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Pet First Aid: How to Bandage a Paw

Bandaging an injured paw or footpad can be tricky. Here are some techniques you can try. First things first: clean and disinfect the wound. You don’t want to throw a bandage on there if the wound is dirty — it can get infected. Wait for things to dry, or you’ll have a hard time getting your bandage to stick. Now it’s time for the bandaging. You’ll need a gauze pad, roll gauze, tape, and an old sock. Place the gauze pad over the wound. Take a doubled strip of roll gauze and place it over the paw and under the … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid: Abdominal Wounds

Because only a layer of skin, fat, and muscle protects the stomach, an abdominal wound can be very serious. The organs in the abdomen are easily injured — bruised or torn — by a car accident, a fall, or other impact. If there is ANY puncture or open wound, you should contact your veterinarian. It can be very hard to tell at home if a smaller wound has penetrated the abdomen and the internal organs are exposed. Even an abdominal bite can be a serious injury. Your first aid will concentrate on keeping your pet alive while you get to … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid: Earflap Injuries

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Whether your pet has upright ears or floppy, folded over ears, an injury to the ear is going to come with a lot of blood. A lot of blood goes through the earflap area — the visible part of a dog or cat’s ear. Breeds with hanging ears, like Labradors and hounds, tend to have the worst time with earflap injuries — with so much ear, it is easier to get caught, cut, or banged. Outdoor cats are also prone to ear injuries, often from fights with other animals. Most pets don’t have very thick fur on their earflaps, which … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid: Foot Pad Burns

A foot pad burn is something you can usually treat at home. How might a pet injure a foot pad? Asphalt roads can reach more than 140 degrees Fahrenheit on the hottest summer days. Walking on fresh tar or asphalt — which can reach over 300 degrees Fahrenheit. A curious dog or cat may burn his feet on a hot stovetop. An inquisitive cat may explore a candle or hot light bulb with a paw. If your pet has burned a foot pad, the first thing you should do is get the injured paw into cold water. And not just … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid Awareness Month

April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month. It’s the perfect time of year for it, because the weather’s nicer, we’re outside more –as are our pets most likely–and there’s lots to get into. Some of it can be harmful, even fatal, to your dog or cat, but with awareness you can avoid trouble. Below is a list of some of those things. Where applicable, related Families.com articles are referenced for further information. Dangers Lurking in the Garden Lawn and garden care is on many people’s minds this time of year. If your pet’s going to help you, here’s some things … Continue reading →

Murph’s One Dog Who’s Not Faking a Limp for Sympathy

The other day I wrote about dogs who fake limps for sympathy after our vet and a neighbor told me stories about dogs they knew who’d done that. Murph’s not one of them. Bent Paw Last night I noticed Murph’s hurt paw looked really weird (awful is more like it) when he was putting pressure on it. It was sort of caved in. The best way I know how to describe it is to tell you to look at your wrist. Put it flat, then flex your hand back with your fingers reaching for the sky. That dip in your … Continue reading →

Tail Wag Injuries

My brother’s dog Lily Biscuits is an American Staffordshire Terrier, one of several breeds you may know better as pit bulls. Lily lost half her tail to an injury that never healed — but that doesn’t stop her from wagging her thump-a-stump when she’s happy! A tail wag injury can be a serious issue — it can lead to infection and in cases like Lily’s, gangrene and amputation. Very large dogs with long tails, like pit bulls, Labradors, and Irish wolfhounds can be prone to injuries inflicted by a vigorous wagging. The tail bangs into furniture, walls, or other objects … Continue reading →

Fractures: Special Cases

Certain fractures need to be handled in a special way to make sure your pet has the best possible chance at recovery. Leg fractures may need to be splinted, especially if you have a long drive to the veterinarian’s office. Try to immobilize the limb above and below the break. Wrap a soft towel or cloth around the leg. Use a rolled newspaper or paper towel core (sliced open on one side) to cradle the leg. Do not try to reposition the limb; the splint is just to support it so things don’t get worse in transport. Wrap the split … Continue reading →

Creative Alternatives to Elizabethan Collars

About six months ago, my brother’s pit bull/lab mix Kuma had to have a cyst removed from her shoulder. It was large enough that she needed five stitches and was sentenced to Conehead City for ten days. Let me tell you — Conehead City is not a fun place to live if you’re a dog or a cat. Part of Kuma’s problem was navigating stairs with her cone on. When she couldn’t see her feet, she couldn’t climb down the stairs to go into the yard to piddle! But as soon as the cone was off, she would start messing … Continue reading →