bites, stings and allergic reactions
flea bites
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. There are many flea and tick treatments on the market, your vet will advise you of the most appropriate one to use for your area/needs. However, should you wish to avoid using chemicals on your dog there are a number of widely available natural deterrents such as garlic sprays for their coat. There are also electronic flea and tick deterrents available.
ticks
Again there are many chemical deterrents such as Frontline (but only if used on a monthly basis) and your vet is the best person to advise. Electronic deterrents can be effective but in areas where are there are many ticks or areas with a high incidence of lyme disease (country locations where sheep graze are hotspots but a dog can get lyme disease from a tick anywhere), a stronger prevention is probably more appropriate.
In the event that you find a tick on your dog, use a tick comb to remove it by twisting it gently in an anti-clockwise direction until it releases it's grip. Be sure to kill the tick and dispose of it afterwards or it will reattach. Covering a tick in alcohol or vaseline or burning it with a recently extinguished match may shock it into expelling disease-carrying fluids into your dog - these methods will kill the tick but at a potential cost to your dogs health.
In the event that you find a tick on your dog, use a tick comb to remove it by twisting it gently in an anti-clockwise direction until it releases it's grip. Be sure to kill the tick and dispose of it afterwards or it will reattach. Covering a tick in alcohol or vaseline or burning it with a recently extinguished match may shock it into expelling disease-carrying fluids into your dog - these methods will kill the tick but at a potential cost to your dogs health.
Stings and allergic reactions
Try to always carry tweezers with you when walking, they are useful for removing bee stings if your dog is unfortunate enough to be stung. Piriton antihistamine can be given to alleviate the allergic response and swelling, dosage is 4-8mg every 8-12 hours; tablets are 4mg each. Pain relief can also be given if the dog is obviously distressed and keeps worrying the site, but always ring your vet first and ask for correct dosage.
Aloe vera applied topically can be very soothing and because of the bitter taste your dog will probably not lick it off. It is all natural and will do your dog no harm if ingested. If the site is very sore and the skin broken, it may be appropriate to apply a topical anaesthetic such as Neocort cream. If this is the case then cover and wrap the site or place a comfy cone on your dog to stop them from licking it.
Aloe vera applied topically can be very soothing and because of the bitter taste your dog will probably not lick it off. It is all natural and will do your dog no harm if ingested. If the site is very sore and the skin broken, it may be appropriate to apply a topical anaesthetic such as Neocort cream. If this is the case then cover and wrap the site or place a comfy cone on your dog to stop them from licking it.
anaphylaxis
Cici, credit: Sheila Harris
Anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock, is a severe and life threatening allergic reaction. It can be caused by bites, stings, food, or medication. The symptoms will have a rapid onset and may include:
In the event that your dog displays these symptoms, get them to a vet immediately. If your dog has a known severe allergy, get a medical alert tag (as shown above) - in the event that they get lost it could save their life.
- weakness
- lethargy
- pale gums
- severe vomiting
- collapse
- bleeding from mouth and rectum
- lack of consciousness
- inversion of eyelids
In the event that your dog displays these symptoms, get them to a vet immediately. If your dog has a known severe allergy, get a medical alert tag (as shown above) - in the event that they get lost it could save their life.
snake bites
A bit of a red herring this one; there is no first aid for snake bites! Forget every old wives tale you ever heard about treating snake bites by cutting, sucking out poison, adding potassium permanganate, etc. All these methods will waste valuable time and make it worse. In the event that your dog is bitten, keep them as still as possible, get them to the nearest vets as soon as possible and if you can, alert the vet that you are on your way. In the UK, the only venomous snake is the adder but in other parts of the world you will need to take note of the snake's markings. Early notification can allow your vet to secure anti-venom from the nearest emergency hospital so do not hesitate to call them. Use a jacket or sweater as a makeshift stretcher if you are far from your car, threading strong branches through the sleeves can make it easier to transport. It is essential to keep your dog as calm as possible, and to get them to your vet as quickly as you can.