How to Perform First Aid on a Dog

Being prepared and knowing how to administer first aid to your dog is an important part of being a dog owner. Should an emergency arise it is essential that you know the ins and outs of proper first aid for dogs. While many of the first aid practices for dogs are similar to that of the first aid practices for people, some are different and knowing the correct practices is essential to your dog's health and safety.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Cuts, Scrapes and Abrasions
   When dog has an injury that results in a cut scrape or abrasion the first thing that you should do is flush the wound with clean water. Carefully remove any debris like grass, sticks, gravel or hair. After the injured area is clean, you may want to trim back the fur around the wound, to prevent it from getting into the wound and irritating it. Keep the wound clean by washing it with a mild unfragranced, unscented soap and apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin three times daily. If the wound does not show improvement within three days, is reddening, swollen, or is draining puss consult a veterinarian.

2. Punctures and Animal Bites
   Puncture wounds and animal bites in a dog can be quite serious. Damage may be more severe than it appears and your dog should be monitored closely for muscle and nerve damage. To care for a puncture wound or animal bite, flush the wound carefully with clean water. Trim fur away from the wound if needed and apply a topical antibiotic cream daily until the wound heals.

3. Insect Bites and Stings
   If your dog is stung or bitten by an insect they may display an array of symptoms. You can apply a cold compress to affected area to help with pain and swelling. Cortisone creams can also be used to combat itching, but be careful that your pet does not lick the cream off. It is also acceptable to give your dog an antihistamine like Benadryl to ease an allergic response. Generally, you would give your dog a half a milligram of Benadryl per each pound of weight. It is always advisable that you consult your physician before administering any medications to your dog. Although it is rare for a dog to have a severe allergic reaction to an insect bite or sting, if your dog shows signs of distress or severe discomfort consult your veterinarian immediately.

4. Burns
   Burns can be quite serious in dogs and typically should be observed by a veterinarian. For temporary burn relief, clean the wound by flushing it with water, only if cleaning is needed. Gently apply a cool compress or ice pack wrapped in a clean soft towel. Cover the burn in clean moistened gauze and keep it in place with an ace bandage. Burns can lead to tissue damage and disruption of the of the blood supply to a burned area, so it is essential that severe burns be monitored by a vet.

5. Toenail Injury
   Often a dog's toenail can become injured either through improper toenail clipping or play. To stop bleeding of the toenail you will need to pack the end of the nail styptic powder, cornstarch, flour, tea leaves or a bar of soap. Place the packing you choose as close to the source of bleeding as possible and hold it in place for about two minutes. For a broken or fractured toenail, trim away and loose or hanging pieces of nail if possible. If the nail is simply cracked, use a super glue to keep the nail intact until a veterinarian can properly trim the nail. Keep careful watch of any toenail injuries, as they are prone to infection and may require an antibiotic.

6. Broken Bones
   Obviously, if you suspect that your pet has broken a bone you need to take your dog to a veterinarian. However, it is important to stabilize any fractures or broken bones prior to leaving for the vet if possible. The first thing you should do is stabilize any bleeding by flushing the area with clean water and applying a clean compress for pressure. If the break in the bone is on the lower portion of your dog's leg, splint the leg using a clean newspaper or magazine and tape it. This will prevent the break from getting worse. Never attempt to splint a break that is higher up on your dog's leg. If possible carry your dog to the car so they don't place further strain on any broken bones.

7. Being prepared for a potential injury is always wise for any dog owner. Having a small kit of needed supplies set aside and ready will make an emergency situation more manageable and less stressful for both you and your dog. Knowing what to do to help your dog should they become injured can make a big difference in the outcome of any potential emergency.

[beebop]

on 1/10/2009 my puppy is only 3month old she vomited and she shakesalot help me.