Preventative and Emergency Care

In This Chapter

Keeping your puppy healthy with daily care, grooming, and regular checkups
Relieving your puppy’s allergies
Getting your puppy spayed or neutered
Treating your pup in emergencies

In this chapter, I cover everything from how to gussy up your puppy to how to prevent illness through daily maintenance. Prevention really is worth a pound of cure. I also address how to handle emergencies and how to do CPR and artificial respiration on your puppy. Hopefully you won’t need this information, but do read it over just in case. Knowing how to handle situations from cuts and burns to skeletal injuries can save your pup’s life.

Staying on Top of Good Hygiene and Health

Staying on top of good health can prevent a lot of disease and heartache. One way to accomplish this task is to keep your dog clean and groomed. Not only does regular grooming make your puppy look and feel good, but it also helps you discover any ailments before they become serious. Brushes, nail clippers, toothpaste, cotton balls — these are just some of the items you may use to keep your puppy in tip-top shape. Of course, the other way to stay on top of your pup’s good health is to make sure you join forces with a caring vet who can help your puppy grow into a healthy adult dog. (For more on grooming as your pup grows up, check out Dog Grooming For Dummies, by Margaret H. Bonham [Wiley].)

Making bath time lots of fun

I remember dog baths back when I was a kid. I had a big Husky-Shepherd mix named Shawbee. To say she hated her bath is an understatement. She dug her heels in the minute we’d turn her down the hall. Restraining her in the tub was no picnic, either. Four hands had to be on her or else she was hall-bound, shaking suds as she ran down the stairs and out the door. It was quite entertaining.

Tip

Here’s a way to prevent this scenario of having your dog bolt during bath time: Make “Tub” a direction and practice tub exercises long before you give your puppy a bath. The trick works so well that your puppy may start jumping into the tub on command. Use the following steps:

1. Say “Tub,” run to the tub, and treat your puppy (without actually putting him in). Repeat often.

2. Next, lay a towel on the bottom of the tub for traction, place some toys around it, and rub a tasty spread (like peanut butter) onto the basin at your puppy’s nose level to keep him content and occupied.

You’re doing a practice run without water.

3. Help your puppy into the tub, play for five minutes, and then take him out.

While sitting on the tub’s edge, love on him and treat him calmly. Remember that at this step you have no bath and no water.

4. Repeat Step 3 until your puppy looks forward to tub togetherness.

5. Next, run the water as you’re playing but let it drain (don’t fill the tub).

6. After your puppy allows the water to run while he’s in the tub, let the tub fill to hock (ankle) depth.

If your dog squirms, stop the water, sing softly, and offer some treats as you scratch his back lovingly.

7. Proceed gradually until you’re able to fill the tub and bathe peacefully (see Figure 20-1).

Figure 20-1: This puppy loves bath time.

I know these steps sound extensive, but think of it as one week’s adventure. After all, it’s a training exercise — and a relatively small effort for a lifetime of easy bathing.

Remember

Stick with one bath a month at the most. The reason? Dogs don’t have pores to produce oil. If you bathe them constantly, their coats become dry, dull, brittle, and full of dandruff.

Brushing made easy

Grooming can be a complete nightmare or a delightful, interactive time with your dog. Whether grooming is a chore or a treat is determined in puppyhood. Keep the first brushing episodes fun, and always end on a positive note by giving your pup a treat or his favorite toy.

Tip

Following are some suggestions to make your puppy’s first associations with grooming pleasant ones:

– Use a soft-bristle human or puppy brush. You can eventually work toward using the brush of your choice, but for now, avoid the wirebristled brush. Also keep in mind that as your puppy matures, he’ll shed his puppy coat and will require a more sophisticated brushing tool. To discover which brush is best for your pup’s needs, speak to a groomer or pet-store professional.

– Spread peanut butter or chicken broth in your puppy’s food bowl or provide a delectable chew for distraction. Show your puppy the seasoned bowl when he’s in a quiet mood, and as he enjoys the diversion, softly draw the brush over his body.

If you follow the preceding suggestions, your puppy will take the experience in stride, and soon you’ll both be looking forward to the time together.

Warning!

