptoms:	Unruptured abscess that is red or blue and swollen; ruptured abscess with foul smelling pus; loss of appetite; fever above 103°F; lethargy.
Possible Causes:	Being attacked, fighting
What to Do:	1. Control bleeding. 2. If you witness the attack, try to find out if the animal has rabies or has been vaccinated against rabies. 3. If the attacking animal is wild and it is dead, take it with you to the veterinarian. Wear gloves to carefully pick up the animal and place it in a bag. If your dog has an abscess or wound, clip the hair around the wound and flush it with water.
What Not to Do:	Do not try to capture the attacking animal if it is still alive.
When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital:	Transport immediately. Hopefully, your dog has already had his rabies shot. Regardless of that, your dog will need to see your veterinarian as soon as possible to prevent infection.
Where to Look for More Information:	Abscesses

Bleeding
Possible Causes:	Animal bites, fighting, injury
What to Do:	1. Cover the wound with a piece of sterile gauze or a clean washcloth and apply direct pressure to the wound site. If blood soaks through the covering, apply more cloth or gauze over the wound, repeating as necessary. 2. If the bleeding doesn't stop and the wound is spurting (which indicates a cut artery), apply pressure to the area just above the wound with your hand. If the wound is oozing but not spurting, apply pressure below the wound. 3. If the wound is still bleeding, apply a pressure bandage by wrapping gauze or another soft material around the wound. Check periodically for swelling. 4. If the wound is on a limb and the limb is not broken, elevate it above your dog's heart to slow the bleeding. 5. If the wound is spurting and continues to bleed after Steps 1 through 4 have been completed, apply a tourniquet. To make a tourniquet, tie a piece of gauze or cloth above the wound. Make a loop and insert a stick in the loop. Twist the stick until the bleeding is under control. Be sure to loosen the tourniquet for two to three minutes every 30 minutes to allow blood to flow into the limb.
What Not to Do:	1. Do not remove the gauze or cloth from the wound because this can dislodge a formed clot and restart bleeding. 2. Do not use neck pressure on animals with head injuries.
When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital:	Transport immediately if the bleeding is severe and cannot be stopped if the wound needs cleaning or stitches or if there is an embedded object.
Where to Look for More Information:	Wounds and Bleeding

Breathing Problems
Symptoms:	Increased breathing effort, pale or blue mucous membranes, fainting, voice changes, cessation of breathing.
Possible Causes:	Asthma, lung infections, overheating, electrical shock
What to Do:	If the dog stops breathing, start artificial breathing: 1. Lie the dog on his right side. 2. Open the mouth and clear any blockages. 3. For medium/large dogs, put your hand around the muzzle to seal the mouth. 4. Put your mouth over the dog's nose and exhale until the chest expands. If the dog's chest does not rise and fall during mouth-to-nose breathing, breathe more forcefully until it does. 5. Give four or five quick breaths, then check to see if the dog is breathing. Continue artificial breathing until the dog begins breathing on his own. Perform CPR if there is no pulse. For small dogs (<30 pounds): Continue artificial breathing. If another person is available nearby, they can help with breathing or heart massage. Place the palm of one of your hands over the ribs where the elbow touches the chest. Place your other hand underneath the right side of the dog. Compress the chest to one inch five times; administer artificial breath and repeat. Pause every two minutes to check for breathing and pulse. Continue until the heart starts beating and the dog is breathing on his own. For large dogs (>30 pounds): Kneel or stand with the dog's back toward you. Straighten your arms and cup your hands, one over the other. Press down on the chest one to three inches where the left elbow meets the chest. Complete five compressions, then one breath and check for a pulse.
What Not to Do:	1. Do not put your fingers in the mouth of a conscious animal. 2. Do not assume there is no pulse if the animal is not breathing.
When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital:	Transport immediately.
Where to Look for More Information:	Loss of consciousness Poisoning Drowning Respiratory Emergencies

