Bloat is the common terminology for Gastric Dilatation/Torsion.
Bloat is most common in larger - deep chested dogs.
Gastric dilatation is the enlargement of the stomach beyond its normal dimensions.
Gastric dilatation volvulus is when the stomach actually rotates on itself.
** This is a life threatening situation

Signs/Symptoms:

dry retching/unproductive vomit
restlessness
anxiousness
distended abdomen (hardened)
drooling excessively
depression
shock

Treatment:
Take to the veterinary hospital immediately.
To monitor the bloat you can take a measuring tape (webbing or leash could work) and measure the distance around the dog, just caudal (past) the last rib. Monitor and make sure it is not enlarging, mark it with a pen to keep accurate.

Prevention:
Feed your dog his/her ration of food in, at least, two feedings a day (am/pm).
Avoid giving lots of water at once, offer water more frequently.
Avoid exercise approximately 1-2 hours before and after feeding.

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Broken Bones:

Broken bones in a pet can range from being a nuisance to being life threatening, especially if a sharp bone fragment severs an artery. Be cautious about the pain response of any animal that displays signs of a fractured bone. If you are able to safely, try to gently assess the area with the broken bone by looking for bruising, an abnormal contour to the surface that isn't present on the opposite side, an abnormal twist to a limb, or discomfort when pressure is applied.
If the pet is bleeding, try to apply pressure to the area to stop the blood flow. Apply a clean cloth or bandaging gently to the bleeding area, this is for protection and also for mild pressure.
If possible, immobilize the fracture area and get to the veternarian as soon as possible. Sometimes a stretcher improvised from a blanket or a plywood board can be very helpful in transporting an animal that cannot walk. If support is provided to any fractured limb, applying a splint may not be necessary.
If the animal is in extreme pain, is in a panic, or has a paralyzing spinal injury, you should call your veterinarian for advice regarding transporting... in these situations, youl will likely need more than one person to help you transport the pet.

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Broken Toenail:

Just about anyone who tries to clip dog toenails, will sometimes clip too short and create what may seem like severe bleeding. When trimming nails, try to stay away from the quick. In light colored nails, you can usually see the quick and avoid it; in dark colored nails, it is a little trickier.
To perform first aid on a fractured or broken nail, determine if the nail is fractured in such a way that the loose piece can simply be trimmed away with a nail clipper. If a fractured end or a nail fragment is attached merely by a small strand, cut the loose piece away. If the nail is fractured but still well attached, a little super glue may stabilize it until your veterinarian can check it for actual trimming and coagulation of the quick.
To stop bleeding from a nail that is trimmed too close to the quick or broken away from the quick, you can pack the end of the nail with bar soap, styptic powder, cornstarch or flour, or tea leaves from a tea bag. Pack the coagulant up against the bleeding quick and hold it there for a minute or two but be watchful that the dog will allow you to do this.
Occasionally a nail that breaks off very close to the nail bed may create an infection in the toe that will require a visit to the veternarian for antibiotics.

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Burns:

Flush the injury immediately with cool water over the burned area if possible. An ice pack (crushed ice and water mix) within a soft towel and held gently against the affected area can decrease the inflammatory reaction to the burn injury. Seek veterinary attention immediately.
Some burns can actually damage blood supply to the skin; in those cases, several days later the skin will turn a dark, dry color. These damaged areas can become infected and may require surgery to repair devitalized tissue.

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Choking:

If possible try to open your pets mouth to check for food, toys or any other object that may be caught in the back of the throat, but take care not to be bitten.
Sometimes a choking sound can be a normal or vigorous "clearing of the throat" to remove accumulated mucous or phlegm. Tonsillitis, a sore throat or an irritated throat from the dog swallowing irritants can trigger what seems like choking.
In true choking situation, your pet will be in severe distress, salivate, paw at its mouth and have difficulty breathing. Long nosed pliers or forceps can be helpful in grasping an object caught deep in the throat. You may also use quick but gentle chest compressions to try to force air from the lungs and dislodge the object. Place your hands on opposite sides of the chest and carefully but quickly compress the chest to mimic a cough may be enough to expel the object lodged at the larynx. Call your veterinary attention immediately.

