Dog First Aid: What Every Dog Owner Should Know
Having the ability to provide emergency care to a dog in a critical situation can alleviate suffering and save lives. You can learn the essentials, but know that your intervention is just the start; a veterinarian should always take over after you have done your part.
Controlling and clearing the dog's airway in case of breathlessness
If your dog is experiencing shortness of breath, something may have blocked the airways. So you will need to:
- Pull out and hold down the dog's tongue to see if anything is stuck in its throat.
- Have a flashlight ready - sometimes it's hard to see without extra light.
Be careful not to accidentally push the object down your throat. And watch your fingers; a panicked dog can bite even its dearest friend.
How to perform Heimlich on your dog if needed
If you fail to pull the object out, the Heimlich maneuver may be required. Proceed as follows:
- Press in the upper part of the abdomen, under the end of the sternum and up towards the chest.
- If you have the strength, you can lift your dog up so that he stands on his front paws, or turn him upside down and gently swing him down.
Guide to canine cardiopulmonary resuscitation
If the dog is not breathing and the pulse is not felt, it is high time for CPR. If the dog has major bleeding, pressure dressings should be applied first.
Perform chest compressions correctly
The dog should then lie on its side. Do the following:
- Place your palm (or palms if you have a large dog) against the dog's chest.
- Perform chest compressions, compressing the chest by approximately 30-50%, which is about 2-3 cm for a small dog and 5-8 cm for a larger dog.
Control your dog's heart rate effectively
After about 30 compressions, press two fingers against your armpit or groin and feel for a pulse.
Breathing guide in cardiac arrest
If you can't find a pulse, it's time to do breathing exercises. Proceed as follows:
- Straighten the dog's neck and pull out its tongue.
- Hold your nose and blow in air until your chest rises. Two breaths are enough.
If the chest does not rise, make sure to straighten the neck and test again. Also check your throat one more time to make sure there is no blockage.
Resuscitation: practicing CPR for success
Repeat the procedure for 5-10 minutes or until the dog has a pulse. It's good if you can get a vet for advice at the same time. If breathing and pulse have started, go straight to the vet anyway.
Be careful! A dog in this state may wake up and bite in fear.
Taking action in case of heat stroke
A dog left out in the sun without shade or water, or in a hot car, can suffer from heat stroke. At 42-43 degrees, the dog is at risk of unconsciousness and death. Symptoms include panting, high temperature, wobbliness and a confused state of mind.
Cooling down a dog in heatstroke
- First of all, take the dog to shade.
- Make sure they stay still and offer water.
- Cool the dog with a towel you soaked in about 20-degree cold water or by pouring water of the same temperature over the dog.
Gradual cooling and fluid treatment
Cooling down should be gradual. See a vet if your dog has become overheated; internal organ function needs to be checked and the dog may need to be given fluids intravenously or fluid replacement by other means. More information on symptoms and actions in case of overheating can be found here: Overheating in dogs - symptoms and measures.
Risks of leaving your dog in the car
Keep in mind that it can get extremely hot in a car, even if it is in the shade. According to the Animal Welfare Act, a dog cannot be left unattended in a vehicle if the interior temperature is likely to exceed 25 degrees.
In the middle of the day, on a cloudless day with an outside temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, the inside temperature of a car can quickly reach almost 40 degrees!
Measures in case of severe cooling
A dog caught in freezing water can become hypothermic. A dog that is severely hypothermic may be in a life-threatening condition.
Warming up a chilled dog
- Make sure the dog is as dry as possible.
- Wrapping a wet and cold dog in layers can have an increased chilling effect.
- Allow heating to take place gradually; heating too quickly can risk further damage.
Massaging to raise body temperature
Massage the dog lightly to raise the body temperature in a healthy way. Do not try to set the dog in motion; a chilled dog is usually weak and the energy should be spent on warming up, not moving.
Tips for gradual warming
If you move the dog, don't go from freezing temperatures to the warmth of the stove. Remember: gradual warming is the goal. Of course, contact your vet for advice.
Effective bleeding control in dogs
If possible, wear protective gloves to avoid accidentally infecting the wound. If it is not bleeding, you should wash it clean with saline solution.
