1. Dog Cuts and Bruises - Basic First Aid for your Dog
This is only a guide for basic first aid for your Dog. You should immediately take
your Dog to the Vet if -
 It has been involved in a Road accident (it may have internal injuries)
 It has been attacked by a large animal (there is a danger of internal injuries &
infection from bites)
 If it has puncture wounds of any kind
 If it has respiratory distress or swelling in the mouth (May indicate an allergic
reaction)
 If it is bitten by a Snake.
 If you suspect it has been bitten by a rabid animal
If in doubt, consult a Vet immediately.
Its necessary to be prepared for first aid activities - a first aid kit will be required.
There are many first aid kits for Pets available for sale on the Internet. Make it a
priority to have one available to treat your Dog when necessary.
Everyday cuts, bruises & stings
Minor injuries
Dogs, like people, incur injuries all the time. For the majority of minor injuries, little
if any intervention is necessary since the Dog will clean the wound itself by licking it,
and its saliva contains a mild antiseptic. You should however thoroughly check your
Dog at regular intervals to look for injuries which are infected and likely to pose an
ongoing problem. Also check your Dog after vigorous activities - Ball Games,
playing with other Dogs etc are likely to provoke injuries. Regular checks will also
reveal problems with Ticks, and problems with exposure to certain seed types whose
barbs can penetrate the skin and cause infection. Always check between your Dogs
toes.
If you live in area in which Ticks are prevalent, check you Dog daily, especially
around the head, around the eyes, inside folds in the skin & inside the ears - Ticks can
carry a disease which can kill your Dog. When removing Ticks use a Tick removal
device - don't just pull them off as this will leave the head of the Tick embedded in
the Dogs flesh and cause infection.
Cuts
The priorities for wounds are to control bleeding and to prevent infection. Wounds are
painful - muzzle or restrain your Dog prior to treating them. If the wound has already
stopping bleeding do not treat it - you will possibly start the bleeding again.
Where possible expose the wound with a set of clippers to remove the fur.
Any cut longer than 1/2" will need to be sutured by a Veterinary surgeon.

2. Gently clean the wound, using a sterile gauze pad soaked with a mild non stinging
antiseptic or saline solution. As you clean check the wound for foreign bodies. (Glass,
dirt etc.) & continue washing out the wound until it is clean. You may need to use
tweezers to remove some of the foreign material. After cleaning, apply a clean flannel
soaked in cold water for 15 minutes and then apply a gauze pad and bandage this in
place. This dressing must be changed at regular intervals to allow inspection &
cleaning of the wound. If, when changing the dressing, you see pus oozing from the
wound or if the wound will not stop bleeding you must take the Dog to the Vet.
Most cuts are on the Paws or Legs of your Dog - Do not bandage the dressing in place
too tightly as you risk cutting off circulation to the lower part of the limb. After
bandaging, check that the part of the limb below the bandage is not abnormally cool
& not swollen. If it is, loosen the bandage.
Bruises
Treat bruises with an ice pack wrapped in a Towel. A pack of frozen peas works well.
Chilling the area around the bruise will increase blood flow and thereby promote
healing. Apply for 10 minutes 3 times a day until the swelling subsides. When
applying the ice pack get your Dog in a relaxed mood by giving them a cuddle & then
apply the pack by hand. Do not apply too much pressure & mould the Ice pack to the
contours of the bruise.
Stings
Dogs are curious and will investigate insects. Wasps Bees and Hornets can inflict
stings, usually to the face. The usual symptoms of a sting are that the Dog will yelp
with pain, and either lick or use its paws to rub the affected area. If you see this
behaviour, investigate & find the sting. The area around the sting will be red and
swollen. The sting may still be embedded in the Dogs flesh.
A single sting normally will not bother a dog too much but multiple stings can cause
allergic reactions. Watch your dog closely after it has been stung for signs of
abnormal behaviour. If the Dog seems unwell, take it to the Vet.
Stings to the mouth & tongue are dangerous as they can cause swelling and blockage
of airways, if this happens its best to immediately take your Dog to the Vet for
treatment.
Treat stings with an icepack to relieve pain & swelling and remove the sting with
tweezers if still present.
Major Injuries
Snake bites
Dog are often victims of Snake Bites due to their inquisitive nature. Since Snakes are
retiring animals, snake bites usually occur when a Dog surprises the Snake by
accident. Most snake bites tend to occur in the summer months when the snakes are
more active due to the warm weather

3. Dogs are usually bitten on the face and limbs but bites can occur on any part of the
body. Snake bites are very painful & you should suspect a Snake bite when your Dog
yelps with pain & tries lick the wound or rub it with its paws. If you see this
behaviour, check the Dog for the tell-tale double puncture wound starting with the
face and limbs.
To be on the safe side, treat all Snake bites as venomous - There is no first aid
treatment for your Dog that you can perform after Snake bite - take your Dog to the
Vet immediately.
Road accidents
You must take your Dog to the Vet after immediately after a road accident - there may
be internal bleeding that you cannot see even if your Dog seems fine. If there is
copious external bleeding after the accident you must do what you can to stem the
flow to prevent serious blood loss. You can do this in two ways - a pressure bandage
or a tourniquet. Use what you have with you to form a pressure bandage, a
handkerchief or even your shirt or blouse, form a Pad and press it to the wound to
stem the blood flow. If this does not work, it may be necessary to form a tourniquet, if
practical. Tourniquets are used to stop the blood flow above a wound, completely
restricting the flow of blood. They should be used as a short term measure only. They
consist of a tight band applied 2-3 inches above a wound to completely stop the blood
flow. They are normally only practical when applied to a limb. Tourniquets must be
loosened periodically to allow the limb to receive blood to avoid tissue damage. In an
emergency situation you'll need to improvise a Tourniquet from whatever you have
with you -form a rope, twist it tightly around the limb, above the injury until the blood
flow stops. After a Road accident do what you can to stem the blood flow and get
the Dog to a Vet as fast as possible.
Allergic reactions
Dog can have life threatening allergic reactions not just to Bee & Wasp stings, but
also to other insects and certain spiders. The Processionary caterpillar, now
widespread in Europe, poses a particular threat to your Dog. The defence mechanism
of this insect consists of barbed hairs, which if they come into contact with your Dogs
mouth will induce itching, swelling and possibly vomiting & a life threatening
allergic reaction.
If you see symptoms of a swollen tongue or lips or if your Dogs face is swollen take it
to the vet immediately.
Prevention
In the Home
Keep your Dog away from accidental breakages in the home. Curious Dogs will try to
eat broken Glass!
In the Garden
Remove any broken glass, broken flower pots, or other sharp objects. Don't leave
tools with sharp edges lying around where you Dog can run into them. Get any Wasp

4. or Hornet nests removed. Keep your Dog away from windfalls around fruit trees -
there is a danger of Wasp or Horner stings.
Out walking
Its best to walk your Dog on a Leash for the majority of the time, only letting him run
free in areas known to be safe from Snakes & other animal hazards. Avoid long grass
if possible, to prevent Ticks attaching to your Dog. Don't let your Dog off the lead
near roads - Dogs & cars don’t mix!
Lesley Rootham raises Beagles & makes Show Dog Collars & Show Dog Collars and
Leads in Wales UK.