We never assume that the worst is going to happen. And that’s fair enough. It’s not every day that you will face an emergency, but do you know what to do when it happens?
That’s alright, neither did I until it happened to me. So here are some things that you should know, just in case it ever happens to your pets.
1. Have a first aid kit.
Just like humans, injuries happen. They can range from minor injuries, such as cuts and burns, to life-threatening. For minor injuries such as cuts and burns, you should have first aid supplies ready. The first aid kit should include items such as:
- Cotton balls and pads for basic wound cleaning
- Gauze and bandages to protect the wounded area
- Antibiotic spray to prevent wound infections
- Eye dropper for flushing wounds
- Syringes for administering liquid medications
- Tweezers for removing splinters
- Flashlight to improve your visibility
- Scissors to cut bandages and cotton pads.
You should be able to find most of these items at your local supermarket or pharmacy. If you’re too lazy to assemble the kit, you can always buy an already assembled first aid kit.
However, providing first aid to your pet does not replace veterinary care. The first aid kit is only there to give you extra time in an emergency. If you’re unsure whether you should go to the vet, you can always give them a call. They’ll be able to assess your dog’s injury and tell you if a veterinary visit is required.
A first aid kit can give you extra time in an emergency, but they should not replace proper veterinary care.
2. Understand your dog’s normal behaviour
You should be able to quickly and easily identify if there is something wrong with your pet. Any change in their behaviour, regardless of how small it is, is an early warning that something’s not quite right. Any subtle changes in appetite or bowel movements can indicate that your pet isn’t feeling quite right. Recognising potential problems and resolving them early can prevent minor issues from becoming major ones.
You should regularly examine your pet as well to check for anomalies. When you’re giving your pets a pet, also check their eyes, ears, coat, skin, teeth, gums, and paws. Get a quick reading of their pulse as well, but more on this below. Get your dog accustomed to being examined so they’re comfortable and relaxed every time you need to give them a check-up.
Give your pet a quick checkup whenever you pet them. Check their eyes, ears, coat, skin, teeth, gums, and paws for anomalies.
3. Learn how to bandage your dog
If your pet is bleeding heavily, your main concern is to stop the bleeding. Don’t worry about cleaning the wound for now. To control the bleeding, wrap a bandage around the wound, but make sure not to wrap the bandage too tight . A bandage that’s too tight can cut off circulation completely.
For minor bleeding, you should clean the wound before applying the bandage. You can clean the wound by using warm tap water or using a saline solution. A saline solution can be made by adding one teaspoon of salt (5 grams) to 500mL of water. Do not use soaps, rubbing alcohol, or any other product to clean an open wound unless instructed by your veterinarian.
Make sure to check the bandage and the surrounding area regularly. And remember to never leave the bandage on for more than 24 hours unless instructed to do so by a vet. You should also try and avoid getting your pet in wet situations. Getting their bandages wet will constrict the bandage further and could cause discomfort. Having a wet bandage can also lead to wound infections.
Ideally, all wounds should be checked by a vet. But for minor injuries, this might not be necessary. Although it never hurts to give the vet a call to let them assess the situation over the phone.
4. Checking your pet’s pulse
A quick check of their pulse can help you identify your pet’s health. You should get a reading of your dog’s pulse whenever you give them a check-up so that you know their normal pulse rate.
To take their pulse, place your hand on the upper third of their thigh and give it a gentle squeeze. You should be able to feel their pulse at this location. Record the number of pulses within a 30 second period (or 15 second), and multiply this figure by two (or four) to get their Beats Per Minute (BPM). A dog’s normal resting heart rate should be between 120 and 160 beats per minute.
Don’t use your thumb when measuring your dog’s heart rate. This is because your thumb has a strong pulse, so you’ll actually be measuring your own heart rate instead.
5. Is your dog choking?
You should be able to quickly tell if your dog is choking, which is actually a leading cause of death for dogs. Choking occurs when an object blocks the airway, and it can be quite a frightening and stressful experience for both you and your dog. Most common household items can be a choking hazard. This includes things like plastic bags, balls, and clothes.
Common household items such as plastic bags, tennis balls, and clothes, are choking hazards for your pets.
You should be able to quickly spot the signs that your dog is choking and know how to dislodge the obstruction quickly.
If the airway is only partially blocked, your dog will react the same way as when a human has a partially blocked airway. They will start to retch, pace back and forth, and even try and use their paws to scratch their throats.
If the airway is fully blocked, your dog will be unable to make any sounds.
It’s important to be prepared
It is important that you know all of this stuff so that when your dog does get in trouble, you’ve got the knowledge and the tools to help free your dog from an emergency situation.
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