First aid Dachshund care is important to know in case your Dachshund should ever need emergency attention. Knowing first aid for dogs will allow you to comfort and/or stabilize your dog until you can provide him with professional care, because first aid should not be the only care your Dachshund receives.
The following are some emergency Dachshund care tips for you to keep in mind and apply should the time to act ever occur:
Standardinjuries – If your dog breaks his leg or goes into shock, wrap him in a heavy blanket or towel to keep him warm and to restrict his movements. Take him to the Vet as soon as possible.
Have a first aid kit ready to help you deal with standard injuries. Your first aid kit for Dachshund care should include the following:
- Antibiotic ointment (care for cuts and scrapes)
- Rectal thermometer (taking temperature)
- Tweezers (remove splinters, stingers, etc.)
- Bandages and padding that can easily be wrapped
- Large towel or blanket that you can easily wrap your dog in
Notbreathing – if your dog is not breathing, administer CPR if you have been trained to perform this task on a pet. If you have not been trained in pet CPR, rush your dog to the Vet immediately. Even if you know pet CPR, you should administer it while on the way to the Vet’s. If you would like to learn pet CPR, ask your Vet to recommend a program in your area. Note: administering CPR to a human is different than the CPR administered to a dog.
Bleeding – If your dog is bleeding, the right emergency Dachshund care is to apply a thick, sterile bandage (handkerchief, gauze etc.) to the affected area and firmly place pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. If you can, also try to elevate the area. For instance, if your dog’s paw is bleeding, try to have him lie on his back and hold his paw up in the air to stop the pressure of blood flow to the open area. If the bleeding does not stop after 5 minutes, take your dog to the Vet. He may require stitches.
Burn – If your Dachshund suffers a burn, apply a cold compress or ice to the affected area until you can get to the Vet. Note: The ice and cold compress should be wrapped in a towel before being applied to the burn. Never stick ice directly on a burn as this will cause the burn to worsen.
Poison – If your Dachshund ingests something poisonous, the best Dachshund care is to immediately call the Vet or poison control to see if vomiting should be induced. Regardless of their recommendation, take your dog to the Vet after to make sure he’s complete checked out and healthy.
Chocking – If your Dachshund appears to be chocking (has trouble swallowing or is constantly gagging, do not try and remove the object), take him to the Vet. If he is coughing or having trouble swallowing he can likely still breathe. Encourage him to bark to try and help him cough up what’s lodged in his throat, but still take him to the Vet.
Fever – Understanding Dachshund care is knowing your dog’s healthy temperature. Your dog should not have a temperature that exceeds 103 degrees. If his temperature is high, seek Veterinarian care as soon as possible.
Heatstroke – If your dog is showing signs of heatstroke immediately take him to a shaded or cool area and sponge him with cool water. You should also encourage him to drink small amounts of water. Take him to the Vet as soon as possible.
Frostbite – If your dog has frostbite you will want to immediately take him to a warm place. Wrap moist, warm towels around the areas that are frostbitten. Continue to change these towels until you see the area flush (turn bright pink or red). Take him to the Vet immediately for care.
Finally, should your dog ever become injured and need emergency care, when in doubt, the best Dachshund care you can provide your dog is to take him to the Vet. If your regular Vet office is closed, call the nearest emergency clinic. It is a good idea to keep a list of emergency numbers (your vet, emergency pet clinic, poison control, etc.) by your phone so you don’t have to search from them in a crisis.
Dachshund Training…
