RESTRAINT
Pain may arouse the biting instinct in even the most trustworthy animal, so muzzling is recommended. You can use
pantyhose, cotton bandage material, a necktie or a piece of rope-anything strong and about two feet long. Tie a
loose knot in the middle, leaving a large loop. Slip the loop over the dog's nose and tighten the knot over the
bridge of the nose. Bring the ends under the chin, tie a knot, and then draw the ends behind the ears and tie again.
If the dog is short nosed, take one of the ends from behind the ears, pass it over the forehead and slip it under
the loop around the nose. Bring it back over the forehead and tie it firmly with the remaining end. Tie a muzzle
firmly, but not overly tight. This way, the muzzle will not interfere with breathing.
TRANSPORTING AN INJURED DOG
Special handling is necessary to minimize the risk of further injury. An injured
dog may be transported atop a suitably sized firm surface such as a plywood board. A board is particularly useful
for carrying large breeds. A blanket or large towel can serve as a stretcher for a dog of any size. Dogs weighing
less the 50 pounds may be safely moved inside a sturdy box. Small dogs may also be wrapped gently in a blanket
or towel and carried in your arms.
ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION
Artificial respiration helps supply oxygen to the dog that is not breathing. It
requires breathing into the dog's mouth, so be cautious-even dogs in respiratory arrest can reflexively close their
jaws without warning.
Lay the dog on its side. Open the dog's mouth and check for obstructions. Extend the tongue and look into the throat
to make sure the passage is clear. Remove any mucous or blood from the mouth, then shut it and gently hold it closed.
Now inhale deeply. Completely cover the dog's nose with you mouth and exhale gently. Carefully force air into the
lungs, and watch the dog's chest for expansion. Repeat every five to six seconds, or 10 to 12 breaths a minute.
HEART MASSAGE
Heart massage should be performed only if the dog's heart has stopped beating. It
must be combined with artificial respiration to approximate a technique known as cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR). When performed properly, CPR can help restore breathing and cardiac function in an emergency. A basic course
in CPR will help you better understand and perform this lifesaving technique.
Lay the dog on its right side, place your hands over the heart area on the dog's left side and press firmly about
70 times per minute. With small dogs, place one hand on either side of the chest wall near the elbows. Compress
about 70 times per minute. The chest diameter should compress approximately 20 to 30 percent. Be careful not to
break the ribs.
BLEEDING
A pressure dressing is used to slow or stop external bleeding. Place several pieces of clean gauze over the wound
and bandage snugly, applying pressure evenly. Watch for swelling below the pressure dressing, a sign that the bandage
must be loosened or removed. If at all possible, avoid using elasticized tape or bandage material. When bandages
are unavailable, you may place a pad or even a clean hand on the wound and press firmly.
Blood will spurt forcefully from a severed artery. If direct pressure fails to slow the rate of bleeding, a tourniquet
may be necessary. Tourniquets must be used very carefully, or they can do more damage than good. A tourniquet may
be fashioned out of a loop of rope, gauze or cloth and should be placed on the extremity between the injury and
the heart. Then, gently bur firmly tighten the tourniquet until bleeding is visibly decreased at the wound site.
The tourniquet must be loosened approximately every 10 minutes to allow blood flow to the tissue.
SHOCK
Shock is a general term for a condition characterized by collapse of the cardiovascular system. It occurs most
often after major trauma, such as being hit by a car. Animals in shock are weak and depressed, and their pupils
may be dilated. The pulse is weak and rapid. The gums are pale, and color is slow to return after they are pressed
with a finger. (The gums of a healthy dog normally regain color within one to two seconds after pressure is applied.)
If you believe a dog is in shock, it is important to respond at once. Apply pressure to any bleeding wounds and
keep the animal quiet and warm. Transport the dog to an emergency facility without delay.
FRACTURES
To reduce the risk of further trauma, muzzle the dog and use a board or other secure method of transportation to
reach a vet. Move the dog as little as possible during the journey and try to support the broken limb at all times-a
rolled-up magazine, cushion or even a hand will help. If bone fragments are visible, place clean bandage material
or cloth over the area until professional care is obtained.
FISH HOOKS
A small fishhook caught in a relatively inoffensive place may be removed at home.
