Here at 1 Dog At A Time Rescue UK, we totally understand how much you love your dog. When your dog becomes unwell or if you find your dog with a serious injury, then your actions could potentially become lifesaving. We have compiled some thoughts and advice for you, so you are prepared.

Be prepared for emergencies

Preparation could be the difference between life and death

• Keep your vet’s number stored in your phone or somewhere to hand, and know the name of the practice.
• Keep a pet first aid kit for use at home and when you are out and about, in the car or maybe on holiday.

What to do in an emergency

• The first thing is, don’t panic. When you stay calm, you are more likely to be able to help your dog.
• Remember that when injured animals are in pain or frightened, they are more likely to lash out. If you think you are in danger of getting bitten, you might need to consider using a muzzle on your dog. If you don’t have one, you could wrap tape around the nose and tie behind the ears (you wouldn’t do this if your dog were having difficulty breathing).
• Serious injuries are best to be dealt with by a vet. Call them first to explain what’s happened, and staff may be able to offer advice over the phone and tell you where and when to bring your dog to them.
• Don’t give any human medicines to dogs – many are not suitable. 
• Don’t offer food or water either, in case your dog needs to have a general anaesthetic.
• If your dog has been injured on the road, then you will probably need to move the dog to keep yourselves and them safe. The parcel shelf from a car can be used to make an excellent makeshift stretcher in these situations.

There is an acronym to refer to in these situations: “Dr ABCs”

• Danger – make sure yourself and others around you are safe.
• Response – check if your pet responds to their name or you touching them.
• Airway – is their airway clear?
• Breathing – are they breathing?
• Circulation – do they have a pulse or heartbeat?
• Send – send someone to ask for help!

How to recognise an emergency situation

Contact the vet straight away if your dog is: 

• Having difficulty breathing. Is your dogs breathing laboured or unusually noisy?
• Dull or depressed or cannot get up. 
• Vomiting repeatedly (which is particularly important if your dog is a puppy or is elderly). When combined with diarrhoea, this can be a severe condition, and a dog can soon become dehydrated.
• Appearing to be in severe pain or distress.
• Having difficulty standing and maintaining their balance.
• Unable to or having difficulty urinating or defecating. 

Pet first aid kit

We should all have a first aid kit for our dogs, even just a really basic one with a few items in it. You could also have a smaller kit to go in your car for when you are out and about. 

Here is a list of suggested items from the 1 Dog team that your first aid kit should contain :

• Bandages (self-adhesive or crepe type)
• Scissors
• Wound dressings
• Cotton wool
• Tweezers
• Tick remover
• Latex or vinyl gloves
• Self-adhesive tape
• Know where there is a large blanket or old duvet cover that you can use as a stretcher

Please click here to contact us if you would like more information on 1 Dog At A Time Rescue UK.