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CPR:

If the animal is not breathing and the airway and mouth are free of objects, lay him/her down on its right side. Check for a heartbeat by listening to the chest where the elbow touches the ribs. If there is no heartbeat, you can start chest compressions with the flat of your hand. To breathe for the animal, extend the neck so that there is a straight airway, close the mouth; place your mouth around its muzzle and blow air into the nose until the chest expands. Be sure to keep the neck out straight, not flexed. You should be able to see the chest expand with each breath... don't over-do forcing air into the lungs. This should be performed every 5 seconds.
If chest compressions are required to stimulate heart contractions, place one hand on each side of the chest at the heart area, about 5 to 7 ribs back from the base of the neck. Compress every second and stop occasionally to force air into the lungs. Compressions with the thumb and forefinger of one hand may be all that is needed for cardiac stimulation in very small dogs or in cats.

Airways

The first priority is to establish an unobstructed airway. Open airways by extending head and neck. Check and remove any foreign materials from the mouth and pull the tongue forward.

Breathing

Look and listen for signs of breathing. If none:

place your hands around the muzzle to prevent air from escaping
breathe forcefully into the nostrils. The chest should expand and fall if you are getting air into the lungs.
Do not be too forceful with small animals.
Rescue breathing should be given at a rate of 8 to 10 breaths per minute (or one breath every 6 seconds).

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

If there is no pulse

place the dog on a hard surface with its right side down.
Use the heel of your hand to compress the chest on the lower side immediately behind the elbow. The compression should be firm and not a sudden blow.
It helps to have 2 people; the first gives the cardiac massage, the second does the breathing.
CPR should be given at a rate of 80 to 120 compressions per minute with two ventilations being given every 15 compressions of the chest.

Drugs & Electrical Manipulation

Drugs and electrical manipulation can only be done by a veterinarian. For the best chance to save your dog, get to a veterinarian as quickly as possible! Even if you revive your dog by doing rescue breathing or CPR, take your dog to a vet for a complete exam.

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Cuts:

Small and superficial cuts may heal well with simple clean water rinsing and the application of an antibiotic cream three times a day. Any cut that is still moist after three days, that is draining, or has reddened and swollen edges should be examined by a veterinarian.
Treat cuts as you would an abrasion. Flush enough to remove all dirt and debris from the area. Most cuts that are not deep and gaping should improve within three days. If not improved, call your veterinarian.
It is okay to gently clean the edges of a cut daily with warm water to soften the crust, but don't scrub a cut that is healing and don't apply hydrogen peroxide because this chemical, even when diluted, can harm newly produced healing tissues.

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Diarrhea:

Diarrhea is not just loose stool, diarrhea is the frequent and repetitive passage of loose, watery stool.
You need to use your judgment to assess the health of a pet with diarrhea:

bloody diarrhea with severe straining may be an emergency, especially for cats and small breeds of dogs.
diarrhea along with vomiting can be a sign of serious intestinal obstruction that may even need surgery.
weakness, pain, vomiting, or agitation are serious signs that the pet needs medical attention... not simply a little first aid.

A pet with diarrhea but few other signs of distress, may sometimes be treated at home however, there are so many "unknowns" that it is best to call your veterinarian to discuss the situation.
Always have a fecal sample checked just in case worms or other parasites are the cause.
Chronic or frequent episodes of loose stool may be a sign of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which often requires veterinary intervention.
Because diarrhea can turn deadly very fast, it is best to call your veterinarian for advice.

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Emergency and Trauma:

Snake Bites

Signs/Symptoms:

pain
lethargy
vomiting
diarrhea
salivation, thirsty
swelling at the area of the bite
shock

Treatment:

Seek immediate veterinary care.
While transporting, immobilize the part of the animal that has been bitten, keeping below the heart level. A constricting band may be used, with caution, to impede the spread of the venom.
Keep the animal calm and confined during the transport.
If you can identify the snake species, it may be helpful in treatment.

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Eye Injuries:

It is not common for dogs or cats to have serious eye injuries however, any injury to the eye can lead to permanent scarring or blindness if penetrating or ulcerative lesions develop. If you suspect there may be debris or irritation affecting the eye, you can use any commercial saline flush to clean the foreign object from the eye, then check the seriousness of the situation. If your pet is squinting, hiding its eyes from the light, has a raised third eyelid or has any blood within or around the eye, it's time to see the veterinarian without delay.
Most veterinarians consider an eye issue as a priority. Even a minor scratch on the cornea from a thorn or cinder can lead to serious consequences. Home treatment of eye injuries is not recommended.

