PETA advises dog owners to take a first aid course and gives tips for emergencies
Stuttgart. React efficiently in an emergency: If a dog is injured or poisoned, has an accident or has an allergic reaction, decisive action is required. So that dog owners can help their animal companions quickly and safely, it is advisable to familiarize themselves with first aid measures before taking in the animal. As with humans, it is important to act immediately in an emergency and take the right steps to save lives. Jana Hoger, a specialist at PETA and an animal psychologist with a focus on dogs, has put together helpful tips to help dogs who have had an accident until they can receive medical care.
“First aid can save dogs’ lives in an emergency,” says Jana Hoger. “As a dog owner, it is always advisable to take a first aid course and regularly refresh your knowledge. This means you can act quickly and, above all, correctly when it matters – and know what to do.”
In a first aid course, dog owners are made aware of impending dangers and learn how they can help themselves and when the expertise of veterinary specialists is essential.
What to do in case of poisoning
For example, if there is the slightest suspicion that your dog has been poisoned, you must go to a practice immediately – poison can work quickly and put the four-legged friend's life in danger. When it comes to symptoms of poisoning, every second counts: These include blood in vomit or stool, excessive salivation, restlessness or apathy, pale gums, difficulty breathing, tremors, sudden behavioral problems and severely discolored mucous membranes. If there are signs of poisoning, you should always consult a veterinarian and, if possible, provide them with a sample of the ingested substance or vomit for analysis and diagnosis.
Basically applies to all emergencies: Act quickly and still remain calm in order to stress the dog as little as possible.
Correct behavior in traffic accidents
Another scenario where first aid is needed is traffic accidents. In order to minimize the risk of further damage, it is important to carefully move the dog out of the danger zone and into a safe place. As best as possible, the dog is secured appropriately in case the four-legged friend tries to escape out of panic. Since dogs often react unpredictably in emergency situations, it can make sense to put a muzzle on panicked animals – provided no physical injury prevents this. In any case, you should consult a veterinarian quickly or contact animal rescue.
Tip: Save the telephone number of the veterinary clinic, animal rescue and practice you trust in your cell phone.
First aid kit can save lives
In order to be able to help until specialist personnel can treat the injuries, it is advisable to always have a first aid kit for the dog at hand, for example in the car next to the first aid kit and also at home. This should include, among other things, cotton wool to pad the spaces between the toes, elastic bandages, sterile compresses, products such as Betaisodona solution for rinsing and disinfecting, as well as rounded scissors, but also tape, wound spray, tick tweezers and tongue depressors (if foreign bodies are stuck in the mouth). Such a putty can also be useful for sudden wounds when bleeding needs to be stopped. A visit to a veterinary practice or clinic is then essential.
A first aid course teaches you how to use bandages and emergencies. Dog owners learn, for example, how to check whether the dog that has had an accident is conscious (Check eyelid reflex, mucous membranes and heartbeat). Such courses also teach how life-threatening arterial bleeding can be differentiated from venous bleeding and how it can be stopped. In the case of an open wound, it may be necessary to apply a pressure bandage and, if necessary, tie off limbs above the wound.
A notice: If bleeding occurs, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.
Prevent allergic reactions
If an allergic reaction is imminent, people are also able to help their animal companions in emergencies through the right preparation. When it comes to insect bites, the first thing to check is where the dog was bitten. Is the respiratory region affected? Is there excessive salivation? Are you already experiencing allergic reactions such as severe swelling? If the answer to these questions is yes, veterinary help should be sought immediately to obtain appropriate emergency medication. It is helpful to cool the puncture site (cooling ointment) and watching the dog on the way to the vet's office.
Danger: Insect bites around the nose and mouth can quickly become life-threatening.
First aid for heat stroke
In addition to the dangers of allergic shock, poisoning and the correct actions in the event of accidents or other injuries, first aid courses also provide information about illnesses and other risks for dogs and the necessary reactions of dog owners. For example, you can learn how to recognize signs of heat stroke and what to do next. When heat builds up, the body temperature in dogs can rise to 42 degrees (normal: between 37.5 and 39 degrees) and the heartbeat increases – this can be felt on the side of the chest wall, the pulse on the inside of the thigh (it should be 80 to 120 beats per minute).
Tip: If the dog is convulsing due to heat stroke or is even unconscious, it should be quickly brought into the shade and cooled down carefully – slowly working upwards from the paws and never pouring too much cold water over the dog, otherwise there is a risk of shock.
If there are signs of heat stroke, the dog should always be taken to the vet, even if first aid measures have improved the worst symptoms.
If you notice signs of stomach upset, seek medical attention immediately
The same applies to a twisted stomach: at the slightest suspicion, the affected dog must seek medical treatment immediately, without wasting a minute. Symptoms of gastric torsion include a bloated stomach (drum belly), unsuccessful attempts to vomit, the so-called prayer position, cardiovascular failure and difficulty breathing. As the stomach expands with gases due to the rotation, it presses against the diaphragm and hinders the heart from working, which can pose an acute danger to life.