Push the hook forward through the skin until the barb emerges, then clip it off with pliers or wire cutters. The
other piece should then remove easily. Do no, however, attempt to remove a deeply embedded hook or one that is
located on the face or feet. You must first muzzle the dog, and it may even be necessary to sedate the dog, because
pushing the hook forward will be very painful.
If the problem involves a lure with multiple hooks, the dog may work at the lure and cause further injury. Cover
the lure with a cloth or towel to protect yourself and the dog from the exposed barbs, and get to a veterinarian
quickly.
Never attempt to retrieve a swallowed hook by pulling on the line. This can severely damage the esophagus or stomach,
and increased the difficulty of removal. Cut the line as short as possible and seek immediate veterinary help.
HEATSTROKE
Heatstroke causes fast, shallow breathing and a rapid heartbeat. The dog's temperature will be very high (104 degrees
or above), and it may be in shock. A dangerously overheated dog will probably die without prompt treatment. Immediately
spray the dog with cool water; pack ice in the groin and around the head and neck; or wrap the dog in cold, wet
towels. Seek professional care at once.
Most cases of heatstroke are preventable. Never leave a dog inside a closed car or poorly ventilated kennel on
a hot day, and go easy with exercise in the summer. Dogs need fresh air, sufficient shade and access to plenty
of water during hot weather. Never leave your dog outside without any shelter from the sun or without clean water.
POISONS
Signs of poisoning include trembling, weakness, drooling, vomiting and loss of bowel control. Common sources of
poisons are insecticides (products intended to kill fleas or ticks, for example, or garden bug sprays) and oral
worming medications. These products should always be used according to vet or manufacturer's instructions, and
should never be combined without first seeking advice from a vet. If your dog exhibits any abnormal signs soon
after treatment for parasites, remove the product, if possible, and consult a vet immediately.
Rat poison and other oral rodenticides can produce internal bleeding. If vomiting is induced within a short time
(less than 30 minutes) after ingesting most rat poisons, the chance of survival improves. Veterinary help is still
necessary. Strychnine-based rodenticides are rapidly absorbed into the system and can cause convulsions and death
in a short time.
Acids, alkalis and petroleum products cause special problems. Vomiting is not advised in these cases, because the
substance in the vomit can damage the dog's esophagus. Immediately consult you vet. If a vet is not available,
give an antacid (Milk of Magnesia, Pepto-Bismol, etc.) in case of acid poisoning-approximately two teaspoons per
five pounds body weight is considered a safe dose. In case of alkali poising, a mixture of one part vinegar to
four parts water may be given at the same dosage. Mineral or vegetable oil sometimes helps to protect the gastrointestinal
tract in petroleum distillate poisoning. One tablespoon per five pounds body weight is a reasonably safe dose.
Antifreeze is another common poison. Severe kidney damage can occur after ingesting a very small quantity. Antifreeze
spills should be cleaned up promptly, because they are very attractive to animals. If your dog licks even a very
small amount, consult your vet immediately.
Medications should always be kept out of reach of animals. Furthermore, human drugs-even common pain relievers
such as aspirin or ibuprofen-should never be used without vet advice. In addition, chocolate and products with
caffeine can be toxic to dogs.
BURNS AND TOPICAL IRRITANTS
Minor burns may be treated by gently clipping away the hair, washing with a mild
soap and applying a topical antibiotic steroid ointment. Extensive burns require a vet's attention. Apply ice or
a cloth soaked in cold water, cover with a clean cloth and transport the dog immediately.
Hot spots-round, moist, painful areas of severe skin irritation-are a common problem in dogs. They develop rapidly
and worsen as the dog licks and chews the inflamed skin. Hot spots can become quite serious in a relatively short
time; they need to be clopped, cleaned and treated with antibiotics or steroids or both. Consult a veterinarian.
Turpentine and gasoline are very irritating and potentially toxic chemical substances that should never be used
to remove paint, tar or grease from a dog's coat. Vegetable oil works quite well for this purpose. Treatment should
be followed by bathing with a mild soap.
DOG FIGHTS
Dog fights may erupt over territory, social hierarchy or access to a bitch in heat.