Broken Bones
Symptoms:	Lameness, swelling, abnormally positioned limbs, pain, maybe bruising, bone protruding through skin
Possible Causes:	Car accident, falling from a high place, fighting, abuse, rough play, bone disease
What to Do:	1. If the dog is conscious, try to calm him. 2. If the dog is unconscious, check for breathing and pulse and administer CPR if needed. 3. If a bone is protruding through the skin, wash the area with water, place a loose dressing over the wound and wrap it with tape. Make sure the dressing is loose enough to not disturb or move the bone. 4. Splint the fracture with a magazine or newspaper. Put the magazine or newspaper under the leg and loosely roll it around the leg. Put a piece of tape around the top and bottom of the splint. DO NOT pull on the leg. 5. Begin taping just above the magazine to attach the splint to the leg for transport. Continue taping all the way down the leg, but do not cover the toes.
What Not to Do:	1. Do not splint the limb unless you are sure you can do it properly. Improper splinting can cause further injury. 2. Do not splint the limb if the animal struggles excessively.
When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital:	Transport immediately.
Where to Look for More Information:	Leg or Tail Injuries

Burns
Symptoms:	Red skin, pain, swelling, loss of skin, charred appearance of skin
Possible Causes:	Chemicals, electric shock, fire, hot water, heating pads, hair dryers
What to Do:	1. Apply cool water. This can be done by immersing the area in a cool bath, by running water over the burn or by applying cool compresses to the area. If more than one area is affected, do not immerse the dog in a cool bath because this can cause shock. 2. Apply a sterile non-stick bandage to the area to keep it clean.
What Not to Do:	Do not apply ointments, butter or petroleum jelly.
When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital:	Transport immediately.
Where to Look for More Information:	Electrical Shock Burns in accidents & emergencies

Choking
Symptoms:	Cessation of breathing, difficulty breathing, making loud noises when breathing, anxiety, blue-tinged or white gums
Possible Causes:	Foreign object in throat, illness (choking on vomit), allergic reaction (swollen tongue), trauma
What to Do:	1. Open the dog's mouth and feel for any foreign objects with your finger. 2. Remove the object, if possible. 3. With the dog standing, lift his hind legs into the air (like a wheelbarrow), leaving his front legs on the floor or table, to dislodge the object. 4. If that fails, perform the Heimlich Maneuver: Make a fist with each of your hands and place them below the dog's last rib. Thrust up rapidly on the abdomen. Repeat five times. 5. Perform artificial breathing. If a tiny bit of air gets past the object, it may be enough to dislodge it when you repeat Step 4. 6. Repeat Step 4. 7. If the object is still stuck, take the palm of your hand and sharply strike the dog between the shoulder blades to dislodge it. 8. Put your fingers in the dog's mouth and feel for and remove the object. 9. Administer CPR as needed.
What Not to Do:	Do not put your fingers in your dog's mouth if he is alert or growling.
When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital:	Transport immediately if you could not dislodge the object. Otherwise, transporting depends on the severity of incident. Call your vet and ask. If the problem is caused by illness (vomiting), transport immediately.
Where to Look for More Information:	CPR

Cold Exposure (Hypothermia)
Symptoms:	Dilated pupils, shivering, body temperature below 95°F, unconsciousness, coma or stupor, pale blue mucous membranes, weakened pulse or decreased heart rate
Possible Causes:	Being caught in a storm, left outside, shock, illness, inability to regulate temperature (puppies)
What to Do:	1. Immediately remove the dog from the cold. 2. Check for breathing and pulse and administer CPR as necessary. 3. Check for shock and treat as necessary. 4. Take the dog's temperature rectally. 5. Give the dog a warm bath and rub him vigorously with towels afterward. 6. Wrap the dog in a blanket and place warmed bottles of water under his armpits and next to his chest and abdomen. 7. Check the dog's temperature every 10 minutes until it reaches 100°F. 8. Mix four teaspoons of sugar with a pint of water and encourage the dog to drink some.
When to Call the Vet or Transport to a Veterinary Hospital:	In severe cases, take to the veterinary hospital to make sure the dog has no perman