First Aid for First Aid for French BulldogsFrench Bulldogs

by Dr. Monica Hazelwood by Dr. Monica Hazelwood D.V.M.D.V.M.

Tender Touch Animal Tender Touch Animal HospitalHospital

Are youAre you

PreparedPrepared

if an emergency happens to if an emergency happens to your pet?your pet?

Major TopicsMajor Topics

•SafetySafety•Allergic ReactionAllergic Reaction•Painful AbdomenPainful Abdomen•Bite Wounds/LacerationsBite Wounds/Lacerations•BleedingBleeding•Eye ProblemsEye Problems•Foot Pad ProblemsFoot Pad Problems•ChokingChoking•FracturesFractures•TraumaTrauma

First Aid KitFirst Aid Kit Board or blanket to use as a stretcher  Board or blanket to use as a stretcher   Gauze and bandage material for wrapping wounds  Gauze and bandage material for wrapping wounds   Rope or soft cloth to use as a muzzle (do not use if Rope or soft cloth to use as a muzzle (do not use if

vomiting)  vomiting)   Adhesive tape   Adhesive tape   Nonstick bandages (Telfa pads)Nonstick bandages (Telfa pads) Ace bandage Ace bandage Saline eye flush Saline eye flush Saline wound wash  Saline wound wash  3% Hydrogen peroxide  3% Hydrogen peroxide   Thermometer  Thermometer  Towels or cloth to control bleeding   Towels or cloth to control bleeding   List of Emergency Phone NumbersList of Emergency Phone Numbers

SafetySafety

•Be aware of your surroundings when Be aware of your surroundings when helping animalshelping animals•Understand that the animal is in pain and Understand that the animal is in pain and my react defensively and bite.my react defensively and bite.•Don’t get in the middle of dog fights.Don’t get in the middle of dog fights.•Better to muzzle the animal (both Better to muzzle the animal (both conscious and unconscious) or have conscious and unconscious) or have someone restrain the head before someone restrain the head before attempting to apply first aid.attempting to apply first aid.

Safety (cont.)Safety (cont.)

Safety in Safety in surroundingssurroundings

MuzzlesMuzzles

Abdominal PainAbdominal PainCausesCauses•Intestinal or Stomach Foreign BodyIntestinal or Stomach Foreign Body•Stomach Bloat/Volvulus –GDVStomach Bloat/Volvulus –GDV•Blocked BladderBlocked BladderSymptomsSymptomsWhining, listless/restless, lethargic, arcing back, Whining, listless/restless, lethargic, arcing back, unable to get comfortable, vomiting/ diarrhea, unable to get comfortable, vomiting/ diarrhea, bloated or distended abdomen.bloated or distended abdomen.

TreatmentTreatmentDo NOT give your pet food or water—this may Do NOT give your pet food or water—this may induce vomiting and make the condition worse. induce vomiting and make the condition worse. Abdominal pain can be very serious and is often life Abdominal pain can be very serious and is often life threatening if not addressed. Limit your pets threatening if not addressed. Limit your pets activity and seek immediate Veterinary care.activity and seek immediate Veterinary care.

Abdominal PainAbdominal Pain(Cont)(Cont)

Gastric Dilation –”Bloat”Gastric Dilation –”Bloat”

Allergic ReactionAllergic Reaction

CausesCauses•Insect BitesInsect Bites•VaccinationsVaccinations•Medications Medications •Pollens (Environment)Pollens (Environment)

SymptomsSymptomsswollen face, hives, itching, vomiting, diarrhea, and swollen face, hives, itching, vomiting, diarrhea, and problems breathingproblems breathing

TreatmentTreatmentFor mild reactions, you can give Benadryl in doses For mild reactions, you can give Benadryl in doses of 1 milligram per pound. However, in most cases of 1 milligram per pound. However, in most cases you should seek immediate Veterinary care.you should seek immediate Veterinary care.

Disc DiseaseDisc DiseaseCausesCausesHerniated disc in the spinal cord. MoreHerniated disc in the spinal cord. More predisposed in the long low chondrodystrophicpredisposed in the long low chondrodystrophic breeds. Can be made worse with jumping onbreeds. Can be made worse with jumping on or off tall furniture.or off tall furniture.