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Fractures and Suspected Fractures

Signs and Symptoms

obvious pain
loss of use of the limb
protruding bone
swelling
irregularity or deformity
limping

Treatment:

shock and bleeding should be controlled first
treat dislocation as fracture
do not push bone back through skin
cover an open fracture with clean dressing
limb fractures below elbow or knee apply; apply a Robert Jones bandage from toes to shoulder or hip.
Unfortunately, there is no agreed upon or standard for first aid for a fracture of the humerus or femur.
transport to appropriate facilities ASAP.

Splinting Principles:

immobilization of fracture or suspected fracture. (This requires immobilization of both the joint above and the joint below the fracture.)
decrease pain
prevent shock
prevent further injury to surrounding tissue
provide compression to control bleeding and edema

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Frostbite:

Remove the animal from the cold situation. Run cool water over the affected areas.

do not warm up the frostbitten area quickly!
do not massage or rub the frostbitten area to get the circulation going.
seek veterinary care immediately.

Although frostbite is not common in pets, it can affect the tips of their ears, their toes and tail.

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Heat Exhaustion:

Signs/Symptoms:

fatigue
circulatory collapse
red mucous membrane (gums)
excessive panting
dehydration
shaking

Treatment:

seek shade
rest the dog
offer small amounts of water
seek veterinary care if condition does not improve

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Heatstroke:

Signs of heat stroke are severe, rapid panting, wide eyes, staggering and weakness. If heatstroke is suspected and you are able to take the animals temperature rectally, anything above 106 degrees is dangerous. The longer the temperature remains at or above 106 degrees, the more serious the situation; heatstroke can be fatal in minutes!
Place your pet in a tub of cool running water or spray with a hose being sure the cool water contacts the skin and doesn't simply run off the coat. Thoroughly wet the belly and inside the legs. Retake the rectal temperature if possible so you will know when to stop cooling. A safe temperature is about 103 degrees.
Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.
Any pet that is left in a car is at a severe disadvantage when it comes to being able to dissipate heat from their bodies, even if they are in the shade and especially in humid conditions. Dogs need to inhale air cooler than their normal body temperature of 102 degrees. Even 80 degree air temperatures can be dangerous if the humidity is high.
Never leave a pet in a car on warm days... even a few minutes can be critical.

Signs/Symptoms:

excessive panting
rectal temperature above 105-106 degrees F
disorientation
weakness
rapid pulse/breathing
brick red mucous membranes

Treatment:

get the dog into shade, into a creek if available.
Use same precautions as with human, don't use ice water bath.
Slowly cool down the body temperature, immerse in a cool water bath. Ice can be placed, with caution, under armpits, head, neck, and groin area, being sure to wrap in cloth first.
Monitor temperature, avoiding cooling too much.
transport to veterinary hospital

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Hot Spots:

Also known as Moist Eczema, are wet, circular patches of infection on the skin that appear suddenly and create intense itching and irritation. They are usually the result of a tick or insect bite, from a mild abrasion or moisture contacting the skin. Hot spots can spread very rapidly across the skin surface and beneath the fur and may be difficult to see.
You will need to trim the fur around the affected area to allow air to get at the hot spot so it dries. Cleaning with hydrogen peroxide or sterile saline every two hours for the first day or two will speed up the healing.
Any topical anti-bacterial ointment such as Bacitracin, will stop the growth of the bacteria.
These skin irritations can take a week to dry and start to look like they are healing. Once they are no longer oozing, just keeping the hot spot area clean will be all that is needed. The fur will eventually grow back.

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Insect Bites:

Sometimes small bumps show up on the skin after being stung or bitten by an insect. Insects such as fire ants can really create an unpleasant experience for a pet. Your veterinarian can help with advice for you to get an over-the-counter antihistamine to reduce insect bite irritation.
Cortisone cream can be applied to any insect bite area for relief.
Cold compresses can be applied over bee stings to help alleviate swelling and pain. Contact your veterinarian if your pet is in serious discomfort or displays any breathing issues. A life-threatening reaction to an insect sting is very rare in animals but it can happen.

