Dog Health Emergencies: What Will You Do?

 Sure, you may be a master of human First Aid. But do you know what to do in a dog health emergency?

Approaching Dog Health Emergencies: Two Steps

1. In any dog health emergency, stay calm and think.

2. Approach the dog cautiously. The dog may become aggressive because of fear or pain. You can’t help the dog if you’re hurt yourself.

Dog Emergency 1: Traffic Accident:

1. If possible, do not move the dog.

2. Call the nearest Humane Society or ASPCA office.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Take the dog to the nearest vet, calling ahead to prepare them for the emergency.

Dog Heathcare Emergency 2: Burns

1. Immerse the burned body part in cold running water for as long as possible.

2. If the burn is from a caustic substance, wash it off.

3. Call the vet.

Canine Health 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.

1. Remove the froth,

2. Place or douse the dog with cold water to lower body temperature.

3. Take the dog immediately to the veterinarian for treatment. Treatment usually consists of more cold water, drugs and observation.

Emergency 4: Dog Poisoning

Warning signs: Look for muscular twitching, vomiting, bleeding, convulsion or collapse.

1. Don't wait to see what happens. While it may be nothing, you have to take action immediately in case it is poisoning. Any delay could be fatal.

2. Call the vet. (Don't know the vet's number by heart? Right now, make sure you have put the vet's number by every telephone in your house, and in your mobile phone contacts.)

3. Follow the vet's advice. Different poisoning cases sometimes have to be treated differently.

4. If you know what the poison is, take some of it with you to the vet’s office.

5. If you cannot reach the vet, call the ASPCA's animal poison control center: 1-888-4ANIHELP (1-888-426-4435). Put this number by your home telephones and in your mobile phone contacts right now. A $50 fee per incident applies for this nonprofit service--it's worth it. If you don't have a credit card, they can charge the fee to your telephone bill.

Emergency 5: Dog Choking

1. Open the dog’s mouth carefully and try to see what is causing the problem. It could be anything: a small ball, bone, stick, meat wrapping.

2. Pump the chest by pressing down on the ribs and releasing immediately at 5-second intervals.

3. 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

1. Remove the dog from the water.

2. Try to get the water out of the dog's lungs as soon as possible by pumping the chest as for choking (see above).

3. Take the dog to the vet to be checked out.

Hopefully, you will never have to handle any of these emergencies. But if you do, you have the dog health advice that you need.

About the Author

Joel Walsh suggests you start here to find more information on protecting dog health: http://i-love-dogs.com?%20dog%20health [Web publication requirement: create live link for the URL/web address using "dog health" as visible link text/anchor text.]

 Joel Walsh

More Articles 

The Geriatric (Older) Dog - Moses Chia
Dogs mature and age at much different rates, usually according to size and breed. It is commonly held that dogs live 7 years for every year that we man does. However, this serve as only a rough guide when converting and calculating your dog’s age as...

Barking Problems: Train your dog to stop barking! - Moses Chia
All dogs bark, it’s their way to communicate a message. Dog barks for various reasons: to greet, to alert, out of boredom, to attract attention or when they are excited. Although some barking from is acceptable, too much barking is certainly...

Toy Dogs - Kirsten Hawkins
No, you don't wind them up and they don't take batteries "Toy" dogs are becoming more popular all the time. These little dogs, the result of generations of selective breeding, are generally bred as companion animals and people just seem to love...

If You Own Two Dogs, Can You Control Who’s The Alpha Dog? - Adam G Katz
Dear Mr. Katz: I have two cocker spaniels that are one year apart. The red and white female (Cassie)is almost two and spayed. The buff male (Peanut) is just one 1 years old and neutered. Peanut was rescued from a cocker shelter in October of 1999....

Dog Training Book – Why Buy One? When Everything is Free Online! - Moses Chia
I’m a dog lover who believes that every dog owners should train their dogs if they truly love and care for them. Because I believe that dog training gives dogs a happier and healthier life. Not to mention, it also gives their owner a trouble-free...

Selling Luxury Products in a Dogs World - Hedy Woodrow
One of the fastest growing industries in the United States today is the pet industry. The industry as a whole has increased 20% over the past 5 years and is projected continued growth in the upcoming years. Over the past 10 years, the pet industry...

Dogs During Labor - Jack Russell
Breeding dogs is an exciting experience. From the time a proper mate is found to the point that the puppies are born, it is crucial to take careful steps to make this successful. Professional breeders do not breed frequently and will only...

What You Need To Carry When You Travel With Your Dog - Terrie Simpson
Spring is here and with the onset of warm weather, comes more dog shows and our annual vacations, plus the urge to take a Sunday drive. However, we sometimes neglect the needs of our pets or do not take extra precautions for unseen emergencies. If...

Training Your Dog To Lay Down On Command - Lee Dobbins
Training your dog to obey commands is an important part of pet ownership . When your dog is properly trained, it is much easier for you to communicate with him and this enhances your relationship. In addition to making him mind you, it may even...

Dog Coat Health - Matthew Seigneur
Dog Coat Health Keeping your dog’s coat healthy and clean is a very important to maintaining a healthy and happy dog. The largest organ on your dog’s body is his skin and hair. Keeping your dogs' coat in good health is paramount, after, of course,...