Most of these violent encounters end quickly when one dog indicates submission to the other.
Before you intervene, calmly (but rapidly) try to consider what will effectively separate the dogs without causing
harm to you. This depends a great deal on the size and strength of the dogs, and on what you have on hand-a dousing
with water, for example, can help stop a fight. You may have to let large dogs settle the dispute themselves. To
lessen the turmoil, remove other dogs from the scene. If you decide to manually interrupt a fight between small
dogs, be very careful-you may well get bitten, and even small teeth can do considerable damage.
Injuries sustained by dogs in a fight may look minor, but they can be misleading. Beneath small puncture wounds
may be extensive damage to muscle and other tissues. Also, bite wounds are usually heavily contaminated with oral
bacteria and are prone to infection. Flush fight wounds with water or hydrogen peroxide and seek veterinary attention
as soon as possible.
VOMITING AND DIARRHEA
Vomiting and diarrhea are signs of a problem involving the digestive system or other
body systems. An immediate concern with persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea is dehydration, especially in very
young and old dogs. If diarrhea or vomiting continues for more than 24 hours or if additional signs of illness
are observed, get help from a veterinarian.
SEIZURES
A seizure can cause dogs to collapse, paddle their limbs, twitch, vocalize, urinate
or defecate. Dogs must be protected from falling down stairs or striking their head or limbs against floors, walls
or furniture. Blankets or towels may be used to move the dog or cushion the body. Be careful when handling the
head, because the dog may bite reflexively. Time the duration of the seizure and relay this information to the
veterinarian.
ADMINISTERING MEDICINE
Pills. Sometimes the easiest way to administer a pill is by mixing it with food.
The pill is inserted into a small amount of soft food, such as peanut butter, or is crushed and mixed with something
palatable, such as yogurt or canned dog food. It's easier if the dog is hungry, so it can be a good idea to administer
pills right before a meal.
Some medications, however, should not be given with food, or they may not be scheduled to coincide with mealtimes.
Also, some dogs have an uncanny way of detecting even the smallest adulteration to their food. In these cases,
you must put the pill in the dog's mouth and make sure it is swallowed. Hold the pill in your right hand and stand
on the dog's right side. Grasp the top of the dog's muzzle with you left hand. Press the upper lips against the
teeth and the dog's mouth will usually start to open. The lips will curl inward around the points of the teeth,
protecting your fingers against injury if the dog attempts to close the jaw. Tilt the dog's head slightly upward.
Place the pill on top of the tongue, deep within the throat. Then withdraw your hand and allow the mouth to close.
Keep the head elevated, however, and tap the dog's nose or stroke the throat. Watch for signs of swallowing; some
dogs lick their nose. If the pill is spit out, calmly but firmly repeat the process until you are successful. Feeding
a small treat right after the dog has swallowed will help make sure the pill is swallowed, too.
Liquids. Liquid medication is best administered from an eyedropper, vial or small bottle. Spoons are usually too
awkward to be useful. Have someone hold the dog's head in a slightly elevated position. Insert two fingers inside
the corner of the lips and pull outward away from the teeth. This forms a funnel-like pouch into which the medicine
is poured. Most dogs will swallow the medication as it trickles between the teeth. You can also try tapping the
nose or jiggling the pouch slightly.
If the dog clenches its jaw and prevents medication from entering the mouth, you can insert the handle of a spoon
between the teeth. Once the dog starts swallowing, the rest of the medicine is usually taken without objection.
Eye Medication. To apply ophthalmic ointment, use your thumb or forefinger to roll the lower eyelid gently downward
and squeeze the medicine into the space between the lid and eye.
For eye drops, grasp the muzzle with one hand and slightly elevate the head while holding the lower lid open. Use
the other hand to hold open the upper lid and insert the medication.
Do not touch the open end of a bottle or tube to the eye. This can damage the eye and contaminate the medication.
Ear Medication. Tubes of ear ointment often have a long nozzle that can be inserted into the outer ear canal. Liquids
can be administered by dropping the medication directly into the ear. Once the ear is medicated, grasp the cartilage
below the opening and gently massage it up and down. A moist, sloshing sound indicates that the medication is being
distributed inside the ear canal.