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First aid tips every pet owner needs to know, according to vet Dr Liam Donaldson

By Rachael Gavin|

W?hen our pet is injured or unwell, the last thing we want to do is make their health worse when trying to help ease their pain and suffering.

But it seems some of us may be unintentionally doing more harm than good when administering first aid.

Dr Liam Donaldson, clinical director at Greencross Vet Hospital at the University of Melbourne, is sharing pet first aid advice as part of Pet First Aid Awareness Month.

He revealed exclusively to 9Honey Pets that he has seen pet owners make ?a dangerous mistake when trying to help their furry friends.

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Vet
Dr Liam Donaldson warned of one big first aid mistake pet owners make. (Supplied)

"Don't try to make your dog vomit at home if you think he/she has eaten something poisonous," he said.

We have had clients administer salt to their pet to try to induce vomiting. This then resulted in seizures and neurological issues due to the impact salt has upon the cells of the body (dehydrates them).

"Likewise, do not give your pet hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting, as this can also cause severe ulceration to the oesophagus (food pipe) and the stomach."?

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On the flip side, pets can also experience problems if not given enough care.

"We had a dog present to our emergency deprtment for persistent scooting, which was due to a knot of hair around the dog's backside. We showed the owner how to groom her dog and she took him/her home and gave him/her a good bath and brush," he told 9Honey Pets.

If your pet has been injured or seems unwell, Donaldson said the best thing to do is call your local vet (if during business hours) or local emergency vet (if after hours). The staff there can triage your pet over the phone and advise whether you need to see an emergency vet or your usual vet.

Vet
The best thing to do is call the vet for advice as soon as possible. (Supplied)

Donaldson also shared first aid advice for four common injuries/situations:

Cut paw

"Bandage the paw with a light dressing. Once bandaged, contact your local vet to determine whether they have availability to see your pet, or if you need to present at a local emergency vet for treatment," he said.

Poisoning

"If you're concerned your pet may have eaten something poisonous, don't attempt to induce vomiting with salt or hydrogen peroxide! This can make things a lot worse as large volumes can result in salt toxicity or gastrointestinal ulcers respectively.

"Take your pet to your local emergency vet where we can induce vomiting through much safer means and monitor their recovery," Dr Donaldson advised.

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Pet first aid
Cut paws should be bandaged before you call the vet for advice. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Seizures

"If your pet has a seizure, place a towel under their head and support their body. Never put your fingers in their mouth to prevent an airway obstruction as they can accidentally bite you," he said.

"Often seizure activity will stop naturally within one to two minutes. Once they stop actively seizing, place your pet so they're lying on their chest to prevent them from inhaling vomit.

"Contact your local emergency vet and transport your pet to the emergency clinic. If your pet hasn't stopped seizing within two minutes, immediately drive them to your nearest emergency vet and be sure to call ahead."

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Dog fight

"Never try to physically break up a dog fight. Instead, to stop a dog fight, hose both dogs จC this often temporarily distracts them enough for the fight to cease. Once the fight has concluded, separate the dogs and assess for any evidence of external injuries," Dr Donaldson said.

"Be sure to contact your vet for advice as sometimes injuries can be hidden/hard to see under the fur, and if left untreated an abscess can form which can lead to further complications. If there are any injuries, immediately take them to your nearest emergency vet for assessment and treatment.?

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