Pet First Aid
As a pet owner you care a lot about your furry family. You want to provide them with anything and everything that will make them happy and healthy. Perhaps you haven’t really thought about the possibility of them getting sick or hurt, but it is always best to be prepared for when the unthinkable happens. Just as important as it is to have a general knowledge of first aid for your friends and family, it’s also necessary to have a basic understanding of canine first aid. It's very valuable in the case that something does go wrong while you're out walking your dog.
Putting Together a Doggie First Aid Kit
First you need the necessary supplies:
- Bandaging materials
- Medications
- Hemostats
- Nail clippers
- Styptic powder
- A rectal thermometer
- Vaseline
- Tweezers
- Muzzle
Knowing how to recognize the signs of illness is one of the most important things when it comes to your pet's health. It’s easier to prevent an emergency before it happens when you know what signs to look for. You should seek veterinary help as soon as possible if your dog is exhibiting any of the following symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Increased thirst
- Abnormal heart rate
- Difficulty breathing
- Weakness
- Dilated pupils
- Recurring collapses
- Recurrent coughing
- Vomiting
After recognizing a sign of illness, it’s time to act quickly. Remember to remain calm and focus on the task at hand. Staying calm helps you properly assess the situation and helps to comfort your pet while preventing unnecessary stressors. Once you’ve noted all of the symptoms, contact your veterinarian and clearly articulate what’s going on. Keep in mind the following:
- Put your own safety first. Before approaching your pet, be aware if they are hostile, scared or delirious. Pets may act out and bite in this case.
- Once you've assessed the situation and know that it’s okay to approach your pet, check their ABCD's: Airway, Breathing, Circulation and Disability. Check their breathing and pulse, try to analyze their level of injury or illness, and report it to the veterinarian as clearly as possible.
- Administer first aid. Control any bleeding by applying a clean cloth or gauze with pressure, immobilize broken limbs with splints, or flush burns with cold water for at least 20 minutes.
- Get your pet to the hospital as quickly as possible.
If you keep all of these things in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to handle a pet emergency. Remember, prevention is always better than a cure!
Thinking Beyond First Aid
There are some additional precautions to take for your dog's safety that can easily slip the mind:
- Make sure your garbage is in a safe place! Dogs have a tendency to get into garbage and eat anything they can which could include toxic chocolate, broken glass, etc. It’s important to have the foresight to be prepared for this.
- Have your pet microchipped. You never expect your pet to escape, but the reality is that it happens all the time! In the case that they do escape, having your pet microchipped gives you the best chances of tracking them down.
Denver Pro Pet Sitting hopes that you found our safety and first aid guide helpful and that you’ll never have to use the recommendations within it. Contact us today to book a professional pet sitter to look after your loved ones!