basic first aid

[kizkiznobite]

page 2  🙂

Sting and Insect Bites
Remove sting and if possible determine what type it is.  Bee stings and ant bites are acidic and should be bathed with bicarbonate of soda, wasps and jellyfish stings are alkali and should be bathed with vinegar.  The most common place is in or on the mouth and the first signs are howls followed by frantic rubbing and rapid swelling of the site.  If the swelling is severe and around the nose, muzzle, tongue or throat it can cause breathing difficulties and airways will need to be kept as open as possible until a veterinary surgeon can be seen.  If there is no obstruction to the breathing, keep the dog calm, bathe with the above if the type of sting is known, or ice cold water if not.  ‘Piriton’ tablets of 1x 4mg for a small dog, 3 x 4 mg medium dog, 5 x 4mg large dog, will help to reduce the swelling; by assisting in fighting the allergic reaction, and will also help to keep the dog calm.

Lameness
A severe none weight bearing lameness is usually a fracture.  If it is less severe, check pads for embedded objects such as tack, nails, thorns, stones, ice, grit, and cut or damaged nails.  If the dog is licking or chewing at the foot, it is a good indication that that is the site of the problem and treat as for cuts and wounds.  If the problem has been a stone, ice or grit in between the pads they may have been splayed and localised bruising will be apparent.  I apply witch-hazel gel and rest the dog for 24 hours. If the dog is not chewing at the foot then the problem is higher up the leg or thigh, usually a strained muscle or ligament that will heal with rest.  St. Johns Wort is a good natural painkiller and garlic or liquorish are good anti-inflammatories.

Fractured or Torn Claws 
These are very sore and can become infected.  If possible, trim the claw of broken or split nail and remove jagged edges.  Treat as for wounds, especially if bleeding profusely, if the claw is torn at the base or out of the pad then it will require surgical removal, tape into place using the next claw as support, bandage the whole foot and take the dog to the veterinary surgeon.  Dewclaws are most susceptible to being torn, in which case tape down against the leg, bandage and take the dog to the veterinary surgeon.  The claw should not be removed without professional help as the bleeding can be very severe and the risk of serious infection is high.

Fits and Seizures
An epileptic seizure is a sign of a malfunction in the brain.  It is caused by sudden, uncontrolled activity of neurons and can be triggered by various influences.  Different types of seizures represent different degrees of brain activity; commonly classified as either generalized or partial seizures.
Any dog suffering a fit or seizure should be checked out by a veterinary surgeon to determine cause.
The most important thing to remember is that if a dog is having a fit then no restraint should be made.  Move any obstacles, darken the room and remain quiet in order not to stimulate the attack.
If the dog has not regained consciousness or has a series of fits over a short time then an emergency visit to the veterinary surgeon is necessary. 

Ears
If the dog suddenly develops a sore ear; the usual symptoms are shaking the head or pawing and rubbing the ear, then the most likely cause is a seed or insect that has entered the ear.  Remove the foreign object carefully, check for stings and bites and if apparent treat as above.  If the problem develops over a period of time then there may be a build up of ear wax, which gentle cleansing with a commercial ear cleaner, vals potion or Almond Oil and vitamin E will solve, or an ear infection such as ear mites which may require more specialised treatment.  If the ear has been torn, then clean with disinfectant, apply antibiotic, turn inside out and place over the head and bandage by wrapping around jaw and across the top of the head.

[kizkiznobite]

page 3  😀

Eyes
If not a general condition such as conjunctivitis, entropion etc. then a topical injury, grass seed, thorns or a toxin may be present.  These may scratch the eye causing the cornea to ulcerate so the most important thing is to stop the dog from rubbing the eye.  Flush the eye out with a solution of ‘Optrex’ or lukewarm water.  If the problem persists or there is bleeding then take to a veterinary surgeon as soon as possible.  If the offending object is removed without damage then bathing with extract of cucumber or tea will help irritation.

Vomiting and Diarrhoea
This is usually a sign that the dog’s natural mechanisms have become activated in order to expel something disagreeable from the gut.  Starve the dog for 12 hours; ensure there is plenty of clean water or ‘Dioralyte’ to drink.  If the problem persists for more than 3 days or there is lethargy, cramping, blood in the stools or the dog is not drinking then a check up at the veterinary surgery is required.

Heatstroke, Sunburn, Scalds and Burns
Longhaired dogs or dogs with restricted breathing passages such as Boxers can easily over heat on hot days when running around or it can happen when any dog is left in a car or an enclosed kennel.
The early symptoms are excessive panting and breathing difficulties, which can progress to collapse and/or seizure.  The dog should be removed from the sun or calmed down, wrapped in cold towels or bathed in cool water, fanned and given plenty of clean water to drink.  Exposed areas such as the nose, ear tips or where the fur is thin can have an application of a high factor, anti allergic sun cream or sun block to prevent sunburn.  If the area is burnt, ensure the dog has plenty to drink, put an ice pack to the burnt area and apply a soothing lotion such as calamine.  If blistering occurs, then lightly bandage and check for infection regularly.

Poisoning 
Dogs will eat anything at least once.  If the taking in of a toxic substance is suspected then the dog needs to vomit very quickly: unless it is a liquid such as bleach, which will require a veterinary surgeon, as bringing it back up will cause more damage.  Most poisons will take 2 hours to have an effect but the less that gets into the system the better.  My father always used suspeneded charcoal but i prefer baking soda placed on the back of the tongue until swallowed or retching commences – mustard powder is prefered by many or mustard paste – right at the back of the gullet.  Salt water can be used but is not as quick and 2 or 3 cupfuls may be required. If no side effects are apparent after 2 hours, make sure the dog has plenty to drink and the natural defence mechanism will do the rest.  Do not feed for 12 hours and then add immune boosters to the diet in the form of natural enzymes, garlic, Selenium and Vitamin E.

