First aid for dogs – what to do in an emergency?

Accidents or acute health problems can also occur suddenly in dogs. In such situations, quick and correct action can be crucial. As a dog owner, it is important to be familiar with basic first aid measures in order to keep your four-legged friend stable until the vet arrives in an emergency. The following explains how to react correctly in typical emergency situations and which first aid steps are necessary for health problems.

Before you take any specific measures, it is a good idea to have a well-stocked first aid kit for dogs ready. This should contain the following items:

A roll of adhesive plaster (e.g. Leukoplast)
bandage scissors
Curved scissors with (preferably rounded ends)
tweezers
tick tweezers
gauze pads (large and small)
compresses
Elastic gauze bandages (various sizes)
clinical (digital) thermometer
flashlight
cotton wool (e.g. for padding the bandage)
Antiseptic ointment
disinfectant for dogs
Self-adhesive bandage material (various sizes)
disposable gloves
disinfectants or wipes

Preparation

Procedure

1. First treat life-threatening symptoms

(e.g.: severe breathing disorders and respiratory

arrest cardiac arrest, severe bleeding)

2. Then take care about
non-life-threatening illnesses/injuries

(e.g.: broken bones or gaping wounds)

3. Lastly, adress the minor injuries or
illnesses

Definition: What is an emergency?

= life-threatening condition or condition in which damage to body parts and / or organs causes a serious impairment of
vital functions is to be expected

An emergency occurs when:

- vital organs (such as the brain, heart and lungs) are so badly damaged that their function cannot be
maintained or this is expected in the foreseeable future

- the animal's general condition is rapidly deteriorating

- there is a suspicion that body parts or organs will be destroyed

Concrete indications of an emergency can include:

persistent or severe bleeding
constant retching or vomiting and/or diarrhea
shortness of breath and suffocation
abnormal movement patterns (sudden lameness, loss of balance, inability to stand up)
lethargy
collapse, unconsciousness, convulsions
severe, recurring, spasmodic pain
burns and scalds
ingestion of poison or a foreign material
severely increased or decreased body temperature
visible (serious) injuries

Examination of the dog

In an emergency, it is important to first check the dog's vital signs to assess the severity of the situation.

Body temperature: 37.5°C - 39.2°C

Respiratory rate: 10-30 breaths per minute

Pulse rate: 60-120 beats per minute

Condition of the dogs' mouth mucous membranes:

pink colored
capillary filling time < 1s

Skin turgor: Skin fold disappears immediately again after letting go

standard conditions

1. Measure temperature

with clinical thermometer, rectal (in the dog's anus)
<37.5°C: low temperature
>39.2°C: increased temperature
>40°C: fever
>41°C: danger to life!!!

2. Measure breathing rate

Breaths are recognized by the movement of the ribs or the expansion and lifting of the chest and are counted behind the last rib
< 10 breaths per minute: deep unconsciousness to respiratory arrest
> 40 breaths per minute: excitement, pain, fever

The respiratory rate also increases with movement, excitement, eating and fever, but should decrease and have returned to normal after 20 minutes.

A persistently increased breathing rate, any reduced breathing rate, pumping, pulsating breathing, shallow, barely visible breathing and respiratory arrest are considered pathological.

3. Measure pulse rate

the femoral artery runs along the dog's inner thigh (in the groove between the muscle and the femur, approximately in the middle of the thigh)
find the vein with the fingertips of your index and middle fingers and then count the pulse beats for 15 seconds
multiply counted pulse beats by four to calculate pulse rate per minute
< 40 beats per minute: bradycardia (shock, heart disease, circulatory collapse, hunger, sleep)
> 120 beats per minute: tachycardia (excitement, exertion, fever, reduced cardiac output, blood loss, hyperthyroidism)

A very fast, throbbing pulse, a weak, dull pulse, or an impalpable pulse are considered pathological.

4. Assess the condition of the dog's mouth mucous membranes

briefly press the gums firmly with your finger so that a bright spot is created; the spot should disappear in less than 1 second!
> 3s: strong indication of severe shock (Circulation, bleeding, poisoning, allergies, etc.)

In a shock situation, the body “collects” the blood so that the supply to the most important regions of the body is ensured (brain, heart, etc.).

As a result, the dog's mouth mucous membranes become increasingly anemic and therefore paler, bluish, yellowish or have pinpoint hemorrhages.

5. Assess skin turgor (skin tension)

provides information about the dog's level of dehydration
The fold of skin in the neck and chest area of the back is pulled up and then released again
If the fold of skin remains and does not disappear immediately, the dog's fluid balance is disturbed (lack of fluids)

Undertake the measurements repeatedly in order to be able to make a statement about the dog's condition.

Messung der Atemfrequenz

The picture shows where the dog's breathing rate is measured. This place is at the end of the dog's last rib.

Messung der Pulsfrequenz

One hand with two fingers outstretched, feels the dog's pulse on the left hind leg at mid-thigh level.

A finger presses on the gums of a West Highland Terrier to measure capillary refill time.

Messung der Kapillaren Füllungszeit

Messung des Spannungszustandes der Haut

The fold of skin on the dog's neck is pulled up to measure the dog's fluid levels.

The stable side position for dogs

- The dog is placed on the side in a stable position on the right hand side of the dog. - The dog's body should be underlaid with soft material so that it is higher than the head. - The mouth is examined to check for any vomit or to remove foreign bodies . The respiratory tract is to be kept free. - Front and hind limbs are stretched out. - If the dog is unconscious, the mouth should be opened and the tongue has to be pulled out.

The state of shock

Shock is a life-threatening disorder of the circulatory system in which the organs no longer receive sufficient oxygen. Initially, the body automatically reacts to a drop in blood pressure by constricting blood vessels to the brain, lungs and heart to provide sufficient blood/oxygen. However, the longer this condition persists, the lower the dog's survival rate. Causes: - infection - severe blood or fluid losses - heart muscle damage - hypersensitivity reaction - reaction to trauma, fear or pain symptoms: - apathy - weakness - unconsciousness - staggering gait - tremble - cold limbs - weak pulse - increased heart rate - shallow breathing Treatment of a shock condition: 1. Determine the cause (injury, insect bite, etc.) 2. Place the dog in a stable side position 3. Keep airways clear 4. Measure pulse and breathing rate repeatedly and assess the dogs' mucous membranes 5. Calm the dog and keep it warm in a blanket 6. Visit the vet or have them come because the dog requires rapid supply of fluids and other medication into the bloodstream

Poisoning of a dog

If you suspect that your dog has been poisoned, the first thing to do is to examine the dog. 1. Measure pulse rate 2. Measure temperature 3. Assess your dogs' mouth mucous membranes 4. Take out existing residues of the ingested poison of the mouth and take these remains with you to the vet - even if the dog only had contact with poison with the skin or over the respiratory tract! 5. Determine what, how much and when it has been eaten, touched or inhaled 6. Go to the vet immediately! Most common chemical poisons: - rat and mole poison, slug pellets, cleaning and disinfectant products, antifreeze, pesticides, moth poison, bleach, solvents Plants that are poisonous to dogs in whole or in part: - Columbine, boxwood, clematis, Christmas rose - Ivy, yew, monkshood - Hydrangea, lupine, mistletoe - Oleander, rhododendron, holly