Your Guide to Dog Emergencies
By: Dr. Debra Primovic
Section: D - E
Diarrhea. Many dogs are not too particular about what they eat. For this reason, diarrhea is a common problem. If your pet develops diarrhea, provide fresh water
Fresh Flow Pet Fountain
Pets are naturally attracted to fresh flowing water. This unique silent fountain won’t scare your pet when drinking from bowl or ramp. Ultra Qui... at all times to help prevent dehydration. Oral electrolyte solutions, such as Pediolyte®, may also be beneficial to provide hydration and replace electrolytes. Remove any known causes of diarrhea such as exposure to trash, table food, etc. Limit the diet to one food that is normally well tolerated, or speak to your veterinarian about an alternative or prescription-type diet if diarrhea is persistent and recurring. Temporary use of a bland diet can help and can be prepared at home; a common recipe is a mixture of equal parts of boiled hamburger and rice. Feed small amounts at a time. Observe your dog's general activity
Hol-ee Mol-ee Extreme
For the more aggressive chewer and larger dogs, the JW Pet Company Hol-ee Mol-ee Extreme offers the same fun as the famous Hol-ee Roller plus added du... and appetite and watch closely for the presence of blood in the stool, worsening of signs, lethargy or the onset of vomiting.
Contact your veterinarian if you have any of these symptoms or other questions or concerns.
Difficulty Breathing. Difficult breathing is an emergency. Keep your pet calm in a cool environment with minimal stress. See your veterinarian immediately. When you first note that your pet is having trouble breathing, note his/her general activity,
exercise
Launch A Ball
Kyjen Launch-A-Ball is the ultimate dog toy for interactive play and exercise. Simply snap the two pieces together and you are ready for a fun and eas... capacity and interest in the family activities. Keep a record of your pet's appetite, ability to breathe comfortably (or not) and note the presence of any symptoms such as coughing or severe tiring. Bring any medications your pet is taking to show your veterinarian.
Dog Fight. Some dogs just don't get along. Fights can occur and serious injury may result. If your dog is involved in a fight, examine the wounds to determine the extent of the damage. Stop any excessive bleeding by using direct pressure. Do not use a tourniquet. Initial cleaning of small wounds with hydrogen peroxide, povidone iodine or chlorhexidine can help reduce the severity of infection. All dogfight victims should be examined by a veterinarian. A minor skin wound can hide severe underlying damage.
Dogs Falling Out of Cars and Trucks. Riding unrestrained in the back of a pickup is a bad idea. Even dogs that have done it safely for years may see an irresistible rabbit and dive out to begin the chase. Dogs can also leap from moving cars if the window is left too far open. If your dog falls or jumps out of a moving vehicle, first observe your pet for difficult breathing and other obvious injuries. Keep your pet calm and quiet while restricting activity. If there is an open wound, cover it with a clean cloth. Extreme care must be used as your pet may be painful and may
bite
Quick Fit Muzzle For Dogs
Four Paws Quick Fit Muzzle For Dogs helps stop biting, barking and chewing, but allows panting and drinking. It's made of strong nylon and is... the person caring for him/her out of
fear
Anxiety Relief From Loud Noises
HomeoPet Anxiety Relief From Loud Noises is for relief from fear of: Thunderstorms, Fireworks, Loud Noises, Windstorms. Restlessness, anxious and unwa... or
pain
Biocaine 4oz
Tomlyn Biocaine (4 oz) is a First Aid Lotion for dogs and cats relieves pain and stops wound chewing, licking and scratching. Painless and soothing to.... You may have to muzzle your pet. If needed,
transport
Pet Safety Sitter
When Four Paws Pet Safety Sitter is attached to your car's seat belt, it protects your pet from injury. Four Paws Pet Safety Sitter is made of ver... your dog on a stretcher or in a box or
crate
Kennel Cab Traditional
Doskocil Kennel Cab Traditional by Doskocil / Petmqte is a portable kennel that features seat belt slot, shoulder strap eyelets, storage compartment a... to your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Drooling. If there is an acute episode of drooling, a quick visual inspection may reveal a foreign body, chemical ingestions, mass or other oral trauma. Take care not to place your hands in the animal's mouth to avoid being bitten. Rinse the mouth with
waterFresh Flow Pet Fountain
Pets are naturally attracted to fresh flowing water. This unique silent fountain won’t scare your pet when drinking from bowl or ramp. Ultra Qui... to help remove peculiar tastes from chemicals or plants, since bitter tasting objects tend to result in profuse drooling, especially in cats. Observe your pet's attitude and behavior for any deterioration. If there is no vomiting, you may offer water to drink. If your pet's behavior is normal and the signs resolve within a few hours, emergency care may not be needed; however report the event to your veterinarian. If your pet ate or drank something that caused the drooling, read the package and call your veterinarian for further instructions.
