Essential Dog First Aid Tips for Quick Response
When a dog sustains an injury, the owner must remain calm, especially female owners, as it's crucial to stay composed! Panic is never helpful. Only by staying calm can you make the right decisions to help your furry friend, ensuring you don't miss any opportunities or resort to incorrect treatment methods that could ultimately hinder their recovery.
Should your dog suffer from burns, remember to immediately cool the area with cold water and apply ice packs to alleviate pain. Gently wrap the wound with a clean, sterile bandage to prevent infection, and keep the bandage moist. Then, rush your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
In the summer, dogs are particularly prone to overheating. If you notice signs like wilting, loss of appetite, rapid breathing, or even fever, act quickly to cool down your pet. Move them to a shaded, wellventilated area or immerse them in cold water, continuously monitoring their rectal temperature to assist in their cooling down. If your dog starts shivering or seems cold, warm the water and take them to the vet immediately.
Occasionally, dogs may accidentally ingest toxic substances while playing outside or consume something harmful at home, leading to poisoning. In such cases, the owner must immediately identify what the dog has eaten. Use methods like induced vomiting to empty the stomach, and then bring both the vomit and the dog to the vet urgently.
Human medications, such as cold remedies, other drugs, rotten food, strong acids or bases, pesticides, and toxic mushrooms found along the roadside can all be harmful to dogs. Therefore, when taking your dog for a walk, always be vigilant about their actions. If you see them picking up food from the ground, shout to stop them immediately!
Fractures and dislocations are also common injuries for dogs. They might occur due to being struck or from a playful fall. Fractures are often easy to detect, as the affected area will appear soft and the dog may drag its leg while walking. In the case of a dislocation, the affected paw will be too painful for the dog to put down. When this happens, the owner should use a board or another object to stabilize the injured area and seek veterinary care promptly.
