Basic First Aid Tips

Problem	Symptoms	First Aid
Poisoning	Retching, pain, trembling, convulsions	Cause vomiting by giving equal parts of hydrogen peroxide(3%) & water, 2 tbsp. per pound o body weight or 4 - 6 tsp. Salt mixed in a glass of water, or mustard mixed with water or salt on back of tongue. After Stomach is empty, give egg white or milk. Transport to vet as soon as possible, try to find out what the poison was.
Foreign Object in Mouth	Coughing, choking, pawing at mouth, shaking head = object lodged in throat. Persistent vomiting = object lodged in intestinal tract.	Open mouth, look under tongue, gums, teeth, and roof of mouth, down throat. If possible, remove object with fingers or tweezers. Veterinary care is necessary for objects deeply embedded in throat and for all foreign objects in intestinal tract.
Eyes	Inflammation, cuts, scratches.	Wash with eye lotion or boric acid solution. Apply yellow oxide of mercury (I%) or similar ointment. Plain water may be irritating to the eyes.
Porcupine Quills	Unmistakable, dog is in pain	Hold dog between legs or have a second person hold. Slowly twist out each quill with pliers. Start in chest area. applying vinegar softens quills.
Skunks	Eyes usually get sprayed and dog paws at them.	Wash eyes well with boric acid solution. Wash dog as soon as possible with soap and water, tomato juice or diluted lemon juice.
Fish Hooks	Usually in lip, mouth or foot.	Cut barb or eye end of hook with pliers. Work hook out. Never try to pull barb back through the flesh.
Shock	Nervousness or prostration. Weak pulse, shallow breathing, glassy eyes, pale gums.	Keep quiet. Discourage movement. May accompany any injury or severe. Take to vet as soon as possible.
Bleeding	SEVERE or DEEP CUTS, SEVERED ARTERY: blood bright red, flow irregular. SEVERED VEIN: blood dark red, flow steady. INTERNAL BLEEDING Weakness, prostration. Gums pale gray.	ARTERY CUT: Apply: tourniquet between wound and heart. VEIN CUT: tourniquet on other side of wound if vein; use pressure bandage if tourniquet is impossible. Tourniquets must be released every 15-20 minutes. INTERNAL BLEEDING: keep as quiet as possible. Take to vet as soon as possible.
Broken Bones/Dislocation	Inability to stand or use leg or legs. Intense pain.	Keep in position as well as possible. Use temporary splint for leg bones only. Immobilize carry on stretcher. DO NOT TRY TO SET A BONE YOURSELF. Take to vet.
Burns	If limping, check paws.	Small, caused by fire or heat: apply pain killing household remedy. Acid: Apply solution of baking soda or similar alkali in moist form. For Water Scald: Douse liberally with cold water. For Caustic: apply vinegar. In all cases where more than a small area is burned, take to VET!
Heatstroke	Lying prone, difficult breathing	Place in tub partly filled with cold water or douse with cold water, it is important to reduce body temperature as soon as possible.
Drowning	UNMISTAKABLE	Hold up hind legs to remove excess water. Lay on side and perform artificial respiration When revived, keep warm. When there is a heartbeat-there is HOPE.

Note:Reprinted from Gaines Dog Research Center Bulletin
Also read: Dogs First aid care kit
Field First Aid Kit for Human or Hound

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