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Lacerations:

Deep cuts or very long cuts can be cleaned gently with cool water. A topical antibiotic can be applied before bandaging snugly. You should take your pet to the veterinarian to make sure the laceration does not need suturing.
Avoid giving an aspirin or ibuprofen for pain before you speak to your veterinarian.
Be aware that surgery may be required whenever there is a deep laceration because there is the possibility of severed muscles, tendons or nerves that will need to be reattached.

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Poisoning:

Write down what and how much of the poison that your pet ingested or came in contact with. Call your veterinarian or poison control center immediately. A local or national animal poison control center should be able to give you instructions on how to take control of the situation.
Do not induce vomiting without talking to your veterinarian first!
It is important to bring the identification wrap from the container or the whole container of a suspected poison with you when you go to the veterinarian so that your veterinarian can read the active ingredients.
If vomiting is necessary, hydrogen peroxide or salt placed on the back of the tongue will induce vomiting in dogs and cats.
How much should you give?

A ten pound dog or cat might get half a teaspoonful of hydrogen peroxide placed (not forced to swallow) in the back of the mouth.
A 100 pound dog may get two tablespoonfuls of hydrogen peroxide place in the mouth.

Syrup of ipecac is a common agent that causes vomiting but it is not always easy to to get; check with your veterinarian.
Any suspected poisoning that is ingested, come in contact with or inhaled, requires veterinary attention immediately.

Signs/Symptoms:

breathing difficulty
unusual actions
digestive upset
irregular, rapid, or weak heart
shivering
convulsions
salivation

There are many different types of poisoning, each will affect your dog differently. Many do not produce immediate symptoms.
Find out what your local poison control number is and call them.
Do not make the dog vomit if it is a caustic poison or you do not know what kind of poison the dog has consumed.
Consult poison control or a veterinarian for further instructions.

Types of poisons and a brief reaction description are:

anti Coagulant Rodenticides
warfarin

These rodenticides will cause the dogs blood to stop clotting in hours or a day. They does not show immediate signs like other poisons.
Make your dog vomit.
Further veterinary care is necessary for survival. Seek immediate veterinary care. Bring the box of poison with you.

Other Rodenticides:

ANTU
Thallium
Pindone
Strychnine
Sodium Floro-acetate (1080)
Zinc Phosphide

May cause fatal pulmonary edema, seizures, liver or kidney destruction, or severe hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.
If the dog is conscious:

induce vomiting
give Toxiban
collect the product label
transport to the veterinarian

Pesticides:

Arsenic
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
Organophosphates
Carbonates
Rotenone
Metaldehyde

The signs for most of these are more immediate:

general profuse salivation
stomach pain and cramps
labored breathing
bluish mucous membranes
seizures/convulsions
rigidity
extended legs
many other signs

Immediately Seek Veterinary Care

Glycols

Antifreeze
Signs may not be readily apparent:
- the dog may actually appear a bit "drunken"
  the fatal effect of ethylene glycol occurs hours later and is irreversible at that point
- Immediately rinse the dogs mouth, feet and any other points of contact.
- Induce vomiting if conscious and give Toxiban. Transport immediately to veterinarian.

Miscellaneous poisons

Acid:
- clean off what you can see
- do not induce vomiting
- transport to vet
Alkalies:
- clean off what you can see
- do not induce vomiting
- transport to vet
Garbage:
- remove what you can
- induce vomiting
- give activated charcoal....do not give lomotil

Toxic plants

Take a sample of the suspected plant to a local veterinarian.

Chocolate

If more than

1 oz/kg of baking chocolate
2 oz/kg of semi-sweet chocolate
4 oz/kg of Milk chocolate

is consumed

induce vomiting
give activated charcoal
transport to vet

Note: the fat content of some milk chocolate products can cause life threatening pancreatitis.

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Porcupine Quills

Although porcupines can't shoot their quills at a dog, they will swipe their prickly tail across a dogs face when the dog comes too close.
You can remove small quills using your fingers, but the larger, longer four inch quills can be tough to remove, even with pliers.
If there are many quills, take the pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Your pet will probably need a general anesthetic in order to remove the quills and a round of antibiotics afterwards to prevent infection.
If there are only a few quills, try covering the dogs eyes so he doesn't see you coming toward him/her with pliers or strong forceps. Try to grasp the quill near the dogs skin. Be prepared for the dog to jerk back as soon as you grasp the quill; that backward movement is usually enough to remove the quill as long as you hold the pliers steady. Otherwise, a decisive pull directly outward will extract the quill.
Sometimes the quills will break when you try to remove them. If this happens, grasp it again. closer to the skin and keep trying. If a some of the quills break off under the skin, contact your veterinarian as a round of antibiotics may be prescribed.
Generally, porcupine quills do not migrate into the dogs body, but they can create a local abcess, and then emerge through the skin a few weeks later. You can easily remove them at that time.

