FIRST AID ON THE FARM

E ven if you take every precaution to prevent your dog from injury or illness, there are times when you might need to apply a little first aid. Most serious illnesses should be treated by your veterinarian, but if you're stuck out in the boonies, or if you're waiting for your harried animal doctor to arrive, the following guidelines may help during an emergency. Items marked with an asterisk should always include veterinary care as well as on-the-farm first aid.

SUSPECTED POISONING

Get your dog to vomit immediately by giving two to three teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide. To avoid possible esophageal damage, caustic substances and abrasive objects should not be vomited back up.
Call National Animal Poison Control at (800)548-2423.

BLEEDING WOUNDS

Clean out the wound as much as possible with warm water or disinfectants such as diluted iodine (Betadine®).
Larger wounds can be hosed off.
Apply a clean pressure bandage and seek veterinary care.

SUSPECTED FRACTURES

Immobilize the limb as much as possible.
Apply a padded, rigid splint to the affected limb (duct tape holds a splint in place weld.

*SEIZURES

Keep your dog from further injuries by providing padding around its head.
Avoid getting bitten by keeping your hands out of your dog's mouth.
If the seizure is longer than one or two minutes, cool your dog down to prevent overheating and brain damage.

*PARALYSIS AND BACK INJURIES

Immobilize your dog with duct tape and place him on a board to prevent further injury.
Assess the dog's response to pain by pinching its toes on each foot.

*HEAD TRAUMA

Check pupil position and response to light.
Keep your dog as quiet and still as possible.
Provide supplemental heat if dog is cold.

VOMITING AND DIARRHEA

If neither illness is severe, oral fluids such as Pedialyte® or Gatorade® may be helpful.
Do not feed your dog for 12 hours after vomiting, then give him or her ice cubes.
Peptobismol® or Kaopectate® (dosed by weight) may help.
Severe or prolonged cases require intravenous fluids.

CONSTIPATION

Introduce dietary fiber such as Metamucil.
Glycerin capsules and enemas may help.
If this is a recurring problem, switch to a higher fiber dog food.