Dog First Aid

Do you think dog first aid is only for veterinarians to understand? Why would a dog owner want to know CPR or the Heimlich maneuver for a dog or what blood in the urine might mean? Isn’t that for the emergency vet?

No, it’s not! You love your dog and would be lost without her/him. Accidents and illnesses occur without warning. Chances are you don’t have a vet living in your house.

The only way to save your dog or at least make her comfortable is to know some basic first aid for dogs — at least enough to get her to the vet or veterinary hospital in salvageable shape.

• Loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss.
• Diarrhea, vomiting
• Change in urinary habits, also stool habits and color/quality.
• Blood in urine or stools.
• Straining to urinate or defecate.
• Choking, retching. belching, excess gas.
• Lethargy, depression.
• Trouble walking, refusal to go up steps, limping, holding 1 leg up.
• Mucous membranes that are any color except pink.
• Bumping into things, rubbing eyes with paw.
• A temperature outside the range of 100 to 102.5 degrees F. for adults
• Persistent cough, or unusually noisy breathing can suggest problems too.

Want a complete list of dog poisoning products? — Things to keep out of reach of your dog or cat? There’s a lot of harmful stuff around the house and a glance at the page is a good idea. (Link opens new window) Dog care includes keeping your pets safe.

Blood in the dog’s urine is often asked about so here’s a short discussion dealing with Blood in the urine. (Link opens window)

Also, a dangerous, life-threatening condition known as “bloat” or “Gastric Torsion” is also a common and deadly problem. Here is a short article on Dog Bloat and Gastric Torsion.(Link opens window)

An example is my Mini Schnauzer. She developed a tremendous thirst, frequent urination and kidney problems. It was diabetes but the vet also checked for liver problems. Later she started vomiting. The vet looked at all the evidence and diagnosed pancreatitis. Our dog first aid knowledge in both cases suggested these dog symptoms were beyond our reach and a qualified vet was needed.

Some dogs will refuse to move when sick or hurting. A constant cough suggests heart or lung problems, but also heart worm, kennel cough and other diseases. Consistent scratching suggests a skin infection, dry skin, atopic dermatitis, an insect bite and other problems. Limping could come from numerous things like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, an injury to a paw, or a leg problem, even bone cancer.

This Shepherd tore
her hip open when running through a barbed-wire fence–>

Dog first aid is varied and extensive so you need to be prepared.

Could you help your dog if she cut her hip or leg and was bleeding profusely, ate something poisonous,– choked on a piece of corn or had a heart attack?

• Do you know Canine CPR?
• Can you clear the airway in a dog that’s choking to death?
• Can you take the pulse of a dog? It’s basic dog first aid.
• Do you have a Dog First Aid Kit made up and know how to use it?
• Can you spot serious health problems early and prevent euthanasia?

Basic Dog First Aid

Observe Your Healthy Dog

Learn The A B C’s of First Aid For Dogs

The rest of this page are things the emergency vet would do.

Know A = Airway, B = Breathing C = Circulation, (ABC’s)plus Rescue Breathing, CPR and the Heimlich maneuver for a dog in trouble.

You come home and find your dog (or a stray) on his side in the yard and not moving. What do you do for a sick dog?

Quickly check the area. Is there another dog lingering that might have attacked your dog? Maybe some form of poison, rancid food, bits and pieces the dog could have choked on? Only take a few seconds to glance around for clues.

A is for Airway.

Is the airway unrestricted? If not—With the dog’s mouth closed, put your mouth over his nose and gently exhale into the nose. His chest should rise a little. (called “rescue breathing”) Try several rescue breaths again,

Lay the dog down on either side.

If The Dog Is Choking

Use the Canine Heimlich maneuver.

Lock your hands with arms around the dog while facing him. Your locked fist should be below the belly, just at the rear of the ribcage.

B is for Breathing.

Small dogs less than 30 pounds and puppies—Cover and seal the dog’s entire snout with your mouth. Exhale air into the nose/mouth until you see the chest rise.

Medium, large and giant dogs over 30 pounds, hold the muzzle closed and cover the nose with your mouth. Exhale gently until you see the chest rise.

Refer to the American Red Cross book “Dog First Aid” book for instructions for two rescuers on one dog.

C is for Circulation.

Is there a heartbeat and a pulse? If “yes” you’re okay.

For Small Dogs Under 30 Pounds

Dog First Aid Kit

Assemble a Dog First Aid Kit.
The list we have is provided by the two books sold below, as well as from personal experiences. It’s intended to serve all dogs in almost any emergency where you would be able to help the dog with knowledge and supplies.