Applying pressure dressings in case of bleeding
If there is heavy bleeding, try to stop it by applying pressure bandages. Apply a pressure bandage, or two if it bleeds through.
Never remove a bandage that is in place; rather, build new ones on top of the old one.
An adhesive elastic wrap is fine, but duct tape over a couple of towels is fine if you have nothing else.
Handling objects in wounds without risk
If an object caused the wound and is still in the dog, it should not be removed if it risks increasing bleeding. Try to immobilize the dog and go directly to an animal hospital with an emergency department.
Mouth guard on! An injured dog can bite.
Emergency measures in case of poisoning
Curious and voracious dogs may ingest inappropriate food. Please read Things your dog should NOT eat! - list of harmful and toxic to dogs for more information on what is toxic to dogs.
If an accident occurs, contact your vet for advice. Don't try to make the dog vomit or similar; let the experts guide you in the right direction.
Handling if the dog has eaten something sharp
If your dog has ingested something sharp, such as a sewing needle, piece of glass or sharp bone splinter, you can give asparagus. Asparagus fibers are long and wrap around the object like a protective shield. But don't stop there.
An X-ray is essential to see if the object will pass without risk or needs to be taken through surgery.
Key steps for bite injuries
Know that the bite wound may be small, but the effect under the skin can be much worse. Always let a vet decide how the wound should be treated. Sometimes drainage is required to reduce the risk of harmful infections.
If an injury needs stitches, it should ideally be done within eight hours, so don't hesitate. Go in and you'll give your four-legged friend the best chance to heal well.
Measures for cat scratching
If your dog has been scratched by a cat, especially on the face or perhaps in the eyes, you are right to visit a vet immediately.
Your dog might just squint a little; a scratch or a cut on the cornea is not visible to the naked eye. So play it safe, go in and let the white coats do their thing.
Handling snakebites correctly
If the viper has gotten hold of your dog and swelling occurs, it's time to rush to the emergency room. Keep yourself and your dog calm. Carry them, activity increases the spread of the venom in the body.
Do not try to cool the bite or suck out the venom. Do not apply pressure dressings and of course do not give any medication such as painkillers/anti-inflammatories or cortisone; this may worsen the effect of the venom.
Once at the vet, your dog will be treated with an opioid painkiller and an intravenous drip to maintain circulation and prevent shock.
In some cases, the antidote may also need to be administered if the dog is severely affected or has blood cell disorders or cardiac arrhythmia. Antidotes can cause anaphylactic shock and should only be given with extreme caution to those animals that need it and under constant supervision.
Quick action on abdominal torsion
Canine gastric torsion - symptoms and remedies usually affects large dogs with a deep chest, especially if they have been moving around a lot with a full stomach (eating, drinking a lot). The dog's stomach is swung half or full turn around itself and tightened. The condition is very acute and life-threatening.
The abdomen may swell and the dog usually has difficulty breathing. Important blood vessels may be constricted and heart involvement is common. Early symptoms may include pain reactions or the dog appearing 'strange'.
Many times the dog tries to vomit, but nothing comes up. Don't hesitate; this condition is very serious and requires urgent stabilization and surgery.
What to do in case of dog cramps
If your dog suddenly convulses, it could be due to several things; epilepsy, poisoning or eclampsia. Eclampsia affects lactating bitches, which often have a high fever and very low calcium levels (as determined by blood tests). The condition can be life-threatening and requires immediate treatment.
If eclampsia is suspected, remove the bitch from the puppies. In all cases, a seizing dog should be kept in a quiet, dark room and never left alone.
Do not try to put things in the dog's mouth, but try to prevent the dog from standing up or walking around, as this can increase the risk of injury if the dog falls. Contact your vet immediately.
Signs of shock and necessary actions
If the dog has pale mucous membranes (check the gums by putting your thumb against the gums and see how quickly it returns to its normal color; it should return within two seconds), shock may prevail.
Go straight to the vet! In case of an accident, try to stay calm. It's difficult, but it will help your dog considerably, compared to stressing yourself out. And remember, take your dog to the vet. Never let an emergency measure be the only treatment.
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
Fact-checked by: Sofia Nälgård
Sofia Nälgård is a licensed veterinarian with degrees from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and the University of Copenhagen. She runs Smådjursdepån in Växjö, where she offers professional and personalized care.
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