Cynologist

The most common wounds sustained by dogs are bites from other dogs and cut feet. If you see blood on the coat, first locate the source. If this isn't obvious, feel for matted hair stuck to the skin. Action 1. If necessary, clip away the hair so that you can see the wound clearly. 2. Control any bleeding. 3. Bandage the wound if possible. 4. Treat for shock. Contact the vet. Treating "Burns" These are usually caused by spilling hot or caustic liquids on dogs. Other causes include: * Falling into a hot bath. * Biting electric cables. * Extreme cold. Action 1. If an offending substance is still on the dog, wash it off with cold water. 2. Apply a greasy ointment such as petroleum jelly. 3. Treat for shock. Contact the Vet. Controlling bleeding To control bleeding, hold a pad over the injury and bind it tightly in place with a bandage. If bleeding continues, apply a pad and bandage to these pressure points: Forelimb Brachial artery where it crosses the bone above the inner elbow. Hind limb Femoral artery as it crosses the femur on the upper inner thigh. Tail Coccygeal artery underneath tail. Head and neck Push a finger firmly into the groove where the carotid artery meets the shoulder (this can't be done with a pad and Read more [...]

Good health rarely comes naturally, but must he nurtured and maintained from puppyhood and throughout the dog's life. A sensible and balanced diet, regular exercise and grooming, coupled with regular vaccinations and veterinary check-ups are the obvious responsibilities of the owner. just as with humans, each stage of a dog's life brings potential illnesses; they may be inherited, result from accidental injury, or be the inevitable processes of ageing. Veterinary advice should be sought sooner rather than later in order to have the problem diagnosed and treatment started. Most dogs suffer the odd bout of vomiting and diarrhoea and have days when they seem off-colour and listless. The body's natural defences usually resolve minor problems, and the general state of good health is apparent in alertness, bright eyes, and a clean, good-textured coat; a cold nose is not necessarily a healthy sign, neither is a warm nose always a warning of illness. The normal temperature of a dog is 101.5 F (38.6 C), but goes up during the day and after any.sort of activity. It should be taken with a rectal thermometer, smeared with a little Vaseline and inserted into the rectum for three minutes. A sudden rise in temperature may indicate Read more [...]

Nursing Care Cuddle me!Sick dogs instinctively seek a hideout in which to rest and recuperate from whatever troubles them. Nursing a sick animal requires patience and devotion, without too much fuss and overhandling. The bed should be clean and comfortable, out of draughts and in a room with equitable temperature. Fresh water should be available at all times. Food needs to be tempting and easily digestible; it is best fed in small amounts, if necessary by hand, until a normal diet can be resumed. Fractures of the limbs when encased in plaster should be covered with a sock and a plastic bag tied in place with a bandage, never an elastic rubber band. Bandages on wounds can be difficult to keep in place and out of reach of the dog's paws or mouth. Elastoplast wound round the bandage is often effective; alternatively it may be necessary to fix an Elizabethan collar, fashioned from a plastic bucket, round the neck to prevent the dog from licking the wound. Post-operative treatment In serious and complicated cases dogs may need hospitalization and profession-al nursing, but often the patient will return to its home once the anesthetic has worn off. During recovery it should be kept warm and comfortable; temporary incontinence Read more [...]

Puppies and adult dogs certainly do get slipped disks. It is less likely in a puppy than an adult dog because their bones are soft and very flexible. The first sign of a slipped disk is that the tail of the puppy is held in a most peculiar way, with a curve outward near the base of the tail The end of the tail does not turn upward as does a normal puppy's; it hangs down straight or curves slightly inward. However much you play with the puppy, this tail cariage will not alter. If you suspect disk trouble in a small dog, catch hold of it by its tail near the base with the right hand, and supporting the body under the chest and forefeet, let it hang by its tail for a few seconds. It will probably struggle a bit, and this struggling, with the dog's spine extended, usually allows the disk to slip back into place If the puppy is as big as a Retriever, one must catch the animal around the tummy under the right arm, supporting its chest with the left. This, needs someone rather strong. Some pain-killers and muscle relaxants designed for humans use can be very effective for dogs, too, with the dosage depending on weight; but all medicines of this type shoud really be taken under verterinay observation. Aspirins always relieve Read more [...]

