First Aid Kit

Automobile accidents

Now matter how careful you are to protect your dog from street traffic, there may come a time when he is hit by a car or truck. Always approach a hurt dog cautiously, reassuring him with your voice. His fear and pain may make him bite. For easier handling, use a bandage muzzle of a strip of gauze or cloth, or even a necktie it nothing else is available. 

Slide him carefully into a plank or other hard object, a stretched blanket or coat ( keeping it taut), and carry him to a quiet spot or into your car, if a leg seems to be broken, keep it as straight as possible. If the bone has broken through the skin, cover the punctured area with a gauze dressing or clean handkerchief and apply a temporary splint or support the leg with something soft to immobilize it. This will prevent the sharp point or edge from cutting a blood vessel should the dog move or struggle. 

When there is a gash or cut, put a gauze dressing or piece of cloth over the wound and secure it in place with a bandage in a big injury, always start at the foot and work upward. Apply the bandage firmly but not too tightly, as this would stop the blood flow.

If the head must be bandaged, wrap the bandage across the forehead ( maintaining the ears in regular position), down the side of the face, under the jaw, and up over the other side of the face, repeating until several layers have been applied. The bandage should be tucked here and there to keep it in place, making sure that breathing is not obstructed. 

If blood from a wound is spurting, you can be fairly sure an artery has been cut. In that case, haste is essential, for a dog can lose a significant amount of blood if the haemorrhaging continues too long. Use a pressure bandage and get emergency veterinary and as quickly as possible. Except in the case of snakebite, most first aiders do not recommend the use of a tourniquet ( a twist of cloth or whatever else is available to cut off circulation), even if the wound involves a limb. Tourniquets are not as effective as applying pressure and may cause the loss of a leg because of interruption of blood circulation. 

After an accident a dog will suffer from shock. This is characterized by shivering confusion, weak pulse, and pale and grayish lips and gums ( normally they are bright pink). These signs may also indicate internal bleeding. First aid for shocking is to wrap the dog in a coat or blanket to keep him warm; seek veterinary treatment immediately, intravenous fluid there by will usually be given.