The Dog Owner Club

Fortunately, only occasionally are dogs bitten by a snake in this country. Whilst a bite is unlikely to prove fatal to humans it can sometimes kill a smaller animal like a dog. The case must be treated promptly, and the animal should be seen by a veterinary surgeon as soon as possible. First-aid measures are important, and in some cases vital. Naturally they must vary with the site of the bite, and with the distance from home or help.If the bite is on a limb, and you are some distance from home, tie a handkerchief firmly above the bite. This will keep the poison localised until you can take more active measures.

When at home, if possible nick the site of the bite with the corner of a razor blade, making a small cut between the fang marks. Flush this small wound thoroughly with cold water, then rub into it some potassium permanganate crystals. Do not loosen your handkerchief until after this has been done. You may then give a little glucose and water by mouth. Keep the dog warm until he has been attended by a veterinary surgeon.

It is wise, if you live in an area where snakes are found, to carry a few antihistamine capsules or tablets with you, and a little phial containing some potassium permanganate crystals. Your veterinary surgeon will be able to give you these, and a capsule or tablet of one of these given promptly by mouth will help to minimise general poisoning from the bite.

Bed Or Pressure Sores
Thin-skinned dogs which have had a long and debilitating illness are sometimes subject to these, which are caused by pressure and congestion of the blood in the affected areas. Large, shallow, unhealthy sores appear which are sometimes very resistant to treatment. If a bed sore is noticed a veterinary surgeon should be consulted. In the meantime, zinc ointment spread on lint and bandaged on the parts, or boracic powder thickly sprinkled over the sore and a bandage applied, will do no harm as a first-aid measure.

These sores can be prevented by attention to hygiene (clean bedding), frequent turning of helpless or paralysed patients, massage with methylated spirits to harden the skin in danger areas, the protection of pressure points with cotton wool or air pillows, and general attention to comfort. Deep, soft beds are essential and if blankets are used, be careful that these are kept very smooth.

Stings
Stings are common in the summer months, and are of course acutely painful. They are usually caused by wasps, bees or hornets, and the usual site of their attack is in the mouth, owing to the dog snapping at the insect. The animal shows extreme discomfort, scratching and pawing at the mouth and salivating profusely.

The mouth or area stung should be thoroughly bathed with a solution of bicarbonate of soda made up in tepid or warm water. A concentration of i tablespoonful of household bicarbonate to 1-2 pints of water should be used; this is quite harmless if swallowed. Ordinary washing soda may be used instead; in this case the sting area may be wiped with a crystal of this, or a solution of 1 teaspoonful to pint of warm water may be applied. The bathing should continue for at least 5 minutes and can be repeated every 10 minutes or so until the irritation has subsided. Ammoniated quinine applied sparingly will also be found effective. For excitable dogs it is wise to give 5-10 gr. potassium bromide or similar sedative as this will help to quieten the animal. In the case of bee stings it may be possible to remove the hair-like sting with forceps.
If veterinary help is within a reasonable distance it is as well to have the animal examined as soon as the initial bathing has been done.

An injection of one of the recently developed anti-histamines will greatly relieve the local irritation and swelling. It will also prevent any systemic disturbances. These drugs may also be given by mouth, and if there are large numbers of wasp nests in the vicinity, and stings are common occurrences, it is advisable to contact your veterinary surgeon and obtain an anti-histamine for future use. This can then be given immediately following a sting, but the local bathing should not be neglected.

The above remarks apply also to urticaria (nettle-rash) except, of course, that the areas affected are usually greater and the degree of irritation not so severe. Caladryl (Parke Davis) is an ideal preparation to treat this as it also contains an anti-histamine. Alternatively Cortoderm (Crookes) which has a hydrocortosone plus calamine is equally effective.

Filed under: Dog Care