[kizkiznobite]

page 4  ;D

Fractures, Collapse, Trauma Care and Transport

Severe non-weight bearing lameness is usually a fractured limb.  This is extremely painful so a painkiller, if available, is required.  I use St Johns Wort.  The affected limb should be touched as little as possible and first aid treatment needs to be done as calmly and as quickly as possible to limit the distress.
Fractures of the bones below the elbow in the front legs, or knee in the back legs need to be splinted immediately at the accident site.  This ensures that the joints above and below the brake is immobilised until the veterinary surgeon can set the fracture properly.  The broken ends should be brought together and fixed so that the joint remains formed.  If the fracture is in the foreleg then the best splint is a rolled up newspaper formed into a suitable shape and placed around the fracture site, a stick, light strips of metal or cardboard can also be used.  Tape the splint in place above and below the fracture with bandage or plaster ensuring the splint is positioned one joint below and above the injury.  If the fracture is in a rear limb and below the knee splint together using a material that can form the shape of the natural joint (I once used a car aerial padded with seat foam) and immobilise against the upper limb, again ensuring the splint is positioned below and above the injury.   Fractures of the upper rear leg are more difficult and require expertise, it is better to immobilise and transport the dog for professional treatment.  If there is a spinal injury or the dog has collapsed for other reasons then movement should be avoided if possible.  Lay the dog on a firm flat surface, such as a wooden board or collapsed cardboard box, as gently as possible, grabbing the skin at the back of the neck and the bottom of the back, slide the dog on to the surface keeping the back and neck straight, then tie firmly into place.  If possible, carry carefully to transport, place board flat and go to the veterinary surgery. Be aware that the dog may vomit or defecate, even if unconscious, so another person requires being present.  If the dog is in no or little pain, but cannot move limbs or responds to toes being pinched, then it is likely that the spine is broken and the surgeon should be called to the site.  Keep the dog warm and calm until he can be sedated.

It is not pleasant being with an injured dog; I had my first experience when very young; a traffic accident that took 4 hours of waiting for a vet to attend.  I personally think that the best help the dog can get is if the carer acts calm and reassuring, regardless of what is going on inside.  I understand it takes practice and experience; my father taught us a meditation technique that involves saying a mantra repeatedly whilst giving first aid, it has always worked for dog and me when dealing with pain and the confusion that ensues.  I once stopped at a road accident where a one-year-old Labrador puppy had been badly injured; the dog would not let me treat him until his owner had stopped screaming. Even though he had two fractured back legs, broken teeth and blood pouring from his ear and stomach, he was more concerned at his owner’s distress.  It took the vet. 45 minutes to arrive, by which time I had stemmed the bleeding and put a splint on one leg, I had my dogs in the car and the vet. did a blood transfusion there and then at the side of the road, happily, I had a Christmas card every year until he passed away at the good age of 14.

will never get the book done at this rate   ::)

and this one is kiz copyright please folk – especially guests !

[Anonymous]

wow!! will take alot of reading but handy to have to check back on ;D

[toppy]

LOL and the little smilies as the pages went up!!  😀
Thanks though Kiz, im sure it will be helpful to many  🙂

[Anonymous]

This is all great stuff – so what do you have in your doggie first aid box  ???

After our incident on way to Wag and Bones with split paw – I now carry a doggie first aid box and have a doggie bum bag for first aid on walks – have never needed to use them so far which in itself is astonishing  😮

has basic stuff in it.  Antiseptic swabs, tweesers (to get any thorns etc out), tea tree cream, st johns wort, bandage, bit of vetwrap, thermometer, vals ear spray, little boot, cant think what else but just all basic stuff- oh periton .  What would be essentials  ???  will now print this stuff off and put in polypocket in both

[*Nat*]

Fantastic Bev – great to have on hand!! Thanks  :-*

[merrow]

lol this is grate and what did i get tru the door yesterday but my first aid for dogs book lol isnt it all ways the way 🙂  i will have a good old read of this 🙂

[kizkiznobite]

my first aid check list

Alcohol wipes 
Almond oil   
Antiseptic 
Arnica 
Baby Kaolin 
Blood Clot Powder 
Calamine 
Cold Pack 
Cotton Balls
Clove Oil 
Current food Supplements 
Gauze Pads 
Gloves
Golden Eye Ointment 
Hot Pack 
Knife 
Nail Clippers 
Needle and Stitching
Piriton (Falkor’s Pen + Tabs.) 
Plastic Bags 
Q Tips 
Saline Solution & Eye Bath 
Salt 
Scissors (2) 
Socks
Splints 
St. Johns Wort 
Sulphide Ointment 
Tape 
Thermometer 
Tweezers 
Vaseline   
Vet Wrap 
Water Steri. Tabs 
Wipes 
Witch-Hazel 

[*Lassie*]

Thanks Kiz that will keep me busy 😉

[Anonymous]

me too – shopping list additions I think.  ;D

Look at my wee smiley – arent my teeth lovely  ;D

[merrow]

just what i was thinking kontessa, any reason to shop lol.

i think i need to practice my first aid on teddy again now where r my bandages 🙂 tehe

[Anonymous]

NAcho doesnt like to play at first aid – sight of thermometer and he goes into immediate sit  ;D

[kizkiznobite]

yep – it good to practice the bandaging and the splinting – notice the difference according to which leg the break is  😉

[merrow]

we was only aloud to practice on a teddy dog when we was at college i used to do it on norman got him looking like a mommy lol.

[Author]

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