What does one do in a dog health emergency?
Below is six dog emergency scenarios. Above all remember to stay calm and think. Approach an injured dog cautiously as the dog may become aggressive because of fear or pain.
Dog Emergency 1: Traffic Accident
- If possible do not attempt to move the dog.
- Call the nearest Humane Society or ASPCA office.
- If the animal workers can't or won't come and you must move the dog slide a blanket under the animal.
- Lift the animal to safety with the help of another person.
- Check for a heartbeat and bleeding.
- Try to stop the excessive loss of blood by holding a clean cloth or pad over the wound and securing it tightly with a makeshift bandage.
- Take the dog to the nearest vet calling ahead to prepare them for the emergency.
Dog Emergency 2: Burns
- Immerse the burned body part in cold running water for as long as possible.
- If the burn is from a caustic substance wash it off. Then call the vet.
Dog Emergency 3: Heat stroke
- Warning signs: The dog is overheated and without sufficient air.
- The dog might be panting, vomiting, frothing at the mouth or already collapsed.
- First remove the froth.
- Then place or douse the dog with cool water to lower body temperature.
- Next take the dog immediately to the veterinarian for treatment.
- Treatment usually consists of more cold water drugs and observation.
Dog Emergency 4: Dog Poisoning
- Warning signs: Look for muscular twitching vomiting bleeding convulsion or collapse.
- The first step is to have someone call the vet then follow the vet's advice.
- Different poisoning cases sometimes have to be treated differently.
- If you cannot reach the vet try to induce vomiting.
- Salt and mustard in water or a small amount of hydrogen peroxide usually will do the trick.
- If you know what the poison is take some of it with you to the vet' office.
Dog Emergency 5: Dog Choking
- Open the dog' mouth carefully and try to see what is causing the problem.
- It could be anything: a small ball bone stick or meat wrapping.
- Pump the chest by pressing down on the ribs and releasing immediately at 5-second intervals.
- If this doesn't dislodge the object within a few moments rush the dog to the nearest animal hospital to have the foreign object removed under anesthetic.
Dog Emergency 6:Drowning
- Remove the dog from the water.
- Try to get the water out of the dog's lungs as soon as possible by pumping the chest as for choking.
- Take the dog to the vet to be checked out.
