Learning First Aid For Dogs
Posted on March 11th, 2011 by doggielover

Why do I have to learn first aid? My dog’s vet is a neighbor. Do you have the same viewpoint? When it comes to the health concerns of the pet, a vet consultation would certainly be the best bet. However, the vet may not always be around. Because dogs are wonderful companions, these animals are taken hiking, camping and practically anywhere the master goes. A dog owner’s competence in administering first aid would be very beneficial in emergency cases where no vet is available to help the pet. First aid know how can even save the life of the pet.
To save the pet’s life, a dog owner has to act fast. To save the injured pet, a dog owner would rush to an emergency facility however, in most serious cases, the pet would expire before treatment is given. The life of the pet could have been saved had the owner thought of administering first aid. However only very few owners can recognize the symptoms of life threatening situations and not many dog owners have learned to give first aid to the pet
There is not much difference with the methods of first aid for dogs and for humans. The only difference is that with pets, an owner has to be cautious as dogs in pain tend to be aggressive. Basic first aid can be easily learned from animal shelters. Some vets are willing to instruct pet owners how to give emergency care. First aid can be learned as well from veterinary hospitals.
Learning first aid would be easier by using the ABC approach. A is for airways, B stands for breathing and C for circulation. The first thing a dog owner should do is to make sure that no foreign object is blocking the airways and to check if the dog is breathing. Blood is circulating if the heart is beating. Artificial respiration is needed if the dog is no longer breathing. Dogs usually have the ability to heal themselves thus bleeding of minor wounds will be licked. Severe bleeding has to be stopped by applying pressure on the injured area.
Dog owners can never totally prevent accidents that will injure the pet. As these preventive measures would not eliminate all the risks to the dog’s life, a dog owner had better learn first aid methods. Due to the training, vets no doubt will be able to administer appropriate treatment to an injured pet but dog owners can alleviate the pet’s pain and even save the life of the dog with first aid skill and a well equipped first aid kit.
Want to know more about first aid kit and first aid for dogs? Visit Sarah’s Dogs.