SymptomsSymptoms•Painful walking, sitting, standing, etc; mild to severe back Painful walking, sitting, standing, etc; mild to severe back or neck pain; weakness; loss of sensation (esp in hind or neck pain; weakness; loss of sensation (esp in hind limbs); possible paralysis; in advanced cases-fecal or limbs); possible paralysis; in advanced cases-fecal or bladder incontinence.bladder incontinence.

Treatment Treatment • Pain medicationsPain medications•Anti-inflammatory (ie rimadyl or deramax)Anti-inflammatory (ie rimadyl or deramax)•SteroidsSteroids•RestRest•Serious cases may require surgerySerious cases may require surgery

Bite Wounds/LacerationsBite Wounds/LacerationsSymptomsSymptomsUsually see small or large puncture wounds on Usually see small or large puncture wounds on body. Sometimes small wounds can actually be body. Sometimes small wounds can actually be quite deep.quite deep.TreatmentTreatmentUse caution in approaching injured stressed animalsUse caution in approaching injured stressed animals—even nice animals can become aggressive or —even nice animals can become aggressive or defensive esp. after a bite injury. Muzzle or have defensive esp. after a bite injury. Muzzle or have someone restrain the head. Examine the entire someone restrain the head. Examine the entire animal for bleeding, lacerations or pain. If you animal for bleeding, lacerations or pain. If you cannot reach a veterinarian quickly, flush each cannot reach a veterinarian quickly, flush each wound with saline (or clean water). Wrap large wound with saline (or clean water). Wrap large wounds as best you can, small wounds can be left wounds as best you can, small wounds can be left uncovered. Do NOT use tourniquets to stop uncovered. Do NOT use tourniquets to stop bleeding—use firm pressure if needed.bleeding—use firm pressure if needed.

Bite Wounds/LacerationsBite Wounds/Lacerations

Treatment Cont.Treatment Cont.

Seek veterinary care immediately—bite wounds Seek veterinary care immediately—bite wounds often need to be clipped, flushed extensively, or often need to be clipped, flushed extensively, or sutured to help prevent infection. Wounds that are sutured to help prevent infection. Wounds that are managed within 6 hours of the injury require less managed within 6 hours of the injury require less intensive care. intensive care.

BleedingBleedingCausesCauses•TraumaTrauma•Dog Fights/AbscessesDog Fights/Abscesses•Blood DisordersBlood Disorders

SymptomsSymptomsBlood, bruising, pale gum colorBlood, bruising, pale gum color

TreatmentTreatment•Stay calm and apply constant firm pressure with Stay calm and apply constant firm pressure with your hand or towel to the trauma site for several your hand or towel to the trauma site for several minutes.minutes.•Another option is to use a bandageAnother option is to use a bandage•NEVER apply a tourniquetNEVER apply a tourniquet•Seek immediate Veterinary CareSeek immediate Veterinary Care

Pale gum color

Normal pink gum color

Cardiac EmergenciesCardiac Emergencies

CausesCauses•Heart DiseaseHeart Disease

SymptomsSymptomsCollapse, weakness, problems breathing, bluish or Collapse, weakness, problems breathing, bluish or gray gumsgray gums

TreatmentTreatmentCall and seek immediate Veterinary care. Such Call and seek immediate Veterinary care. Such emergencies should not be taken lightly as they are emergencies should not be taken lightly as they are often life threatening. Limit your pet’s activity, often life threatening. Limit your pet’s activity, carry them if possible. If your pet stops breathing or carry them if possible. If your pet stops breathing or loses consciousness, start CPR.loses consciousness, start CPR.

ChokingChokingCausesCauses•Obstructed AirwayObstructed Airway

SymptomsSymptoms•Panic, gums turning blue, distressed breathingPanic, gums turning blue, distressed breathing

Treatment Treatment • Heimlich maneuverHeimlich maneuver• Perform a Finger SweepPerform a Finger Sweep

Heimlich manueverHeimlich manuever If your pet is small and you cannot easily remove the object, lift and If your pet is small and you cannot easily remove the object, lift and

suspend him with the head pointed down. For larger animals, lift the rear suspend him with the head pointed down. For larger animals, lift the rear legs so the head is tilted down. This can help dislodge an item stuck in the legs so the head is tilted down. This can help dislodge an item stuck in the throat.throat.