If your puppy growls fiercely at any point while you’re brushing him, stop everything and call a professional right away.

Performing daily care and spot-checks

Remember

Any mindful puppy owner knows that a puppy can’t articulate discomfort or dismay. Establishing daily routine checkups not only conditions your puppy to handling but also keeps you aware of anything that runs amiss.

Eyes

Soulful, sweet, comic — your puppy’s eyes express it all. It’s up to you to keep them healthy, bright, and clear. If you notice that your puppy’s eyes are tearful, full of mucus, swollen, or itchy, see your veterinarian. Your puppy could be suffering from conjunctivitis (which is very contagious to other dogs), a cold, an internal parasite, or an allergy.

Your puppy has a third eyelid. If you lift the lower lid carefully, you see a pinkish lid that closes independently. This lid protects your puppy’s eye from dust and other particles that are picked up near the ground. This third lid can become infected, so note its healthy color and take your puppy to the veterinarian if you notice it becoming inflamed.

Tip

If your veterinarian prescribes eye medication, administer it carefully by swiping something tasty on the refrigerator (peanut butter or broth) at a 30-degree angle above your dog’s eye level. Stand behind your dog or to his side and pull back the upper lid until you see the white of your dog’s eye; carefully drop in the medication.

Ears

Different dogs require different cleaning schedules ranging from every couple weeks to daily. As a general rule, floppy ears require more care than uprights because of limited air circulation. If you have a hairy-eared breed, you may be instructed to pluck the hair out of the way because excess hair can trap wax and make one big mess that cries out for parasites. Talk to your veterinarian or groomer for personal instructions. (Refer to Chapter Bugged In and Bugged Out: Internal and External Parasites for information regarding ear mites.)

Following is some general information about caring for your puppy’s ears:

– Clean the outer ear flap. Ask your veterinarian to recommend a commercial ear solution that helps prevent infection. Using a cotton ball soaked in the solution, swipe the outer flap. Use caution when cleaning because the ear is very tender and going in too deep can be painful. Repeat this process until the cotton comes up clean.

Warning!

Don’t use cotton swabs or poke into your puppy’s ear canal. You can cause irreparable damage by doing so.

– Prevent water from entering the ear. If you’re bathing your pup, put a cotton ball in the opening ahead of time and wipe the ears out with a dry cotton ball when you’re finished.

Remember

Ear infections are quite common. Signs of infection include a red or swollen ear, discharge, head shaking, ear itching, or bad odor. If you notice any of these symptoms, get your puppy to his doctor immediately. Left untreated, infections can cause fever, depression, irritability, and loss of balance. Your veterinarian may prescribe an ointment that you administer at home. Here’s how to use it:

1. Wait until your dog’s a little sleepy.

2. Bring him to the refrigerator and swipe some peanut butter or broth at his eye level.

3. As he’s licking the refrigerator, gently squeeze the amount of ointment specified by your veterinarian into his ear canal.

4. Massage his ear as you praise him warmly.

Taking your puppy’s temperature

Now here’s a fun activity your whole family will enjoy. Okay, maybe not. With all the technological improvements of late, your puppy will still have to endure the old thermometer-in-thebottom style of preventative care. It’s best to occupy his mouth with something tasty (peanut butter or treats top my dog Whoopsie’s list) while you dip a rectal thermometer in petroleum jelly and slide it in. The time varies on the individual thermometer: Read the instructions for use. Note that a resting dog’s temperature is between 100.5 degrees and 102.5 degrees, which is much warmer than the 98.6-degree normal for humans. A good idea is to take your puppy’s temperature when he’s well so you can gauge an illness when symptoms show.

Nose

There’s not too much to say about the nose, though it is helpful for tipping you off to the fact that your puppy’s not feeling well. A warm nose can be caused by an elevated temperature (see the sidebar “Taking your puppy’s temperature”). However, weather conditions also can lead to dryness or fluctuation in temperature. If you suspect your puppy has a fever, touch his other body areas without fur (belly, paws, or the inside of his ears) or take his temperature. Did I mention you have to do that rectally? What fun!

