Basic First Aid Tips for Pets | Bobtail

You never know when your dog will need emergency aid. That’s why we believe that every month of every year should be National Pet First-aid Awareness Month – not just April.

In this blog, you’ll find out exactly what to do, and what not to do, in case of an emergency with your pet. Your knowledge and prompt response could save your furry companion’s life. So, take note of what you are about to learn and be prepared should a pet emergency occur when a vet’s not around the corner to assist.

Pet-parenting tips during an emergency

Emergency 1: Pet CPR

So, Sandy is not a strong swimmer. But she accidentally slips into the pool and struggles to stay afloat. You immediately start to panic and jump straight in to rescue the wet ball of fur. Once you’re out of the water, you notice that she has trouble breathing. Oh no! What now?

What NOT to do

Don’t panic and rush him/her to the vet. There’s no time to waste, as a dog or cat can only live for up to 6 minutes without oxygen. Instead, act fast and apply CPR. It’s all about the ABC’s (airway, breathing and circulation)

 What TO do

Establish if they’re conscious or not. If they are not responsive, and not breathing feel for a heartbeat. You may need to start CPR. 

 PetMD provides the following pet CPR guidelines:

CPR for dogs and puppies weighing less than 14 kg

1. Lay the dog on his/her side (either is fine) on a flat surface.
2. Place one hand on either side of the chest over the heart region. (You can also place your thumb on one side of the dog’s chest and keep the fingers on the other side if the dog is very small.)
3. Compress the chest approximately one-third the width of the chest for a count of one, and then let go for a count of one. Carry on at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute.
4. If you can provide artificial respiration, close the dog’s mouth with your hand. Give two breaths into the nose for every 30 compressions. If possible, have another person give the two breaths so that you can continue to do compressions while they do the breathing. A new person should take over doing the compressions every two minutes or so to reduce the effect of fatigue.
5. Continue with CPR and artificial respiration for dogs until the dog begins breathing on his own and the heartbeat returns.
6. Transport the dog to the nearest veterinarian as quickly as possible during or after CPR.

CPR for medium/large dogs over 14 kg

1. Lay the dog on his/her side (either is fine) on a flat surface. You will need to stand or kneel beside the dog. For barrel-chested dogs like bulldogs, it is also appropriate to place the dog on his/her back.
2. Place one of your palms on the dog’s rib cage, over the heart region, and put your other palm on top of it.
3. Without bending your elbows, press the rib cage down.
4. Compress the chest one-third the width of the chest for a count of one, and then let go for a count of one. The rate should be 100–120 compressions per minute.
5. If you can provide artificial respiration, close the dog’s mouth with your hand. Give two breaths into the nose for every 30 compressions. If possible, have another person give the two breaths so that you can continue to do compressions while they do the breathing. A new person should take over doing the compressions every two minutes or so to reduce the effect of fatigue.
6. Continue performing CPR and rescue breaths until the dog begins to breathe and a heartbeat returns.
7. Transport the dog to the nearest veterinarian as quickly as possible during or after CPR.

Emergency 2: Choking hazard 

You threw Bruno a bone and suddenly you notice that he’s making strange noises that sound like he’s choking. How do you help your hound? It’s back to the ABC’s, this time the airway is obstructed.

 What NOT to do

You shouldn’t have given your dog a bone in the first place. “Bones can cause injury to the mouth and throat, and risks gastrointestinal obstruction after swallowing.” says our in-house vet.

 What TO do

If your dog swallows a bone by accident and chokes on it, do the following:

Heimlich manoeuvre for small dogs

1. Carefully lay your dog on its back and apply pressure to the abdomen just below the rib cage.
2. Check your dog’s mouth and remove any objects that may have been dislodged using the above-mentioned step.

Always make your pet’s safety a priority. As a precautionary measure, save your local vet’s emergency contact details on your phone. If you are unsure what to do in a pet emergency, and you are travelling and/or not near a vet practice, you can still contact your local vet for emergency advice. He/she will guide you with the best possible action and recommended treatment.

At Bobtail, we’re all about keeping our South African dogs strong! That’s why we ensure that every bite of our dog food is full of good stuff. We also understand that, after providing life-saving first-aid to your pet or fur baby, they may need professional medical attention. That’s why we’ve included a FREE accidental benefit in every bag of Bobtail Dog Food, to help your doggo get back to their full strength after an emergency.

Follow this link for more information and to sign up for our free accident pet benefit.