You can’t be too careful when you take your old buddy on a walk or on a hike in the woods. You should be fully equipped—not just with a first-aid kid, but also with knowledge on how to administer quick treatments for the most common dog ailments. That being said, here are the ten most common dog injuries, and the corresponding treatments for them.
1. Porcupine Quills
Do not move the quill around as you attempt to remove it. Instead, you can use a pair of pliers or your fingers, and place them as close to the dog’s skin as possible before finally removing it. If it is placed around your dog’s mouth, make sure your dog is braced. Often, the dog will bite even because of the pain caused by the quill. After removing the quills, clean the area with alcohol. If the discomfort persists, you can prescribe alcohol or iodine.
2. Foreign Objects Stuck in the Foot
If there’s a thorn or glass stuck in the foot, remove it fast and firmly. Afterward, apply antiseptic and antibiotic on the foot. If necessary, you will need to wrap a bandage around.
3. Broken Nail
If your dog bleeds because of a broken nail, you might need to use a pair of pliers to pull of the hanging nail. Be careful not to tug on the soft quick on the inside of the nail. And them, apply a styptic pencil to stop the bleeding.
4. Waterborne Illness
If the water your dog drinks off from contains viruses, your dog might suffer from diarrhea. It’s essential for you to hydrate your dog. You should also come prepared with an electrolyte solution that will be mixed with the dog’s water. Feed white rice to the dog if you have some with you.
Another waterborne disease is skin rash, caused by blue-green algae. This is toxic to your dog’s internal organs—bring him to a vet at once.
5. Foreign Objects Stuck in the Eyes or Ears
You can tell if this is the case when your dog keeps on blinking or rubbing either the eyes or the ears. If it’s not deep in the ears or eyes, you can remove it with tweezers and forceps carefully. You can also flush the eyes using a saline solution. Just don’t burrow deep and remove it manually if you can’t find it. Your best bet in this case is to bring the dog to a vet.
The next three ones are more serious injuries, and will require you to be extra careful.
10 Common Dog Ailments and Treatments In The Field
BARBED WIRE OR OTHER SERIOUS CUT
Attempt to control bleeding with pressure, clean the wound with antiseptic and antibiotic ointment, and wrap the wound with an ace bandage or by gluing or stapling it shut. If your dog is in danger of excessive blood loss, tie a tourniquet an inch above the wound with a ripped off section of a t-shirt, an ace bandage or whatever else you have on hand. Insert a small stick, pen or other straight, narrow object in the fabric loop and twist tight. Wrap the stick to the leg with tape or an ace bandage. Loosen the tourniquet every 15 minutes for one to two minutes to allow blood circulation to the limb, and get your dog to a vet as soon as possible.
PENETRATING INJURY
Do remove an object you are certain is close to the surface by pulling it out the way it went it. But don’t ever pull out a stick that’s protruding from deep inside your dog’s chest, abdomen or anywhere else—removal can cause more damage than entry. If a stick is buried in your dog, hold the stick firmly, saw it off so that it doesn’t cause more damage, keep your dog as quiet and caln as possible and get to a vet.
FALLING TRAUMA (BREAKS, SPRAINS)
Bind sprains with an ace bandage in the figure-eight pattern described above with an ace bandage, but not so tight that your dog’s paw gets cold or swollen. Stabilize obvious fractures with a splint or stick, and get your dog to a vet while keeping it as quiet and caln as possible. Broken limbs swell. Sprains don’t, and they’re generally not tender to the touch. (Read More)
9. Heat Exhaustion
As you wound your way through the woods, your dog might feel overworked. Just like what you’d do to an exhausted human, take a rest, find shade, and let your old buddy take a bit off an energy bar.
10. Allergic Reactions
If your dog experiences an allergic reaction through rashes, swelling, or hot spots, wash the area concerned immediately. Apply steroid cream or calamine lotion on the area.
Your dog may be of age, but that shouldn’t stop you and your buddy from having fun. If your dog is up to it, and you have the time, go for a walk, take them to a field. As long as you know what to do in case they get ill, there shouldn’t be a problem.