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Dog First Aid – Bleeding

By
13
Sep 2011

Many dogs have died from shock resulting from profuse bleeding. There is no first aid for internal bleeding but while external bleeding is easily seen, signs of internal bleeding can be difficult to recognize so that the professional medical management that will save the life of the pet is not administered in time. Dogs are often injured from accidents that results from these animals’ inclination to run, jump, explore and to chase prey. Dogs seem to attract accidents thus a dog owner needs to learn how to administer first aid treatments to the pet. A dog owner would naturally panic once the injured pet is seen but to be able to administer first aid treatment the pet owner has to be calm.

The energetic and curious behaviors put these animals at high risk for accidents. Competency in administering first aid to the pet is an essential attribute of a dog owner. Dogs commonly sustain minor cuts and abrasions and these injuries can be easily resolved using the contents of the first aid kit. The dog may sustain serious injuries that would need a vet’s attention but the pet owner would still need to administer first aid that will stabilize the pet’s condition.

Dogs can bleed a lot. Even nail trimming can make a dog bleed. This kind of bleeding though can be resolved easily with styptic powder. What first aid methods can you administer to a dog with a profusely bleeding wound?

First aid for pets is pretty much the same as first aid for humans. Bleeding must be controlled as two teaspoons of blood lost for every pound of body weight can make a dog go into shock. To stem the bleeding, a bandage or a towel applied directly to the wound will put on pressure that will control bleeding. Another towel must be placed on top of the one already soaked to maintain pressure. To reduce bleeding, the injured body part must be elevated above the heart. Bleeding can be reduced as well by applying pressure to the pressure points. Tourniquet can stop heavy bleeding but this dangerous method must be administered only by a competent person.

Because there will be no sign of apparent bleeding, a dog with internal bleeding may not receive immediate treatment. Internal bleeding commonly results when the dog was hit by an oncoming car or had fallen from heights. Symptoms of internal bleeding are weak pulse, shallow breathing and pale gums. Internal bleeding cannot be resolved with first aid. What the dog need is urgent medical attention.

Bleeding? More information on this and first aid for dogs can be found at Sarah’s Dogs.

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Is first aid necessary for single seizure in dogs

By
14
Aug 2011

No dog owner would want to see the pet seize as a seizing episode would be a heart rending sight. It would not be surprising a for a pet parent to panic upon seeing the seizing pet especially if it is the first time. No first aid can stop the seizure and a pet owner that would rush to the side of the pet can get hurt instead.

The owner of a seizing dog has to remain calm to be able to help the pet. However, this can be quite difficult as the dog would appear to be in the throes of immense pain. Understanding the causes and the effect of seizure would be a big help in dealing with the condition of the pet.

A seizure would occur when the dog cannot cope with the abnormal activity of the brain. This abnormal activity in the brain can be associated with a variety of diseases. A trauma in the head that results from an accident or ingestion of poisonous substances are some of the conditions that can make a dog seize. Seizures, also known as convulsion or fits can be single or repeated. Repeated seizure is characterized by the occurrence of multiple or several occurrences of seizures in a single episode. A single seizure would be over in seconds or in a few minutes and generally, the dog would not have another seizure for the whole day or even in 24 hours. Single seizure may not be as severe as repeated seizure but the dog would still benefit from a vet’s attention. Because single seizures are short in duration, the dog would have the attention of the vet after the seizure is over.

A single seizing episode is usually allowed to run its course and the dog owner would not need to do anything. A first aid measure that will shorten the episode is not really necessary. Simply put, there is no first aid for single seizure but a dog owner can do a lot to help the seizing pet.

The dog owner has to remain calm to be of more help in preventing the dog from causing itself harm. The dog must be moved away from water or from stairs. To prevent the dog from being injured by sharp and hard objects, the dog must be moved away. Although a seizing dog would appear to be in pain, the pet actually cannot feel anything and an owner that is trying to comfort the pet can get bitten instead. Instead of hugging the dog, talk softly instead as the owner’s voice is known to have a calming effect for the pet .

Learn more about single seizure as well as first aid for dogs at Sarah’s Dogs.

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First Aid For A Dog With Punctured Wound

By
04
May 2011

Dogs are noted for their energetic, playful and explorative nature. Would it be any wonder if they get into tight spots that would cause them injuries? All kinds of injuries can happen to dogs and puncture wounds can be one of the results of these accidents.

Any sharp object that pierces and penetrates the skin will result to a puncture wound. A dog’s inquisitive nature will not be prevented by a thorn and debris littered road to get into the other side where there is an interesting movement and/or scent. The dog therefore can sustain puncture wounds from tacks, nail, barbed wire and from other sharp objects. In spite of the preventive measures dog owners do to dog proof the house the pet would still have accidents where knives, scissors and other sharp objects cause puncture wounds. Keep dogs together for a time and dog fights will ensue. A dog can get puncture wounds from the bites of other dogs and other animals.

Unlike cuts and lacerations, small puncture wounds would not bleed so much. The dog owner may not feel the need to deal with the dog’s wound thinking that it is a minor injury. Puncture wounds have the tendency to get infected as this kind of wound heals easily so that bacteria are trapped inside the skin. The condition of a dog with large puncture wound can be serious as apart from the need to control the bleeding, the owner may be faced with the pet’s internal bleeding too.

