Common Pet Injuries
It is inevitable. At some point in our pet's life, they will suffer some sort of boo-boo. While the majority are minor and easily handled, some injuries are more serious, and knowing what to do during emergency situations can help not only reduce the pain your pet experiences, but also promote a quicker recovery and even save their life.
By always keeping a well-stocked pet first aid kit in an easily accessible place, you are helping to make sure you are best equipped to handle any emergencies that may come up. Learn more about what to include in the first aid kit and about how to read your pet's vital signs.
Build or buy a pet first aid kit...
If your pet experiences an injury
FIRST: Stay calm and controlled
Small cuts and upset tummies? No problem... But staying calm and controlled is much more difficult when the unthinkable has happened and your beloved pet has suffered a serious injury. Your immediate actions and how you approach the situation can mean the difference between the life and death of your pet. Remain as calm as possible, and focus 100% of your attention on the task at hand as much as you can, not on panic or fear.
THEN: Take appropriate action
As the term implies "first" aid is the first treatment you give your pet when an incident occurs. First aid varies depending on what happened. Usually, your goal is to call a vet or take your pet to a vet as soon as possible. But sometimes, there are immediate actions (see below) you can take yourself to prevent further damage from the injury before you can reach a vet. Examples include inducing vomiting if your dog has swallowed a poisonous substance, or relieving a blocked windpipe from a swallowed object. These treatments can save your pet's life.
Understand that when a pet is scared or in pain, they may unintentionally bite and may need to be muzzled for both their own safety and yours why you apply first aid.
Let's take a look at some of the most common pet injuries and how we can best treat them.
Limping & Foot Pad Injuries...
The most common injuries in the garden or while on walks or hikes are footpad cuts, scrapes, tears, punctures, and burns (from hot concrete or ground surfaces in the summer).Treatment
If your dog begins to limp, hold up their paw, or begin ravenously licking any part of their paw, check it out. Look for burrs, small stones, thorns, or other debris that needs to be dislodged or removed. Carefully check the webbing between each toe.
If you see a cut or scrape that is bleeding:
- Gently rinse the area with water and apply Vetericyn or betadine/iodine.
- Apply an antibacterial ointment (e.g. Bacitracin) and place a gauze pad pad on the cut. If using Vetericyn, applying this ointment is not necessary.
- If the bleeding does not stop within 2-3 mins, wrap the area with a light bandage and secure in place with a self-adhesive bandage cover.
- If the cut is on the pad or around the base of the foot, cover the bandage with a dog bootie.
Change the bandage at least once daily (or if it gets soiled or wet), and remove completely if the wound has sealed. If the wound continues seeping, head to the vet. If you notice swelling, a foul odor, or a painful reaction, there may be an infection requiring your vet's attention.
Stings...
| Less serious symptoms | Very serious symptoms | |
| Itchiness Redness Mild swelling Hives (little red bumps on skin) |
Difficulty breathing Vomiting Shock Collapse Coma |
|
Remove the embedded stinger with tweezers, or using a flat edge (such as a credit card) to carefully scrape it out. DO NOT squeeze the stinger as you may cause more of the toxin to be released.- Apply an antihistamine cream such as Benadryl or Vetericyn, followed by a cold pack to the sting area (wrap the cold pack in a towel to prevent ice burns).
- If your dog has been stung in the mouth, they will "paw" at their mouth or make excessive noises to give you an indication that something is wrong.
- If stung by a bee, apply baking soda diluted with water.
- If stung by a wasp, apply vinegar diluted with water.
An easy way to remember the difference is B = Bee = Baking Soda.
Choking...
