First Aid
Puppy first aid
Hopefully your puppy will never seriously hurt himself but,
being the high energy bundle that he is, he's bound to get into
a few scrapes now and then and it's useful to have knowledge of
basic first aid.
First Aid Box
You should always keep a few basic items on hand for
emergencies, such as: cotton bandages, cotton wool or lint to
clean wounds, mild pet-friendly antiseptic to wash wounds and a
pair of tweezers for removing stings or objects from the
mouth.
Bones, Sticks, Balls
Bones, sticks and balls can get lodged in or across the roof
of a dog's mouth. If this happens, you may notice your dog
pawing at his mouth, or he may find it difficult to close his
jaws. You might be able to remove the object by hand or with
tweezers, but if not, you'll need to get your vet to do it. He
or she will use sedation to make removal easier. As always,
prevention is better than cure, so never let your dog play with
small balls and avoid throwing sticks.
Burns
If your puppy gets burned by hot water, oil, chemicals or
ice, he'll need immediate attention. Minor burns can be treated
at home - clean the affected area with a mild antiseptic and
apply a soothing cream or gel such as aloe vera. Severe burns
will need veterinary attention, so take your puppy to the vet
straight away.
Cuts and wounds
Puppies may suffer from cuts or wounds particularly to their
feet if they run on something sharp like broken glass. Clean
the affected area with as dilute disinfectant such as Hibiscrub
and apply a bandage if necessary. Consult your vet if you
cannot stop the bleeding or the wound is severe.
Dog bites
If your puppy is unlucky enough to be bitten by another dog,
it's always worth getting him checked over by the vet. Make a
routine appointment if the bite or bites are minor and make
sure your pet is seen as an emergency if they're severe.
Ear Problems
Your puppy's ears should be shiny, pale pink inside and free
from wax or discharge. They should not smell unpleasant.
All ear problems require the attention of a vet.
Eye problems
If your puppy has any problems with his eyes such as a
scratch or conjunctivitis, you should see your vet. Try to stop
your puppy rubbing his eye if you can.
Fits
A fit can be recognized by sudden, uncontrolled, spasmodic
movements, often with champing of the jaw, and salivating. A
fitting dog will usually fall onto its side and not be aware of
its surroundings.
If your puppy does have a fit, don't try to restrain him.
Instead, try to remove any furniture or hard objects around him
he could hurt himself on. Turn off all stimuli such as lights,
radio, television, washing machine etc, and darken the room so
he can recover quietly.
You should always consult your vet if your puppy has a
fit.
Fractured or pulled-off claws
These can be very painful and tend to quickly become
infected. Bleeding is often profuse. If possible try to apply a
bandage to the foot and then take your puppy to the vet as
antibiotics are often required and the claw may sometimes need
to be clipped back under sedation or anaesthetic.
Heat Stroke
The best advice as far as heat stroke is concerned is that
prevention is better than cure. Make sure your puppy doesn't
stay out in the sun for too long on hot days and that he's not
out in the midday heat.
If, despite your best efforts, he does get mild heatstroke,
cool him down as best you can with wet towels or a fan, get him
to drink plenty of cool water and make sure he gets lots of
rest.
Serious heatstroke will require the attention of a vet.
Lameness
If your puppy is obviously in pain and can't put any weight
on his leg you should take him to the vet immediately to rule
out the possibility of a fracture.
In less severe cases, check the pad for thorns, embedded
grit or cuts and look for damaged nails.
Poisoning
Puppies are very inquisitive and there's always the
possibility your puppy will get hold of something he shouldn't.
Like heatstroke, prevention is better than cure and you need to
puppy proof your home and garden to ensure he can't get at
things that could be harmful like slug pellets, bleach or human
chocolate. If you suspect that you pet has digested something
he shouldn't have done then always bring the packaging to your
vet as this will help them identify the problem and source an
antidote.
If the worst does happen, see your vet as an emergency.
Road Traffic Accidents
If your puppy has been involved in an accident, you should
call your vet straight away. Your puppy may be in shock and
could react unpredictably. So approach him slowly and
carefully. If possible, lift your dog onto a blanket (or use
the mat from the car foot well), then get him to the vet as
quickly as you can. If he cannot be moved, you may have to ask
your vet to visit the scene.
Stings and insect bites
If your puppy has severe swelling around his mouth, nose or
throat that could cause breathing difficulties due to a sting,
you should get him to the vet's immediately.
If the sting or bite isn't causing any serious problems, you
can alleviate your puppy's discomfort by applying a cold
compress to the affected area.