Canine Emergency: How To Identify One And How To React

By Author: Ricardo Limbardo
Total Articles: 1131
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Identifying Canine Emergencies

Canine emergencies can be pretty hard to identify, especially if you don't know your dog that well. But if you do, the only problem you have is about how to identify a severe emergency from a milder one that you can take care of at home. Severe emergencies, of course, should be taken straight to the vet. The canine emergencies that you have to watch out for are actually those that are not visible on your pet's skin. A bruise or a small cut hardly qualifies for a vet emergency, even if it involves bleeding. But when the bleeding is continuous, then that's something you should take seriously. If your dog is limping, or experiences pain in a particular area upon your touch, those can be serious dog emergencies that need medical attention. It could be a sign of broken bones or internal damage. Also, watch out for breathing difficulties, panting, gasping and rapid heartrate. These are all connected to the circulatory and the respiratory systems. Some sure signs that something is wrong include irregular bowel movement, loss of appetite, and a refusal to engage in its usual activities.

Reacting ...
... to Canine Emergencies

Canine emergencies can happen at any given time and place, so it would really pay to know some first aid techniques to respond to these dog emergencies and save your pet from potential life-threatening danger. You can't also have any idea where the emergency will happen, and whether there will be anyone around who knows how to administer first aid. That's why you need to know some life-saving techniques such as CPR, and first aid techniques to react to wounds, cuts, burns, fractures, poisoning, and other conditions. As a pet owner, it also helps to have some bandage, rubbing alcohol, and some other first aid materials that may come in handy during canine emergencies.

Basic Canine CPR Knowledge

If you find your dog in a situation where it can't seem to breathe, especially when the condition results to fainting, you will need to administer canine CPR. To start, place your dog on its side. Before doing anything, check its mouth if it has swallowed something that physically obscures breathing. If there is none, close your pet's mouth and blow into its nose. Observe your dog's chest as you do so. Make sure that the chest is moving up and down. Breathe into your dog's nose for around twelve times every minute until your dog recovers, or until a vet is already around to take over.

First-Aid for Minor Cuts and Wounds

When you are faced with cuts and wounds, whether these are small or big, the first thing you need is a pair of scissors. Your dog's hair may be dirty, and may be a reason for further infection. Cut away the hair surrounding the affected area. Apply hydrogen peroxide to the wound, and afterwards, rinse it with running water and disinfectant soap. Place a bandage over the wound to protect and keep it clean. If the cut, however, is severe, and bleeding is hard to control, take your pet to the vet immediately.As the dog owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that canine emergencies are kept under control, if impossible to prevent in the first place.

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