Sunday, August 5, 2012
Learning first aid for dogs
By Jerry Welsh
Is learning dog first aid really necessary? Learning first aid would not be necessary as there is a vet clinic in the neighborhood. Do you have this notion too? When it comes to the health concerns of the pet, a vet consultation would certainly be the best bet. However, there are situations when vets are not available. Dog owners customarily take the pet wherever they go as these animals make wonderful companions. A dog owner's competence in administering first aid would be very beneficial in emergency cases where no vet is available to help the pet. With first aid know how an owner can even prevent the pet's condition from becoming life threatening.
Dogs are well loved pets and in emergency cases, the owner would need to act fast so that treatment can be given to the pet at the earliest time possible. A dog owner's instinct is to rush the pet to the vet's but in a lot of serious cases, the pet dies before reaching the veterinary facility. The life of the pet could have been saved had the owner thought of administering first aid. While some dog owners do not know how to administer first aid, others would not be aware that the dog's condition is serious
Basic first aid for dogs is very similar to first aid for humans. The only difference is that with pets, an owner has to be cautious as dogs in pain tend to be aggressive. Dog owners can learn basic first aid from animals shelters. It is also possible to learn first aid methods from the vet. Pet owner can avail of free training from animal hospitals.
Learning first aid would be easier by using the ABC approach. A-airways, B-breathing, C-circulation. The first thing a dog owner should do is to make sure that no foreign object is blocking the airways and to check if the dog is breathing. Blood is circulating if the heart is beating. If the dog is not breathing, artificial respiration must be administered. Dogs have the instinct to deal with minor bleeding simply by licking the wound. Severe bleeding has to be stopped by applying pressure on the injured area.
Accidents can happen to the pet despite the precautionary measures pet owners take. As these preventive measures would not eliminate all the risks to the dog's life, a dog owner had better learn first aid methods. Due to the training, vets no doubt will be able to administer appropriate treatment to an injured pet but dog owners can alleviate the pet's pain and even save the life of the dog with first aid skill and a well equipped first aid kit.
Dogs are well loved pets and in emergency cases, the owner would need to act fast so that treatment can be given to the pet at the earliest time possible. A dog owner's instinct is to rush the pet to the vet's but in a lot of serious cases, the pet dies before reaching the veterinary facility. The life of the pet could have been saved had the owner thought of administering first aid. While some dog owners do not know how to administer first aid, others would not be aware that the dog's condition is serious
Basic first aid for dogs is very similar to first aid for humans. The only difference is that with pets, an owner has to be cautious as dogs in pain tend to be aggressive. Dog owners can learn basic first aid from animals shelters. It is also possible to learn first aid methods from the vet. Pet owner can avail of free training from animal hospitals.
Learning first aid would be easier by using the ABC approach. A-airways, B-breathing, C-circulation. The first thing a dog owner should do is to make sure that no foreign object is blocking the airways and to check if the dog is breathing. Blood is circulating if the heart is beating. If the dog is not breathing, artificial respiration must be administered. Dogs have the instinct to deal with minor bleeding simply by licking the wound. Severe bleeding has to be stopped by applying pressure on the injured area.
Accidents can happen to the pet despite the precautionary measures pet owners take. As these preventive measures would not eliminate all the risks to the dog's life, a dog owner had better learn first aid methods. Due to the training, vets no doubt will be able to administer appropriate treatment to an injured pet but dog owners can alleviate the pet's pain and even save the life of the dog with first aid skill and a well equipped first aid kit.
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