Emergency numbers

RSPCA: Local Vet: Local Emergency Hospital:

An extensive guide to first aid for dogs in the event of an emergency.

4Legs Pet Food Company, 10 Strzelecki Ave, Sunshine VIC 3020, P.O Box 561, Sunshine VIC 3020

Freecall 1800 655 687 www.4legs.com.au

4Legs First Aid For Dogs

CPR for Dogs

4Legs First Aid for Dogs is the first of its kind. Developed by Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Gary Hanly, it is an extensive guide to common canine medical emergencies. Keep a copy at home and in the car for peace of mind.

A CONSCIOUS ANIMAL HAS A HEARTBEAT AND IS USUALLY BREATHING (EXCEPT IF THEY CHOKE) IF NO HEARTBEAT AND/OR BREATHING PRESENT COMMENCE CPR
If no heartbeat and no breathing present:
Lay the animal on its side. Kneel down with the animal in front of you. With a small dog put each hand on the opposite side of the chest and squeeze just behind the elbow. With a large dog put both hands on the area of chest just behind the elbow. Perform 5 compressions of the chest for each breath in about 5 seconds. Check for pulse frequently. If two people are available perform three to four compressions for each breath.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This information is made available as a guide only and is not a substitute for first aid training or professional veterinary services. 4Legs accepts no responsibility for any injury or damage that may occur as a result of using this book in first aid management.

Contents
CPR for Dogs Traffic Accidents Fractures 02 03 03 03 03 03 04 04 04 04 05 05 05 06 06 06 06

If heartbeat present but no breathing:

Place your hand over the lips sealing the mouth and blow forcefully into the nose. After five breaths check if the animal is breathing by itself; if not continue for 20 minutes. For small dogs do 20-30 breaths per minute. For larger dogs do 20 breaths per minute.

With Dr Gary Hanly

I am proud to have worked with 4Legs to develop the 4Legs First Aid Booklet for Dogs. It will provide you with important and helpful information if your beloved dog experiences a medical emergency.

Lacerations Insect Bites Snake Bites Epileptic Fit Heat Stroke Bloat Foreign Bodies Eye Prolapse Labour/Birth Milk Fever Dog Bites Mastitis

Gary Hanly Veterinary Surgeon Hanly Veterinary Clinic & Hospital Perth

Burns Blocked Bladder

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Most commonly encountered emergencies

Traffic accidents
Check the area for danger to yourself and the animal. Observe for a moment if the animal is moving, breathing, responding to voice. If in pain and agitated it might need to be subdued first. Use a rug or a blanket and put it over the animal if small enough. In case of a larger dog you will need help. Call the ranger or RSPCA. Assess for any external bleeding. Bandage if necessary. It is easier sometimes to pick up an animal in a stretcher made out of blanket, rug, even a door. Try not to move the animal unnecessarily. Take to veterinary hospital immediately.

Fractures
Keep the animal calm and avoid unnecessary movements. If possible stabilise the injured area. Confine a smaller dog in a box. Splinting of the legs is difficult. Lower part of the leg can be splinted using a bandage reinforced with a stick or thin rod. Needs veterinary attention urgently.

Insect bite
Usually caused by bees or wasps. In case of a bee the sting is often found around the nose, lips or under paws. Remove it with tweezers. If any swelling develops or rashes, hives, swelling around eyes and throat appear the animal needs attention urgently. In milder cases an antihistamine like Polaramine can be used. Apply icepack to the swollen area if possible.

Snake bite
A bite by venomous snake is an emergency. Take your pet to the veterinary hospital IMMEDIATELY. Typical signs of a snake bite include difficulty breathing and walking, progressive paralysis, pupil will become dilated, vomiting, drooling. In suspected cases, but without any signs, bring the animal to a safe place and keep it calm, transport them to a hospital for observation, so treatment can begin as soon as signs develop. In an animal showing signs of envenomation, time is of essence. Keep them calm to stop spread of the venom and transport the animal to a veterinary hospital without delay. Perform CPR if he is not breathing and no heartbeat can be detected.

Lacerations
Remove any obvious foreign bodies, rinse with saline or salt water. Cover with a clean dressing and a bandage, especially if bleeding. Heavy bleeding might need a fairly tight bandage, but dont leave it on longer than half and hour.