Another method is to administer a sharp blow with the palm of your hand Another method is to administer a sharp blow with the palm of your hand between the shoulder blades. This can sometimes dislodge an object. If this between the shoulder blades. This can sometimes dislodge an object. If this does not work, a modified does not work, a modified Heimlich maneuverHeimlich maneuver can be attempted. can be attempted.

Grasp the animal around the waist so that the rear is nearest to you, similar Grasp the animal around the waist so that the rear is nearest to you, similar to a bear hug.to a bear hug.

Place a fist just behind the ribs. Place a fist just behind the ribs.

Compress the abdomen several times (usually 3-5 times) with quick pushes.Compress the abdomen several times (usually 3-5 times) with quick pushes.

Check the mouth to see if the foreign object has been removed.Check the mouth to see if the foreign object has been removed.

This maneuver can be repeated one to two times but if not successful on This maneuver can be repeated one to two times but if not successful on the first attempt, make arrangements to immediately take your pet to the the first attempt, make arrangements to immediately take your pet to the nearest veterinary hospital.nearest veterinary hospital.

Even if you are successful in removing a foreign object, veterinary Even if you are successful in removing a foreign object, veterinary examination is recommended. Internal injury could have occurred that you examination is recommended. Internal injury could have occurred that you may not realize. may not realize.

Cold EmergenciesCold Emergencies

SymptomsSymptomsShivering (excessive, relentless), lethargy, Shivering (excessive, relentless), lethargy, weakness, inability to use limbs.weakness, inability to use limbs.

TreatmentTreatmentWrap your pet in warm (woolen) and dry blankets or Wrap your pet in warm (woolen) and dry blankets or clothing. DO NOT rub your pet with the blankets, this clothing. DO NOT rub your pet with the blankets, this can damage cold tissue and make frostbite worse. Raise can damage cold tissue and make frostbite worse. Raise body temp over the course of 20 minutes. Hot water body temp over the course of 20 minutes. Hot water bottles (wrapped in towels to avoid direct contact with bottles (wrapped in towels to avoid direct contact with skin) can be used under blankets to increase pet’s temp. skin) can be used under blankets to increase pet’s temp. Normal temp for dogs is 100 to 102.5. Do NOT use Normal temp for dogs is 100 to 102.5. Do NOT use electric heat in any form!! Seek immediate Veterinary electric heat in any form!! Seek immediate Veterinary care.care.

Eye ProblemsEye Problems

CausesCauses•AllergiesAllergies•InfectionsInfections•Corneal UlcersCorneal Ulcers•Eye TraumaEye Trauma•Penetrating foreign bodyPenetrating foreign body•Blood or Infection inside the eyeBlood or Infection inside the eye

SymptomsSymptomssquinting, swollen eyes, redness, irritation, yellow or squinting, swollen eyes, redness, irritation, yellow or greenish dischargegreenish discharge

TreatmentTreatmentRinse eye with Saline solution and/or cool water and seek Rinse eye with Saline solution and/or cool water and seek immediate Veterinary careimmediate Veterinary care

Foot Pad ProblemsFoot Pad ProblemsCausesCauses•TraumaTrauma•Burns/BlistersBurns/Blisters•Torn ToenailsTorn Toenails•Foreign Bodies (cactus, stickers, pins)Foreign Bodies (cactus, stickers, pins)

SymptomsSymptoms•LimpingLimping•Licking pawsLicking paws•Red, sore paws (check underside of paws between toes)Red, sore paws (check underside of paws between toes)

Treatment Treatment • Visually exam paw to remove foreign body, if present. If Visually exam paw to remove foreign body, if present. If bleeding, apply pressure or bandage.bleeding, apply pressure or bandage.•In all cases, seek Veterinary care and prevent licking wound.In all cases, seek Veterinary care and prevent licking wound.

FracturesFracturesCausesCauses•TraumaTrauma

SymptomsSymptoms•Limping and possibly exposed boneLimping and possibly exposed bone

Treatment Treatment •Try to keep the animal as still as possible. Try to keep the animal as still as possible. •If exposed bone, wash with sterile saline and seek immediate If exposed bone, wash with sterile saline and seek immediate Veterinary care. If animal is too upset, don’t try splinting or Veterinary care. If animal is too upset, don’t try splinting or cleaningcleaning •If unable to seek immediate Veterinary care, place bandage If unable to seek immediate Veterinary care, place bandage (preferably sterile dressing) and stabilize fracture above and (preferably sterile dressing) and stabilize fracture above and below with splint.below with splint.•Be careful, fractures are very painful and you may need to Be careful, fractures are very painful and you may need to muzzle the animal before trying to treat.muzzle the animal before trying to treat.

