Knowing simple first-aid techniques can help hurt dog
If you’ve had a dog in your life, you’ve probably had a dog emergency of some sort. A bleeding toe nail, a cut paw, a twisted ankle.
I’ve been to emergency veterinarian clinics several times with my dogs for a bleeding tongue, a torn toe nail and other scary, but not life-threatening events. Every time I go, it reinforces my belief I should learn first aid and CPR for my animals.
Dr. Elizabeth Rozanski, DVM, a specialist in emergency and critical care at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, suggests helpful first-aid techniques that we can use to provide valuable information to a veterinarian in an emergency. These procedures can also indicate your dog’s general health. They include checking your dog’s gums, taking his pulse and knowing his heart rate. Other first-aid techniques include checking breathing in an unconscious dog, helping a dog who is choking and stopping bleeding in a wound.
You can find out about what she recommends at Jim Cantrell’s The Puppy Places blog.
After writing this column, I’m more convinced than ever I need to take a first-aid course for my dogs. I’ll let you know when I find one.
Your best source is to consult your veterinarian regarding any first-aid procedures. Ask how and when to use them.
Buddy’s Birthday
You are invited to Mardi Gras Madness, The Buddy Foundation’s 19th Birthday Party being held from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, at Drink, 871 E. Algonquin Road, in Schaumburg. Your donation of $30 includes a delicious buffet and two drink tickets.
Reserve your tickets today by sending a check to: The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, Il 60065 or call (847) 290-5606 or visit thebuddyfoundation.org and purchase your tickets through Pay Pal.
If you cannot join us, please support The Buddy Foundation by sending a ticket donation or by contributing a raffle/auction prize.
Ÿ The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the welfare of stray, abused and abandoned cats and dogs. For information, call (847) 290-5806 or visit thebuddyfoundation.org.