| EMERGENCY CARE FOR YOUR PET What every pet owner should know; how to provide first aid in case of emergency 1. HEAT STROKE We live in a tropical country where temperatures easily rise to 30 celsius +. Heatstroke occurs when normal body mechanisms cannot keep the body's temperature in a safe range. Animals do not have efficient cooling systems (like humans who sweat) and get overheated easily. A dog with moderate heatstroke can recover within an hour if given first aid and veterinary care as soon as possible. Severe heatstroke can be deadly. Signs A dog suffering from heatstroke will display several signs: . Rapid panting . Bright red tongue . Red or pale gums . Thick saliva . Weakness . Dizziness . Vomiting - sometimes with blood . Diarrhea . Shock . Coma What you should do Remove the dog from the hot area immediately. Prior to taking him to your veterinarian, lower his temperature by wetting him thoroughly with cool water (but certainly not iced water, if the temperature will go down too quickly can be life threatening as the animal can get in a shock). Check the temperature rectally every few minutes. Even if the dog appears to be recovering, take him to your veterinarian as soon as possible. He should still be examined since he may be dehydrated or have other complications. Allow free access to water or a children's rehydrating solution if the dog can drink on his own. Don’t force-feed. How you can avoid heatstroke . Keep older pets and those with heart disease, obesity e.a. always cool and in the shade. Even normal activity for these pets can be harmful. . . Provide access to fresh water at all times. . . Do not leave your pet in a hot parked car even if you're in the shade or will only be gone a short time! . . Make sure outside dogs have access to shade always. Don’t cage your dog . On a hot day, restrict exercise; don’t go running with the dog. . . Avoid places like asphalt areas where heat is reflected and there is no access to shade. . . Allow your dog to swim and wet your dog. . . Provide your dog a cool area in the house. 2. BLEEDINGS If the bleeding is minor and not too big a pressure bandage should do the trick. Just tie a bandage or cloth around the wound. If the blood comes out in squirts a vein might have been damaged; tie a bandage around the wound and rush to the nearest vet clinic immediately. If the bleeding still comes out despite the bandage, place a bandage or rope above the wound to avoid too much blood getting lost through the vein puncture. 3. BONE FRACTURES Try to keep the dog as calm as possible, don’t let him move to avoid further damage. Call the veterinarian. In case you do have to transport the dog, try to keep him quiet and place him carefully on a plate of wood or stretcher. Never carry him as you would normally. Rush to the vet. 4. DAMAGE INFLICTED TO BURNING If needed remove all boiling oil and fat Don’t start removing hair or using creams Shower the dog with cool water (not icy) Rush to the veterinarian 5. ELECTRIC SHOCK When a dog has been electrocuted, be careful when you touch the dog; you might get the shocks yourself as well. Make sure you use an isolated material before you pull the dog away from the electricity source. Switch all electricity off immediately If the dog is unconscious, start to reanimate. Call your veterinarian Treat all other trauma like bleedings, fractures. Rush to the vet. 6. INSECT BITES Pull out the sting immediately Clean and des infect the area where the dog was stung. When needed push out any liquids from the area. When the dog start to swell up, shows signs of itching or any other symptoms, visit your veterinarian. 7. SMALL WOUNDS OR EXORIATIONS Clean the area with sterile water and leave it alone Avoid the dog from licking the area by using for example an old t-shirt to cover. 8. UNWANTED PREGNANCY Normally a female dog will start menstruating after six months. Avoid pregnancy by sterilization or by using anti-conception. Discuss this with your veterinarian. If the dog might be pregnant, contact your veterinarian within 24 hours. 9. TRAUMA TO THE EYE In case the eye has come out, never try to push it back. Cover the eye with an cold and wet bandage and rush to the vet. In case something got in to the eye, try to flush it out. Cover the eye with an cold and wet bandage and visit your vet. 10. SWOLLEN STOMACH In case the stomach is swollen, this could be a rotation of the stomach. This is a serious emergency and the dog will need surgery. Rush to the veterinarian immediately and call him on your way. 11. SNAKE BITES Mind you that most snakes are not poisonous. But always treat a snake bite serious and rush to the veterinarian. Common snakes in Jakarta are cobra’s and their bites can lead to death within only a few hours. A snake bite looks like two small punctures; the dog often wants to lick and bite the area where it was bitten. If the dog was bitten in the leg, place a very tight bandage above the bite to avoid the poison from spreading to other parts in the body. Push out the liquid in the wounds and if possible, suck it out as well. Don’t allow the dog to move, lift the dog and rush to the veterinarian. Movements will only make the process of spreading of the poison more rapid. 12. LOSS OF CONCIENCE During an epileptic attack the uncontrolled movements may damage the dog badly; please be aware of any sharp objects around him, stairs, glass, etcetera. Avoid any noise, like television, talking, etcetera as it will worsen the attacks. Make sure the air way is free at all times; and that the dog wont bite his tong
Place a cold compress on the forehead and call your veterinarian. 13. DROWNING After you lifted the dog out of the water, place him upside down to allow any water from escaping his lungs. If the dog doesn’t start breathing straight away provide reanimation. Keep the dog warm and rush to the vet. 14. POISONING Try to find out what poison has been taken, then call your veterinarian immediately. 15. CHOKING When something like a ball, or plastics got stuck in the airway, remove these carefully: You will need to be two persons to do this: 1 person opens the airway; and pulls the tong carefully out of the mouth. The second person will remove the object now, if needed with the help of a tool; in case its very difficult; rush to the veterinarian HOW TO PROVIDE REANIMATION 1. Listen if the dog is breathing 2. Open the airway; pull out the tong and remove if needed mud, dirt, vomit or objects. 3. If the dog still doesn’t start breathing, check the pulse. Place the dog in the side position; push on the chest every 3 seconds 4. Pull the neck of the dog straight; close the mouth and breath slowly and shortly in through the nose, then push the chest to allow air from escaping, repeat as long as necessary | 
