FIRST AID FOR GERMAN SHEPHERDS

 

RESPIRATORY DISTRESS Causes: Drowning, aspiration , shock, internal bleeding, electric shock, allergy, insect bites, bee stings. THERE MUST BE OXYGEN TO THE BRAIN WITHIN 8 - 10 MINUTES OR BRAIN DAMAGE COULD RESULT ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION (Rhythm: Every 5 seconds) MOUTH-TO-NOSE - This is used on Puppies, small dogs and dogs with chest injuries.  For puppies, you just use the amount of air you have in your "mouth" --not air from you lungs.  This method requires a clear nasal air passage. Steps: Need good mojuth seal with hands. Put your whole mouth over tdog's nose.  (You are doing inspiration only.  Dog's lungs will do expiration.) Need as straight an air passage as possible.  Straighten out the dogs' head and or neck. CPR (Use if no hearbeat is detected) Check for pulse or heart beat. (If there is a heart beat, use mouth to nose AR) 2 clear air way. Check for chest injury Put dog on right side.  Compress chest firmly and quickly six time. 5 Wait 5 seconds while mouth to nose AR is applied (one goo lung full.) Repeat Steps 4 and 5 in rhythm.  You need to see the dog's chest rise when doing this.  Check the dog's pulse, umder the forearm where artery is.  As soon as pulse is felt, just chek breathing.  Once a dog is trying to re-establish, do with the dog's rhythm. HEIMLICH MANEUVER Put dog on side. Place palms behind last rib. Give 4 quick thrusts. Check mouth for dislodged object. Repeat, if necessary. (This can also be done with dog standing, if a very large dog.) SHOCK Shock is acute circulatory collapse. Causes:  Trauma, hemorrhage, toxins, burns, intense pain, severe fright, dehydration. Signs:  Gums, pale, grayish (check with pressure - press gums to see if color goes back to pink quickly or not.)  Eye, conjuctiva Tongue, weak Heart beat, rapid Body, cold Respiratory distress, Coma TREATING SHOCK Keep dog warm and calm, If conscious, give liquid stimiulant, such as warm coffee or brandy. Rush to vet after bleeding and/or breathing is stabilized.  Relapses are common. Blood transfusion, oxygen, other therapy often needed.  Shock can happen as a delayed reaction, such as in the case of being hit by a car. HEATSTROKE Causes:  Left in care in hot wearther, confined on concrete runs, chained without shade, lack of water, any condition that impairs breathing. Treatment: Mild case:  Move dog to any air-conditioned building or car at once. Severe case:  Rectal temperature over 104 degrees.  Immerse in cold tub of water or hose down with garden hose.  Temperature over 106 degrees:  Immediate veterinary attention is required.