The Essentials in 3 Easy Steps

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Accidents happen, and it is important that you are prepared to react to any situation that may occur with your beloved pet. Whether your dog eats a poisonous plant while you are camping or suffers a heat stroke on a hot day, there are things you can do for your pooch until you can get him medical help. Preparation starts at home before any trip or playtime, prevention is ongoing, and treatment is used in an emergency situation.

If something serious happens to your pet (more than just a scratch or scrape), then call your veterinarian immediately. You may be able to help your dog until he sees the vet, but you probably won’t be able to get rid of all his problems. Even if you are able to treat the problem, a follow-up veterinarian visit is a good idea to make sure your pet is recovering and healthy.

Whether you are going on a trip or spending the summer at home, it is important to have a first aid kit designed specifically for you pooch. You never know when he may get a nasty insect bite or swallow a poisonous plant. Here are three steps to be ready for when an emergency situation arises.
Step 1:

Preparation:

The first step is to prepare a safety kit to aid your pet in the event of an emergency. You can decide what should go in the kit, but there are a few basic suggestions.

  • Tape
  • Gauze
  • Bandages
  • Band-Aids
  • Scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Disposable gloves
  • Peroxide
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Other optional safety kit items can include a blanket, a muzzle, and a thermometer

You may want to include some type of pain medication, but before you throw your aspirin in the kit, talk to your veterinarian. Your vet can recommend a safe pain medication for your dog and instruct you in proper dosage.

Step 2:

Prevention:

This is the key to dog safety. There are many ways your pooch can accidentally hurt himself and avoiding these dangerous situations is vital for raising a healthy, happy pet.

If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, then you need to start helping him cope with his issues. Dogs who feel high anxiety can hurt themselves when you are not home. It is important that you treat one problem--anxiety--so that it does not lead to other problems.

Another fairly common dog problem is phobias. If your dog flips out at any loud noise or hides from everyone who walks through the door, then he may be suffering from phobias. Like anxiety issues, phobias are dangerous because your pooch may also put himself at risk when he scrambles for a place to hide from his fears.

Step 3:

Response:

Training is the most helpful element of prevention. A well-trained dog will respond to his owner’s commands. So, if you are on a camping trip and notice that your dog is sniffing around dangerous plants, you can simply call him to you. If you are in a strange place, then you need to pay close attention to your dog. Don’t assume that because your dog is trained (although it helps), he will not be curious. Training can also help keep your dog calm in an emergency situation.

Next time you are at the vet’s office, grab some literature on first aid treatment. If an accident happens, then be prepared to respond. Many emergency situations can be handled like human situations. If your dog gets a severe cut, then grab the blanket out of your first aid kit and apply pressure to the wound. If he gets a minor scrape, then pour peroxide over the area to kill the bacteria. The most important thing is to keep calm. Your pooch can tell when you are nervous or anxious, and, in turn, he will become even more nervous or anxious. In an emergency situation, call your vet immediately and follow his or her instructions.

Before you ever leave your home, you must be prepared for a pet emergency. Just like taking Band-Aids to Little League baseball games, there are items you should carry along for your dog. Make a portable first aid kit that you can take on trips or leave at home. Prevention is a way to avoid emergencies. A well-trained dog is less likely to be somewhere he shouldn’t and more likely to respond to his owner in an urgent situation. If an accident does happen, then call your veterinarian immediately. Most injuries can be treated with common sense methods. Most importantly, stay calm for your pooch.
Quick Tips:
Prepare.
Prevent.
React.
About this Author:
Collin Walker writer for Pet Super Store, a site featuring:pet beds, pet ramps and elevated dog feeders.
View more information and all guides by Collin Walker

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