Dogs love to do new things, and as a result, they face accidents. Sometimes, the emergencies can be in the form of seizures, automobile accidents, burns, food poisoning, and many more. They love to visit places that are unsafe for them. Moreover, they tend to chew things that can be dangerous. In short, their curiosity leads them to an emergency. Being a dog owner, how would you deal with such situations? What do you need to save your dog’s life? So, here we’ll share some valuable tips, including first aid for dogs.
First Aid Kit Essentials for Dogs
When you have all the below-given essentials, you can deal with emergencies in the best way.
First Aid Manual Guide (It provides you complete details about how to treat illness and injury).
Gauze (This lightweight gauze is an essential first-aid item and helps you when your dog gets injured.
Non-Stick Bandages (Ensure that they’re water repellent).
Cotton Balls (These super soft cotton balls can help you clean wounds).
Antiseptic (Hydrogen Peroxide is an excellent antiseptic to have in your first aid kit for dogs).
Antibiotic Spray (Non-toxic ointment or spray can help you treat your dog’s rashes, dry skin, cuts, and allergies).
Thermometer (Digital thermometer can help you get accurate readings).
Other essentials to add to the first aid box are tweezers, scissors, syringes, magnifying glass, towel, soft muzzle, and flashlight.
Some Tips for Dealing with Emergency Situations
You and your pet safety are the first priority, so ensure that you remain calm and understand the situation before taking action. When animals get injured, they feel pain when someone touches them.
Contact your vet and seek guidance.
When you contact a vet, they can help take the appropriate actions.
If there is a risk of a dog bite, use a soft muzzle.
Avoid feeding human medicines because they can harm more than good.
If the injury is severe and needs surgery, take your dog immediately to the vet.
Different Emergency Situations and First Aid for Dogs
You can adopt the same treatment plan for all emergencies. So, you need to follow the below-given practices for various emergencies.
First Aid for Dogs (When it’s bleeding)
First of all, keep your dog quiet. Use some clothing if required and put on a tight bandage. If you can’t put a bandage, use a pad. Take your pet to the vet immediately. If you have a first aid kit in place, you can place a non-adhesive tape on the bandage. Use cotton to cover the wound. Remember, you can’t keep the dressing for more than 24 hours. If you feel that the injury isn’t healed, you can follow all the steps again.
First Aid for Dogs (In case of poisoning)
Try to find the swallowed substance and take it with you when you visit a vet. Avoid making your dog sick unless the vet recommends it. The vet will find the root cause of the poisoning and suggest treatment accordingly.
First Aid for Dogs (In case of broken bones)
It can be painful for dogs when bones get broken, and you can’t even notice it. So, arrange the transport for your pet. If you have a small puppy, you can use a small box to take your dog to the clinic.
First Aid for Dogs (For scalds and burns)
First of all, splint cold water over the burned areas for 5 minutes. Contact your vet and avoid applying any cream to the burned area. If you’re struggling to contact a vet, then use saline-soaked dressing over the infected area. Moreover, it will help your dog remain warm.
First Aid for Dogs (For swollen tummy)
For this issue, you’ll have to keep an eye on your dog. Whenever you suspect this issue, treat it seriously and immediately. Your dog may attempt vomiting. It’s a sign of danger for the stomach. Don’t delay in contacting a vet. Otherwise, things can get worse and out of control.
First Aid for Dogs (In a heatstroke)
If your dog is distressed and panting heavily on a warm day, it’s a sign of heatstroke. Commonly, overweight and short-nosed dogs will face this issue more. Keep your pet in a cool place. Use tepid water to wet the coat. Give some water to your dog for drinking.
First Aid for Dogs (In case of electric shock)
When your dog gets an electric shock, don’t do anything. Immediately contact your electricity supplier. If it’s happened at home, cut off the power supply and use a non-metallic item to get your dog away from the electricity source. If the breathing has stopped, call your vet for help.
Final Words
Dog’s curiosity leads them to various emergencies. In such situations, keep yourself calm and follow the tips mentioned above for first aid for dogs.