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Punctures:

Puncture wounds need to be treated with care. Just like a bite wound, puncture wounds may not readily show the true seriousness of the damage.
Flush the wound, then apply a topical antibiotic. If you know that the wound is not too bad, you may keep a close eye on the area and seek medical care if swelling and/or inflammation occur.

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Seizures:

Keep the animal safe by removing him or her from stairways or dangerous objects. Use a blanket for padding; protection is not usually required unless the animal is pacing or thrashing. Swallowing the tongue is not usually an issue with so don't attempt to pull the tongue out to prevent swallowing.
You should let your veterinarian know about any convulsions/seizures that your pet has, discuss how to handle the situation, time the seizure and make note of the severity. If the seizure lasts for more than 3 minutes, or there are clusters of 5 or more, your pet may require medication right away.
There really is nothing you can do to stop seizures other than to provide a quiet environment and speak softly to the dog for reassurance. Any dog or cat that experiences a seizure should be examined and bloodwork should be done to ensure there are no other underlying problems.

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Shock

Recognizing Signs of Shock
Shock is a condition resulting from a depressed state of many vital body functions, caused by a lack of effective circulation. It is a life threatening condition that is reversible if treated in time.
Some causes of shock are:

severe loss of blood
burns
trauma
snake bites
poison
lack of oxygen
prolonged vomiting with diarrhea

Symptoms of shock include:

pale color in gums / inside eyelids - capillary refill time greater than 2 seconds
dry lips and gums, dehydration
excessive drooling in some poison cases
weak femoral pulse, rapid 150 to 200 beats per minute
rapid heart rate
cool extremities
hyperventilation, rapid breathing generally over 25 breaths per minute
confusion, restless, anxiousness
general weakness

Advanced stages of shock:

Continued depression and weakness to the point of not being able to move or becoming unresponsive or unconscious
dilated pupils
capillary refill time greater than 4 seconds
white mucous membrane
body temperature below 98 degrees F, taken rectally
treatment

ABC's

insure adequate ventilation
control any bleeding
keep dog quiet and calm to prevent further injury
deep body temperature normal
get dog to veterinarian so fluid replacement and medication can be started.

An injured dog or an animal in shock may not recognize you. Your own dog may bite you out of pain or fear. It is very important to talk to the dog in very soft and reassuring tones.
If the dog is having trouble breathing or panting heavily do not put a muzzle on it. If a muzzle is placed on the dog it must be monitored at all times and removed at the first sign of overheating or vomiting.
Get help, if possible from someone who can help hold the dog, so you can do an examination and/or treat the dog.

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Stings

Signs/Symptoms:

pain
swelling and redness
pawing at face
snapping in the air

Treatment:

if you see the stinger, get it out.
cool compression will help alleviate the sting.
give oral benedryl (diphenhydramine 2-4mg/kg orally every 8 hours).
seek medical attention if swelling persists/gets worse or if the sting is near the head/neck/throat area

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Urinary Tract

Straining and crying and attempting to urinate without the production of urine constitutes an emergency. Call the animal hospital immediately! There may be an obstruction of the urethra from minerals or small bladder stones. Without appropriate treatment, your pet can die.
Urinary tract problems do not respond to first aid therapy or herbal remedies. If you believe your dog or cat is unable to urinate, do not delay... seek veterinary attention immediately.

