Emergency Help for Dogs

by Janice Kumar

A dog can get injured without warning. The animal is by nature playful, active and aggressive. An injury can take place due to many possible foreseeable and some unknown causes also. It is important to know what to do when the pet is in pain.

A severely injured dog may be so blinded by pain that it might even attempt to bite it's owner. It may be necessary in such a case, to make a temporary muzzle with a strip of cloth or bandage and tie it below the jaws and and on top of the head or back of the ears. This will prevent the dog from biting the person, trying to give first aid to the dog.

It may be possible to treat the obvious injuries by using commonsense and some guidance. However some injuries may be internal or not visible to the naked eye and may require an emergency visit to the vet.

Wounds may be from automobile accidents, cuts from glass, sharp objects, wire, bites from other animals, puncture wounds, and / or from foreign objects such as thorns, glass splinters, sharp edges etc. All these may require first aid and severe wounds may require specialized care by a vet.

The dog has to be treated for shock in case of an automobile accident. This can be done by covering the dog with a blanket and allowing it to rest. The dog may require consoling in a soft voice and affectionate stroking. Keep the dog rested in a semi dark place as the shock wears off. If you suspect internal injuries in the dog, a vet, need to be called. Before calling the vet, it may be necessary to immobilize the animal by wrapping it in a tight bandage so as to form a sheath. This will prevent further internal damage. Internal injuries can be indicated by symptoms of white gums and or when the dog is in obvious pain without sign of external damage.

If a bone is broken, the limb needs to be immobilized immediately. This can be done with splint. In case some other bones are broken , the dog needs to be totally immobilized before a veterinarian is called.

For bee stings, the dog needs to be given an antihistamine cold tablet and cold compress over the area of the sting. Normally this should be sufficient, however if you feel that the problem is serious, do consult a vet.

Burns should be treated by applying cold water to them. Water- immersable (burn) creams can also be used in the dressing afterwards. Serious burn injuries have to be treated by a specialized animal hospital.

Bites from other animals can be treated by applying an antiseptic solution in to the puncture wounds. The solution can be applied by using an eyedropper or disposable syringe ( without the needle) and letting the antiseptic liquid flow directly into the wound. Bad bites, where the skin is badly torn up, need specialized care.

If the dog is choking on a foreign object, open the mouth of the pet wide and remove the objects which may be stuck at the back of the throat or the mouth. If it cannot be removed, you need to rush to a vet, to save the pet's life.

A dog that has succumbed to a heat stroke needs immediate care. It needs to be immediately immersed in a tub of cold water or lay it flat and pour cold water with a jug over the body. The body temperature needs to be bought down fast, so a fan may also be necessary. If the dog does not accept cold water over itself, then try to press cold towels against it's abdomen and back of the head before you call a vet.

Incase you suspect that the dog has been poisoned, indicated by trembling, panting, intestinal pain, vomiting, slimy secretion from mouth, convulsions etc, then you need to take prompt action. The accepted first aid treatment is giving the dog a general emetic so that the dog regurgitates the contents of the stomach immediately. Take the advice of a vet as to what exact treatment to give, while you wait for him. Immediate action from your end, can save the pet's life in case of serious poisoning.

In general, first aid to a dog is the first step that can be taken by a pet owner, before a vet is called. Minor puncture wounds, bee stings, minor cuts and lacerations and some minor emergencies can be treated quite successfully at home. However if the wound is serious or not responding to treatment a visit to a vet is a must.