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First Aid

© Pat Williams

Make a habit of brushing and exploring your dog twice a week. Even dogs that go to the groomer should be brushed at least once a week. Some coats need special care so you should talk to your groomer before you try brushing him your self. If you start, when he is a puppy, with short sessions he will be more willing to allow you, your groomer and your vet to work on his body with little fuss.

Obedience training is not only helpful in everyday life it will also aid you and your vet when administering aid and treatment. A calm quiet animal is much easier to treat than one who is thrashing around or trying to bite. Plus keeping him relaxed will help slow bleeding and the spread of toxic substances.

Whether you notice something wrong or not, take time at least once a week to sit with your dog petting and exploring his body. Check inside and behind his ears, in his mouth, (gums and lips should be pink in color with some black pigment, pale coloring is a sign of shock and or loss of blood) along the neck, down the back, the tail, then the legs and feet. You are looking for any bumps that weren't there the last time. Never scratch, pick or squeeze anything on his skin. If you find something you are not sure should be there, check with your vet.

Canine skin is very different from ours. They do not get pimples or blackheads since they do not sweat through the skin so if you find something on his skin, leave it alone. Manipulating parts of his skin can cause tumors to form. Show it to your vet.

If you do find a lump or growth, gently brush back his fur. Check if the area is discolored, the skin broken, burned, scratched or if there is an insect bite. Most dogs play hard so it isn't unusual for them to get a bump or bruise. However they should clear up in a day or two. If not, call your vet. Cuts can be cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide but if they do not show improvement in 24 hours, contact your vet.

When accidents do happen, try to keep a cool head. Panic never helps anything.

If you are like me, get yourself a good first aid book but don't just put it on the shelf. Read it. You don't have to be well versed on every subject, but knowing the basics before incidents happen, will aid you in helping your pet. I also keep my vet's business card taped on the inside cover.