First Aid for Dogs

It is a good idea for dog owners to become familiar with some basic principles of fist aid in
case one needs to administer temporary emergency care until veterinary help is available.
Situations that may require first aid include bleeding wounds, breathing difficulties and
CPR.

First Aid Supplies

Every dog owner should have a basic first aid kit kept in an easy to remember and
accessible location within the home. First aid kits are also great for car and camping trips.
One can make their own first aid kit or buy a commercially available dog first aid kit. If
making your own dog first aid kit, essential items should include: gauze pads and
bandages, adhesive tape, wound cleansing wipes or solutions, cotton balls, sterile saline,
disposable gloves, scissors, tweezers, styptic powder and contact details of your local
veterinarian. It is useful to store these items in a plastic box. Be sure to restock the kit if
items are used to ensure you are adequately prepared for the next emergency.
Below are some basic tips on administering first aid to your dog. Please remember that
first aid is not a substitute for professional veterinary care or advice.

Bleeding Wounds

With any bleeding injury, the bleeding should be controlled by applying firm direct pressure
to the bleeding wound using gauze pads or a clean cloth. If bleeding continues, apply
another gauze pad or cloth over it. Do not remove the pad underneath. Once the bleeding
is under control, the wound can be gently cleaned with warm water or a wound cleansing
wipe or solution. A gauze bandage dressing or temporary bandage can be applied if
necessary to prevent further bleeding prior to seeking veterinary care. Avoid wrapping the
bandage too tight so as not to cut off your dogʼs circulation. (You should be able to slip 1-2
fingers underneath the bandage.)

Bleeding Nail from Nail Trim

If you accidentally cut the quick when trimming your dogʼs nails, stay calm and apply
styptic powder to the bleeding nail. Styptic powder is used by many animal care
professionals such as groomers and vets and is commercially available from local pet
shops. If styptic powder is unavailable, corn starch may be applied to the bleeding nail.

Breathing Difficulties

If your dog has become non-responsive and has stopped breathing completely, check the
ABCʼs of life support.
Airway--Check and clear the airway of any debris or foreign objects before beginning
rescue breathing. Are you able to see, hear or feel your dog breathing?
Breathing--If your dog is not breathing or unresponsive, begin rescue breathing. Align
your dogʼs head and neck to keep the airway open. Close your dogʼs mouth with one hand
and gently blow into your dogʼs nostrils. Blow gently such that the chest slightly rises with
each breath. For small dogs, administer 5-10 breaths per minute. For larger dogs,
administer 10-20 breaths per minute.
Circulation--Check that your dogʼs heart is still beating. Can you feel your dogʻs heart
beating or feel a pulse? (The pulse can be felt in the femoral artery on the inside of the
thigh.) If no heartbeat is present, begin CPR.
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
Lay your dog on its side. Locate the heart at the point where the elbow meets the chest.
For small dogs, begin squeezing over the point of the heart with one hand. For medium
and large dogs, use a hand over hand technique and perform chest compressions over
the point of the heart. Aim to provide 100-120 chest squeezes/compressions per minute or
2 compressions per second. If available, have a helper continuously checking the pulse
and administering rescue breathing as above. Discontinue once a pulse is felt or signs of
life are seen.