Pets First Aid Tips for Dog Owners

tr> Your dog deserves the best care from you as an owner. However many owners are confused when it comes to emergencies that concerns their pets. Having first aid knowledge for your dog could be useful at the right time. It is important to know what to do. If the situation arises where your dog needs medical help or some sort of first aid assistance, then it will be up to you to provide the care that your dog needs. The first aid below is only a small sample and does not cover every situation. Constipation: A dog, which is constipated, fails to empty its bowels and the waste matter is absorbed back into the blood stream. Constipation should be treated with Agaroll or a similar purgative. If this treatment does not cure the condition, veterinary advice will be necessary.

Coughs: Coughing in dogs may be caused by an obstruction of the throat in which case removal of the obstruction will prevent further coughing. Dogs with heart or lung disorders may cough as a result of these disorders.

Diarrhea: Frequent passage of abnormally soft feces is known as diarrhea. While the most common cause is incorrect feeding, it can also be a symptom of distemper, gastroenteritis or worms. Dogs with diarrhea should be placed on a diet of carbohydrates and dosed with Kao Magna. If symptoms persist, veterinary advice should be sought.

Dermatitis: Dermatitis can be caused by allergies to plants, pollens, soaps and external parasites. It can also be a result of incorrect diet, lack of exercise or infection of minor skin irritations. The initial symptoms are small patches of red skin, which are extremely itchy. These progresses to become small blisters. At this stage they may dry up and disappear, but in most untreated cases they burst, the fluid spreads and this causes fresh sores. These sores become filled with pus, which spreads even further. As some types of dermatitis are contagious, dogs showing symptoms should be isolated. The area surrounding the infection should be shaved and the sores gently washed with an antibacterial skin cleanser. An antibiotic spray or lotion should be applied three times daily. As the skin heals, an ointment such as Propamadine should be applied daily in severe cases; veterinary treatment may be necessary.

Heat Exhaustion:

The main causes of heat exhaustion in dogs are:

•Excessive work in high temperature.

•Exposure to hot sun without cover being available

•Hot, poorly ventilated kennel conditions.

The symptoms of heat exhaustion are:

•Excessive panting and salivating.

•Loss of energy,

•Staggering gait

•Rapid pulse, and

•Very high temperature

Treatment - for the condition consists of:

•Removal of the dog to a cool, airy position
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•Application of cold water to the entire body and ice to the head and neck

•Supply of drinking water to which honey or glucose has been added.

All cases of heat exhaustion must be reported to the veterinary surgeon as soon as possible. It's also important that you must have some sort of first aid kit or medical equipment with you so that you're prepared in the event that something does happen to your dog.

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