Treat each wound and accident as if it were an emergency.

Trauma

Until a veterinarian determines that your dog will be fine, treat each wound and accident as if it were an emergency. Even a scratch can become infected later, and a puncture wound can become an abscess if it is not treated properly and promptly.

- Clean a minor wound with water or hydrogen peroxide (3%).

- Clean with povidone iodine, chlorhexidene or other antiseptic solution

- Clean the surrounding skin and hair with soap and water.

- Apply an ointment like neomycin.

- Avoid touching any strange-looking wound, as it could be the result of a snake or other animal bite, with venom or bacteria still present. Instead, use gloves to clean it, then cover it with a bandage and go to your veterinarian as soon as possible.

A bleeding wound:

- Apply firm pressure to the site of the injury with gauze and then sell it. You will see a slight swelling near the injury if the bandage is too tight.

- When the bleeding stops or decreases, cover the wound slightly, then take your dog to the vet.

- If the bleeding is too severe to be stressed in this way and the injury occurs in an extremity or tail, you can tie a piece of thick cord or gauze on a tourniquet for a few minutes every 20 minutes to allow the blood flow in the injured area. Take your dog to the vet immediately and see if there is shock, which can be the result of too much blood loss.

Localized pain, lameness or swelling can be signs of bruising, muscle strains or sprains. Seek help if a seemingly minor problem does not resolve itself in a few days. For a more serious problem, you may need to immobilize the limb or area with a splint. Symptoms such as limb deformity or deviations from the joint or the normal position of a bone may indicate a fracture; Take your dog to the vet immediately, especially if you have a compound fracture, in which the bone passes through the skin.

The symptoms of shock

When your dog's body is suddenly stressed, his blood flow may be inadequate, the tissues will not receive enough oxygen and he will go into shock. Dogs that have suffered a serious injury or illness, an overdose of medications or any other sudden change in the body system will initially experience rapid heartbeat and breathing as the body tries to compensate. If left untreated, the body will eventually slow down to lessen the effects of injuries and illnesses. Your dog's body systems can be so overloaded that they close completely, resulting in death.

In addition to a weak and rapid pulse and rapid and shallow breathing, symptoms of shock include a lower body temperature than normal or chills, cold feet, pale skin and quiet or inactive behavior. A reduced blood flow can be controlled by pressing the gums with the finger until the gums turn white; The natural pink color should return within one or two seconds if the blood flow is normal.

If your dog is in a state of shock, try the most urgent problems first. Keep your head lower than your body and eliminate buccal secretions if you are unconscious. Give CPR if you are not breathing, and if you know how to do it. Check bleeding and splint bones as needed. Engundelo if it tries to bite you. As soon as it is more stable, wrap it in a warm blanket and bring it to the vet. Carry it on a stretcher or use it yourself.