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Doggy 911 - Medical Emergencies

By Kim Boatman
Knowing what to do if your dog has a medical
emergency can mean the difference between your pal’s
life or death. In fact, one out of every four dogs may be
saved if a pet first-aid technique is used before the
injured animal arrives at a clinic, according to the
American Animal Hospital Association. Less than 1
percent of pet owners, however, have a pet first-aid kit
or have been trained in first aid, estimates Thom
Somes, owner of Pet Tech, a company that trains
instructors and teaches pet first-aid classes across the
country.
How are your own first-aid skills? Aside from calling your local pet emergency hospital
or contacting your veterinarian, would you know what to do if your dog faced a sudden
medical emergency? If you think your first-aid know-how could use some brushing up,
you’re not alone.

Classes Available
Increasingly, dog owners are taking classes to educate themselves about medical first
aid for their treasured pals. The American Red Cross, for example, offers dog first-aid
classes at a number of its chapters across the country. At many chapters, you’ll find
dog first-aid kits and a pooch first-aid book for purchase.

Dogs are so cherished in Carmel, Calif., that the local Red Cross there keeps a stash of
dog biscuits in the cookie jar on the front counter. The chapter’s dog first-aid classes
are wildly popular, says Sharon Crino, executive director. “We live in an area where
pets are like family,” says Crino. “It has been quite a success.”

The American Red Cross provides a directory for such classes on its Web site, as does
Pet Tech. Classes include management of emergencies involving bleeding, choking,
poisoning and more. Students even practice mouth-to-snout resuscitation on dog
mannequins.

Practical Advice
While experts caution that it’s best to receive training in a class, there are basic first-
aid practices you can put to use until you complete the training:

  • Assemble or purchase a first-aid kit You’ll find inexpensive dog first-aid kits
    online or in pet stores, but Somes recommends assembling your own so that you’
    ll be familiar with its contents. (The Humane Society of the United States Web
    site offers a list of items.) Keep a kit at home and in your car. Make sure your kit
    includes some way to stably transport your dog, such as a blanket you can use
    as a stretcher. Include vital information in the kit. You’ll want to have your
    veterinarian’s phone number, poison control numbers and the number and
    address for an emergency veterinary service in your area. The American Society
    for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals maintains a poison control hot line at
    888-426-4435. (The ASPCA may charge you a $60 consultation fee if you receive
    assistance through the hot line.)

  • Assess the situation Too often, dog owners react without thinking. “Make sure
    you have ‘scene safety’,” advises Somes, who calls himself “The Pet Safety Guy.”
    Don’t rush into the street to check on a dog that has been hit by a car, even if it
    is your own. Somes tells the story of a dog owner who was almost hit by a car
    herself as she raced to help her furry friend. “If it’s dangerous or appears
    dangerous to you, you don’t want to become a victim as well,” says Kevin Cole,
    who teaches the pet first-aid classes for the Carmel American Red Cross chapter.

  • Anticipate your dog’s behavioral changes If your dog is sick or injured, it may
    snap at you. Read its body language first and approach cautiously. Look for ears
    laid flat, hair standing up on the haunches or even a glare. Don’t place your face
    close to your dog’s face to give comfort. Dog first-aid classes teach muzzling
    techniques using soft fabric, such as a tie or a length of gauze.

  • Secure your dog Restraint accompanies muzzling, says Somes. “The dog can
    actually make the situation worse by moving,” he says. “A dog will run with a
    broken limb.” It may take two adults to gently restrain a dog using a towel or
    blanket.

  • Stay calm Dogs note when your heart rate and breathing accelerate or if your
    voice escalates in pitch, Somes says. If you can’t be calm, have another adult
    step in.

  • Don’t call 911 It’s often our first reaction in an emergency, but it won’t help
    with your dog. Unless an animal is endangering people, you’ll get no response.

The best way to prepare for an emergency is to know your healthy dog, says Cole.
“Recognize what’s normal in your animal. Then, know how to respond when things
aren’t normal.” Finally, understand that first aid doesn’t substitute for veterinary care.
First aid is only meant to stabilize your pal or to alleviate a life-threatening situation
before your dog can receive expert medical attention.