Get certified in Pet First Aid & CPR: Individuals for just $49.95.
This video is normally available to paying customers.You may unlock this video for FREE. Enter your email address for instant access AND to receive ongoing updates and special discounts related to this topic.
The first rule of providing first aid is to ensure the safety of the first responders. Before approaching your pet in an emergency, ensure the environment is safe and that you feel comfortable approaching your pet. The most likely reason for a first responder to become injured is from a bite or a scratch from an animal. Even the most well behaved animal may become aggressive if she's in pain or if she's afraid. Fortunately, the risk of transmitting infectious diseases from your pet to you is very low. Signs that a pet may become aggressive include growling or baring the teeth, the fur along the spine or the shoulder standing up, cowering or moving away from you, potentially urinating or lip smacking. If you see any of these signs or any other signs as this list is not exhaustive, do not approach the animal until you can get help or the animal calms down. If you do feel that you're comfortable approaching your pet and she's not already wearing a gentle leader like Annabelle is, you can try to use a slip lead. Take the loop of the slip lead and pass it over her nose and mouth behind her neck and pull it snug behind her ears. Before transporting an animal that's in pain, it's important to try to place a muzzle. You want to get a muzzle and pass it over your dogs nose and clasp it in the back behind her ears. If you don't have a muzzle or the muzzle you have is not of the appropriate size, you can use a strip of gauze or other soft material. Make a loop with the material and then pass it over your dog's snout, pulling it snug. Cross it under her chin and tie it in a bow behind her ears making sure you can remove it easily if needed. If you dog becomes more agitated or aggressive with the muzzle, it's best to skip this step and try to transport her without the muzzle. In small dogs you can try to use a towel. Cover her head with a towel and wrap your arms around her to restrain her so that she can't bite or scratch at you. And in some cases in small animals you can grab the skin behind their neck, that loose scruff, and that sometimes will help prevent them from turning to bite or scratch at you. Again, it's always important to remember that if it's not safe to approach the animal don't do so until you can get help or the animal calms down.
In this lesson, we'll go over ways in which you can stay safe while trying to help your dog. While it may seem unimaginable to you, your pet could turn on you if she feels threatened in an emergency. At the end of the lesson, we'll provide you with a Word about heat and dog safety.
The first rule of providing any kind of first aid is to ensure the safety of the first responders, and in this case, that means you. Before approaching your pet in an emergency, always check to make sure the scene or environment is safe and that you feel comfortable approaching.
The most common reason for a first responder to be injured trying to help an animal is from bites and scratches. Even the most well-behaved and docile dogs can become aggressive when they are afraid or in pain. Fortunately, if you should get bitten or scratched, the risk of transmission of an infectious disease from pet to human is very low.
That are some signs or indications that your dog may become aggressive with you during an emergency situation; these include, but are not limited to:
Warning: If you see any of these signs or other signs of aggression, do not approach your dog until you can get help or the animal calms down. It's important to mention one more time, this list is not complete.
Ideally, in these types of situations, you'll have a Gentle Leader on hand. A Gentle Leader headcollar fits securely over your dog's nose. The nose loop redirects her head towards you when she pulls forward, which prevents her from pulling. It also helps you get her full attention.
Pro Tip: If you feel comfortable approaching your dog but you don't have a Gentle Leader, you can use a slip lead leash instead to achieve a similar result. Take the loop end of a slip lead and pass it over your dog's nose, mouth, and neck and pull it snug behind her ears.
Before transporting a dog in pain, it's also important to try and muzzle the animal. Take your appropriately sized muzzle and pass it over your dog's nose and clasp it in the back behind her ears.
If you don't have an appropriately sized muzzle, you can use a strip of gauze or some other soft material. Make a loop on one end, like you were beginning to tie a knot (but don't tighten). Pass that loop over your dog's snout and pull it snug, but not too tight. Cross it under her chin and tie it into a bow behind her ears. And make sure you can remove it easily if needed.
Watch the corresponding video for this lesson for practice.
If your dog becomes aggressive or more agitated while being muzzled, skip this step and attempt to transport your animal without one; just use common sense and heed the first rule from above – ensure your own safety first.
For small dogs, you can try to use a towel as a muzzle if you don't have one that fits. Cover the animals head with the towel and wrap your arms around your dog to restrain her. In this position, she won't be able to bite or scratch you.
In some cases, with smaller animals, you can grab the skin behind their neck – that loose scruff that mothers use to instinctively carry their pups around. This may help prevent your dog from turning to bite or scratch you.
Warning: It's worth mentioning again – it's always important to remember that if it's not safe to approach your dog, wait until you get help or the animal calms down on her own.