The first step in providing any kind of emergency medical care
for your golden retriever is to have a completely stocked, easy to access, first
aid kit. If you travel frequently, you may want to keep one in your car as well.
The kit should be made out of a water proof material that is large enough to hold
all the items needed to help sustain your pet until a veterinarian can assist
you.
These items should include: Tweezers, bandage sheers, gauze, tape that
will not stick to fur, antibacterial ointment, hydrogen peroxide, cotton swabs,
cotton balls, latex gloves, a muzzle, active charcoal, anti-diarrhea medication,
medicine droppers, syrup of ipecac, as well as any medications your dog regularly
takes or allergy injections that may be needed. Keeping a notebook with known
allergies, medical conditions, your veterinarian’s phone numbers, and the like
will assure that even a puppy sitter can provide adequate emergency golden retriever
care.
Basic First Aid
There is much more golden retriever care that
a knowledgeable owner can do for their pet than the basic items listed below;
a veterinarian should preferably administer any further first aid.
Muzzling
And Restraining
An injured dog is likely to try and run or otherwise get
away from the situation, even if it is badly injured, its adrenaline will force
it to keep moving. Once the dog stops, it is important to restrain it so that
it will no longer try to run; a leash is the easiest way to do this, and it can
be drawn extra short to restrict head movement. If you suspect a serious injury
like a broken bone, you may want to care for your golden retriever by restraining
it by laying it flat on a board, and securing it with masking tape.
The
purpose of muzzling a golden retriever to care for it is that, if it’s in a lot
of pain, it could go into survival mode and try to bite you. Since you don’t want
to be injured saving your dog, it’s better for both of you for it to be muzzled.
A muzzle can be purchased and put into your first aid kit, but if a muzzle is
unavailable, anything long enough to tie twice around the mouth and then around
the back of the head, such as gauze, a neck tie, rope, or panty hose, work great
in a pinch. Simply make a loop with your ‘rope’ and tie a knot in the bottom and
again at the top, then around the back of the head. This setup should do until
a veterinarian can care for your golden retriever.
Accidental Poisoning
If
you notice your dog has eaten something that is poisonous, such as old medication
or cleaning products, you must care for your golden retriever quickly. Try to
get your veterinarian on the phone immediately. For most poisons, you do not want
to induce vomiting. Talk to your veterinarian before you ever try to induce vomiting.
You could end up doing more harm than good.
If your veterinarian does recommend
that you induce vomiting, salt water and ipecac syrup are good to have on hand
to aid in this process; make sure to aim either substance as far back in the mouth
as possible and above the tongue, as they will try to spit it out if they can.
Your veterinarian will probably still want to see the dog or, if it is after hours,
have your golden retriever cared for at an urgent care center.
If your dog
has been bitten or stung by insects or other animals, the very best thing to do
is to get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible; as for ‘field medicine’
to stabilize them enough for travel, the following will help you give your golden
retriever proper care. For a snake bite, the wound should be bound with the dog
laying as flat as possible during transport. Never try to cut the bite or suck
out the poison if it is a venomous snake, if it’ s a non venomous snake, cleaning
the bite and treating the dog with antibiotics is probably what your veterinarian
will suggest.
Stings are not usually life threatening unless your golden
retriever has an allergy; first remove the stinger if one has been left. Next,
apply a cold compress to the area, but if your golden retriever care doesn’t provide
the desired response or it gets worse, call your veterinarian.
Resuscitation
Everyone
everywhere should learn CPR, it saves lives every day and in every way, many organizations
offer classes to learn animal CPR; if you are interested in being able to save
your golden retriever’s life should an accident stop their breath, you should
certainly take one of these courses.
Cuts and Animal Bites
Cuts
and animal bites should be cleaned and have an antiseptic ointment applied as
soon as possible; in addition, a bandage should be applied to the affected area.
If a proper bandage is not available, any cloth, even panty hose, will do to keep
the wound clean until veterinary attention can be sought. Antibiotics may be prescribed
by your veterinarian to help you care for your golden retriever at home.
More
Serious Injuries
Any more serious injuries should be taken care of by your
veterinarian. Do what you can to move your golden retriever with care, so as not
to bring them further injury and get them medical attention immediately.
You
will probably never need to administer or seek emergency care for your Golden
retriever, but golden retrievers need to be extra careful during their high energy
puppy stage where their curiosity and exuberance can get them into trouble. Caring
for your golden retriever as he ages is easier because they tend to become
calmer and easier to care for with age.
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