Boxer dog, first aid treatment
The decision to own a Boxer dog, or any other dog breed, is not something to be taken lightly. There are lots of factors to consider. The plan of having a dog must be agreeable to other members of the family. Above all, you must have the capabilities of providing the needs of a Boxer dog and mind you, they need quite much. The list of supplies and dog stuff goes on and on – bed, food/water bowls, leash, collars, toys and treats to name a few. In addition to that, love, time and care are other precious things you need to give your dog. You have to prepare yourself for whatever consequences that will come along the way, especially for emergency. No one can tell how, where and when exactly emergency will happen so it is better to arm yourself before it occurs.
External Bleeding
If the bleeding doesn’t stop within five minutes, do the following procedure: With a thick gauze pad, clean cloth or even your hand, apply direct pressure to the wound. Apply more bandages if the blood seeps through it. If the bleeding is severe, apply a tourniquet between the wound and the heart. Loosen tourniquet for 20 seconds every 15-20 minutes because this procedure carries great danger. This should only be used to save life as this may result to amputation or disability of the limb if not applied properly.
Bloat
Bloat is common among Boxers as well as other medium-sized and large breeds. This condition is extremely fatal and may kill your dog within hours, even minutes of onset. Bloat is a true emergency thus you must seek your vet’s attention immediately.
Choking
Choking is characterized with severe distress, drooling, paw at the mouth and breathing difficulties. Try to open your pet’s mouth to inspect for food, toys or other objects caught in the back of the throat. You can get the object caught deep in the throat with the use of long nosed pliers or forceps. Gentle chest compression can also be applied to force air from the lungs to dislodge an object. Seek your veterinarian immediately.
Abrasions and Cuts
To treat minor cuts and abrasions, clean your hands first and clip the fur away from the wound to prevent contamination. Wash the wound with warm water and apply an antibiotic cream three to four times daily. Never allow the pet to lick the medication off. If the wound is larger than an inch or two in an area, or if the cut is deep, seek veterinary attention immediately. Remember not to scrub healing cut and never apply hydrogen peroxide because this chemical can harm newly produced healing tissues.
