In an emergency, you do not have time to hesitate. You need to act immediately but with calm assurance. When the victim of the accident or incident is your beloved canine, it is important you know what to do. While it is crucial you get to a veterinarian or vet clinic as soon as it is feasible, this may take time. In the interval, you may be able to provide more than just solace if you know some basic emergency first aid to handle such things as cuts, wounds and bleeding.

Bleeding:
When your dog arrives, bleeding, check immediately for the cause of the wound. Whether you can treat the animal at home depends on the depth, location and type of wound. Some wounds, such as those on the pads of the feet, bleed more profusely than others do. These often do not require the attention of a vet. Others require the expert attention of the Vet.

* Wounds and Cuts:
Wounds and small cuts on the skin surface may not be serious. Often, you can wash and sterilize the area around the wound. They then heal at their own speed, helped on by time and your dog’s tongue. This method does not apply if the wounds are not superficial but cut deep into the flesh. This will require the help of a vet to stem the blood and/or stitch the gash closed. In this situation, remember the training of any first aid class: apply pressure directly to the wound. This usually slows down or stops the bleeding. Until you can, adopt this basic principle of first aid: apply pressure.

* Bleeding Nose or Mouth:
If the blood seems to be pouring from the mouth or nose, monitor it. Note how much and how long. If the bleeding does not stop, your dog could die from a loss of blood. You can slow down and often stop the bleeding by applying an ice pack or cold compress to the affected areas.

* Footpads:
The bottom of a dog’s feet tends to bleed profusely when cut. This does not usually present a life-threatening scenario. If the cuts do appear to be severe in nature, apply direct pressure on the wound. This will help to stench the flow of blood. If you have one available, use a pressure bandage to cover the wound. Bandages of all types can easily fall off the paw of a dog. You can keep the bandage clean and on the dog’s foot if you cover it with a sock. Be sure, however, neither the bandage nor the sock is too tight. This will decrease circulation and create other health problems.

* Legs
In some instances, people will apply tourniquets to stop the bleeding. This is not always the right answer. If left on too long, the blood circulation is cut off to the particular limb. The improper use of a tourniquet can result in the loss of the limb.

Conclusion:
When your dog is in distress, bleeding from a wound, it is critical you know what to do. Always examine the area to find the location of the bleeding. When required, apply pressure directly. Prefer a pressure bandage to a tourniquet. If the signs indicate the wound to be serious, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Article provided by Beth Kirkpatrick, look for organic dog food deliver for Blue Buffalo pet food online!