As mentioned, puncture wound are not heavy bleeders and because of the fur covering the wound, the owner may not be aware of the pet’s injuries. A dog would limp if it has a puncture wound on the foot or leg. A change in the dog’s behavior is an indication that the pet is in pain and puncture wounds would certainly cause the dog pain.

A vet’s attention is necessary for serious and large puncture wounds. A vet consult will be necessary to get the true state of the dog’s health. A pet owner that knows how to administer first aid can deal with the dog’s minor puncture wounds. First aid treatment for this kind of injury is to see if there are foreign objects on the wound. Dirt and foreign objects must be removed with tweezers and the wound thoroughly flushed with water. Gently pressing the skin around the wound will induce bleeding. This must be done so that any germs in the wound can be flushed out of the skin together with the blood. Bandaging puncture wounds is not advisable as it increases the risk of infection.

Find out more about dog first aid and treatment for punctures at Sarah’s Dogs.

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Canine Strangulation First Aid Treatments

By
26
Apr 2011

A pet lost through strangulation would be a horrible experience for any dog owner! Dog owners would naturally want to keep the pet safe. But there are instances when the precautionary measures can get the pet in trouble in an instant. A dog owner that leaves a leashed pet inside the car with the windows open would do so to prevent heatstroke but never imagine that the pet would die of strangulation instead. To keep the pet safe from running vehicles, the owner would tie the pet near a fence but the pet interested with the sounds on the other side would jump over the fence and get strangled. Venetian blind cords can be lethal when played with puppies as it can result to strangulation.

Strangulation is horrible. The life of a healthy and energetic pet can be snuffed in seconds. A strangled dog would panic as it will be prevented from breathing when the airway closes. This condition will prevent air from entering the lungs and deprive the brain of oxygen as the carotid arteries will be blocked. Strangulation will cause the dog to cough, the gums and tongue to turn blue and to lose consciousness. Deprived of oxygen, the dog can die in a matter of minutes.

A strangled pet can be saved from death if the dog’s condition is noticed in time and emergency treatment is at once administered. The owner has to act at once to remove the pressure on the neck. Don’t waste time in trying to untangle the pet. It is of utmost importance to open the airway of the pet thus the collar or the leash must be cut or removed at once. Extend the neck freed from constriction to open the dog’s airway. Pulling the tip of the tongue forward may be necessary so that it would not block the airway.

If the pet is not breathing, administer artificial respiration at once. Close the dog’s mouth and give two quick breaths on the nose. The chest should rise as the lungs expand. The dog should receive 15 to 20 breaths per minute.

The heart would stop beating if the pet stops breathing for a few minutes. Place the palm of the hand on the dog’s left chest and feel for the heartbeat. If no heartbeat is found, be ready to give the pet CPR. Five heart compressions must be alternated with one breath. The 15 to 20 breaths and 80 to 100 compressions per minute must be continued until the dog is breathing on its own.

More information on dog first aid and strangulation can be found at Sarah’s Dogs.

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Dog First Aid – Broken Toenail

By
19
Apr 2011

When the dog’s nails make clicking sounds when it walks on the floor, it means that the toenails already need trimming. Trimming the dog’s nails is an often forgotten part of the grooming routine. The normal walk of the dog can be encumbered by long toenails. Moreover, dog nails that are allowed to grow long can be broken and cause the dog pain and discomfort. Nail trimming though can be a challenge especially if the pet is not accustomed to having its paws touched. Trimming the nails of a fidgety pet can result to bleeding as it would be very easy to cut the quick especially for dark colored nails.

Cutting the quick would cause profuse bleeding because of the number of capillaries present on the nail bed. Pet owners may panic at the sight of the pet’s bleeding toes but this is not really a serious condition. A dab of styptic powder will easily resolve the bleeding. Instead of styptic powder, cornstarch or flour packed on the broken toenail would stem the bleeding.

Dogs are well loved pets and it is understandable if the owner would panic at the sight of the pet trailing blood on the floor. Because dogs are very energetic animals, dog owners have to get use to dealing with injuries that the pet sustain from accidents. Dogs would often sustain broken toenails.

A broken toenail that is still attached would bleed and cause the dog pain every time pressure is placed on the affected paw. If the still attached broken nail is disturbed like getting snagged on the carpet, it can bleed again and make the dog cry in pain. In spite of the bleeding, a broken toenail is not a life threatening condition. Bringing the pet to the vet’s may not even be necessary. Dog owners that bring the pet to the vets would find that the pet is no longer bleeding upon arrival at the vets.

First aid would still be necessary for a dog that has a broken toenail to ease the discomfort of the pet and also to ward off infection. It would be necessary to fully remove the piece of the toenail that is still attached. A broken toenail that is still attached would have to be removed with a nail clipper. One that is barely hanging can be easily pulled. Clean the affected paw with warm water after the torn toenail was removed. If the torn nail bleeds again, use gauze to apply pressure to nail to control bleeding. A dog would need to be taken to a vet if a large portion of the nail was broken. The dog has to have antibiotics to prevent infection.

Sarah’s Dogs provides more information on broken toenails as well as first aid for dogs.

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