Puppy Guide

• • A short guide to breeds
  • Canine ailments
  • Choosing the right kennels
  • Dealing with emergencies
  • Dealing with medicines
  • Eyes and ears
  • Housetraining your puppy
  • How vets can help
  • Keeping your puppy clean
  • Looking after your puppy
  • Oral hygiene
  • Playing with your puppy
  • Puppy - 8 key facts
  • Puppy Proof your home
  • Obedience and socialisation
  • Travel with your dog
  • Vaccinations
  • Walkies

Puppies are inquisitive by nature and can often land themselves in a spot of bother, so it's worth knowing how to deal with an emergency. Deal with the immediate aftermath and then take him as quickly as possible down to the vet for further treatment if required. It also makes sense to have a pet insurance policy that covers these potential accidents.

Accidents and shock
Breaks
Burns
Collapse
Cuts
Drowning
Fits
Heat exhaustion
Poison
Swallowing foreign bodies

Accidents and shock
If serious, keep your puppy comfortable and warm, take to the vet immediately.

Breaks
Carry with care and avoid bending the joint. Take to the vet immediately.

Burns
If caused by a caustic substance wash the area immediately, apply petroleum jelly or a cold compress. Take puppy to the vet.

Collapse
Clear all airways and pull the tongue forward. Keep the puppy warm with a blanket to reduce shock and take him to the vet.

Cuts
Superficial and shallow cuts can be treated with a pet antiseptic cream. Deeper wounds should have a pressure bandage placed on them - never use a tourniquet. Take to the vet immediately.

Drowning
Gently pump his chest to remove water. Alternatively, if he is still very young hold him upside down while opening his mouth. Take to the vet immediately.

Fits
Turn off lights, remove anything he could hurt himself on and avoid touching him until he has settled down. After a period of rest take him to the vet.

Heat exhaustion
Lower your puppy's body temperature by giving cool water and applying ice packs to the head and neck. Take to the vet immediately.

Poison
Remove the source away immediately and take to the vet. Try to take information on the poison with you to help the vet decide on appropriate action.

Swallowing foreign bodies
Remove with fingers or tweezers and go straight to the vet. Objects lodged in the throat can sometime be dislodged by holding him upside down and gently patting him back.