Puppy CPR
Calm your puppy as much as possible, lay him on his side and pull his
tongue out of his mouth. Align his head and neck to open airways. Enfold
your hand around his muzzle, gently closing his mouth. Place your mouth
over his muzzle and give two full breaths of air. If the airway is
clear, continue resuscitation at the rate of ten breaths per minute and
transport your puppy to the nearest animal hospital or veterinary
clinic.
If the air doesn’t flow easily into the airway, check the puppy’s
mouth and throat for obstructions. Remove any foreign matter or objects
and try the CPR again. If the air still isn’t reaching your puppy’s
lungs, you have to attempt the Heimlich maneuver.
Heimlich Maneuver for Puppies
Make a fist with one hand and place it against your puppy’s stomach.
Using both hands, lift your puppy’s back legs off the ground. Thrust
upward rapidly three times. Lay your puppy on his side and attempt CPR.
Transport your puppy to the nearest animal hospital or veterinary
clinic.
Choking In Dogs and Puppies
If your puppy is small, sit on the floor and place the puppy on your
knee so his stomach is against it. Place your hands on the puppy’s back
and quickly push him against your knee in a thrusting motion. Be firm,
yet gentle. If you are too rough, you can injure your puppy’s back
stomach or ribs.
For puppies that are too large to place on your knee, stand over his
back with one leg on each side. Lift his back legs off the ground, place
your hand against his stomach and thrust upward. Repeat 5 times if
necessary. If the object doesn’t dislodge, lay your puppy on his side
and perform the Heimlich maneuver. If this doesn’t help, seek veterinary
care immediately.
Burns In Dogs and Puppies
Never put antibiotics, antiseptics or cortisone on burns that are
suffered by your puppy. Use cold water or ice to sooth the injury and
take your puppy to the nearest animal hospital or veterinary clinic
immediately.
Never treat burns at home. The risk of both internal and external
infection is extremely high. Medical care is imperative for even the
slightest burns.
Head Injury In Dogs and Puppies If the head injury is
slight, apply ice to prevent swelling and watch your puppy carefully for
24 hours. If he seems to suffer no adverse effects, veterinarian care is
not essential.
If the injury is severe and your puppy loses consciousness, do not
try to revive him. Place an ice pack on the injured area and take him to
the nearest animal hospital or veterinary clinic.
Gunshot Wounds In Dogs and Puppies
If your puppy is accidentally or intentionally shot, do your best to
stop the bleeding and take him to the closest animal hospital or
veterinary clinic. Even small gunshot wounds can cause severe infections
and it’s possible that there are internal injuries that can’t be seen.
Snake Bite In Dogs and Puppies
If you suspect or know that your puppy has been bitten by a snake,
administer ½ mg. of Benadryl per pound of weight and seek immediate
veterinary care.
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Bloating In Dogs and Puppies
Bloating can be instantaneous and fatal if not dealt with
immediately. Bloat symptoms include, but are not limited to, excessive
salivating, pacing, enlarged abdomen, dry heaves, excessive panting,
loud stomach noises and pain. Puppies suffering from bloat will
experience excruciating pain when they try to lie down. Your puppy may
lick at his anus or scoot across the floor while yelping or howling.
Immediate professional medical help is imperative.
Note: Bloating is most often caused by strenuous exercise immediately
after eating. This causes the puppy’s stomach to flip and twist, closing
the intestines. Do not allow your puppy to participate in heavy
exercise for at least an hour after he eats.
Vehicle Injuries In Dogs and Puppies
If your puppy is hit by a motor vehicle of any kind, muzzle him at
once. He will be frightened, dazed and in pain and may think that your
loving efforts to help him are going to cause him more pain, in which
case he will bite anyone, including you, who tries to touch him. After
the muzzle is securely in place, staunch bleeding, wrap him in a blanket
and take him to the nearest animal hospital or veterinary clinic
immediately.
Shock In Dogs and Puppies
Like humans, puppies can go into shock if they loose a large amount
of blood, are seriously injured or suffer from heat stroke or
hypothermia. Never medicate a puppy that is in shock. Symptoms may
include shaking, trembling, whining, unconsciousness, white gums,
respiratory problems or being cold to the touch. Immediate professional
care is essential.
Poisoning In Dogs and Puppies
You puppy can be poisoned by ingesting toxic substances such as
leaves of certain plants, snake bite, human medications, antifreeze,
chocolate, products containing lye, cleaning products, excessive amounts
of onions and garlic, detergents, insecticides, rodent poisons, raw
bread dough, paintball pellets and bleach.
Symptoms of poisoning include, but are not limited to, depression,
excessive vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, sudden
blindness, excessive salivating, stumbling, muscular weakness,
respiratory problems, partial paralysis, unconsciousness, anemia, and
dehydration.
If you suspect your puppy make be suffering from a mild case of
poisoning, call the ASPCA’s Poison Control Hotline for Animals at
1-888-426-4435. The hotline is always open and manned by certified
veterinarians. For extreme cases of poisoning, get emergency medical
help immediately.
Punctures In Dogs and Puppies
If your puppy suffers a puncture wound of the abdomen or thorax, he
needs immediate veterinary care. Never remove an object that is
protruding from your puppy. Staunch the bleeding by packing thick gauze
pads around the object, trying not to move it. If the injury is causing
air to escape from your puppy’s body, coat a gauze pad with Vaseline or
Petroleum Jelly and place it over the wound to seal it. Transport your
puppy to the closest animal hospital or veterinary clinic immediately.
Add to First Aid Kit For Dogs and Puppies
Keep a copy of these procedures in your puppy’s first aid kit, so you
have immediate access proper procedures in every situation. Make a note
of the nearest animal hospital or veterinary clinic, including phone
numbers. Your puppy is a valued member of your family and he deserves
the best possible care in emergency situations.
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