Do you ever wonder what to do if your dog gets a minor injury that doesn’t require a visit to the vet–or what you should do as a temporary measure if your dog’s injury is severe enough to require that emergency trip? Many pet owners don’t think about these possibilities, but, just as kids will be kids, dogs will be dogs, and proper treatment of a minor boo-boo can prevent it from becoming a bigger problem.
You keep first-aid supplies on hand for your family, so you should do the same for your CBF (canine best friend). Here are some items that you should always have in your doggie first-aid kit:
1. Non-stick gauze pads. These have a couple of different uses–they can be used to clean a wound with warm water, and also can be used for bandaging.
2. Roll of gauze or self-adhesive bandaging (found at pet supply stores)
3. Adhesive tape (for taping gauze bandages)–unless you’re using self-adhesive bandaging. Make sure that the tape doesn’t come in contact with the wound. If it’s his leg that’s bandaged, have a portion of the tape stick to his fur at both the top and bottom of the bandage as this will be more difficult for him to remove.
4. small pair of scissors for trimming the fur around a wound. (To do this, hold the fur betweem your index and middle fingers as close to the wound as possible and clip the fur level with your fingers. This is so the fur doesn’t stick to the wound.) Scissors can also be used to cut gauze.
5. Bottle of sterile saline solution (such as contact-lens solution) to flush out wounds. (If the wound is bleeding, call your vet first.)
6. Bottle of Betadine solution (diluted with water to the color of weak tea to use as an antiseptic)
7. Clean tube sock (to put over a bandaged leg on the way to the vet. This will keep your dog from biting at the bandage.)
8. Old pair of pantyhose (yes, you read that correctly). This can be used as a muzzle to keep an injured, frightened dog from biting. To muzzle the dog, form a loop with the pantyhose (you can also use gauze) and approach the dog from behind. Place the loop over the dog’s nose and mouth and then loop over again. Pull the ends behind the dog’s ears to the neck and tie, then take one end of the pantyhose (gauze) and bring it up over the dog’s head in between the ears and pass it under the muzzle loop. Pull it back towards the ears and tie both ends securely. (You may have the sweetest, most docile dog in the world, but an injured animal is unpredictable. Don’t risk losing your fingers.)
9. Rolled-up newspaper, piece of stiff cardboard, or small roll of bubble wrap. These can all be used as temporary splints if you think your dog has broken his leg (which requires a vet visit). To make a splint, place the dog’s injured limb GENTLY against the rigid material (rolled newspaper, etc.) and bandage in place, starting with the ankle and working upwards. The splint should cover the entire leg.
Now that you’ve got your first-aid kit together, you might not feel so helpless if your little buddy gets a boo-boo. But there’s one more thing, and this may be the most important tip in the entire column…
IF YOUR DOG’S HEART HAS STOPPED, OR HE HAS GONE INTO SHOCK, IMMEDIATE MEASURES MUST BE TAKEN!!! Fortunately, there is a simple technique that you can perform on the way to the vet. Using a small sharp object, such as a clean sewing needle, safety pin, or even your sharp fingernail if nothing else is available, locate the midpoint in the vertical split in your dog’s upper lip. Insert the sharp object to the bone and wiggle it. (I know this sounds painful, but your dog likely won’t feel it.) This is an acupressure point that, when stimulated, releases natural adrenaline to re-start your dog’s heart or bring him out of shock.
I hope this week’s column has helped you be prepared…and I also hope you never have to use any of these.