Unfortunately, choking is more common for a dog than people think because they swallow things they shouldn't, like bones or toys. If your dog is choking, he can become very frantic, gagging and coughing forcefully to try to expel the object, or begin pawing at his mouth. In panic, they can also unintentionally bite, so it is important to protect yourself as best you can.- Look into their mouth and throat to see if the object is visible. If someone else is present, one should hold the dog's mouth open while the other looks inside for the object. (see image)
- With one hand, hold the upper jaw. With the other hand, force the lower jaw down and using your index finger, and sweep the back of their mouth to try and dislodge the object and bring it out. Be careful NOT to push it further down the throat. (see image)
If the object is lodged too deep and your dog is small, hold him upside down with your arms around his abdomen and gently sway him. This position can also be used for larger dogs, holding the hind legs high so that the dog is upside down like a wheelbarrow. (see image)
OR
Stand or kneel behind your dog. Grasp around their body, place your hands on the bottom of both sides of the rib cage and apply repeated firm, quick pressure 3-5 times to help eject the object from the throat. Repeat until the object is dislodged. Applying sudden and repeated pressure to the shoulder blades with the base of your palm can also help dislodge the item. If it is still stuck in the throat and you have the available help, repeat these movements until you arrive at your vet's office. (see image)
If unable to stand, lie your dog on his side with a pillow or blanket under the hind quarters (so that the front part of the body is lower than the back, and with your hands under the center of the rib cage, press in and up 4-5 times in a thrusting motion. For smaller dogs, use only one hand. Be careful you do not apply too much pressure and damage the ribs!
Once the object has been dislodged, take precautions as your dog may try to bite you.
Kurgo
The beautiful and very helpful images used here are sourced from the Kurgo website, who offers some fantastic supplies for dogs, especially for outdoor gear and travelling. We highly recommend them!
Poisoning (chocolate/mushroom/toad/snake/spider)...
If your pet is poisoned, timing is critical for successful treatment. Try to remain calm, as any panic you show will cause further distress to your pet.
If they have eaten something that you suspect is toxic, seek emergency assistance regardless of whether you see adverse effects. Whether calling a hotline or heading to your vet, quickly collect as much information as possible about what substance has been eaten and in what quantity. Include information on any product packaging or labels if you have it.
Do not give any food or liquids other than water, as this can increase the absorption of the poison in the bloodstream.
In the US, there are two poison control centers open 24 hours:
Pet Poison Helpline: (800) 213-6680 - cost is $39/call
ASPCA Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 - cost is $65/call
Let's take a look at what to do for some common types of poisoning:
When NOT to induce vomiting
- If your pet is already throwing up.
- If your pet has lost consciousness, is very weak, or has trouble standing.
- If your pet has swallowed bleach or highly toxic liquids such as drain cleaners or petroleum products. They will cause additional burns if regurgitated.
- If it has been more than 2 hours since the poison was eaten. It has already reached your pet's small intestine, and vomiting will not remove the toxin.
When to induce vomiting
- If your pet has swallowed rodent poison, mushrooms, berries, chocolate, or other physical substances within the past 2 hours. Newly planted bulbs that your pup has dug up can also be poisonous.
- If your pet has swallowed antifreeze within the past 2 hours.
How to induce vomiting
To induce vomiting in cats, a prescription medication is needed from your vet. To induce vomiting in dogs, take the following steps:
- Immediately open your pet's mouth and sweep your index finger around the back of their throat to remove any remaining poisonous substance.
- The easiest and quickest way to help your pup throw up is to use 3% hydrogen peroxide (the kind you can get from your local pharmacy). Do NOT use anything stronger than 3%. Hydrogen peroxide is an intestinal irritant that causes vomiting within 15 mins or less. Calculate a dose of 1 teaspoon (5ml/CCs in a syringe) per 10 lbs of body weight. Hydrogen peroxide must be given orally, and the easiest way is to use a syringe. You can also mix it with a little food or honey, but when timing is critical, a syringe works far better. After administering the hydrogen peroxide, walk your pup around for several minutes.
- If your pet has not vomited by this time, give a second dose. If this does not do the trick, do not repeat a third time. Instead, head to your vet who will use specific and more vigorous substances to induce vomiting.
- After vomiting has ceased, give your dog by mouth activated charcoal mixed with water to a slurry consistency. The dosage is 1 teaspoon for dogs less than 25 pounds and 2 teaspoons for dogs over 25 pounds (it is also available in capsule form). Activated charcoal binds to poisons to help prevent them from being absorbed by the body.
Hydrogen peroxide is not dangerous when used to induce vomiting. After being swallowed, it breaks down to become oxygen and water and is harmless to your dog. It is one of the best antidotes for phosphorus, which is often used in rat poisons.
Chocolate Poisoning
While the odd chocolate chip cookie may not cause problems, depending on the weight of your pet and the amount of chocolate eaten, chocolate can cause a fatal reaction in dogs. The chocolate we are referring to is dark chocolate - the darker (bitter) the chocolate, the more toxic it is (including bakers chocolate).
