Pet health emergencies are often more terrifying for humans than those that occur with other people. This is because it is less common for individuals to have first aid training for their pets. It is important for pet owners to consider learning basic first aid techniques and to keep a well-stocked first aid kit for their pets.
Two of the most terrifying emergencies a dog owner may be faced with are seizures and choking. It is important to learn how to identify the symptoms and what to do to assist your pet as quickly as possible.
Seizures
Seizures are about as common in dogs as in humans. They can be caused by a variety of environmental and biological factors or may be the result of a seizure disorder such as epilepsy. The most common cause of seizures in dogs is called idiopathic epilepsy, which simply means seizures due to an unknown cause.
Before a seizure, a dog’s behavior is likely to become altered. He may hide, become nervous, or begin actively seeking the reassurance of his owner. Other pre-seizure symptoms may include whining, excessive salivation, and shaking. Any of these symptoms may proceed the event by minutes or hours.
Once the seizure itself begins to occur it will last from between a few seconds to a few minutes. The longer the seizure lasts, the more likely the dog will become overheated and steps will need to be taken to keep him cool. Once the dog is safe it is important to contact your veterinarian and schedule an appointment to determine the cause of the seizure.
Dog seizures treatment and prevention strategies vary based on the cause. Typically, veterinarians will not begin treatment unless there have been multiple episodes within a short period, more than one seizure in a month, or there are prolonged grand mal seizures.
Choking
As any dog owner knows, dogs love to chew on almost anything. They will nibble on shoes, toys, bones, and even furniture. This penchant for chewing can occasionally lead to an object becoming stuck on their palate or lodged in their windpipe and cause them to choke. When this happens, immediate action is required.
One of the tipoffs that a dog is suffocating is that they will begin to panic and may paw at his mouth. If they are unable to remove the object themselves, they may lose consciousness and become unresponsive. It is very important that those assisting the dog are very careful as a panicked animal may bite even if they are otherwise not prone to such behavior.
Begin by restraining the dog and then use both hands to open his mouth and press his lips over his teeth if possible. Look within the mouth and remove the obstruction with your hands. If that is not possible, the flat handle of a spoon may be used to dislodge something stuck to the roof of his mouth. If this isn’t effective it may be necessary to perform a canine version of the Heimlich maneuver.
If you suspect your pet is suffering from a health emergency, the first thing to do is to remember to stay calm. Assess the situation and determine what care is needed and what you are able to do yourself. If you realize you will need additional assistance take your vet to the nearest vet clinic.