Common Problems and How to Administer First Aid

· Blood in Vomit – Don't feed the animal, take it to the vet. The bleeding could be due to:

o A foreign body like a sharp edged nail, glass etc.

o Internal injuries

o Nasal bleeding

· Burns – Wash with plenty of cold water. Give a painkiller tablet. Cover the burnt area with a clean soft cloth, either dry or soaked in tea decoction. Keep the animal clean and warm to avoid shock. The animal must be given either plain water or water diluted with glucose. Call the vet.

· Choking – If something is stuck in the throat, try to get it out with your fingers or a long spoon. Hold the tongue down with a hanky if necessary. If the animal loses consciousness, clear the throat by massaging it downwards. Open the mouth and examine for any foreign body which is causing choking. If visible and not sharp, then slowly pull out with forceps and give artificial respiration. NEVER give your dog or cat small chicken or fish bones. These are the most common causes of choking.

· Heat Stroke – Increase in body temperature beyond the point of normal physiological temperature is called a heat stroke. It is due to hot weather, high humidity, inadequate ventilation, exposure to direct sunlight and overcrowding. Never leave your pet parked in a locked car in the sun or muzzle it for long durations in summer. The symptoms of a heat stroke are:

o High rise in temperature

o Oral mucosa inside mouth and tongue

o Inner lips turn bright red in colour

o Red eyes

o Weakness

o Convulsions

o Panting

o Heavy breathing

o High pulse rate

o Collapse/shock

o Extreme cases will have glassy eyes and grey lips

First Aid:

• Place animal in a cool, well ventilated place or a shaded area

• Give small amounts of cold water containing glucose or sugar frequently

• Ice packs should be applied on the head, forehead and all over the body. If you cant get ice, apply water all over the body and cold towel compresses on the head and chest

• Give cold milk to drink

Once first aid has been administered, and the animal is stable, consult a vet.

Your First Aid Kid

Nobody can fully plan for an emergency, but it always helps to be equipped with the basics. Keep a first aid kit in your house and car for when you come across a sick or injured animal. Your first-aid kit should contain:

1. Gauze Bandages

2. Cotton Wool, Cotton Rope

3. Adhesive Tape

4. Dettol, Savlon

5. Scissors

6. Antiseptic, Antibiotic Ointment

7. Betadine Lotion

8. Disposable Gloves

9. Clean piece of white cloth

10. Tabs of Paracetamol/Crocin, Avil, Perinorm, Brufen, Analgin/Novalgin

11. Tissue Paper

12. Thermometer

13. Tincture of Benzene

14. Tincture of Iodine

Useful extras – Torch, Blanket, Old Rugs, Paper, Pencil Chains and Tape Muzzle

Skin Disorders

Usually, skin disorders are manifested by itching, hair loss (alopecia) or thickened skin masses and bee sting kind of eruptions on the affected part. Wash the affected area with a mild antiseptic lotion, like savlon. Keep the animal in a dry and clean place. Identify what kind of skin infection the animal is suffering from.

SYMPTOMS –

Bacterial Infections – there will be oozing of pus and blood.

Fungal – there will be

· Crust formation and blackening of skin with loss of hair

· Localized and generalized lesions

· Foul smell

· The appearance of ringworm in the shape of circular patches of infection

· Reddening of skin with severe inflammation and lesions

· The first site of infection will be around the ears, eyes and forelimbs

· Continuous scratching and oozing of fresh blood

Allergies and Eczema – there will be

· Only reddening of area without much loss of hair

· Bee sting eruptions on the affected part

FIRST AID –

· If there is loss of hair then –

o Apply Gentian Violet (Blue Medicine) and Gamma Benzene Hexachloride mixed in equal quantities on the affected area

o Bathe the dog with Petmosol soap

· Mange – There are two kinds of Mange, Demodectic and Sarcoptic. Most vets say that there is no medicine for Mange, and that the dog has to be killed. This is not true. Even dogs that have lost all their hair can be cured easily, with a combination of medication and dedication.

Clinical Signs – The mites live in hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Loss of hair and thickening of skin is found.

Squamous Form – Scaly wrinkled, often resembling ringworm infection, sebarrhoea (pus filled crusty lesions on the face of the animal)

Pustules Type – Formation of pustules, hyper and secondary bacterial infections may develop.

First Aid –

• Bathe the dog once a week with Petmosol soap manufactured by ICI.
• Apply Ecktodex, one teaspoon in one litre solution for 5-7 weeks.
• You can alternatively apply Gamma Benzene Hexachloride solution, sold as Escabiol.

Consult the vet for further medication.