Home Treatments

First Aid For Dogs

With all of the following home treatments, if possible please call our office at 896-2726 before using to make sure your pet's situation will be helped and not harmed by these treatments. These home treatments are meant to be more convenient in the middle of the night, when money is tight, or any other time you are unable to bring your pet in. They ARE NOT meant to take the place of the veterinarian's exam or diagnosis.

• Vomiting - Remove food bowl and water bowl. Offer nothing by mouth for 12
  hours. Then offer small amounts of pedialyte, gatorade or water. If your dog
  is able to hold the liquid down for 4-6 hours, slowly reintroduce food in small
  amounts. If still unable to keep food down, please contact us.

• Diarrhea - For diarrhea, give Pepto Bismol or Kaopectate. (PLEASE DO NOT
  GIVE PEPTO OR KAOPECTATE TO CATS) Give 1 teaspoon per 5 pounds
  or 1 tablespoon per 15 pounds every 2 hours. If diarrhea does not improve
  after 3-4 doses, please contact us.

• Itch or sudden puffy swelling of the face and/or feet - For excessive itch or
  allergic reaction, give Benadryl 1mg per pound every 4-8 hours. (25mg tablet
  for 10-25 pounds, 50mg tablet for 25 pounds and up, liquid benadryl give 1
  teaspoon per 5 pounds) If your dog continues to swell up or begins to have
  difficulty breathing due to the reaction, please contact us immediately.

• Pain - NEVER GIVE IBUPROFEN, TYLENOL, MOTRIN OR ALEVE TO YOUR
  DOG. Instead give Aspirin (Bayers Aspirin is okay)-1 tablet (325mg) per 30
  pounds every 12 hours. Baby(Children's) Aspirin 1 tablet(81mg) per 7.5 pounds
  every 12 hours. NEVER EVER GIVE ANY PAIN MEDICATION TO CATS!

• Cough - For a persistant cough, give Robitussin DM, 1cc per 2 pounds, 1
  teaspoon per 10 pounds, 1 tablespoon per 30 pounds. Give every 4 hours.
  If cough does not subside please contact us.

• Red or Runny Eyes - Use normal opthalmic solution (regular contact solution
  is fine) 2-3 drops every 4 hours. DO NOT USE ANY SOLUTION WITH A
  STEROID IN IT UNTIL THE EYES HAVE BEEN EXAMINED BY A
  VETERINARIAN. If eyes continue to stay red or becomes painful, please
  contact us.

• Wound Care - Apply direct pressure to stop bleeding and bandage lightly if
  possible (almost all lacerations can be sutured satisfactorily for up to 12
  hours after injury). For deeper or infected wounds, please contact us.

• Seizures - In the case of a seizure, it is important to remain as calm as
  possible as to not further stress your pet. Reduce lighting, turn them on their
  side and wrap your pet in a blanket or place on something soft until seizure
  stops (usually 1-3 minutes) KEEP YOUR FINGERS OUT OF THEIR MOUTH,
  THEY WILL NOT SWALLOW THEIR TONGUE. Please contact us if the
  seizures continue or do not subside.

• Itchy rash - Apply 1% Hydrocortisone cream every hour. Rub in well. If rash
  spreads or if skin becomes broken from excessive licking/scratching, please
  contact us.

• Constipation - For constipation problems give Dulcolax; 1 tablet every 8
  hours (max 4 doses), or vegetable oil (Wesson Oil, etc); 1 teaspoon per 5
  pounds every 4 hours. If your pet is still unable to have a bowel movement
  after treatments please contact us.

• Induce Vomiting - To induce vomiting, give Syrup of Ipecac-give 1 teaspoon
  per 5-10 pounds, should work within 30 minutes, or give Hydrogen Peroxide-1
  teaspoon per 5-10 pounds every 10 minutes until effective. Inducing vomiting
  is necessary if you suspect your pet has consumed rat poison. For all other
  concerns, please contact us first.

• Skunk Odor Removal: Mix together 1 cup peroxide, 2 tablespoons baking
  soda, 1 cup dish soap. Soak dog in mixture and let mixture stay on dog for
  a few minutes. Rinse well. Re-apply as necessary.