Do not take any injury lightly. Seek veterinary help if you are in doubt that your dog's injury is a grave.
Eye injuries
Pulse Frequency
To determine the frequency of your dog's pulse, place your
fingers on the inner surface of your back leg near the point where it meets
your body. Count the beats for 15 seconds, then multiply by four to get the
pulse rate. It should oscillate between 80 and 120 beats per minute, depending
on the dog, the breed and other factors. Or, for a quick review of a fast or
weak heartbeat, place your hand or fingertips against your chest, just behind
the tip of your elbow.
Controlling Bleeding
Once you have controlled the bleeding, clean the injured
area well, then cover it with gauze. For wounds of the back, belly and
extremities, secure the bandage with a cotton cloth placed over the wound, then
wrap it and tie it around your abdomen or extremities with a sheet or cotton
strips, or elastic bandage. The wounds of the outer ear should be left without
bandage, but those inside the earmuffs should be covered. Bend the ears over
your dog's head to allow good air circulation to the wound, then secure the
ears in place with a bandage wrapped under your chin and tied on top of your
head.
Difficult Breathing
If your dog has trouble breathing, there may be something
lodged in his mouth or throat. Or, you could have heart problems, a reaction to
an insect bite, or even be in shock. To focus on the cause, quickly check your
vital signs.
Anything in which your dog can grab its legs will probably
end up in its mouth and can get stuck in its throat. If he is calm enough,
remove the obstruction. Alternatively, a modified canine Heimlich maneuver
could eliminate airway obstructions. To do this, stand behind him and wrap your
arms around his abdomen, just below his ribs. Apply some quick compressions or
hit both sides of your chest simultaneously with your cupped hands. Be careful
with the amount of force you use; Especially with a smaller dog, you could
break the ribs.
Burns
Burns, chemical or thermal, may not be visible under thick
skin. In fact, there may be no signs of skin damage, such as suppuration of pus
or blisters, for up to three days. If you suspect you have a burn or symptoms,
clean chemical burns with cold water; For a thermal burn, apply cold
compresses, then disinfectant. Take your dog to the vet quickly.
Problems Related to Temperature
Have you ever left your dog in the car with the windows
lowered slightly to enter a store for "just a minute"? With the
summer sun falling on the roof of your car, it only takes a few minutes for the
indoor temperature to rise to 120 degrees F (49 degrees C) or more, a climate
your dog can not tolerate. Since your only form of cooling is panting and
allowing moisture from the surface of your nose and pads to evaporate, you are
likely to overheat in a very short time. Signs of heatstroke include an
increase in pulse rate, heavy panting, anxiety and confusion. If it is not
treated, you may lose consciousness. Cool it with cold towels soaked in water
and call your veterinarian for guidance.
Never leave your dog in a hot spot, closed area or place
where there is no air circulation. On hot summer days, make sure you have
access to plenty of shade and water, or an air-conditioned room.
Seizures
The symptoms of a seizure include uncontrollable and unusual
tremors, loss of consciousness and uncontrollable urination. Do not try to
restrict your dog. Wrap him gently in a blanket, protect his head and wait for
the attack to pass. Take note of anything you have recently consumed, your
behavior before and after the seizure, and the duration and intensity of the
episode. If the seizure lasts more than a few minutes, or if there are repeated
episodes, take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible; Otherwise,
call your veterinarian to describe the seizure and get advice about the course
of treatment.
Suffocation
To remove a blockage in the
throat of a conscious dog, you may need to use a pair of tweezers or pliers to
reach the object. If possible, have an assistant hold it steady while keeping
your mouth open to do this. Remove the object carefully and report any
swelling, hoarseness or other problems to your veterinarian. If your dog is
unconscious, move the head so that its neck extends, then open its mouth and
stick its tongue out beyond the teeth. Run your fingers around your mouth and
throat to look for the foreign body.
No comments