Canine First Aid
FIRST AID FOR DOGS
The aims and rules of first aid
First Aid treatment is based on three aims and four rules.
Aims
1. To preserve life
2. To prevent suffering
3. To prevent the situation from deteriorating
Rules
1. Don¡¦t panic
2. Maintain airway
3. Control haemorrhage
4. Contact a vet
The limitations of first aid
The goal of first aid is to help the patient as best as you can - no more than that. First aid should only be used to preserve life until a veterinarian can be found. It must be remembered that not all patients can be saved: some will die.
The following is a guide for basic first aid in various situations involving dogs.
Poisoning
Many items found in the home and garden can be poisonous to animals and it is vital that you know what to do if you suspect the dog has been poisoned.
There are three ways for dogs to get poisons into their system:
h Ingestion
h Inhalation
h Absorption
It is important to bring the following to the vet if you suspect a dog has been poisoned:
h Packaging
h Note of approximate amount taken
h Time taken
This will help to speed up the process of treating your dog.
Ingestion (non-corrosive)
If the dog has ingested a non-corrosive poison vomiting should be induced. There are various ways to induce vomiting, these include:
h Salted water
h Mustard and water
h Washing soda
h Rompun injection (by veterinarian)
h Wash out stomach (by veterinarian)
Ingestion (corrosive)
If a corrosive poison has been ingested it is vital that it is given a substance to either dilute or demulcent.
To dilute:
h Water
To demulcent:
h Milk
h Olive oil
Inhalation
If the dog has inhaled a poisonous substance you should do the following:
h Get into fresh air
h Keep warm
When the dog gets to the vet they should have oxygen therapy.
Absorption
If the dog has absorbed poison (such as from chemicals on the fur) the following action should be taken:
h Wash the dog, making sure
The aims and rules of first aid
First Aid treatment is based on three aims and four rules.
Aims
1. To preserve life
2. To prevent suffering
3. To prevent the situation from deteriorating
Rules
1. Don¡¦t panic
2. Maintain airway
3. Control haemorrhage
4. Contact a vet
The limitations of first aid
The goal of first aid is to help the patient as best as you can - no more than that. First aid should only be used to preserve life until a veterinarian can be found. It must be remembered that not all patients can be saved: some will die.
The following is a guide for basic first aid in various situations involving dogs.
Poisoning
Many items found in the home and garden can be poisonous to animals and it is vital that you know what to do if you suspect the dog has been poisoned.
There are three ways for dogs to get poisons into their system:
h Ingestion
h Inhalation
h Absorption
It is important to bring the following to the vet if you suspect a dog has been poisoned:
h Packaging
h Note of approximate amount taken
h Time taken
This will help to speed up the process of treating your dog.
Ingestion (non-corrosive)
If the dog has ingested a non-corrosive poison vomiting should be induced. There are various ways to induce vomiting, these include:
h Salted water
h Mustard and water
h Washing soda
h Rompun injection (by veterinarian)
h Wash out stomach (by veterinarian)
Ingestion (corrosive)
If a corrosive poison has been ingested it is vital that it is given a substance to either dilute or demulcent.
To dilute:
h Water
To demulcent:
h Milk
h Olive oil
Inhalation
If the dog has inhaled a poisonous substance you should do the following:
h Get into fresh air
h Keep warm
When the dog gets to the vet they should have oxygen therapy.
Absorption
If the dog has absorbed poison (such as from chemicals on the fur) the following action should be taken:
h Wash the dog, making sure
Bibliography: Internet http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_FirstAid.php http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-firstaidk9.htm http://www.antioch.com.sg/cgi-bin/HN_Open/get/lil/58.html