Dog First Aid

We have already referred to the daily care and necessities of the dog. It is also important to consider what to do when it comes to first aid. The urgencies are given in every medical background: ophthalmology, urology, etc. These techniques applied consequently will serve us to attend any possible emergencies while we wait for the veterinarians visit.

Detecting to Prevent: An urgency is a situation in which an organ can deteriorate rapidly or even death, and for this there is a fast relief. The seriousness of an illness is not determined by the type of urgency: for example, if there is paralysis due to a problem with the medulla it is a serious problem, but it cannot be considered urgent in the sense that there is nothing you can do at the moment that will produce relief. The urgency requires fast acting in order to prevent the animal's death.

Neurology: The crisis by convulsions is the most frequent urgencies of the nervous type. Before we search for the origin, we must take some precautions.

In Case of Convulsions: We will place cushions all around the dog without moving it, so that it does not hit its head against the wall. We must keep the head back and we will put a stick in its mouth so that it doesn't bite its tongue. We will not make an effort in telling the dog to relax because it will not hear us. Don't yell and try to install the dog in a room where there are not light or sound stimuli. Next we should call the veterinarian.

Epileptic Seizures: Epileptic crisis are the most frequent cause of convulsions. The crisis lasts from seconds to minutes, even though it looks like it will never end. It usually finishes alone. It is characterized for the alternation of pedaling movements and extreme contractions on the legs. The mechanism that gets this going is unknown, even though it is said to be related to the irritation of an area in the brain. It is very difficult to prevent because any emotion can trigger it.

Convulsions Due to Intoxication: This is a more serious type of convulsion, which requires fast intervention. The poison for snails contains a chemical that causes strong convulsions. Since the substance is blue, the tongue turns this color. The dog startles with the smallest noise of contact. Strychnine also produces this type of reaction. It is important to find evidence that shows that the dog is intoxicated.

Dog's Temperature: We will use a digital thermometer, which we will grease up with Vaseline and introduce into its rectum to obtain the exact temperature (38.5°C). 

Observing the Mucous Tissue: We will stretch the inferior eyelid downward. If the conjunctive is white or yellow, that is a sign of abnormality. If it is white it indicated the lack of red blood cells; if it is yellow it is a sign of liver problems. The dog has a third eyelid: if it is visible there sure is an upheaval.

Feeling the Abdomen: We will place one hand on each side of the belly: the feeling should not be painful. If it is hard, maybe the animal is constipated. If it is swollen, it surely has parasites (worms).

Dejection Control: If the color of the urine is not clear or dark, we will have to analyze it immediately.

Examining the Skin: the folds: With a simple procedure, grab the neck skin and let loose, we will be able to detect if there is a sign of dehydration. If the skin goes back to the normal position, the dog is not dehydrated; if the skin fold keeps its shape, then we must give the dog water with a syringe and consult the vet. Dog Ophthalmology