Learning first aid for dogs

By Jerry Welsh


Why do I have to learn first aid? The friendly vet is just a stone's throw from my home. Are you one of the dog owners with the same philosophy? When it comes to the health concerns of the pet, a vet consultation would certainly be the best bet. However, the vet may not always be around. Dog owners customarily take the pet wherever they go as these animals make wonderful companions. In emergency situations the competence of the owner to administer first aid will save the pet from suffering tremendous pain. The first aid methods learned can even save the life of the pet.

A dog owner needs to act fast in emergency situations to save the life of the pet. A dog owner's instinct is to rush the pet to the vet's but in a lot of serious cases, the pet dies before reaching the veterinary facility. The life of the pet could have been saved had the owner thought of administering first aid. However only very few owners can recognize the symptoms of life threatening situations and not many dog owners have learned to give first aid to the pet

There is not much difference with the methods of first aid for dogs and for humans. Anyone administering first aid to a dog has to be very careful as stressed dogs have the tendency to attack. Basic first aid can be easily learned from animal shelters. Some vets are willing to instruct pet owners how to give emergency care. Pet owner can avail of free training from animal hospitals.

Learning first aid would be easier by using the ABC approach. A is for airways, B stands for breathing and C for circulation. The first thing a dog owner should do is to make sure that no foreign object is blocking the airways and to check if the dog is breathing. Blood is circulating if the heart is beating. Artificial respiration must be done to revive dogs that are not breathing. Dogs usually lick minor wounds. The dog's licking will be ineffective in stopping severe bleeding thus owner has to administer first aid.

Dog owners can never totally prevent accidents that will injure the pet. To be able to administer emergency care, a pet owner has to learn how to administer first aid treatments. With first aid knowledge, a well stocked first aid kit and competent skills, the owner can prevent the condition from worsening and save the life of the pet.




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