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Vomiting:

Any pet that eats grass will probably bring the grass and stomach contents back up... this is normally nothing to worry about. Grass has no food or medicinal value whatsoever to a dog or cat and can cause gastrointestinal tract irritation and bleeding.
You should assess the reason for vomitting before trying first aid remedies. Depending on the cause of the vomitting, first aid treatments can be helpful or can be your pet's worst enemy.
Using Kaopectate, Pepto Bismol or herbal remedies for vomiting when it is a foreign object in the stomach or intestine causing the vomitting, can be disastrous!
Your judgment regarding the seriousness of the vomiting is critical.
If the vomit contains blood, call your veterinarian immediately.
If your pet seems alert, active and seems unconcerned about the vomiting, then you may just keep an eye on him/her at home. Withhold food for 12-24 hours and give water in small amounts.
Be aware that small breeds of dogs can suffer severe consequences from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if they go without food for longer than 18 to 24 hours.
Once the vomiting has stopped for at least 4 hours, you may give ice chips or small amounts of water for the next 12 hours. After the 12 hours, if the pet is no longer vomitting you can slowly increase the amount of water and food over the next 24 hours.
If the animal is not interested in food, vomits repeatedly, seems cramped or in pain, you need to call the veterinarian.

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Wounds and Bleeding:

Abrasions:

usually minor
some bleeding
always a possibility of infection

Treatment:

carefully remove foreign objects and debris
may have to cut or clip hair away from area
clean wound liberally with water and chlorhexidine, Betadine scrubs, or solutions if available.
If not, any soap will be beneficial. The water and chlorhexidine solution does not have to be rinsed; the Betadine scrub must be rinsed.
* Avoid using hydrogen peroxide. It can damage tissue.

Major lacerations and bleeding:

can be life threatening
may need to be sutured by a vet

Treatment:

control bleeding
direct pressure
elevation
pressure points

Get professional help right away.

Bandaging principles

protect wound from further injury or infection
discourage licking
restrict movement
secure splint
prevent weight bearing
provide compression to control bleeding and edema
verify circulation is maintained to toes

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Normal Values for Dogs**

Capillary refill time - less than 1 second

Mucous membrane color - generally pink

Temperature - 101 to 102 degrees F

Pulse rate at rest

young dogs 110 - 120 bpm
large breed adult 60-80 bpm
small breed adult 80 - 120 bpm

Respiratory rate

young 20 - 25
adult 14 - 16

Hydration - pick up skin and release, it should return within 1 second.

Capillary refill time is measured by pressing on the gums over the canine tooth. Using one finger, press down firmly until the gums turn white under your finger and release. You are looking for the time it took for the color to return.
Note the color of your dogs gums and mouth. Dogs gum color can vary from black, pink, reddish brown or any combination of colors.

Temperature is taken rectally with an adult rectal thermometer. You should hold it in place for 1 to 2 minutes.
If you get a temperature of less than 100 degrees F, re-take the temperature to make sure the thermometer was in place long enough.

The pulse rate and respiration rate will vary from dog to dog, and will also vary if the dog is at rest or working. So, it is a good idea to get normal values for both.

** the "normal" values may be slightly different in certain breeds of dogs.

First Aid Kit

Triple Antibiotic Ointment

Sterile Gauze Bandage

Bottle of Eye & Skin Wash

Antiseptic Towelettes

Cotton Swab

Triple Antibiotic Ointment

Emergency Information

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A simple First Aid Kit

board or blanket to use as a stretcher
gauze and bandage material for wrapping wounds
rope or soft cloth to use as a muzzle
adhesive tape
nonstick bandages
saline eye flush
3% Hydrogen peroxide
syringe or eyedropper
towels or cloth to control bleeding
list of emergency phone numbers

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Field First Aid Kit

The following is a list of equipment and supplies that you will want to carry in your first aid kit. The * indicates things that you will need to obtain from a veterinarian. You will need to explain why you would like to have these items.
You will want to keep your field pack as small and light as possible. Carry only the things that you will need for an emergency.
Your car or flight pack is a good place to carry bulky first aid supplies like extra tape, bandages, and roll cotton.

tweezer

hemostat / forceps

scissors / emergency shears

thermometer

safety pins

3" x 3" gauze sponges

elastic bandage

triangular bandage

band-aids

2" roll gauze / stretch bandage

Sam Splint®

1" adhesive tape

exam gloves

non-adhering dressing

* Antibiotics (Ampicillin / Tetracycline)

* Topical ointments (Panalog / Tritop / Neomycin / Neosporin)

* Ophthalmic Ointment without steroid (Mycitracin / Terramycin)

* Steroid (Prednisolone)

* Anti-diarrhea medication

* Emetic, to cause the dog to vomit (Apomorphine)

The items in parentheses are only a suggestion. Your veterinarian may have you use other drugs or products.

