Page 345 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

FIRST AID

HOW TO BANDAGE A PAW

Apply a sterile dressing. Run a soft conforming Wind the bandage around the leg down to the paw Repeat with a final cohesive layer, running it up on
bandage down the front of the leg, over the paw, up and then back up the leg. Repeat the earlier steps with to the fur to secure it. Zinc oxide tape can also be used
behind, then back to the paw and up the front again. an elasticated gauze bandage. to secure the top of the dressing.

BURNS Electrical burns to the mouth sustained by
Painful and sometimes severe damage to biting a power cable are common. Turn
the skin can be caused by contact with heat, off the power at source before handling your
electricity, or chemicals. Burns caused by dog. Urgent veterinary attention and care
fire or a hot object such as an iron, or will be needed for pain relief and also
scalding with hot liquid are treated in the because an electric shock can cause
same way. Remove your dog from the source dangerous complications.
of the injury without endangering yourself, If your dog has been burned by chemicals,
then contact your vet for advice; a burn or be careful not to contaminate yourself while
scald can be very serious, with hidden handling the dog. Identify and note down
damage to deep tissues. Keep the dog warm the substances that have caused the burns
and still while taking him to the vet. He will and contact your vet immediately.
be given some pain relief and may also
Resuscitation
require treatment for shock if the area RESUSCITATION If a dog's heart has stopped beating, his chances of
affected is extensive. If a dog needs to be resuscitated, it is recovery depend on resuscitation being started within
a few minutes. Cardiac massage to keep the circulation
important for you to stay calm. Call a vet going is a simple technique that can be life-saving.
for advice or, ideally, ask someone else to
CAR ACCIDENTS make the call while you place the dog in the For medium-sized dogs, place the heel of
recovery position. one hand on the dog’s chest just behind the
Take every precaution to protect your dog from If the dog is not breathing, start artificial elbow; place your other hand on top and
traffic accidents—always keep him on a leash respiration. Place your hands one over the press down on the chest approximately
when on or near a road. If your dog is involved in
other on the chest wall, just behind the 80–100 times per minute.
an accident, keep him warm until help arrives.
Do not put yourself at risk to tend to him. shoulders. Apply a sharp downward If the dog is large or overweight, lay him
movement every 3–5 seconds, allowing the on his back with his head slightly lower than
chest wall to spring back in between each his body, if possible. Place one hand on his
thrust, until voluntary breathing begins. chest over the lower end of the breastbone
Check for the dog’s circulation by feeling with your other hand on top and apply
for a pulse (on the inside of the thigh) and compressions directed toward the dog’s head,
a heartbeat (on the side of the chest just approximately 80–100 times per minute.
behind the elbow). If the heart has stopped, Check for a pulse after 15 seconds of
begin cardiac massage. For small dogs, place applying compressions. If the heartbeat is
the fingers and thumb of one hand around still absent, continue with cardiac massage
the chest just behind the elbow and squeeze until you feel a pulse. If someone else is with
them together twice per second while your you, they can give artificial respiration at
other hand is supporting the spine. the same time.

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