Hemorrhages in Dog

Different types of hemorrhages present different levels of severity. If there is an artery rupture (always serious), the blood is a very brilliant red and can come bursting out instead of coming out in the normal flow. If there is a lesion in a vein (easily suppressed), the blood will be dark red and will flow uniformly. In capillary bleeding (scarce consequences), the blood is generally a brick color and oozes out slowly intense hemorrhage can provoke death in a few minutes and it's necessary to withhold it as soon as possible and call a vet immediately. In all cases (there are rare exceptions) hemorrhages can be interrupted by applying direct pressure on the wound. Place a sterile bandage directly on the wound, making pressure with your hand until you can bandage it completely. If you don't have a bandage at hand, you can use a towel, a piece of sheet or handkerchief -- whatever you use must be clean. If the bandage gets soaked up in blood, don't move it, place a new bandage directly on top of that one and keep on pressing until the vet arrives, or the blood stops flowing. Do not remove the bandage; leave it in its place until it has clotted well. When the direct pressure does not give results, put oxygen peroxide (10 vol.) And put pressure on top of the wound and on the bottom, trying to press the artery against the bone. Use the palm of your hand or fingers. A tourniquet should only be used in extreme cases and when the other two methods are not successful. However, if you do need to apply a tourniquet, always put it above the wound, and as close as possible to it. It can only be used on the limbs. The use of a tourniquet always brings about danger and serious consequences. It must be loosened every 15 to 20 minutes, in a soft and progressive way, liberating the limbs for a few minutes and then re-adjusting. If the vet is on the way, do not touch them and that the professional takeover. If the hemorrhage has stopped, remove a tourniquet, apply a bandage on the wound and bind it up.

Important: do not use a tourniquet unless you can not stop the hemorrhage by the other two methods, direct pressure or indirect. And always remember to call the vet.