Emergency First Aid for Dogs:自救Guide to Accidents

1. Dog Skin Abrasions

New Wounds:

For minor cuts, you can directly apply iodine tincture or a 5% gentian violet solution.

Maintain the wound dry and clean, applying the iodine tincture daily.

Large Wounds with Bleeding:

Apply pressure with sterile gauze or clean cotton to stop the bleeding;

Wash the wound with saline solution or 0.1% benzalkonium chloride;

Disinfect the wound with 5% iodine tincture or 0.1% benzalkonium chloride;

Apply sulfonamide or antibiotic powder to reduce inflammation.

If bleeding persists, it's advisable to seek veterinary care for bandaging and suturing.

Suppurating Wounds:

Wash the wound with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution or 0.1% benzalkonium chloride to remove pus;

Trim or shave fur around the wound for 34 cm;

Remove necrotic tissue if present;

Apply 5% iodine tincture and spray with skin healing spray to promote healing;

Orally administer cefalexin or amoxicillinclavulanate potassium for inflammation;

For deeper wounds with infections, it's recommended to go to a veterinary hospital for suturing.

2. Dog Scratches and Bites

After a dog fight, treat the wounds as you would for new injuries.

After treating the wound, ensure the dog wears an Elizabethan collar to prevent it from licking the wound and introducing bacteria.

If the dog has not been vaccinated for rabies, it's crucial to get it vaccinated promptly to avoid rabies infection.

3. Dog Burns

Burns caused by high temperatures, such as fires, steam, or hot water, can be collectively referred to as burns.

They can be categorized into three degrees based on severity:

FirstDegree Burns:

Epidermal damage with arterial congestion, presenting with mild redness, swelling, heat, and pain.

Treatment: Rinse with cold water for over 20 minutes, avoiding strong water flow; apply honghua oil or burn ointment; typically heals in 7 days with minimal scarring.

SecondDegree Burns:

Damage to the epidermis and dermis with plasma leakage, and the appearance of blisters, redness, swelling, and pain.

Treatment: Gently rinse the wound with cold water until cool; protect the wound from contact with any items; seek medical attention immediately; apply iodine tincture and burn ointment at home if unable to go to the hospital; healing may take 720 days with minimal scarring, depending on the severity of dermal damage.

ThirdDegree Burns:

Fullthickness skin damage or deeper subcutaneous tissue damage, with eschar formation, dry and hard skin, and no pain.

Treatment: Seek immediate medical attention; for severe burns, hospitalization may be recommended; for limb burns, separate the toes to prevent粘连.

4. Dog Fractures

Fractures are characterized by displaced bone ends, limb deformity, shortening or lengthening of the limb, abnormal walking posture, and a grinding sound at the bone ends.

Treatment:

Prevent Movement: Avoid further displacement of the fracture ends to prevent severe complications;

Control Bleeding: Tie off with bandages, strips, or ropes to reduce bleeding;

Disinfect and Inhibit Inflammation: Apply iodine tincture to the affected area for disinfection; use sulfonamide powder for wound inflammation;

Bandage and Stabilize: Temporarily bandage and stabilize the fractured area to prevent further movement;

Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Have an Xray taken for diagnosis and undergo surgical repair under anesthesia.

5. Dog Sprains

Sprains are indicated by joint swelling, heat, pain, and limping in the dog.

Treatment:

Cold Compress: Apply an ice pack for 48 hours after the injury to reduce swelling and bleeding;

Rest: Limit the dog's activity to minimize joint wear;

Pain Relief: Administer antiinflammatory and analgesic medications such as meloxicam tablets;

Heat Compress: After 72 hours, apply heat with arnica oil or mobil oil to soothe and stimulate the area.

We hope this guide on treating dog injuries is helpful to all pet owners. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to consult an online veterinary doctor.