Remember

Dogs’ noses can become discolored. One potential cause is the sun. When your puppy hangs in the sun, protect his nose with a sunblock with an SPF of 45. Another reason a pup’s nose may become discolored is an allergic reaction to a plastic food dish or household detergent. In such cases, use stainless-steel bowls for your dog’s dishes, and clean with environmentally safe products.

Mouth

You must take care of your puppy’s teeth. Though dogs are less prone to tartar buildup than humans are, they’re not immune, and poor dental hygiene can also lead to heart disease and kidney disease.

Sure, dogs have more-concentrated saliva and they chew bones and things, but these preventatives don’t take the place of dental care. Without a little help from friends (that means you!), your pup may suffer from tooth decay, cavities, abscesses, periodontal disease, and tooth loss. To keep your puppy’s teeth healthy:

– Include dry food in your puppy’s diet. The saliva involved in chewing kibble helps clean your puppy’s teeth.

– Start brushing your puppy’s teeth once a week. Use special dog toothpaste instead of human toothpaste because fluoride and dogs don’t mix. If your dog is adverse to the brush, use your finger or a finger brush. If your dog growls at you, quit immediately and call a professional.

Tip

If you have a young puppy, acquaint him with this procedure early on. Rub your fingers along his gums throughout the week and praise him calmly as you brush.

– As your dog gets older, you may opt for professional cleaning. To clean your dog’s teeth, your veterinarian needs to anesthetize him. Then she scales each tooth separately and finishes with polishing.

Some puppies put up an enormous struggle when getting their teeth brushed. For these critters, your veterinarian may suggest an oral spray that breaks down tartar.

Nails

If your puppy’s nails grow too long, they can force his foot out of position, and the nails can crack or break if they catch on something. To keep your pup’s nails healthy, you need to clip them about once a month.

Tip

The best kind of clipper looks like a guillotine. Seriously. I can’t explain it any better than that. This clipper is ideal because it isolates the nail and steadies your cut. Ask your veterinarian or groomer or pet-store employee about this tool.

When clipping your puppy’s nail, you want to clip the very tip, just at the point it starts to curl (see Figure 20-2). You may notice that your pup’s front nails grow faster than the hind ones due to the amount of surface he exercises on. If your dog has dewclaw (a nail that rides high on the back or front paw), don’t forget to trim it.

Figure 20-2: Clip the nail at the tip where the point starts to curl.

If you’re reading this section before you’ve had the chance to cut your dog’s nails, consider yourself blessed. To avoid having a clipper-phobic dog, make paw handling part of every positive interaction, from petting to treating, by following these steps:

1. Initially, just handle your puppy’s paws — nothing fancy.

If you’re in the car and come to a red light, turn to your puppy, handle his paws, and tell him “Good boy.” Have as much hand-on-paw contact as possible for a week or two. Perform no clipping at this step.

2. Next, take out your peanut butter (or broth) and swipe some across the refrigerator at your dog’s eye level. As he licks, rub his paws with the clipper.

Don’t cut the nails just yet. Open and shut the clippers to acquaint him with the sound.

3. Now try one cut — just one. Place the edge of the clippers over the top of the nail and squeeze the handle quickly.

White nails show the nail bed, which you must avoid. If your puppy has dark nails, you need to take extra precaution. If you’re concerned, ask your veterinarian or groomer to give you a lesson.

4. The next day, try two nails and then three.

Remember

Don’t correct your dog if he protests. Be understanding and slow down. Again, nail clipping sounds like a production, but in the long run, you’ll be glad you took the time to do it right. Anyone who has cut her dog or frightened him by being too rough can tell you that having a clipper-phobic dog is a nightmare.

Warning!

God forbid you cut into your puppy’s quick (the tissue part of the nail). Aside from being excruciatingly painful, the cut will bleed for hours because the quick has lots of veins. To prevent excess bleeding, purchase a clotting solution like styptic powder from your veterinarian. It works like magic.

An Apple a Day: Taking Your Pup for Regular Checkups

Puppies, like kids, need vaccinations and regular checkups. After you’ve found a veterinarian you’re comfortable with, get out your appointment book and schedule regular visits to ensure that your puppy gets all the protection he needs.