This kit should always be taken with you when you go out in the field.
A field first aid kit is a small to minimum sized kit and only contains things to treat emergencies in the field.
The medications and supplies don't last forever. Make sure all medications have expiration dates on them.
Keep tape in a plastic bag to avoid its drying out.
The most important thing to remember is that when you use up supplies in your first aid kit you replace them ASAP.

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Car First Aid Kit

Make a larger kit to keep in your car that contains more supplies like:

dressings

bulky bandaging supplies

Emergency Pre-plan for Working Search Dogs

Meet with your veterinarian.

Talk to your veterinarian to see if he/she would be available to assist in an emergency after hours or on weekends. It's important to let them know the type of work you do with your dog. In the event of an emergency it might be hours or even a day before you can get your dog to professional help.
Discuss with your veterinarian how they would like you to handle emergencies such as:

before you get your dog to them or the closest vet.
Go over the first aid kit and medication ideas.
Are they willing to provide you with some basic drugs and instructions on how to use them in an emergency? The list of medications is only a suggestion, each veterinarian will have medications they prefer to use.
Don't make a first aid kit with things you don't know how to use or what they are for.
If your dog has been injured or treated for an emergency in the field it is important to call your veterinarian and update him upon your return. Your vet may recommend a follow up exam and further treatments or just appreciate being updated.

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Vaccination Certificates

Medical Records and Vaccination Certificates

Ask your veterinarian for a copy of your dogs records and certificates for vaccinations. They are very important to have if your dog is being treated for any condition or has any medical problems. You should carry a copy of your dogs current vaccinations.

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Glossary of Common Abbreviations and Terms
used in Veterinary Medicine

BP blood pressure

CRT capillary refill time

LRS lactated ringers solution

NSF no significant findings

PCV packed cell volume

SID temperature, pulse, respiration

TX treatment

WBC white blood cell

Alopecia - hair loss
Ataxia - lack of coordination
Capillary - tiny blood vessels connecting arteries with veins
Distal - away from the center
Dorsal - back, posterior
Dyspnea - difficult or labored breathing
Edema - large amounts of fluid in subcutaneous tissues
Emesis - vomit
Gastroenteritis - inflammation of the stomach and intestine
Hematoma - a blood filled swelling
Hydration - to combine with water
Hyperventilation - rapid or deep breathing that over oxygenates the blood causing dizziness
Jaundice - yellowing of the skin
Lateral - side away from the center
Luxation - dislocation
Otic - relating to the ear
Pancreat - pertaining to the pancreas
Pneumo - pertaining to the lungs
Polydipsia - excess thirst
Polyuria - passage of greater than normal amounts of urine
Proximal - nearer or towards center
Renal - relating to the kidneys
Thoracic - Pertaining to the chest cavity
Ventilation - circulate air to oxygenate blood
Ventral - sternum or belly side
Zoonosis - disease of animals that can be transmitted to humans

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Betadine is the name of a consumer-available antiseptic used to treat minor cuts on mammals.

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A hemostat clamplike instrument used to compress a blood vessel in order to reduce or arrest the flow of blood.

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The Robert-Jones bandage is used to treat many canine and feline limb injuries. This bandage promotes healing by immobilizing the injured area, thereby limiting swelling and providing protection from secondary trauma.
A Robert-Jones bandage is used to treat injuries that are distal to the elbow and stifle and also to temporarily stabilize fractures or wounds until primary surgical repair, splinting, or casting is possible. Compared with other padded bandages, the Robert-Jones bandage offers limb stability, tissue fluid absorption, and protection from trauma.
Unfortunately, the effectiveness of the bandage is considerably diminished when it is not applied properly.

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Sam Splints® have the universal capability to immobilize any bone in the body, including the neck.

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Sting ease is a comforting spray for wasp and bee stings.

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Toxiban is used for emergency treatment of small and large animals. A medical grade activated charcoal in a stable liquid form that effectively absorbs certain toxins from the intestinal tract.

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**Disclaimer: We are not experts on any of these subjects; we are not experts on veterinary medicine, animal preventive medicine, or pet first aid. The information was gathered from various sources and is only to be used as a quick help in minor medical situations.
If in doubt, please contact your veterninarian.

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