What's In Your
Pooch's First-Aid Kit?
Like parents tending to kids'
skinned knees, most dog owners will occasionally have to nurse
their pets' scrapes, scuffs, or other minor injuries. Yep, accidents
happen. But you can make such mishaps more manageable by following
the old scouting motto: Be prepared. That means having a well-stocked
first-aid kit on hand at all times. Don't have one? Pick up a
waterproof plastic box, and stock it with these essentials:
1. Vital Stats -- Write down your dog's name, breed,
and date of birth; any medical conditions and allergies he has;
and any medications he's taking (including doses). If he's been
microchipped, jot down the number. Also include your home address
and phone number; your vet's name and phone number; and your
emergency vet clinic's phone number.
2. Important Records -- Make
photocopies of important health records, including vaccinations,
and seal them in a plastic bag inside your kit.
3. Basic Supplies -- Fill the rest of your kit with alcohol
wipes, gauze, cotton balls, nonstick bandages, hydrogen peroxide,
scissors, adhesive tape, cotton swabs, tweezers, an eyedropper,
hand sanitizer or soap, a digital thermometer, a pair of latex
gloves, and a tube of both topical first-aid cream and antibiotic
ointment.
Also, look into taking a pet
first-aid class. After all, learning how to handle
If you've never given your dog's
paw pads much thought, you should! Pads are the thick, spongy,
rubbery part of your dog's paw. Dogs rely on their paw pads to
absorb shock, make traction with the surface on which they're
walking (or running, sliding, slipping, etc.), insulate their
paws from extreme temperatures, and to protect them from whatever
is underfoot. Watch your dog's paws when you take him out for
a walk or a play session, and you’ll realize how much punishment
his pads take on a daily basis.
With ground contact occurring
every step of a dog's life, paw pads have evolved into a tough
and resilient part of his body. But, tough as they are, paw pads
are not made of armor. That’s why it's not uncommon for
vets to find dogs with paw pad injuries coming into the office
for emergency care.
Typical paw pad injuries
Common paw pad injuries include
lacerations, punctures and abrasions. If a dog steps on glass
or other sharp objects, even the toughest paw pad can get cut.
Paw pads can also be injured by extreme temperatures, and it’s
not unknown for dogs to experience burned paw pads on very hot
days. In addition, paw pads can be hurt by chemical spills on
the ground.
How to tell if your dog has
a paw pad injury
If you've personally seen your
dog step into a chemical or tread on glass or an extremely hot
surface, you’ll probably know almost immediately if he has
injured his paw pads. However, injuries may not always be witnessed
firsthand, and sometimes the symptoms occur a short time after
the actual injury taken place.
Symptoms of paw pad injuries
include bleeding, limping, excessive licking of the pad, discoloration,
and reluctance on your dog’s part to put weight on his paw.
What to do if your dog injures
a paw pad
Treatment depends on the type
of injury sustained. Here are a few first aid tips:
Cleaning the wound—First, determine if there is any
debris, such as glass, in the wound. If there is, remove it.
Washing the injured paw is a good idea, if clean water is available.
Swishing the paw in the water could help to dislodge any small
pieces of debris that might still be in the injury.
Stop the bleeding—Once the paw has been cleaned,
apply pressure on the paw pad with a bandage or other clean and
absorbent material. Try to maintain some pressure on the wound
until the bleeding stops. If the cut is small, the bleeding may
stop in short order. However, if the cut is very deep, you may
not be able to stop the bleeding on your own—and a trip
to the veterinarian’s office for expert care will be necessary.
Soothing burns—If you’ve ever attempted to
walk barefoot on a sun-bathed sidewalk in the summer, you know
how scorching it can be. Even though paw pads are tough, they
can still burn. You can help soothe the burn with an icepack
or the cool, gentle running water of a garden hose or faucet.
If your dog steps into a harsh chemical, immediately flush the
entire paw with cool water. Keep the water running until all
traces of the chemical are washed away.
Next stop: the vet's office
Your dog's paws are difficult-to-heal
areas of his body. That's why even less-severe injuries could
require a visit to the vet's office. Many paw pad injuries require
proper cleaning and bandaging—and some may need more intensive
care. Your vet will also tell you how to properly care for the
treated injury at home during the time it takes the paw to heal.
An ounce of prevention
To help prevent paw pad injuries,
inspect areas where your dog will be playing. Remove all sharp
debris and wash away chemical spills. In the summer, try to keep
your dog from walking on extremely hot surfaces—grass and
earth are almost always cooler and more inviting to walk on under
the summer sun. And when taking your dog out for a walk, watch
the ground in front of your dog to avoid any dangerous surprises.