The reason dark chocolate is dangerous to dogs is because it contains methylxanthines that dogs cannot properly metabolize and excrete. White chocolate is not dangerous to dogs as it does not contain these substances. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, inflammation of the pancreas (i.e., pancreatitis), an abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and death. A close friend who owned a Sheltie suffered a terrible tragedy after her dog found a box of chocolates and ate several pieces. Despite the best efforts of the vet, she passed away from the poisoning.
For chocolate poisoning, follow the instructions above to induce vomiting, and head to your vet.
Poisonous Mushrooms
The mushrooms we purchase in the grocery store for human consumption are not dangerous to household pets. But mushrooms encountered outdoors should be kept away from pets, unless you are absolutely certain they are safe. Most wild mushrooms cannot be identified by the layperson.
We often assume that only mushrooms exhibiting bright colors are poisonous, but when it comes to mushrooms, some of the most deadly are the small, light brown, and most innocent looking varieties. Fool's Webcap (see image) is a great example of a plain, yet very lethal mushroom. To make it even more confusing, there are some toxic mushrooms that look very similar to the harmless button mushrooms in the produce department.
Many dogs will completely ignore mushrooms in the wild, but some will not hesitate to chow down on something new and unusual that pops up. Inquisitive puppies are especially at risk. Some dogs will eat mushrooms unintentionally as a result of "grazing" on grass.
Take wild mushrooms seriously. Poisonous mushrooms can be fatal. The problem with mushroom poisoning is that symptoms may not be immediately apparent. In fact, there may be no immediate symptoms at all. However, as the day progresses, your pet may experience gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. Mushroom poisoning can cause liver damage that may take days to become symptomatic, and progress to liver failure.
If you see your pet has eaten a wild mushroom, follow the instructions above to induce vomiting, and head to your vet.
Toad Poisoning
Some species of toad, especially in the more tropical regions such a South America, Florida, and in parts of Australia, produce toxins that are very poisonous to other animals. Immediate symptoms depend on the amount of toxin absorbed, but a dog will often drool or froth at the mouth, and then may experience muscle tremors that progress to seizures. If your dog is found licking or trying to eat a toad:
- IMMEDIATELY begin washing out their mouth with either a hose or a bottle of water. The goal is to rinse out their mouth, but not cause the water to go down their throat.
- Intermittently use a fresh, wet cloth and wipe their gums, tongue, and roof of their mouth every few minutes, remembering to either use a fresh cloth each time, or thoroughly rinse out the cloth you are using.
- Keep your pet confined and monitor them closely. If there are any symptoms of concern, such as shivers or tremors or muscle stiffness, head to the vet immediately.
Poisonous Snakes & Spiders
When animals are bitten by snakes, it is generally around the mouth area, head, or the paws. Puncture wounds may or may not be visible depending on their size and the thickness of fur. Symptoms include painful swelling at the bite site, drooling, trembling, paralysis, collapse, vomiting, and dilated pupils. Poisonous spiders can cause severe pain at the bite location, and may or may not cause other symptoms.
If you suspect your pet is a victim of a poisonous snake or spider bite:
- MINIMIZE any movement - the more your pet moves around, the faster the poison will spread throughout their body. IMMOBILIZE any joint that has been bitten to slow the spread of poison.
- Do not try to suck or squeeze the venom out.
- Firmly bandage the area, which will help slow the spread of the poison.
- See your vet immediately. Call ahead to see if your vet has antivenin - not all do and they may refer you to another local area vet who does.
Your vet may or may not administer an antivenin. To be most effective, antivenin should be administered within 4 hours of the bite, as it becomes less and less effective as time passes. Your vet will likely also administer IV fluids and antibiotics.
If a snake has bitten your pet and you are not sure whether it is poisonous or not, even if your pet exhibits no symptoms whatsoever, please still call your vet with a description of the snake and monitor your pet closely for the next 48-72 hours. Keep an eye on the bite area for any signs of infection. Some poisons may not have immediate or apparent symptoms but may cause internal injuries such as organ damage. There are many harmless snakes, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Human Foods Toxic to Pets
Here are some of the common foods we may love to eat but which are not healthy for our pets. These include:
- Dark & milk chocolate (the darker, the more toxic - see above)
- Coffee
- Yeast dough
- Macadamia nuts
- Avocado
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Onions (garlic is NOT toxic for cats or dogs(1) ...read more)
- Alcohol
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