• Getting a Puppy
• Tail Docking
• Common Health Issues
• First Aid
• Neutering
• Microchipping
• Separation Anxiety
• Dogs & Moving Home
• Responsible Ownership
• Pet Passports

First Aid

We would always recommend that all treatments to your dog should be carried out by a vet by in some instances there are some things you could administer yourself until professional advice is on hand.

Bleeding

Often when a dog is bleeding it can appear a lot more dramatic than it actually is. You are the best judge to know whether your dog will require immediate veterinary assistance or whether you can deal with the problem.

Firstly, don't panic and locate the wound source. Apply direct pressure to the wound for a few minutes and try & keep your dog calm. Dogs are very quick to pick up on your body language, so the calmer you are, the easier it will be to calm your dog. Larger wounds may need further attention.

If the bleeding persists, apply a dressing of clean gauze & secure it with tape so as to prevent further blood loss. Never remove a dressing until your veterinary surgeon asks you to.

Fitting/Collapsing

It's extremely important that if your dog starts to fit that you don't touch them unless absolutely necessary. Any stimulation could worsen or lengthen the fit. If able to try and move anything directly around the dog so as not to cause further injury. Dimming the lights will also reduce stimulation to the brain.

Most seizures last a few minutes & expect when you dogs try's to stand up that they will be a little uneasy. Continue to keep the area dark and quiet and keep any handling to a minimum.

Once the seizure has passed you should arrange to take your dog to the vet. It always a good idea to record the time and date and length of the fit as the vet may ask you for this information.

In some cases, the fit can last for longer than a few minutes. In this case, your veterinary surgeon will give you specific advice. Remember that in a fit, an animal has no control of the spasms of their muscles, including that of the jaw, which can result in nasty bite injuries if care is not taken.

The advice given on this page is general. Always phone your veterinary clinic for specific advice in an emergency.