Dog First Aid:

Be prepared with a well-stocked dog first aid kit

Is dog first aid something you've thought about? Many pet owners tend to overlook this all-important aspect of owning a dog. Only when an injury occurs do we suddenly realize how lax we've been in this regard. Most of us have first aid kits at home for the family, but they are inadequate for dogs.

Here's what you should know about dog first aid.

A fight or accident are serious issues for your pet. Dog bites can be devastating.

Dogs can escape easier than you might thing. Even though you're confident he or she is secured in your yard, there's always a chance someone will leave the gate open. Inquisitive puppies and even adult dogs can dig their way out and end up in a dangerous situation.

Of course, injuries happen for other reasons and they can be sudden. Fortunately, the majority are not life threatening, but what if it's more serious?

In most cases, you will have all the dog first aid you need, but then, you might not. What if your dog suddenly develops an illness? Are you prepared?

Illness

Dogs can become ill at any time. According to Murphy's Law, dogs often become ill on weekends or late evenings when the veterinary offices are closed. It's best to be able to quickly evaluate the situation and apply the appropriate dog first aid.

The sooner first aid can be applied, the better the outcome.

Because illness can come on suddenly, one of the first things you'll want in your dog first aid kit is a dog disease manual that provides the signs and symptoms to guide you.

Injuries

Dogs can injure themselves on broken fences, sharp edges, falling tree branches, and in many other ways. If you or a neighbor used rat poison, the dying rodent could end up in your yard where your dog could eat it, thereby absorbing the poison.

Cuts, bites, broken bones, eye injuries, and skin lesions are some of the injuries your can might suffer.

Your dog first aid kit

One important item that belongs in every dog first aid kit is a muzzle. Injured dogs are often frightened and will snap and bite anyone who comes near. Always apply a muzzle before trying to treat an injured dog.

The only exception is short-nosed dogs like Pugs. Because of the nose shape, a muzzle might not be possible. Also, if any dog is having difficulty breathing with the muzzle on, it's best to leave it as loose as possible or remove it completely. By hampering the dog's breathing, you will make him more frightened and desperate.

Here's a healthy list of items for your dog first aid kit.

· Latex gloves (to protect you and your dog from germ and bacteria transfer)

· A suitable muzzle for your breed of dog (you can try making your own with a tie, panty hose, belt or other item. Built it before your dog needs it and keep it ready in your dog first aid kit)

· Leash and collar (so you can control the dog while providing treatment)

· Antibiotic ointment

· Sterile cleansing wipes (antiseptic to remove bacteria)

· Cotton swabs for applying ointment to injuries

· Bandages (elastic is best because they cling to the dog's body better than other types)

· Gauze bandages (to wrap the wound)

· Gauze pads or squares (to apply ointment to the wound or to cover an injured eye)

· Nail clippers (to remove broken nails)

· Disposable razor (you might need it to shave around a wound to help prevent bacterial infection and to make it easier to clean and protect the wound)

· First aid tape in various sizes (to tape down the ends of bandages)

· Hot/cold first aid pads (to apply heat or cold to an injury)

· Saline eye wash (to clean the eye after injury or to remove foreign objects)

· Rectal thermometer

· Safety pins

· Scissors (round ended and pointed for different uses)

· Tweezers (for removing splinters and other small foreign objects)

· Pepto-Bismal (to calm the dog's stomach)

· Snake bite kit (for those of you who live in areas where there are dangerous snakes)

· Notepad and pencil (to take notes on your dog's treatment and response so you can share this important information with the vet)

Make sure you have all these items in your kit and you'll be ready to apply dog first aid in an instant. After taking care of any serious problems, like stopping or slowing heavy bleeding, rush your dog to your veterinarian for professional care.

While treating your dog, pay close attention to his vital signs. If he is unconscious, his heart is labored or stopped, or he is bleeding heavily, take immediate action to get help as these are life-threatening symptoms. Keep the number of your closest emergency pet hospital in the kit, by your telephone or on speed dial for quick access. Don't wait until an emergency arises before tracking down this information.

In the next article, we'll talk about some of the serious conditions that can affect your dog and how you can apply emergency dog first aid.

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