If you’re going to own a dog, you’re going to have to learn dog first aid. Dogs aren’t the infallible creatures that we’d like to think they are, and there will be times when you may have to "play vet" in reaction to a burn, an allergic reaction, bleeding, choking, fractures, frostbite, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, poisoning, puncture wounds, shock, or spinal injury. This article describes how to adequately handle all of these situations.

Allergic Reactions

The symptoms of an allergic reaction include swelling, hives, rashes, itching, scratching and/or watery eyes. And these symptoms can be brought on from an insect bite or sting, food, medication or even a cleaning product you use within the home. An insect bite that causes swelling can be extremely dangerous if it occurred on the dog’s face or neck since swelling can cut off a dog’s airway. When this happens, you must get the dog to a vet immediately.

Dealing with something much less severe? A baking soda and water paste or calamine lotion will relieve itching while an ice pack will reduce pain and swelling.

Bleeding

A punctured main artery will rapidly send bright red blood gushing from a dog. Firm pressure applied with a clean cloth will help contain the blood flow. A punctured vein however, sends dark red blood from the dog in a much slower fashion. Firm pressure applied with a clean cloth will also help contain the blood flow from a punctured vein as well. However with both types of injuries, the dog must still see a veterinarian at once. Since a tourniquet can cause more harm than good if incorrectly used, it isn’t recommended. Stick with the cloth-pressure method.

Not all cases of bleeding are life threatening. You can clean a small scratch or scrape with a disinfectant such as Nolvasan and then rub some antibiotic ointment on it when the bleeding stops.

Burns

Heat burns need to be bathed in cool water or covered with a cool gauze or cloth compress. Avoid using butter or ointment since those items actually retain heat. And avoid applying ice as well. Ice may damage the dog’s skin.

Chemical burns can be rinsed with cool water. Be sure to protect yourself with rubber gloves when treating the dog. Some chemicals like battery acid will eat through whatever it comes in contact with.

Electrical shock could send a dog into a fit of convulsions or even into a state of unconsciousness. Breathing could also slow and the heart could stop as well. Only after the source of electricity has been turned off may you touch the dog, and unless the dog’s heart stops, refrain from administering CPR. You will need to get vet assistance if the dog’s body was burned or if the shock was very serious.

Choking

When dogs choke, they cough, gag, or paw at their mouth. If you see your dog doing one or more of these things, press your thumb and forefingers into the dog’s upper cheek to open its mouth and then search for the obstruction by sweeping your finger into the mouth. Remove whatever you find with your finger or needle-nose tweezers. If you can’t remove the obstruction, use the Heimlich maneuver.

To administer the Heimlich maneuver, stand behind the dog and warp your arms around its abdomen right under the dog’s ribs. Continue to compress its chest until the dog coughs up the obstruction. Of course if that doesn’t work, take the dog to the vet right away.

Fractures

Surprisingly, a dog needn’t experience a traumatic fall to break a bone. Some dogs are so fragile, they can break a bone and get a simple fracture or compound fracture just from jumping off a couch! A simple fracture doesn’t break through the dog’s skin, but a compound fracture does. A drooling, hanging jaw indicates a fractured jaw while bleeding nose or dizzy or unconscious dog could indicate a fractured skull.

To aid a broken bone, keep the dog still so that you don’t cause additional harm. Tie a large cloth bandage under a dog’s chin and behind its ears to imobilize a fractured jaw. And keep the dog warm in a blanket to prevent shock. If you can, muzzle the dog before attempting to move it on a flat sturdy transport device. A dog in pain will bite whoever touches it no matter who it is. Once the dog is ready for transport, take the dog to the vet ASAP.

Frostbite

Dog ear tips, pads, and tails are most vulnerable to frostbite. But so are very young, old, and sick dogs. Frostbite symptoms include (1) pale skin that reddens, warms, and hurts, (2) peeling skin, and/or (3) swelling. You can treat frostbite by placing warm (not hot) moist towels around and on the dog’s body. Don’t massage the body and refrain from applying hot compresses since they’ll cause further damage. You can stop this procedure once the skin returns to its regular color, however you should still wrap the dog in a blanket (to prevent shock) and get to a vet.

Heat Exhaustion/Heatstroke

When regular panting fails to keep a dog cool, a dog becomes vulnerable to heat exhaustion or heatstroke, and could collapse, vomit or suffer from muscle cramps as a result within minutes. It takes an internal temperature of just 108 degrees F to give a dog heat exhaustion or heatstroke and if it isn’t treated immediately, it could die. Treat heat exhaustion or heatstroke by wetting the dog with cool (not cold) water and take the dog to the vet.

Poisoning

Cleaning products, chemical pest control products, car products, and gardening products are extremely poisonous to a dog. So are some plants:

· The Easter Lily

· Azalea

· Caladium

· Dieffenbachia

· English Ivy

· Ficus

· Holly

· Mistletoe

· Oleander

· Philodendron

· Amaryllis

· Daffodil

· Iris

· Tulip

If your dog ingests these types of things, it may start convulsing, drooling, vomiting, or it may outright collapse. Other symptoms include muscle weakness and/or diarrhea. In any case, you must call the National Animal Poison Control Center or your vet for instructions on what to do. Topical poisons can be rinsed off with warm water, but you’ll need to give the dog activated charcoal tablets to absorb ingested poisons and prevent them from spreading throughout the dog’s bloodstream.

Until your vet or the NAPCC tells you to, refrain from inducing vomiting. And be sure to take a sample of the poison (or the dog’s vomit) with you when you bring the dog to the vet.

Puncture Wounds

Left untreated, puncture wounds can get infected or become abscessed (evident via pain, redness, swelling, and a warm touch). Treat an infected puncture wound by flushing it with povidone-iodine or .05% clorhexidine. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics to help fight off infection in the event the dog suffered a puncture wound that hasn’t become infected yet, but she more than likely won’t administer a tetanus shot if the wound is treated immediately.

Shock

Poisoning, drastic fluid loss, or severe bodily injury can send a dog in shock, and if that shock isn’t treated immediately, it can kill a dog. A dog in shock suffers from inadequate blood pressure which in turn restricts the supply of blood to the dog’s brain, heart, and lungs.

The symptoms of shock are dry gums, pale lips, shallow quick breathing, low temperature, weakness, and a quick faint pulse. If you detect your dog is shocked, keep the dog still and warm with blankets while you attempt to control bleeding (if any). Then take the dog to the vet.

Spinal Injuries

When a dog suffers from a spinal injury, it’s paralyzed. Its legs are either stiff or limp, or its head is facing forward, but projected backwards. To administer dog first aid to a paralyzed canine, create a make-shift stretcher with a strong flat board of some type. Secure the dog on the board with tape or long cloth ties so the dog is immobilized. Slide (don’t lift) the dog onto the board, treat it for shock, and get to the vet immediately.