Drowning or Near Drowning. Not all dogs are natural born swimmers. Pools, lakes and rivers can be dangerous areas. If your dog is struggling in the water, remove him from the water immediately. If he is unconscious, begin the ABC's of CPR. Clear the airway of debris and water. This can be done by holding the pet upside down so water can drain from the mouth and nose. Maintain a position with the head down and place your pet on his side. Attempt resuscitation if he is not breathing or you believe his heart has stopped beating. Wrap your pet in a blanket and transport him to a veterinarian for evaluation, even if your pet appears normal after submersion.
Dystocia. Delivering puppies is a stressful event, for both you and your pet. Dystocia is the medical term used to describe difficulty in delivering the babies. If your dog is experiencing dystocia, there is often little you can do to help. Keep the mother-to-be in a quiet area with no distractions and call your veterinarian. Monitor labor carefully to detect any abnormalities. If you should find a baby stuck in the canal, apply steady gentle traction to pull the baby out. If there is any question about the progression of labor, contact your veterinarian or local veterinary emergency facility. You should call your veterinarian for assistance in the following instances:
Your dog has been pregnant for over 70 days or Stage I labor has gone on for 24 hours without producing a pup. Stage 1 includes nesting behavior, drop in body temperature, poor appetite and possibly even vomiting.
Steady strong contractions have continued for over 1 hour without producing a pup or a prolonged resting phase continues over 4 hours when there are more pups to be delivered.
There is a foul smelling vaginal discharge or the mother-to-be has excessive vomiting or is extremely lethargic.
Ear Discharge. Ears have a normal waxy discharge, but sometimes the discharge is excessive, is a different color or has a foul odor. In these situations, optimal treatment requires a combination of home and professional veterinary care. Your veterinarian may have you clean your pet's ears as a preventative or as part of therapy for an ongoing problem. It is important to avoid use of cotton swabs in an attempt to clean deep in the ear canal. A solution of one part white
Crystal Eye 4oz
Four Paws Crystal Eye (4 oz.) is a safe tear stain remover for dogs and cats. Crystal Eye can also be used on boxers, bulldogs, shar-peis and similar ... vinegar and 9 parts water can be used to "flush the ear." Apply this solution to the ear, while "milking" the base of the ear to disperse solution, and then dry with cotton balls.
Eye Problems or Injury. Eye problems can be particularly difficult. Painful or irritated eyes usually cause your pet to rub or scratch, making the situation worse. Any red, painful or swollen eye should be examined immediately by a veterinarian. Prevent scratching or rubbing until your pet can be examined. You can use sterile eye wash if there is suspicion of a chemical or foreign object having gotten into the eye. If the eyeball is "popped out" of the socket – rinse it with sterile eye wash, or use a soft cloth or gauze soaked with eye solution or eye ointment, and cover the eye. TransportPet Safety Sitter
When Four Paws Pet Safety Sitter is attached to your car's seat belt, it protects your pet from injury. Four Paws Pet Safety Sitter is made of ver... your pet immediately to your veterinarian.
Electrical Shock. Curious puppies tend to explore their world with their mouths. For some reason, electric cords seem irresistible, but chewing on a cord that is plugged into the wall can have devastating results – most commonly electrocution. If this happens, attempt to unplug the cord but do not touch the dog or damaged section of the cord. If you are concerned, turn off the electric supply to the plug at the circuit breaker and then unplug the electrical unit and free your pet from the cord. Call your veterinarian for prompt treatment. Keep your pet as calm and relaxed as possible. If burns are present in the mouth, your veterinarian will clean the affected area and prescribe medications such as antibiotics. If there is fluid accumulation within the lungs, treatment with diuretics such as furosemide may be indicated, although this is not always necessary. Depending on the severity of the injuries, hospitalization with possible oxygen support may be needed. If your pet is in shock, he may need intravenous fluid support.
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