Dog First Aid – Limping
A dog can limp for various reasons. Dogs are intelligent animals and the pet may have learned to walk on three legs to amuse its human family. Injuries that can result to the limping of the dog can happen because these animals are very active. A sprain, a stone that was lodged between the dog’s toes, a thorn that was embedded on the dog’s paws would make walking difficult for the pet. The limping of the dog can be due to a broken nail. Limping that is caused by these conditions is not serious so that the dog will be able to walk normally even without treatment.
Treatment though would be necessary for some kinds of limping. The reason why the dog is limping may be serious enough to warrant urgent medical attention lest it results to permanent walking disability. Limping is more common in large breeds of dogs as the weight of the body makes it easy for paw, the foot or the fragile leg to get injured. Even the normal activities of playing and running can result to cuts, sprains and torn ligaments.
Administering first aid is part and parcel of being a dog owner as these animals often sustain injuries because of their active lifestyle. Ignoring the dog’s condition can lead to irreparable damage that would debilitate the pet for life. Moreover, the pet would suffer more pain. A dog owner that see the dog limping will know at once that the pet has an injury.
The dog owner has to evaluate the injury of the pet. The paw, foot and leg must be thoroughly examined for cuts, swelling and other abnormalities. Any foreign object between the pet’s toes must be removed. The limping can be due to a sprain thus the toes and the feet must be manipulated. The dog would yelp if there is pain or discomfort. A cut paw can be the reason for the dog’s limping.
To prevent infection, antibacterial soap must be used to thoroughly wash the dog’s wound. Apply antibiotic ointment and bandage the affected foot or paw with sterile gauze. The dog’s limping can be due to fractures or dislocation. Trying to realign dislocated joints and setting the fractures can do the pet more harm than good. Only vets and qualified people can manage these kinds of injuries. However, the dog owner can prevent further damage by splinting the injured foot with rolled newspaper or with a flexible wire that can be bent into the shape of the dog’s foot. Wrapping the makeshift splint with a piece of cloth will prevent further damage to the injured foot as it is immobilized.
Learn more about limping as well as first aid for dogs at Sarah’s Dogs.
Wound Packing using NAR ETD™ and NAR S-Rolled Gauze
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CELOX Gauze Roll, 5-Foot by 3-Inch $24.95 … |
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