What Can I Do While Getting Veterinary Help?

1. Keep calm.

2. Contact us as soon as possible, appraise us of the situation and get first aid advice.

3. Keep your dog warm, as quiet as possible, and keep movement to a minimum if there is possible injury, e.g. broken limbs, back, etc.

4. For specific aid refer to the following list.

5. Transport your dog to the vet as soon as possible but drive carefully and observe speed limits.

6. If the dog is small enough, try to transport in a suitable container such as a strong cardboard box. If it is a large dog try to obtain a blanket or thick towel on which he can be rolled and then lifted by one or more people assisting. Improvised stretchers using boards, doors etc. should be used with care - the recumbent patient can sometimes 'come to' and jump off and sustain further injuries.

What to do under various Emergency Situations

Road Traffic Accident

Make sure your dog has a clear airway, but do not put your hand in the mouth if the animal is conscious. Cover wounds with the cleanest material available. Handle your dog with care, supporting the body as much as possible. Transport in a basket, box, or cage to the veterinary practice if a small dog otherwise roll on to a blanket so that two or more people can carry the dog without risk of further injury.

Bleeding (haemorrhage)

With any significant bleeding, it is probably best to apply pressure to try to slow the haemorrhage. Avoid tourniquets or tight bandaging.

Burns and Scalds

Cool the burned area with cold water if possible. If the burned area is extensive cover with cold damp towels. If the burn is due to caustic substances (acid or alkalis) be especially liberal with the water to wash these away. If loss of skin occurs, cover the area with the cleanest material available.

Eclampsia (milk fever)

Milk Fever is usually seen in nursing bitches 3-5 weeks after whelping but can occur rarely before whelping.

Signs include excessive panting wild eyes muscle spasms and weakness and ultimately seizures.

Remove your bitch from her puppies to prevent further nursing. Call your veterinary surgeon immediately. This condition is easily treated, but it can be fatal if treatment is not prompt.

Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis

The first signs of this condition is usually copious diarrhoea with blood. Your dog may also vomit and sometimes this too contains blood. Seek veterinary attention without delay. This is a serious condition which is potentially life threatening.

Heat stroke

This is a frequent result of dogs being left in cars in the sun with too little ventilation. It can also happen unexpectedly with dogs at any time in warm humid weather. The signs are sudden excessive panting and obvious distress. Unconsciousness can quickly follow. We need to see them as soon as possible so that we can start to cool them down. This should not be done too rapidly. Wrapping them in a wet towel may help, but do not delay treatment. Use plastic sacks to prevent too much mess in the car.

Bites, fight wounds

Clean with cold water. Control haemorrhage as far as is possible (see bleeding above).

Poisons

We have rapid access to the Veterinary Poisons Unit for advise on all types of poisoning. Contact us as soon as possible for advise. Do not attempt to induce vomiting without clear advice from us. Bring a sample of the suspected poison together with the container to us with your pet.

Seizures

Prevent your dog from further self injury. Do not put your hand into your pets mouth. Keep the dog as quiet as possible and try to prevent any falls. Keep in the dark if possible. This will speed recovery.

Eye injury

If the eyeball is penetrated it will be very painful. Prevent your dog from scratching at the eye and doing further damage. If the eyeball is out of its socket try to keep it moist with saline solution (e.g. contact lens solution) and protect it from direct injury. Try to cover the injured eye if at all possible. Seek veterinary help immediately.

Shock

Shock can be due to many causes. Keep your dog warm and quiet. Seek immediate veterinary help.

What is shock?

Shock has many definitions. It is a complex body reaction to a number of situations resulting in a fall in blood pressure. These include acute loss of blood volume such as haemorrhage, heart failure and other causes of decreased circulation (e.g. severe and sudden allergic reaction and heat stroke). If not treated quickly and effectively shock may cause irreversible injury to body cells, and it can be rapidly fatal.

How do I recognize shock?

Signs include rapid breathing which may be noisy, rapid heart rate with a weak pulse, pale (possibly even white) mucous membranes (for instance gums, lips, under eyelids) and severe depression (listlessness) with cool extremities (limbs and ears). The dog may vomit.

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