HeatstokeHeatstokeCausesCauses•Overheated from exerciseOverheated from exercise•Locked in carLocked in car

PredispostionsPredispostions•Brachycephalic breed, age, heart or lung disease, increase Brachycephalic breed, age, heart or lung disease, increase humidityhumidity

SymptomsSymptoms•Panting (excessive), lethargic, bright red gums, unable to Panting (excessive), lethargic, bright red gums, unable to stand, vomiting diarrhea, Body temp of over 104stand, vomiting diarrhea, Body temp of over 104Treatment Treatment •Move your pet to a cool area as soon as possible. Seek shade Move your pet to a cool area as soon as possible. Seek shade of the indoors. Encourage your pet to drink cool water. Place of the indoors. Encourage your pet to drink cool water. Place wet towels over the pet’s torso. Do NOT immerse in water. Do wet towels over the pet’s torso. Do NOT immerse in water. Do not cool too rapidly. Should take 30 minutes to cool down. not cool too rapidly. Should take 30 minutes to cool down. Seek veterinary care Immediately!!Seek veterinary care Immediately!!

PoisoningsPoisoningsCausesCauses•Anti-freezeAnti-freeze•Household ChemicalHousehold Chemical•Rodenticides (De-con)Rodenticides (De-con)•Drugs/MedicationsDrugs/MedicationsSymptomsSymptomsDisorientation, vomiting, seizures, weakness, retching, Disorientation, vomiting, seizures, weakness, retching, salivating excessivelysalivating excessivelyTreatmentTreatment Call your veterinarian or poison control IMMEDIATELY. If the Call your veterinarian or poison control IMMEDIATELY. If the source of the poisoning is known, have the container when source of the poisoning is known, have the container when you call or see your vet. You will need the information on you call or see your vet. You will need the information on the package to determine the appropriate treatment. If the the package to determine the appropriate treatment. If the source is unknown seek vet care immediately. Anti-toxin source is unknown seek vet care immediately. Anti-toxin treatment should be started as soon as possible to minimize treatment should be started as soon as possible to minimize absorption of the poison. absorption of the poison.

TraumaTrauma

CausesCauses•Hit by CarHit by Car•Dog FightsDog Fights•Stepped on/doorsStepped on/doors

SymptomsSymptoms•Bleeding, lacerations, problems breathing, shock, Bleeding, lacerations, problems breathing, shock, fracturesfractures

Treatment Treatment •Keep animal calm and seek immediate Veterinary Keep animal calm and seek immediate Veterinary care.care.•Be cautious, the animal is in pain and could bite.Be cautious, the animal is in pain and could bite.

VomitingVomitingCausesCauses•Dietary indiscretion Dietary indiscretion •Eating Foreign objectsEating Foreign objects•Metabolic disease (Kidney problems, liver, etc)Metabolic disease (Kidney problems, liver, etc)•Bacterial or viralBacterial or viral

Treatment Treatment •Look for signs of foreign material or strange food in Look for signs of foreign material or strange food in the vomit. When you call the vet, let them know of the vomit. When you call the vet, let them know of any recent history of your pet eating foreign objects any recent history of your pet eating foreign objects or new foods (trash). Rest the stomach for 6-8 hours or new foods (trash). Rest the stomach for 6-8 hours by offering no food and water. Then try small by offering no food and water. Then try small amounts of water nd bland diet every two hours. If amounts of water nd bland diet every two hours. If there is no further vomiting you can return pet to a there is no further vomiting you can return pet to a normal diet. But if the vomiting persists, or if you normal diet. But if the vomiting persists, or if you pet shows other signs of illness, then seek pet shows other signs of illness, then seek immediate Veterinary care.immediate Veterinary care.

Thank YouThank You

Questions?Questions?

Tender Touch Animal Hospital350 Kalamath Street

Denver, Colorado 80223(303)733-2728

www.tendertouchvet.com