Every pet carer wants to keep their pet free from injury, safe, and have a happy and healthy life. But sometimes, despite all the care you invest to protect your beloved pet, your dog still gets hurt. Emergencies can occur every day and everywhere, but being able to recognize when your dog is struggling to give them a helping hand is important for you as a dog owner. Continue reading this article to learn some medical emergency tips for your dog.
We all seem to agree that dogs are curious creatures. They are always busy exploring their environment; chewing on toxic food or chemicals until they choke, playing with sharp items, or running across a busy road to be hit by a car. Curiosity seems
Why do You need to learn these medical emergency tips for your dog?
Without immediate help, your dog may not make it to the next hour. Your pet’s vet won’t always be there to help in these urgent situations. Therefore, as a dog owner, you should possess adequate knowledge and skills to take instant action and give first aid to prevent any serious medical issues.
5 medical emergency tips for your dog that could save its life, and relieve its pain and suffering:
1- Knowing Your Dog, The First of many Medical Emergency Tips You Need To Follow To Ensure its Safety
You should always keep track of your dog’s behaviors because any slight changes might give rise to a serious medical emergency. These changes in behavior include changes in appetite, bowel movements and even smell can indicate that there is something seriously wrong with your pet. Know the key indicators to look out for so that you can act quickly.
2- Know How To Check For A Pulse
To check your dog’s pulse, put your hand on the inside of the rear leg at mid-thigh and gently squeeze your fingers just underneath the leg. You should feel the femoral artery pulsing near the surface. It’s easiest to find if your dog is standing. Count the number of beats you feel during a 15-second period and multiply by four to get the beats per minute.
A pulse that is unusually fast or slow can be cause for concern. A fast pulse rate might be something as simple as anxiety, but it can also indicate many other conditions, including blood loss, dehydration, fever, and heatstroke. A slow pulse rate may be a sign of shock or heart disease.
3- Know How To Help Your Choking Dog
It is an unfortunate fact that dogs frequently choke. Their inquisitive nature encourages them to chew on anything and everything they can, from sticks and rocks to socks and toys. Choking occurs when something blocks the airway. When the airway has been partially blocked a dog may start retching, pacing back and forth, and pawing at its mouth. If their airway becomes totally blocked, they will be unable to make any sound at all. It is important that you spot these signs and then know how to act fast to dislodge the obstruction.
These 5-step Medical emergency Tips will guide you to help your choking dog:
Step 1: Gently Restrain Your Dog to Prevent Being Bitten
It’s often best to put your dog on its side. It’s also best to have someone help you hold your dog down so it can remain as calm as possible.
Step 2: Open Their Mouth Widely and Do a Finger Sweep
Often you can see the object at the back of the throat. You can reach in with your hand or use a long tweezer or tongs to grasp and dislodge the item. But be careful not to push it further down the throat.
Step 3: If You Can’t Dislodge The Item, Perform a Heimlich Maneuver
On puppies and small dogs, this means picking their head up and paws down, holding their back against your stomach. Then find the soft hollow under the rib cage and push up with your first.
For larger dogs, you would lay them on their side, and kneel behind their back. Place your closed fist under the hollow under the rib cage and push upward and inward sharply in the direction of the dog’s head. This should force air out of the lungs to help expel the invader. Remove the object once dislodged.
Step 4: If Your Dog Doesn’t Resume Breathing, Perform CPR
By performing rescue breaths and chest compressions, you can help restore your dog’s breathing. It may be necessary to continue performing CPR on the way to the vet as well.
Step 5: Always Take Your Dog For a Follow-Up Vet Visit After a Serious Choking Incident
He or she may have damage to the mouth and throat, or there might be other items that made their way into the digestive tract. By taking your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic, you will help in preventing your pet from developing an infection, managing to swell, and reducing pain.
4- Know How To Muzzle Your Dog
When dogs are in pain or frightened, they will often display signs of aggressiveness or violence. Therefore, learning how to muzzle your dog is important to make it easier for you to offer them appropriate assistance.
You should never muzzle an animal that is overheated (as they will need to pant to cool), that is having difficulty breathing, or is likely to vomit.
Steps to safely muzzle your dog:
1st Step: Gently and carefully restrain your pet
2nd Step: Stand behind them and swiftly and calmly secure the loop over their snout.
3rd Step: Secure the material around their snout to keep their mouth closed.
4th Step: Tie another knot under their chin and bring the ends back behind their ears.
5th Step: Secure the ends with a slip knot or bow behind the animal’s neck
5- Be Prepared For Medical Emergencies that Could Save A Dog’s Life
As a pet owner, you should always keep your vet’s name, address, and telephone number stored in your mobile phone, and your landline, and kept in an address book or safe place around the home.
When a medical emergency strikes, you should call your vet first. You’ll need to let them know there’s an emergency case on the way and follow any instructions you’re given. Keep a pen and paper handy to take down any important instructions from your vet. Always carry a pet first aid kit with you in case your pet needs your assistance.
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Last Words
With appropriate knowledge of necessary first aid, and following these medical emergency tips for your dog, you will be able to provide your beloved dog with a safe and nurturing environment where she or he can enjoy a healthy life.
Always be aware of your dog’s behaviors and the food they consume because “dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen”.