If your dog has collapsed, quick action on your part may mean the difference between life and death. For the correct action to take. If conscious, it may he suffering from shock. Possible causes of collapse include: 1. Epileptic fit. 2. Acute infection. 3. Heart disease. 4. Poisoning. 5. Diabetes. 6. Exposure. 7. Heatstroke. 8. Accident - Injury. 9. Hemorrhage. Do Not: * Give alcoholic stimulants. * Move the dog more than necessary. * Raise the dog's head or prop it up. * Give the dog anything by mouth. Moving an injured dog Move an injured dog as gently as you can. Transfer the dog to a blanket which can be used as a stretcher. Ideally three people are needed - to support the head, back and pelvis. (If help isn't available, carefully move the dog onto the blanket one section at a time. 1. If necessary, use a muzzle and lead. Spread the blanket behind the dog and move it gently on to it with the aid of two helpers. 2.Tense the blanket between two people with the third supporting the dog's back and manoeuvre it carefully into the car. Action in case of collapse Treat for shock Place the dog in a quiet, warm place and cover it with a blanket. Place a hot (not scalding) water bottle next to it to help minimize shock. Check Read more [...]

Muzzling a dog Dogs are liable to the same types of accidents as their owners. Traffic accidents, which can often be fatal, are common where dogs are allowed to roam free, posing hazards for themselves as well as for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. In the countryside, potential dangers include barbed-wire fences, hidden traps, boggy ground, broken glass, exposed tree roots, and vicious animals. In home surroundings, dogs must be protected from the potential dangers of badly insulated electrical equipment and wires, overturned pans of boiling liquids, sharp and pointed objects lying around and unprotected balconies and windows which might tempt a high jump. Power tools and sharp garden equipment can be the cause of serious physical injury, and many garden chemicals are poisonous. Mouth tiedThe majority of accidents require immediate professional help. If possible, establish contact by telephone with the local veterinary practice warning the surgeon of the nature of the emergency. In general, first aid consists in removing the influences or circumstances which are causing the accident, without harming the animal. Making sure that the dog has a patent air passage is of paramount importance. Switch off any electric Read more [...]

Although many of your own first aid items are suitable for dogs, it is preferable to keep a separate kit.

1.  Round-ended scissors.
2.  Stubby-bulb thermometer (not the family’s).
3.  Tweezers.
4.  5 cm and 10 cm bandages.
5.  5 cm adhesive tape dressing.
6.  Lintgauze.
7.  Cotton wool.
8.  Old socks.
9.  Plastic bags for keeping foot dressings dry.
10. Antiseptic cream.
11. Antiseptic wash.
12. Cotton buds.
13. Kaolin tablets or medicine.
14. Calamine lotion.
15. Proprietary eye wash.
16. Proprietary ear cleaner.
17. Medicinal liquid paraffin.

One of the most upsetting things that can happen to your dog is a car accident. Dealing with a dog at the site of an accident can be a job for the vet - a dog may need extricating from the underside of a car, or may have become too dangerous (through pain or fear) to be handled by inexperienced people. In general, though, it is best not to waste time waiting for the vet to arrive. Few vets are equipped with more than a visiting bag out of hours and all specialized equipment is at the surgery. Phone ahead to warn the vet of your arrival and take the dog to the surgery. If the vet is away, he or she can advise the staff what to do in the meantime. Accident Procedure 1. Don't panic. Approach the dog cautiously and speak reassuringly (the best person to do this is the owner). 2. Gently restrain the dog with a "lead" made from a belt or piece of rope. Form a noose and drop it over the dog's head. 3. Improvise a muzzle. 4. Ensure the dog isn't trapped. 5. Apply necessary first aid. Look for: Heartbeat (on left side of chest). Breathing movement. Major hemorrhage. Gasping. Pale gums. Inability to stand. Obvious fractures. 6. Telephone the vet's surgery, stating which of these signs are present. 7. Move the dog carefully. Read more [...]

The principles of first aid for dogs are similar to those used for humans. Your own, or any other dog may fall prey to minor accidents that need your attention, and occasionally major ones that need emergency first aid until the dog can be seen by a vet. In the case of a serious accident, try to stay cool and use your common sense to help the animal and calm it down. This chapter covers most of the common problems which may occur; in other circumstances, apply the principles described here until veterinary help is available. Your first aid can save a dog’s life, prevent its condition worsening and promote its recovery. Unless you are completely confident that the dog has recovered, take it to the vet as soon as possible. Keep the basic first aid kit in your home and aim to memorize the procedures for dealing with road accidents and giving artificial respiration – you may not have time to consult this book in an emergency.