Image Source: Wikimedia.org/
It’s no secret that knowing a couple of handy first-aid tips can help you save lives. In fact, most schools have now started teaching children the correct way to read symptoms and give first-aid if necessary. Your pet is also an important part of your family and knowing which first-aid treatment measures to follow during emergency can make a lot of difference. Here are 5 tips that every pet owner should know the next time they give first-aid.
- Take precautionsInjured animals will be in a lot of pain and sometimes they tend to bite that want to help them. This is a natural phenomenon and animals want to protect themselves from further pain. If your pet is in great physical pain, then approach him after wearing protective gloves. Don’t leave your skin exposed and cover up as much as possible.
- Call a vetWhether you know how to handle a pet or not is irrelevant during an emergency. The first thing that you should do is call up the vet. Then proceed with the first-aid techniques which you have learned.
- Keep a kit readyDon’t keep bandages and medicines lying around at different corners of the house. Make a first-aid kit and keep all the essential things in that kit. The kit should include bandages, surgical sticky tape, cotton, non-adhesive absorbent dressing, blunt scissors and some antiseptics.
- Understand the type of injuryEvery injury may not be physical injury and you should look for signs and symptoms which will tell you more about the disease. For ex., if your pet is restless and moaning but you don’t find any injury on the body, then the problem is internal and should be attended by a vet. Similarly, if you find your pet nauseating, then it means he has swallowed something poisonous.
- Know what you’re dealing withDifferent first-aids are given to pets with different injuries. For ex., burns should be treated first with cold water and then a saline soaked dressing should be applied. In case of cuts and bruises, put a bandage and if the bleeding is too heavy, then put another layer of bandage over the first one. Call the vet immediately.
Conclusion
Every pet owner should know how to apply first-aid during an emergency because accidents can happen any time and it’s best to stay prepared. Keep a first-aid kit in hand and follow the tips.
Learn to make a DIY First Aid Kit for your Pet!
It is good to be always prepared with a first aid kit for your best friend. You could pack the kit in anything. Many people use their old lunch box, but any waterproof case will do the trick. In case your dog loves water, do buy a dry bag. You will find it in almost all outdoor sports stores.Do note that what is fit for you may not be suitable for your doggie. You must never give human prescription drugs to your best friend without verification from your vet.
Standard kit
The following are part of standard DIY first aid kit for your dog:
- Emergency contact numbers: The box should have three numbers. One number should be the vet's, and other for the animal emergency hotline. The last one should be poison control hotline.
- Cotton balls: This is for all around application
- Saline solution: This can be utilized to flush sand out of your pet's eyes or to clean wounds. The easiest way is to use contact solution.
- Tweezers: This should be of a flat slant tip.
- Scissors: This must be dull ended. Pointed ends must be avoided to make sure that you do more good than damage
- Tick removal tweezers: These kind of tweezers are designed in such a way that the imbedded head can be removed. It it continues, there is a greater chance of infections
- A good first aid book : Choose a good quality book with an excellent reputation. A good quality book in this case is one which provides solution to a wide range of complications, from the allergic reactions to the technique of wax removal from your pet's fur.
- Latex gloves: You need it to take care of your friend. Buy a better quality pair.
- Antihistamine: Use this to calm your pet if it is itchy. It could also be used to redice hives and swelling caused by insect bites including bee stings. Do call your vet prior to administering any dosage.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: This can be utilized to induce vomiting if any accidental ingestion is made. Contact your vet prior to administering. Vomiting, in a few cases, may not be welcomed
- Small turkey baster: This can be utilized to flush eyes or wounds for administering the medicine.
- Roll, gauze pads and squares: If your dog is wounded, sticky bandages are not effective on a fur body. Special kind of bandages are available for this purplse. They are manufactured specially for dogs. These bandages will not stick to fur.
- Disinfectant: This have multiple uses
- Wound spray: Spray on the wound to help clean it. It will heal ulcerated skin, bites, scratches, burns and cuts.
Carry a few old blankets and towels when you travel. It is an excellent idea to carry some extra food for your pet and a second leash as well.