Some of the information on this page was taken directly from the American Red Cross book titled “Dog First Aid.” The book contains photos of what I am trying to describe PLUS the book comes with a DVD that gives an audio and visual approach to learning the material we’re covering, plus a whole lot more.

To name just a few topics, the book covers bite wounds to bleeding to bloat and torsion, CPR, choking, collapse and diarrhea to drowning. Eye emergencies, gunshot wounds, hot spots, kennel cough and broken nails to pad wounds to parasitic disease, poisoning and seizures, and smoke inhalation to suffocation – this book covers a wide range of problems and what you can do to help ease the pain and suffering.

The book on the right is “What’s Wrong With My Dog” and is a 304 page, 5-star rated book that covers 150 of the most common dog first aid problems. The problems are organized by symptoms to make locating the information easy to find. It’s a lot thicker than the first book but is possibly more thorough in describing treatments, as well as alternative care and “home cure” remedies. It’s a book worth owning.

These softcover books are worth looking into and buying.

Click on the COVERS of the books for more information and a book review, especially the 2nd book, “What’s Wrong With My Dog?”
________________________________________________

Heart, Pulse Rates For Dogs

• Puppy less than 1 year old 120—160 beats per minute (BPM)
• Small, Toy or medium 30 pounds or less 100—140 BPM.
• Medium to large dogs over 30 pounds 60—100 BPM.

Checking Heart, Pulse Rates

Lay your dog on her right side. Standing is okay if lying down is not feasible.

Below The Front Wrist

Have the dog sit or lie down.

• 10 to 30 breathes per minute.
• Up to 200 pants per minute (mouth open, tongue hanging out)

Checking Breathing Rates

Have the dog lie on her side or sit down.

Normal Dog Temperature

A temperature of 100 to 102.5 F is NORMAL.

Checking Dog Temperature

Properly restrain the dog with a muzzle of your choice.

Basic Dog First Aid—Observe Mucous Membranes

This is very important. The color of your dog’s mucous membranes (gums and inner eyelids) will tell you if she is receiving enough oxygen and blood to all the tissues. “Pink” is the magic color and anything other than pink spells trouble.

Lift the upper or lower side of the dog’s mouth to view the inner side of the lip and side of the gums. They should be a shade of pink.

Basic Dog First Aid – Capillary Refill Time

If you watch how fast the gums or inner lips return to a normal pink color after you press on them, you can learn how well the blood is circulating in the dog’s system.

After checking the mucous membrane color (above) press lightly on the gum or inner lip.

Restrain The Dog —Be On Guard!

Whenever approaching a sick animal, be careful. Dogs in pain or sick dogs tend to bite out of fear and discomfort. Always be sure the dog knows where you are so you don’t surprise it. A dog can lie perfectly still and appear dead, but try to move him and watch out! Dog first aid requires common sense.

The goal is to check the dog by doing all we have just discussed above and more. You will have little time to capture the animal, as the dog may be dying. What do you do?

First, here is some body language dogs use—Warning Signs:

• Ears moved forward, tail wagging slightly.
• Low growling with fur standing up on shoulders, back and hind end.
• Snarling with upper lip lifted and teeth exposed.

A Beagle wears an elizabethan cone
after surgery so he can’t remove the stitches.

Basic Dog First Aid—Ways To Capture Dogs

(As recommended by the “Dog First Aid” book from the American Red Cross from which this information is coming. The book has photos which makes all this much easier to describe!)

Dogs without collars—Take the end of a leash that normally hooks to the dog collar and feed it up through the loop in the “:handle:” of the leash. You now have a large “loop” like a cowboy’s lasso.

Large Towel Or Blanket

Observe the position of the dog so you don’t put your hands near her mouth.

Make A Muzzle

Get a piece of material about 18 inches long. Gauze works well. Also, a necktie, stocking or two socks tied together soft rope, or piece of cloth can work depending on the dog’s size.

The book “Dog First Aid” not only has photos of much of this, but it has 5 pages dealing with capturing and restraining dogs. I’ve given you the basics.

• Restrain the dog
• Learn A B C’s and apply them (next page)
• Heart rate and pulse—how to take them
• Breathing rate—How to check it.
• Temperature, how to take.
• Mucous Membrane Color—What to look for.
• Capillary Refill Time—What it means, how to do it.

Copyright © 2008 – 2016 All Rights Reserved Do not copy or reproduce any portion of this website without our consent. dog-adoption-and-training-guide.com