When you have a dog, things can go wrong – accidents happen; particularly when it’s a young and lively dog or when you take the dog on a trip. It’s important to know what to do if your dog finds itself in trouble.
Poison
When you think your dog has swallowed poison, immediately take it to a vet. Try to locate the poison, so that the vet will know what to treat it for. Amateur diagnosis can be dangerous, as can inducing the dog to vomit if you’re not sure what it has swallowed.
Accidents
Accidents can happen at any time, so it’s best to be prepared. If the dog gets hit by a car or has a bad fall, keep it absolutely quiet and move it as little as possible. Don’t give it stimulants such as alcohol; just get it to a vet as soon as you can. If there’s external hemorrhaging, do your best to stop the bleeding. Severe cuts and wounds should be bandaged tightly to stop the bleeding. A wad of cotton with gauze wrapped tightly around it will ordinarily stop the bleeding. For severe bleeding, when an artery is cut, a tourniquet may be needed. This should not be left in place for more than 15 minutes, so it’s important to get the dog medical help as soon as possible.
Burns
Minor burns or scalds can be treated by clipping the hair away from the affected area and then applying a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water. Apply it thickly to the burned area to keep the dog from licking it off. Serious burns require the immediate attention of a vet, as shock could quickly set in. Keep the dog quiet, wrap it in a blanket, and if it still shows signs of being cold, use a hot-water bottle. Clean the burn gently, remove any foreign matter and apply cold compresses. Act as quickly as possible. Prevent exposure to air by covering the area with gauze, cotton, and a loose bandage. The dog may want to interfere with the bandages, so muzzle it or have someone stay with it until a vet can tend to it.
Wasp and bee stings
Dogs sometimes enjoy chasing wasps and bees and even catch the insect. Unfortunately, this can result in a string inside the mouth; which can be very serious. Again it’s best to get the dog to a vet as soon as possible. You can take are trying to extricate the stinger if the dog has been stung on the outside of the face. Then swap the lace gently with a bicarbonate of soda solution. In the case of a wasp sting, you can use vinegar or some acidic food.