Learning First Aids for Dogs - Basic Steps

Basic Steps for Learning First Aids for Dogs
Taking the time to learn some information on basic first aids for dogs can make a drastic difference in both serious situations which require immediate assistance and less serious but still bothersome or painful occurrences which can take place.

The good news is that armed with even a bit of knowledge will really go a long way, and that anybody can master some basic elements of first aids for dogs to help take care of problems as they arise.

"Dog First Aids Kits"

  

One of the first recommendations when it comes to first aids for dogs is to either buy a dog first aid kit, or to build your own. You should keep it in an easily accessible spot in your home. Additionally if you take your dog with you lots of places, you should keep an additional one in your car because you never know when something unfortunate could arise.

If you're constructing your own kit, there are a few basic items that you can include in it. You want clean bandages, cloths and wrappings, as well as scissors to cut them and fasteners or adhesive tape to keep them tight. You may want to have some tweezers to help remove small objects as well as saline solutions for cleaning wounds and flushing out the eyes (Dog Eye Problems).

Include a blanket for keeping your dog warm and calm, or for transporting small dogs and you should also have a board handy for carrying larger dogs that are injured. Styptic powder can be used to control bleeding and iodine is useful for treating cuts, scrapes and other open wounds. Also, a muzzle can be a helpful accessory to help keep your dog controlled and calm while he is suffering from pain.

"Putting First Aids for Dogs Into Action"

Now you know some of the basics for what should go into a kit so it's time to learn how to take action when it comes time. Remember the action you take can help to prevent pain and further complication and could even save your dog's life depending on the problem. Therefore, it's always best to familiarize yourself with these basic tips and procedures before you ever encounter a problem so that you can spring into action when you're needed.

Treating wounds for dogs is mostly common sense. You want to clean the wound and to stop the bleeding. Apply pressure over the wound with a clean cloth to stop bleeding, or alternatively use the styptic powder or apply a tourniquet over the wound to stop bleeding. Tourniquets can be used for severe blood loss but keep in mind they are a temporary solution and should not be used for more than perhaps 30 minutes as you get your dog to an animal hospital.

  

Less severe wounds and small cuts that you can control yourself can simply be cleaned, treated and bandaged. Make sure your dog does not scratch, lick or gnaw at the wounds or bandages however. Additionally, before treatment you may want to muzzle your pooch because even a calm dog can have unexpected reactions to painful wounds or invasive treatments.

If your dog has something in his eye you can use some saline solution to clean it out. Contact lens solution can usually do the job, or you can dissolve about 1 teaspoon of salt into one pint of water to create your own on the spot. If you flush the eye out and your dog still is having problems with vision or opening the eye, place a moist cloth over your dog's eyes and get him to the vet. There could be an allergic reaction (Allergies in Dogs) or there could be something painful in the eye somewhere.

Of course dogs often eat things they shouldn't and your pooch may end up choking or having severe difficulty breathing. In this case, first check to see if you can find any large obstructions in the mouth and throat and pull them out. If this isn't possible, you can use chest compressions and even cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

When you need to resuscitate your dog, cup your hands over his closed mouth and breathe deeply into his nose once every three to four seconds. Alternatively, try performing 10-12 chest compressions followed by two deep breaths in a cycle which should hopefully get the job done.

There are many different situations that can arise where you will need to apply some basic first aids for dogs. Stay prepared by knowing what to expect and having a kit on hand, and learn how to proceed with basic procedures including wound treating and dressing, eye cleaning and of course mouth-to-snout resuscitation!

So, do you learn something from this basic steps of first aids for dogs or maybe pets in general.