7 Tips to manage a medical crisis.
By Katie Costello; Dog Fancy April '07
Arm yourself with some basic first-aid
knowledge so you can think fast in
times of crisis.  Here are some tips
for first response to some common
emergency situations to help you get
your dog to the veterinarian safely.
"The first rule when dealing with an
injured pet is to not be bitten.  
Always err on the side of caution and
use a muzzle," says Anthony S.
Johnson, DVM, an American College
of Veterinary Emergency and Critical
Care diplomate.  He suggest tying a
pair of panty hose around an injured
dog's muzzle.
3.  Choking.  If you can see an
obstruction, try to remove it with pliers
or tweezers - but be very careful not to
be bitten.  If you can't see anything, or
your dog is collapsing, "grasp under
the rib cage holding your fist together
and make an upward thrust, sharp and
short, and see if the object dislodges,"
Johnson says.
2.  Poisoning.  If you know what your
dog swallowed, immediately call your
vet or an animal poison control center.  
The American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has a
24 - hour hotline at (888) 426-4435  (a
fee does apply).
Karl Jandrey, DVM, DACVECC,
explains, "don't make your dog vomit
unless you are instructed to do so.  If
you don't know what your dog ate,
collect any vomit, diarrhea, or rine and
take it with you to the hospital.  If you
know what your animal ate, take the
container that lists ingredients"
4.  Heatstroke.  If you think your dog
may have overheated, hose her down
with cool water, NOT ice cold water
which can make the animal worse,
Johnson explains.  "Focus on the foot
pades, " he says.
Once you've applied some water, take
your dog to the vet IMMEDIATELY.  
Jandrey adds, "Don't waste time taking
you dog's temperature.  Heatstroke is
a potentially life-threatening problem"
5.  Wounds.  For excessive bleeding,
apply pressure using a clean cloth or a
sanitary feminine napkin, Johnson
says.  "Don't keep looking at the
wound.  You will disrupt the clot."  If the
wound is wider than one-half inch, or if
there is a lot of blood, see your vet
immediately, Johnson advises.
For a puncture wound, Jandrey says,
"don't try to remove the object.  
Sometimes removing if from the
outside leaves pieces of material on
the inside."  Go straight to your
veterinarian.
6.  Burns.  Place a cool, clean cloth
on the area, and see your
veterinarian.  Sometimes you don't
know for days the extent of the burn.
7.  Lameness.  Anything from a
sprained tendon or ligament, to a
minor non-displaced fracture, to a
neurological problem can cause
lameness.  "it is usually best not to
wrap it, " Jandrey says.  Instead,
carefully get your dog into the car, and
head to your vet.
1.  Hit by a car.  If your dog is injured
and can't walk, use a sheet of plywood
or a large box as a stretcher to get her
into the car safely.  Johnson says.  
Place a blanket over her to keep her
warm, and "try to control any bleeding
with direct pressure."