Basic Canine First Aid

Many, many things can happen to our dogs. Knowing how to respond if your dog becomes sick or injured will help you breathe easier and could make a life-and-death difference for your dog.

We have room here for only the basics, so consider purchasing a good veterinary first-aid book to keep on hand. You might also consider taking a pet first-aid or CPR class. They're offered from time to time by some college continuing education programs, veterinary schools, vet clinics, and the Red Cross.

Poisons and Poisoning

A surprising number of things we keep around our homes are potentially toxic to dogs. Unfortunately, many of them are also attractive to dogs, so it's up to us to keep them out of reach of curious canines. Here are some of them, and some tips on how to respond if your dog gets past your precautions.

Medications, both prescription and nonprescription, can be deadly, especially in larger-than-normal quantities or in some combinations. Chocolate can kill a dog. More than 700 types of plants, many of them common garden and house plants, are poisonous. Garden chemicals, including fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides, also pose hazards. Slug bait, ant poisons, and mouse or rat poisons are made to taste good to attract their intended prey, and they'll attract your dog. Some puppies and dogs eat the darndest things, and lead poisoning can occur in dogs who ingest lead paint chips or dust, toys, drapery weights, fishing weights, lead shot, some tiles, and some types of insulation. Lead poisoning can also occur in dogs that drink from improperly glazed ceramic bowls, or who drink water that's passed through lead pipes.

Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, swelling of the tongue and other mouth tissues, excessive salivation, or seizures. If your dog has any of these symptoms, get him to the vet as quickly as possible. Effective treatment depends in part on promptness, and in part on knowing what he has ingested.

Some common garden dwellers can also be hazardous. Some dogs are allergic to bee stings—and to complicate matters, many dogs snap at the buzzing. I had a dog who liked to eat bees for the sweet nectar they carried! Some spider bites are poisonous, and in some parts of the country scorpions and snakes may be a threat. If you notice sudden swelling around your dog's face or body, get him to the vet.

Fractures

Four types of fractures are commonly seen in dogs: closed, compound, epiphyseal, and greenstick. All fractures should be treated immediately to prevent further damage and to control pain. Treatment depends on the type, location, and severity of the fracture and the dog's age. Just as in human medicine, splints, casts, pins, steel plates, and screws can be used to realign the bone and allow healing.

A dog usually will not step on a broken leg, although that's not always the case. If you know or suspect that your dog has a fracture, you need to keep him quiet so that he doesn't cause more damage to the bone or surrounding tissue, nerves, and blood vessels. If the fracture is in a leg, apply a splint if possible. Two straight pieces of wood or metal, one placed on each side of the leg, and wrapped with a bandage (not too tight—you don't want to cut off circulation), should do the job temporarily. If the fracture is on his body or head, slide or roll your dog onto a stretcher (a blanket or board will work), and use that to carry him to your car. If possible, have someone drive while you stroke and quiet your dog so that he doesn't move around too much or become more frightened.

Cuts, Bites, and Bleeding

If your dog is cut and bleeding, clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide or water and evaluate how serious it is. Some parts of the body, such as the nose and tongue, contain many blood vessels, and even a tiny nick will bleed profusely. In such a case, clean the area, and apply pressure with a clean towel or gauze pad until the bleeding slows or stops. Then apply a topical antibiotic ointment. Keep an eye on the area for a few days in case of infection.

If the wound is deep or long and is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean towel, cloth, or gauze pad and get your dog to your veterinarian. He may need stitches and an oral antibiotic.

If your dog is bitten by another dog (or any animal), clean the wound, stop the bleeding if necessary, and call your vet. Bite wounds are always at risk of infection because the mouth contains lots of bacteria. Your vet will likely prescribe an oral antibiotic, even if the wound itself doesn't require her attention.

Heatstroke (Hyperthermia)

Heatstroke occurs when the body temperature rises beyond a safe range. Because dogs don't sweat, they can't cool themselves as efficiently as we do. They can easily overheat. Symptoms of heatstroke include red or pale gums; a bright red tongue; sticky, thick saliva; rapid panting; and vomiting and/or diarrhea. The dog may act dizzy or weak, and may go into shock.

A dog with moderate heatstroke (body temperature from 104° to 106°F) will probably recover if given first aid immediately. If he displays any of the symptoms, take his temperature if possible. Use a hose, shower, or tub of cold water to wet and cool him. Check his temperature every 10 minutes and continue the cooling process until his temperature is down to 103°F. Give him a rehydration fluid (such as a sports drink with electrolytes) or water.

Severe heatstroke (body temperature over 106°F) can cause death or permanent damage, and it requires immediate first-aid and veterinary treatment. If your dog's temperature is 106°F or higher, he needs to get to a vet as quickly as possible. If you're more than 5 minutes from the vet and your dog is conscious, follow the cooling procedures outlined previously until his temperature is down to 106°F. Then wrap him in a cool, wet towel or blanket and proceed to the vet.

Dogs with moderate heatstroke usually recover fully. If your dog has had severe heatstroke, he may have suffered organ damage. Your vet will advise you about ongoing care. A dog that has had heatstroke once is at risk of getting it again, so take special care not to put him in risky situations.

Bloat

Bloat is the common term for gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), a potentially deadly condition in which the stomach fills with air (gastric dilatation), putting pressure on the other organs and the diaphragm. Once it's filled with air, the stomach may rotate on itself (volvulus). The rotation of the stomach cuts off the blood supply, causing the stomach tissue to die. Even with treatment (surgery), about a third of dogs with bloat don't survive. But knowing the symptoms of bloat and the need for immediate veterinary treatment will greatly increase your dog's chances if he does bloat.

Symptoms of bloat include restlessness, reluctance to lie down, pacing, rapid swelling of the abdomen, rapid and shallow breathing, and nonproductive vomiting and retching. As the pain increases, the dog may salivate heavily. The dog may go into shock, and the heart rate may become rapid and the pulse weak.

Although bloat can occur in many breeds, it's most common in large, deep-chested dogs, and males are more susceptible than females. Nervous dogs and underweight dogs are more at risk, as are those that eat only one meal a day and those that gulp their food.

These are just a few of the more common hazards that pet dogs may encounter. Other situations may also call for immediate first aid and prompt veterinary care. If you and your dog participate in athletic activities or spend a lot of time in the great outdoors, you both encounter dangers. That's just part of life. If you're alert to sudden changes in your dog's behavior or appearance, and prepared to respond, you can usually avert disaster.

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting and Owning a Dog © 2003 by Sheila Webster Boneham, Ph.D. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

To order this book visit the Idiot's Guide web site or call 1-800-253-6476.