First Aid For Your Dog: What To Know

Your dog is your responsibility, and when they're injured or hurt in any way, you can take them to the veterinarian for help and for treatment, but in the meantime, there may be some things you can do for your dog as well. Giving first aid to your dog will help them until you can get them to the veterinarian or to an animal hospital. Read on for some first aid tips for your dog in the event of an emergency.

Bleeding

If your dog is bleeding, you'll need to do something to stop the bleeding. If it's a major injury, use a towel or some sort of clean rag to apply pressure to the area to help stop the bleeding. Then, take your dog to an emergency veterinarian for help. If it's a minor bleed, you'll want to do the same thing, apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding. If it's a minor enough cut, you can apply a bandage and tape it in place. Keep your dog from licking the area, and allow it to heal. You can put in a call to the veterinarian about the wound and what else can be done to help it heal. Minor injuries can be caused by getting cut on something, ripping a dewclaw, a bite or scratch from another pet, or if you clip your dog's nails too short.

Choking

If your dog is choking, you can help your dog by using the palm of your hand and applying a sharp blow between their shoulder blades. If you aren't able to dislodge whatever is caught in their throat, you can try to remove it by applying pressure to his abdomen using your fist. You can also try to open their mouth and remove the object by swiping your finger in their throat to remove it. If you aren't able to remove the object, get them to help immediately. Be sure to only give your dog food and treats made for dogs, and watch their toys to be sure they aren't eating them.

These are just a few things you need to know about giving first aid to your dog. You may encounter a number of other instances throughout your dog's lifetime that you will need to know how to perform first aid to assist your dog. Talk to a veterinarian in an area near you about other helpful tips.


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