Appraising the Situation
It the time of year when we are outside playing and beng very active. Sometimes we can get hurt - even our best friend - our dog. It are some tips for just that time.
How to clean wounds:
Anytime the skin is broken, bacteria or other foreign matter -even the fur- can contaminate a wound and potentially cause infection. Bleeding is a natural cleansing mechanism that helps flush out dangereous material. Don't clean wounds that bleed excessively, as this will just make them bleed more. But for wounds that aren't bleeding, nothing beats first-aid cleansing to protect your pet from further harm.
If long fur is in the way, trim it with blunt scissors or electric clippers to keep it from sticking to the unjury. If you're using scissors, first slip your index and second fingers through the fur and hold them against the wound. Cut the fur level with your fingers, leaving a 1-inch border around the wound. If the skin is broken, dab on a water-soluble lubricant like K-Y Jelly; trimmed fur will stick to the jelly and wash out easily.
Most of the time, the unjury will be sore, and even the most gentle touch can cause pain. The best way to cleanse a wound is to flush it with cool water or sterile saline contact lens solution to float out debris. You can use the spray attachment from the sink, a garden hose, or even a squeeze bottle of saline solution. (be sure to use saline solution only, other contact lens solutions can burn).
Follow the cleansing with a nonstinging antiseptic solution like Betadine Solution to disinfect the wound. Dilute it with distilled water until it's the color of weak tea, then put it in a plant sprayer and spray the area thoroughly. Once the wound has been disinfected, gently dab it dry with gauze pads or a clean, lint-free cloth.
This information can be found inThe FirstAid Companion For Dogs and Cats by Amy D Shojai.
Skin and Gum Color
Skin tone can be hard to see on a pet because of all the fur. Veterinarians use the color of the mucous membrances, like the "whites" of the eyes and the gums above the teeth, to gauge a pet's health. For gums, anythng other than a normal pink color calls for immediate veterinary attention or first-aid care. If your pet's gurms are pigmented (black or brown), try to find a non-pigmented pink spot on the gums or lips to assess her condition. If you can't find a pink spot there, you will need to find a nonpigmented spot on another mucous membrane, like the vulva or prepuce (the fold of skin covering the end of the penis).
This information is from the book, The First Aid Companion For Dogs and Cats, written by Amy D. Shojai
Sometimes we pet owners need to be aware of human medicines that will work on our pets in case a vet can not be reached.
Human Medicines That Work on Pets
Medicine Use
Neosporin For preventing wound infection apply 3-4 times daily as needed
Pedialyte or Gatorade For dehydration Mix 50/50 with water
Pepcid AC For vomiting 5mg per 10lbs once or twice a
day
Pepto-Bismol For diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, 0.5 - ml per lb or 1/2 - 1tsp per
vomiting 5lbs, to a maximum of 30 ml or
2 Tbsp up to 3 times per day, or
1 tablet per 15lb up to 3 times
per day ( dogs)
1/2 mg per 10lb once or twice a
day (cats)
Phillips' Milk of Magnesia For constipation 2-4 tsp per 5lb every 6 hours
(dogs)
DO NOT USE FOR CATS
Preparation H For sore anal area Apply up to 4 times a day
DO NOT USE FOR CATS
Robitussin Pediatric Cough suppressant Ask your vet (dogs and cats)
Cough Formula
Solarcaine Topical pain releiver and Apply to sore area once or
anesthectic twice a day (up to 2 days)
DO USE FOR CATS
Tylenol Pain reliever Ask you vet (dogs and cats)
Vicks VapoRub For congestion Smear small amount on your
pet's chin for easier breathing
Witch hazel Astringent/topcial antiseptic Dab on affected area
<P>This information is from the book, <EM>The First Aid Companion For Dogs and Cats,</EM> written by Amy D. Shojai</P>
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