Dog First Aid Facility: Wound Care, Emergencies + Building a Kit
Welcome to the place where we offer general info on canine first aid and putting together an essential first aid kit for your dog!
As a heads up, the information found here does not replace professional veterinary advice or consultation. It is simply an educational resource.
How to Treat a Minor Cut or Wound on Your Dog at Home
This is not for deep or serious wounds. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care.
How to Treat a Minor Burn on Your Dog at Home
This is not for deep or extensive burns, nor is it a substitute for professional veterinary care.
Though they seem similar at the surface, burns are different from cuts and scrapes. They affect the body differently, and after a brief sterile period, they are very susceptible to infection. To learn more about burn wounds and what makes them unique, check out our Canine Burn Resource.
What to Do in Certain Pet Emergencies
We understand that first aid isn't solely about treating wounds. Having some fundamental first aid knowledge and doing some basic prep work can make a life-saving difference in an emergency.
That said, first aid itself is not a substitute for veterinary care; it is often a necessary step or stopgap until you can get your pet to the hospital.
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If your dog gets stung by a bee
This guide is for minor bee or wasp stings. Take your dog to the vet immediately if the sting involves the snout or neck, or if an allergic reaction occurs.
- Look for a stinger and remove it by scraping it with a credit card or other stiff, flat object. Do not squeeze the stinger. Bees have barbed stingers that will stick in the skin and continue to release venom. Wasps and hornets do not.
- Rinse the sting area with cool water.
- Soothe the site of the sting. If available, make a thick paste of baking soda and water, apply it, and leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse it off. Lavengel® could also be useful here.
- Reduce swelling. Place an ice pack on the sting area for 10 minutes, alternating on and off every 10 minutes. For larger areas, a cooled towel works well.
- Mitigate allergic reactions. You can give your dog a dose of oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (a.k.a. Benadryl® or Vetadryl®) to help reduce the inflammatory reaction and help with itching. The general rule of thumb for diphenhydramine (Benedryl®) dosage in canines is 1 mg per pound of body weight (about 2 mg/kg). Make sure it does not contain other ingredients. That said, we strongly recommend consulting with your vet to be sure, especially if your dog has certain health conditions or takes certain medications.
- Protect the site from being scratched or licked. Keep them from agitating the area, which can bring about infection. An Elizabethan collar (cone or soft donut) may be advisable.
- Watch your dog for severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to the sting. Allergic reactions typically appear within the first 20 minutes of a sting, but they may also be delayed for hours. Anaphylaxis is another term for a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.
Signs of Severe Allergic Reaction
Take your dog to the vet immediately if you notice any of the following:
- Hives (raised, red, itchy bumps that appear in patches)
- Severe swelling around the head, snout, and neck
- Excessive drooling
- Wheezing, breathing with difficulty, excessive panting while resting
- Agitation (cannot stay still or comfortable)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness, disorientation, or stumbling
- Seizures
Learn more about bees, wasps, and hornets, treating their stings, and how to prevent them in our Caring for Bee and Wasp Stings post.
If your pet is poisoned
Household Products Toxic to Pets
Generally speaking, products that are toxic for people are also toxic for pets. Some of these may include:
- Cleaning products
- Certain cosmetics
- Over-the-counter and prescription drugs
- Paint or paint removal products
- Weedkillers
- Pest control products (rat poison, sprays, etc.)
- Antifreeze
- Certain plants (tulips and lilies for cats)
- Certain foods (dark chocolate, cherries, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, and more)
See more common products that are hazardous in our Pet Poison Prevention post.
Check the Product Label
If your pet is exposed to a chemical product, check the label for instructions on what to do for people exposed to it.
If the label instructs you to wash the skin with soap and water, then do so for your pet. Be sure not to get any in their eyes, nose, or mouth.
If the label tells you to flush the skin or eyes with water, do this for your pet - IF you can do it safely - and call your vet immediately.
Signs of Poison in Your Pet
A few signs that your pet may have been poisoned:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizure
- Losing consciousness
- Difficulty breathing
- Pale gums
- Lethargy
Quickly Gather Info
If possible:
- Note the toxic substance that your pet was exposed to
- The amount they were exposed to
- How much time has passed since exposure or consumption
- Grab the container(s) and packaging of the toxic material
- Identify the species, breed, age, weight of the pet(s) involved
- Note the symptoms and when you began to notice them
Get Veterinary Help
Immediately call your veterinarian, the local emergency veterinary hospital, the Animal Poison Control Center hotline at 888-426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. Be aware that a consultation fee may apply for the hotline or helpline.
Lastly, collect any material that may have been vomited or chewed to take with you to the animal hospital. The more information you can provide your veterinary staff, the better care they can give and the better chance of survival and mitigating/reducing harm to your pet.
Resource: American Veterinary Medical Association
If your pet is having a seizure
- Do not try to restrain them or "snap them out of it." Do not place your hands near their mouth.
- Make room. Keep your pet away from furniture or objects that might hurt them.
- Time the seizure.
- After the seizure has stopped, keep them as warm and comfortable as you can and contact your vet.
If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, is continuously seizing, or if they have had 2 or more seizures in the last 24 hours, carefully get them into the vehicle (you may consider using a soft blanket to transport them) and take them to the vet.
Resource: American Veterinary Medical Association
What Causes Seizures in Pets
- Toxins
- Epilepsy
- Metabolic disorders
- Infections
- Trauma
- Brain tumors
For much more information on seizures in pets - from what causes them to what the veterinary staff does when a seizure patient is brought in - see our It's an Emergency: Seizures in Dogs post.
If your dog has a heatstroke
Signs of Heatstroke
- Rapid breathing or heavy panting
- Fast and irregular heartbeat
- Excessive drooling
- Dry or sticky gums
- Collapse and fainting
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Seizure
Cool Them Down Slowly
Contrary to what we might think, it's important to cool your pet down slowly and not suddenly during heatstroke.
Their body is currently in a sensitive survival state, so a sudden exposure to cold could do more harm and send them into shock.
- Get your dog to a shaded area or air-conditioned environment. Use a fan to blow cool air onto them, if available.
- Pour water across the dog’s feet and abdomen, or apply wet towels (room temperature water) to their neck, armpits, and groin. Avoid wetting their coat, as water droplets can get trapped between the skin and fur and retain heat instead of relieving it.
- Offer cool water (no ice) for them to drink. If they are unconscious, wet their tongue with cool water.
- Do not immerse your pet in cold or cool water. Again, this could send them into shock.
- Take them to the vet as soon as you can. Prolonged overheating can lead to organ failure, muscle breakdown, and brain damage.
Learn more about canine heatstrokes, including more on how to identify and prevent them in our Heatstrokes in Dogs post.
For more tips on specific emergencies, how they can manifest themselves, and how to prevent them, see our Tails from the Clinic blog. Here are a few articles from our "It's an Emergency!" series.
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Gastric Dilation Volvulus
Tell me moreSometimes referred to as "bloat" or "twisted stomach," this serious issue can affect many large breeds of dogs.
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Seizures in Dogs
Read onwardLearn some of the reasons why pets may have a seizure, what to do, and the next steps taken at the veterinary hospital.
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Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Let's dive inDiabetes affects more than just humans, and one of the major risks that pets (and people) face is high acidic levels in the blood.
Building a Dog First Aid Kit
Having a first aid kit ready for your dog can be a literal life saver! Here are 11 things we recommend stocking - including Lavengel® (obviously). For more info, see our post on Pet First Aid Awareness.