First aid

[OldNog 432]

What you boys carry inthe motor for first aid or what do you use at home for any bad injuries?

 

Im lucky enough to know a hunt vet but would like to keep a fe essentials to hand for when im out and about

[matt11 0]

a bottle of whiskey generally sorts most things out for me,but does give me a hangover!ha ha.

[scent 509]

aluspray,penicillin,detol,cotton buds and anti inflamitries

[OldNog 432]

a bottle of whiskey generally sorts most things out for me,but does give me a hangover!ha ha.

 

haha oh dear......should have said i meant for the dogs, although i do find a good few pints seems to do the trick

[Johnny85 50]

Put in some soda crystals or some sort of washing powder so when your dog eats poison force this down there neck straight away and they pike up everything inside them. This has saved many hounds for us. Have a warm blanket in car. And at home buy the staplers and a needle and thread and you will be able to fix most things

[Gooner 143]

Borrowed this from another site.

 

 

FIRST AID KITS AND OUTLINE

 

First what should be in the first aid kit? I advise two kits, a small real emergency kit to be carried in the pocket and a larger one for home or car:

 

Pocket Emergency Kit

 

Non-adherent dressing (e.g. Melonin)

 

Bandage padding (e.g. soffban or cotton wool)

 

Cohesive bandage (sticks to itself e.g. vetwrap or human equivalent)

 

Length or cord for use as muzzle or tourniquet

 

2x 4mg piriton tablets

 

Round ended scissors to cut bandage

 

Tweezers (for thorns and splinters)

 

Vets phone number and mobile phone

 

 

 

Main First Aid Kit

 

As above plus:

 

More of the bandaging materials

 

Sterile saline to wash wounds

 

Pain killers (either vet prescribed or human as listed below)

 

Tick remover

 

Sugar solution or honey for weakness/collapse. Keep in pocket kit if your dog has had problems before.

 

Skin glue (This is an additional for very experienced dog owners who can use it on minor wounds.)

 

Wound gels (e.g. intrasite) are useful to apply before a dressing to encourage healing.

 

Wound creams and powders can be added to the kit, but should be used sparingly especially if you think the wound may need stitching.

 

 

Drugs for Dogs

 

 

 

Certain human drugs can be useful for dogs in emergency situations, so I have compiled a list of safe drugs and dosages. However please try to discuss with your vet if these are safe to keep on hand for your dog, and never use this information to avoid a necessary trip to the vet.

 

Aspirin; 10mg/kg once or twice daily (i.e. a 300mg tablet for a 30kg lab)

 

Paracetomol; 10mg/kg once or twice daily (do not use in cats ever)

 

Useful to reduce fever and pain but if symptoms persist for more than 24hours see a vet. NEVER give ibuprofen.

 

 

 

Piriton; 4-8mg for a medium to large dog up to twice a day

 

Keep two in your pocket for stings as they work best if given as soon as possible.

 

Benylin Chesty Cough; 5ml up to 4 times a day for a med to large dog- useful for signs of kennel cough.

 

First Aid Treatment

 

Be wary of performing any more than basic first aid and of giving drugs to an animal which is not your own. Just as in the human world there is a chance these days of getting sued for trying to help.

 

In all cases consider muzzling the dog with a length of cord or a rope lead. Even the most even tempered dog may bite if in pain and you don’t need two casualties.

 

Minor cuts; Clean with salt water, dry and apply a wound cream or powder

 

Deep cuts; Clean with salt water, apply a non-adherent dressing and bandage to stem bleeding and take to vet.

 

Deep cut with arterial bleeding (spurters!)

 

Do not attempt to clean! Place a non-adherent dressing over the wound with lots of padding and bandage firmly. Try to prevent the animal moving more than necessary- carry small dogs or drag larger ones on a coat as a stretcher. In very serious cases consider a tourniquet, most books will warm against them but losing a leg due to an over tight tourniquet is better than bleeding to death! Get someone to call the nearest vet while you make your way there.

 

Cut Pads; The Devil to treat! Stitching and gluing often have poor results as the outer pad is very inert and must heal from the inside out. Clean as for other wounds and bandage, changing the bandage every 1-2day until the pad seems healed.

 

Broken legs; Again stretcher or carry and get to the vet ASAP. If it is impossible not to walk the dog then splint the leg with a stout stick and bandaging material.

 

Stings; Remove this sting with tweezers if a bee, but be careful not to squeeze more poison in! Give piriton tabs ASAP and perhaps aspirin. Rest the dog, but it should be fine apart from some itchiness. If the sting was in the mouth/throat region watch for breathing probs and see a vet if concerned.

 

Collapse; If conscious give sugar solution (or honey or whatever comes to hand!) and then rest. It may be worth a trip to the vet so they can try to find a cause e.g. heart problem or diabetes. If unconscious check airway for obstructions and check heart and breathing. CPR can be tried on dogs but is usually unsuccessful. Get someone to call the nearest vet while you make your way there. A call-out is of no use as the oxygen etc will all be at the surgery.

 

Snake bites; A summer problem! Keep dog as quiet as possible and take to vet. These are seldom fatal but cause nasty necrosis of the skin. Antivenom may be given.

 

Heatstroke/overheating; A summer problem at trials and shows. If conscious use towels soaked in water to reduce body temp and offer small drinks of water or electrolytes. Do not submerge in icy water as this can cause shock. If unconscious use towels and take to a vet for IV fluids.

 

Eye injuries; Wash out with sterile saline, but usually best taken to a vet ASAP as eyes deteriorate rapidly.

 

Vomiting and/or diarrhoea; Not a true emergency, but a common query. So long as the dog is ok in itself starve for 24 hours, offer only water (small frequent drinks if vomiting) or electrolyte solution (1tsp sugar and 1 tsp salt in 1pint water). If ok the next day offer small amounts of cooked white meat and rice in frequent meals.

 

Fits; Keep the dog in the dark and quiet until the fit subsides, remove objects it may bang into otherwise do not touch it. Once the fit is over call the vet for advice.