First vaccines should be given as the puppies are weaned off their mother’s milk. Unless a puppy is orphaned, which would require more medical intervention, a puppy’s first vaccine should begin at six weeks. If a series is recommended, follow-up shots are given two to three weeks later. These shots are called boosters. After the puppy reaches doghood, vaccines generally need to be given annually.

Warning!

Vaccines aren’t guaranteed 100 percent. Some dogs are allergic to them. In others, antibodies don’t build up enough of a defense. Postvaccine illnesses are tragic. Keep your puppy at the animal hospital for 30 minutes after he receives his initial vaccines, and find out the signs and symptoms of each illness so you can recognize them.

When possible, spread the vaccines out so that your puppy isn’t exposed to many on the same day. This plan may cost you a little more in veterinarian visits, but in the long run it may prevent your pup from having an adverse reaction.

Achoo! Dealing with Allergies

Dogs with allergies suffer from swollen paws, itchy skin or gums, sneezing, and eczema. The worst part is that dogs can’t articulate what’s wrong, so pinning down the culprit is difficult. Canine allergens include wool, dust, molds, pollen, cedar chips, propylene glycol (a rawhide treat preservative), pesticide chemicals, house and garden plants, weeds, and food products. If you suspect your dog has allergies, talk to your veterinarian. She can test to determine what’s bugging your puppy and can give him medication to relieve his symptoms.

Tip

Here’s a checklist to follow if you suspect your puppy suffers from allergies, noting all seasonal and environmental changes:

– Use detergent soap designed for babies’ diapers when washing your puppy’s bedding.

– Check out the sprays used in your home, yard, and garden. Don’t use any products toxic to your pet. Imidacloprid and fipronil are nontoxic.

– Because many dogs are allergic to commercial disinfectants, use bleach and water (1⁄4 cup of bleach per gallon of water) to clean your dog’s areas.

– Don’t overuse cleaning or parasite products. Flea sprays, powders, and dips can be very toxic.

Remember

Many dogs also have or over time acquire food allergies. Corn and wheat are common culprits, but your puppy may also be sensitive to the base meat in his food. If you suspect a food allergy, speak to your veterinarian. She’ll likely suggest a dietary change and may want to narrow your pup’s diet fundamentally to pinpoint the cause.

Spaying or Neutering Your Puppy

A female dog is prevented from reproducing by an operation commonly called spaying. Her ovaries (the egg-producing sacs) are removed. This operation requires that your gal be anesthetized, and recovery takes 5 to 14 days. A male dog is prevented from fathering puppies through an operation called castration, or neutering. Basically, his testicles are removed from a small incision and his sac’s sewn up before you can say “Boo.” Your dog is anesthetized for the procedure and is back on his feet in 5 to 10 days.

If you’re not planning to breed your dog, have your dog spayed or neutered. Here’s my argument for why you should spay or neuter your pup: Dogs have three needs. They need to eat. If humans didn’t feed them, they would hunt and kill for survival. They need shelter. If humans didn’t provide shelter, they’d need to find it. Finally, they need to reproduce. Hormonal drives can override all else. A dog will leave the warm, safe perimeters of home to go out and look for a mate. This could lead to catastrophe and bring about great frustration if you were to place your dog under lock and key. Think about telling a human child he or she could never leave home and find a mate!

I’ve loved every dog who lived under my roof, but none were intended for show or breeding, and consequently all were either spayed or neutered. It didn’t change their personalities, and they didn’t get fat. Trust me: Altering isn’t like a lobotomy — it simply removes the need to scope out and fight for mates. Here’s a list of some other, more scientific arguments for altering your dog:

– According to the book titled The Adoption Option (Howell), approximately 4 million to 6 million dogs are euthanized in animal shelters each year. Don’t add to the problem. If you’re not breeding your dog responsibly, have him or her altered.

– Having your dog fixed reduces the chance of breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancer in females and testicular cancer and prostate infection in males.

– Male dogs are less likely to mark your home or fight with other male dogs and are more likely to stay close to home when they’re neutered.

Remember

If you adopt your puppy from a shelter, you may be required to neuter him. Some shelters offer to do the procedure for you, and others direct you to a low-cost facility. Altering can cost anywhere from $50 to $250, depending on the individual dog’s sex and health.

Accidents Happen: Preventing and Treating Puppy Mishaps

Nobody wants an accident to happen, and no one wants to see his puppy get hit or cut, be poisoned, or suffer from the heat. But things can happen, and you need to be prepared. Knowing what steps to take before you get your puppy to the animal hospital can save his life. This section covers the steps you need to follow in an emergency. Remember, though, that none of the suggestions in this section take the place of seeing your veterinarian immediately.

Knowing how to puppy proof your home

Puppies are insatiably curious creatures. Take a look at your house from your puppy’s point of view: “Plants, cords, and dropped items get a giant reaction from my parents if they’re within hearing distance. What fun!”

Remember

Try to prevent as many emergencies as possible by puppy proofing your home and restricting your puppy’s freedom to enclosed or puppy-proofed environments.

Hunting for household dangers

Walk (or better yet, crawl) around your house and look at it from your puppy’s perspective. What looks tempting? You can use duct tape to secure wires, and you can clean off coffee tables and clear bookshelves for the time being. I know that you don’t want to rearrange your living space, but remember that puppies are like babies: They get into everything for the sheer fun of discovering something new.

Hanging there like a snake, an electrical cord or a telephone wire can be quite tempting to attack and chew. The damage can range from a sharp to lethal shock or a mild to third-degree burn. If you notice a severed cord, check your puppy’s mouth for burns (and then see “Treating burns,” later in this chapter).

Tip

Prevent lamp-cord electrocution! Tape all cords hanging 4 feet from the ground to the wall, and pin floor cords to the baseboard. Also, keep a bottle of Bitter Apple spray handy, and each time you see your puppy nosing a wire, spray it immediately.

Taking care of small indigestibles

Though it may seem odd to you, some puppies love to swallow what they chew — especially if you’re trying to take the object away from them forcefully (this behavior is known as prize envy). The problem is that not all things pass through a puppy’s intestines. Some get stuck there, initially causing vomiting, gagging, dry heaves, and coughing, which can go on for days. If that’s not cause enough for alarm, the puppy’s loss of appetite will be. If the intestine is blocked and nothing is done to remove the obstruction, the intestine ruptures, which can be a fatal condition.

Treatment depends on how soon you get your puppy to the veterinarian. That’s because you don’t know whether the object is sharp or could break (thereby rupturing the intestines), if it’s small and likely to pass, or if it’s large enough to block digestion. Unless your veterinarian can induce your puppy to vomit the object up (which she may or may not be willing to do to guard your dog’s safety), an X-ray will be needed to identify what he swallowed. To remove the foreign object, the doctor may order surgery.

Keeping poison control numbers on hand

Put all dangerous substances out of the reach of your pet, just as you’d put them out of the reach of children.

Remember

You can call the 24-hour National Animal Poison Control Center if your puppy has swallowed something poisonous: 900-680-0000. (Because this is a 900 number, your phone bill will be charged or they will ask for a credit card. However, their immediate and professional assistance is worth a pot of gold when your puppy is in distress!) Keep the label of the ingested matter on hand or describe what was swallowed; the operator is trained to talk you through the incident, translate symptoms, and tell you exactly how to handle each incident.

Also keep your veterinarian’s number on hand (or in speed dial) and phone her immediately after an accident. Even if your dog seems okay, it’s good to speak with your veterinarian and discuss the issue and possible preventative tips. Additionally, have a backup plan if your veterinarian is out of the office or on vacation. Ask her to recommend a respected clinic for emergencies.

Avoiding poisonous plants

Inside or out, plants can entertain your puppy for hours. However, not all plants are dog-friendly. In fact, some are deadly. Check out the Cheat Sheet for a list of harmful plants.

Warning!

If your puppy is carrying a plant in his mouth, don’t race toward him. If you do, he perceives your actions as prize envy and may gulp the evidence. Approach calmly and stare at the floor, not into his eyes.

Puppy first aid 101: Knowing the basics

If your puppy has an accident, stay cool. If you lose it, he’ll get nervous and go to pieces. Be a rock of confidence. Be mentally tough. Organize. Think. If necessary, get him to the hospital as quickly and efficiently as possible. If you’ve prepared, you’ll be fine.

Restraining a hurt pup

Remember

Even the most beloved pet may bite when he’s in pain or confused. If he doesn’t bite you, he may go for the vet or one of the technicians, so restrain your puppy for their sakes. The simplest restraining technique requires a bandana or a rope (the bandana is more comfortable).

To restrain your puppy, follow these steps:

1. Fold a bandana into a long band.

2. Drape the center of the band across the top of your dog’s nose.

3. Cross the two ends underneath your dog’s chin.

4. Tie the ends securely behind your dog’s ears.

5. Check the crossing point underneath.

If the crossing point is too loose, your dog may paw it off; if it’s too tight, you may choke him.

Transporting a hurt pup

Transporting a dog who has internal injuries is tricky business. He’ll be restless and want to move. It’s your job to make sure he doesn’t. If you suspect a broken bone, spinal injury, or internal bleeding, transport your puppy on a firm surface, such as metal or plywood. Otherwise, placing your puppy on a sheet or towel is acceptable. Don’t cover his face or he may panic.

Tip

Be ready for an emergency anytime by having a dog-sized board in your home or garage.

Remember

Puppies can’t articulate pain. They can’t intellectualize it, meditate on it, or separate themselves from it. Pain is pain. It’s an intense feeling and a state of being. Pain puts dogs in a vulnerable state. It confuses their thought process and their physical organization. Their only drive is to protect themselves and alleviate their distress. Add that state of mind to your puppy’s natural temperament, and what you get is a fairly unpredictable reaction. Though dogs experience pain in the same way, they deal with it differently.

Helping a choking pup

Choking usually occurs when your puppy is chewing or playing with a toy and is suddenly challenged, is startled, or takes a deep breath. If you’re not around or you don’t react quickly, choking could be fatal. One way to prevent choking in the first place is to think smart: Don’t give your puppy toys that are smaller than his face.

If your puppy chokes on something, stay calm and focused while following these steps:

1. Bring your puppy into a standing position, even if someone must hold him there.

2. Try to reach in and dislodge the object.

Warning!

Be careful — you could jam the object in farther or get bitten if your dog’s panicking.

3. If you can’t dislodge the object, try a modified version of the Heimlich maneuver.

If your puppy is able to stand, clasp your hands together underneath him and pull up into his abdomen — just behind the sternum. Repeat this action five times vigorously.

If he’s unable to stand or is wiggling, steady him into an upright position and continue as described before.

4. If all else fails, get your dog to the veterinarian immediately.

Performing artificial respiration and CPR

Remember

As horrible as it is to see your puppy lying there after a fire or a car accident or after choking, ingesting poison, or being electrocuted, it may not be too late to save him. So be quick, stay calm, and think clearly when performing the following steps for performing artificial respiration:

1. Check for a heartbeat and breathing.

If your pup’s heart is beating but he isn’t breathing, proceed to the next step. If you also don’t feel a pulse, see the instructions that follow for administering CPR.

2. Check for any obstructions in the mouth and clear his mouth of any blood or mucus.

3. Pull his tongue out to make sure the airway is clear.

4. Shut his mouth gently.

5. Pull his lips over his mouth and secure them by wrapping one hand under his chin.

For breeds that have pushed-in noses, wrap your mouth around the nose.

6. Create an airtight funnel to his nose with your free hand.

7. Inhale, and then exhale air smoothly into your puppy’s nose.

8. Repeat every five to six seconds.

If you can’t feel your puppy’s heartbeat, you must pump his heart for him by performing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), which means doing chest compressions in addition to the artificial breathing method described earlier. To give CPR, follow these steps:

1. If you have a large pup, lay him on his right side. If you have a small pup, place a hand on either side of his chest.

2. Compress the heart area of the chest in short bursts, one compression per second.

3. Exercise one breath every six seconds.

You’ll know when you’ve saved your dog because he’ll come back to life.

Stopping your pup’s bleeding

Bleeding comes in three forms:

– The everyday cut and scrape: This injury is no big deal. Twice a day, wipe the area with hydrogen peroxide to keep it safe from infection, and it should heal just fine.

– A continuous or oozing stream: This type of bleeding requires medical attention immediately. Raise the body part above the heart if possible and apply bandages one on top of the other to soak the blood as you press down on the area to slow the flow.

– A gushing spurt and flow: This type of bleeding is serious — very serious. Your puppy can go into shock quickly and die if he loses too much blood. Place bandage on top of bandage, elevate the limb if possible, and put constant pressure on the incoming artery. Drive to the nearest animal hospital.

Warning!

If you suspect internal bleeding, get your puppy to a hospital immediately. Internal bleeding is a life-threatening situation. White gums, a distended abdomen, a bloody cough, or vomiting spells are indications of internal bleeding.

Tip

Find your puppy’s pressure points. While he’s sleeping, feel for the pulse near the hip and elbow joints. These arteries regulate blood flow, and in an emergency, you can press them to slow it down. You can also use ice packs to slow the flow of blood from oozing cuts and scrapes.

Treating bug bites and stings

Most bug bites are no more of an annoyance for a dog than they are for us. A bump, scratch, and a bit of swelling won’t alter the day too dramatically. However, if a dog is allergic to the bite or sting, the reaction can be severe or even life-threatening. Symptoms of an allergy include facial swelling, hives, fever, joint pain, muscle ache, swelling, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Warning!

A severely allergic dog goes into respiratory failure, which can be fatal within minutes. This reaction is called anaphylaxis and requires immediate veterinary attention. If you know your puppy is sensitive to insect bites, ask your veterinarian to prescribe a bee sting kit that can counteract the reaction in an emergency.

Treating snake bites

Although most snakes issue pressure bites when they feel threatened, most bites aren’t poisonous. How can you tell? Poisonous snakes have fangs that make holes in the skin. Here are some other general guidelines for telling whether a snake is dangerous:

– Most native North American snakes that are solid colored or have stripes running the length of the body are nonvenomous.

– Be careful of snakes with diamond backs, stripes running around the body, or those with blotch patterns. In North America, poisonous snakes include rattlesnakes, water moccasins, cottonmouths, coral snakes, and copperheads.

A puppy who tangles with a poisonous snake usually doesn’t have long to live. The first thing that happens physically is he swells up like a balloon. Then, within hours, he’ll go into seizures, fall into a coma, and most likely die.

Remember

If your puppy is bitten by a poisonous snake, get him to his veterinarian immediately, phoning her as you’re en route so that she may prepare an antidote.

Treating burns

Curiosity strikes again. Puppies can get burned from a variety of chemicals and household appliances.

Your reaction should be calm and immediate when treating burns. Here are some things to keep in mind:

– Take your puppy to a quiet area and calm him.

– Steadily pour cool water over the area. If it’s a chemical burn, continue to pour water on the burn for five to ten minutes.

– If the burn is superficial, keep it clean and rub it with an antibacterial ointment twice a day. More-serious burns demand immediate medical attention.

Tip

If your puppy gets burned by chewing on electrical cords and is in pain, apply ice to the burns and give him ice water. Then take him to his veterinarian, who may prescribe antibiotic oral gel to prevent infection and may recommend a dietary change until his mouth is back to normal.

Treating and preventing heatstroke

Because dogs don’t have pores, they can’t sweat. The only way they can release heat is through the pads in their feet and by panting. Dogs can suffer from heatstroke if left in poorly ventilated areas, such as a car or kennel, or if tied out or overexercised on a humid day. If you notice that your puppy has shallow breathing, a rapid heart rate, and a high temperature, cool your puppy gradually with wet towels, a cool bath, or ice around his neck, head, and groin. After cooling him off, take him to the veterinarian.

Remember

Heatstroke is preventable. Never leave your puppy in a poorly ventilated environment, and make sure water is always available on warm days. If an emergency necessitates leaving your puppy in the car, contain him in a kennel or seat-belt harness and leave the car running with the air conditioning on and doors locked. For cases like these, keep an extra set of keys in the glove compartment to take with you so you can get back in your locked car.

The best solution is never to take your puppy with you on hot days. A car, even with all the windows down, can overheat within an hour. What a horrible way for a dog to die — locked in a hot automobile just wanting and waiting for his caretaker to come back.

Sarah Hodgson