It's a very scary experience when your dog suddenly appears in pain or is having trouble breathing. Today, our Grand Prairie vets provide some first aid tips to help your dog in an emergency.
First Aid for Dogs
It is important that pet owners are aware of how to handle an emergency in order to care for their dogs until they can be seen by a vet.
First aid for pets is similar to first aid for a human. Use the “Dr. ABCs”
Danger – keep yourself and others around you safe.
Response – check if your pet responds to their name or touch.
Airway – is their airway clear?
Breathing – are they breathing?
Circulation – do they have a pulse or heartbeat?
Send – someone to ask for help!
CPR for Dogs
The first concern is always whether or not they are breathing. Brain damage and fatality can happen quickly if they are not breathing for a certain period of time. For cats and dogs, the CPR process is similar to the process for humans.
Check if they are breathing and try to find a heartbeat.
If they are not breathing check the air passage is unobstructed.
If there is no heartbeat begin chest compression at around 100 to 120 compression per minute.
Do 30 compression and give rescue breaths.
Close the pet's mouth and breath through their nose.
Check every 2 minutes for a heartbeat/independent breathing.
Get your pet to the vet, and keep up CPR on route to the vet or until your pet is breathing on its own.
If your pet starts breathing on their own you should still take them to the vet.
First Aid Kit for Dogs
A pet first aid kit is not that different from a human first aid kit.
- Bandages & antiseptic wipes
- Blunt-ended scissors
- Tweezers
- Wound dressing
- Self-adhesive tape
- Vinyl gloves
- Foil blanket
- A blanket to use as a stretcher or to immobilize them.
Summary
Remember “Dr. ABCs”. CPR for most pets is like the human version, but breath through their nose. Use common sense and best judgment, but when in doubt, call your emergency vet clinic
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet for an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition.