It’s easy to panic if your dog is injured but it’s important to stay calm and know what to do. Here’s your emergency action plan.

There are many potentially hazardous objects lying in wait for your dog while he is out on a walk, from razor-sharp flints or broken glass through to sagging strands of barbed wire fencing. A minor cut is one thing but if your dog suffers a more serious wound that is bleeding heavily, stay calm and take a minute to think through what you need to do.

Be prepared

Be prepared for anything when out on a walk — always carry a pocket first-aid kit and a mobile phone so that you can carry out emergency first aid and get help as soon as possible.

In local parkland recently, a woman walking her daughter’s dog was horrified when he emerged covered in blood after playing in the nearby river. Blood was pumping from a gash in his fore leg at a rapid rate.

Fortunately, the woman was able to alert a group of passing dog walkers; scarves were produced for bandages; someone rang for transport to the vet’s; another quickly located the right pressure point when the blood flow wouldn’t stop; and a fleece jacket was donated to create a makeshift stretcher with which to carry the dog to the waiting car. Without this help, the dog would undoubtedly have died of blood loss, but because knowledgeable assistance was at hand he has happily lived to tell the tale.

Emergency action

Apply firm, direct pressure to the bleeding point and place a thick pad of clean gauze swabs over the area.

Firmly bandage your pressure pad into place. A crepe bandage is best because it is stretchy.

If the bleeding shows through, don’t remove the pad. Take another pad and bandage this on top.

Blood coming from an artery is bright red because it contains oxygen. It tends to spurt because it is still influenced by the pumping action of the heart. If a vein has been damaged, the blood is a darker colour and tends to seep, but it can be just as serious and life-threatening if the flow is not arrested.

Place a pad over the injury and bandage firmly over the top of it. If necessary you can always improvise, using items of your own clothing such as a scarf or pair of socks. If blood continues to seep through the dressing, don’t remove the first bandage; leave it in place and put another one on top.

Get professional help

If you are without a car, phone a friend who lives close enough to reach you quickly and who can take you both to the vet. It’s a good idea to ring the veterinary surgery to warn staff that you will be arriving with an emergency case so the veterinary team can be ready and waiting for you.

If you have to wait for assistance, elevate the injured area if possible, as this will help to lessen the flow of blood. This may involve encouraging the dog to lie down on his side and, if a leg or paw has been cut, while he is in this position you can also easily support the hurt limb in a position higher than his heart.

Paws and legs are the places which most frequently suffer this type of injury; should you find that an artery continues to bleed through the bandages, you can apply indirect pressure to help slow or stop it. If the wound is on a fore limb, use the flat of your fingers to press firmly on the brachial artery where it crosses the bone above and to the inside of the elbow; if a hind limb, press on the femoral artery where it crosses the femur on the inside of the upper thigh.

Try not to excite or move the dog more than absolutely necessary as this will make the heart beat harder and increase blood loss. Carry your dog to the car rather than making him walk.

Try this while you’re waiting

If your dog is injured, the Tellington TTouch techniques can be helpful, and will give you something constructive to do while waiting for professional attention.

The Ear TTouch is especially good to help calm and soothe; use slow, gentle slides with your fingers. In cases of shock, keep working the whole ear, making sure you over the ear tips (there is an acupressure point for shock in this area). If the dog starts
to fade, work faster to revive him.

Watch for signs of shock

Until you are safely at the vet’s, keep an eye out for signs of shock, which can occur in cases of serious blood loss. These may include:

• Rapid breathing that may become slow and shallow as shock progresses.

• Pale or white lips, gums and eye rims.

• Initial restlessness or anxiety, developing into weakness and lethargy in later stages.

• Irregular heartbeat.

• Cool body temperature.
• Lack of response.
• Unconsciousness.

Shock can kill so it is essential to act if it occurs, or if you suspect it is about to happen. Place the dog on his side with his head extended, raise his hindquarters by placing something beneath them, keep him warm with a jacket or blanket, check frequently that respiration and pulse are present, and get veterinary attention as quickly as possible. Do not raise or prop up his head, or give alcohol as a stimulant.