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Most commonly encountered emergencies

Epileptic fit (seizure)
Keep calm and make sure your pet is safe and cannot injure himself. Wait until the fit passes and reassure them and let them recover by themselves. If this is the first episode then he or she should be examined as soon as possible. A blood test is usually required. If there have been other similar episodes, try to remember how many, how long they lasted and how frequent they were. If a seizure lasts longer than 2 minutes or there is are a few of them in a short period of time, seek urgent medical attention.

Heat stroke
Always provide shelter and fresh water for your pet in hot weather. If they are panting heavily, drooling, have difficulty breathing, feel hot, immediately remove them from the heat. Provide cool fresh water to drink. Wet them with water from the hose or wrap in wet towels. Take them to the vet clinic as soon as possible.

Bloat
This is an emergency! Bloat is caused by build-up of gas in the stomach with or without the stomach actually twisting. Take your animal to the vet immediately so the gas can be released. In many cases an immediate surgery will be necessary to save his or her life. As large dog breeds, like great danes, mastiffs are predisposed to it, be careful about what you feed them. Avoid sudden diet changes, feeding them large amounts of food or heavy exercise soon after eating.

Foreign bodies
Grass seeds, sticks, pieces of wire can easily penetrate the skin, especially on a long-haired dog. Remove it if still visible. Grab it with tweezers and pull out carefully, avoiding any damage. Often the animal will need sedation or anaesthetic to do it. If a grass seed has gone into the ear, a few drops of olive oil will stop it from moving and causing pain. Take them to the hospital as soon as possible. A toy, chunk of food, bones can be swallowed and cause blockage. Signs include vomiting, lethargy, tense abdomen. An operation may be necessary to remove it. Do not feed your pet. If vomiting is frequent and severe, seek urgent attention.

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Most commonly encountered emergencies

Mastitis
Mastitis is an infection in the milk gland (just one or a few of them) and can develop very quickly. Signs are easy to recognise. The gland becomes swollen, red hot and painful to touch. The milk coming out may be discoloured. Express the milk, apply warm compress or a cabbage leaf or both. If the mother has fever and is unwell seek help urgently. Rectal temperature drops by 1-2 degrees. Clear or green discharge can be seen in early stages of labour. During the labour forceful contractions become visible, which should produce a puppy in 1-3 hours. If contractions are continuous and the sac is visible in the vulva, there should be a puppy in 20 to 30 minutes Majority of puppies are born head first, but tail first is normal as well. Placenta should follow soon after the newborn. Up to 3-4 hours can pass before the next puppy, especially if there already are a few of them. Contact your vet immediately: If contractions last long than half and hour without a newborn. If your dog looks unwell or there is a milky or greenish discharge from the vulva. If after 3 hours of contractions there is no puppy. If there is a sac coming out and moving back in repeatedly and no puppy arrives after 20-30 minutes. Assisted labour: If a head or a tail appear in the birth canal but are not completely delivered, you can assist by gently pulling during the contraction.

Milk fever
Usually happens when a small breed of dog has several puppies to feed. High milk production may lower the calcium level in the blood of the mother, causing muscle contractions, twitches and shaking. This can raise the temperature of the mother to a dangerous level. A calcium injection intravenously is usually needed. Stop the puppies from feeding on the mother and they may need to be fed a special formula.

Labour/Birth
Normal pregnancy in a dog lasts 63 days, give or take 1-2 days. A day or so before labour nesting behaviour begins.

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Most commonly encountered emergencies

Dog bites
Check vital signs and if bleeding, bandage the bleeding area using reasonable pressure to stop the bleeding. Take to the vet as soon as possible. If the wound is small wash with saline or salty water solution to clean and bandage using clean/sterile bandage. In case of serious bleeding or a large wound seek help immediately.

Eye prolapse
Some breeds such as Pekinese or Shih Tzus are prone to a prolapse because of their big eyes and short noses. Cover the eye with a sterile gauze or cloth and take him or her to the hospital immediately.

Burns
Burns can not only be caused by direct contact with fire but also by chemicals, indirect heat, sunburn or hot material stuck on the fur. Wash off with cold water immediately for 10 minutes. Superficial burns will cause reddening of the skin and tenderness. Cold water or a cold compress may be all that is needed. Deeper burns require urgent medical help. Their signs include swelling, loss of sensation, blackening of the tissue. Small burns can be treated at home, larger burns, however, usually need hospital treatment.

Blocked bladder
Males are more likely to develop blockage because their urethra is longer and narrower. Stones, crystals, tumours or a prostate gland can all cause the blockage. Signs include frequent straining, blood in urine, tenderness in the abdomen, later depression and vomiting. Immediate assistance is required to prevent bladder rupture and death.

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