23Oct
We cannot predict what will happen regarding canine health issues and accidents but we can prepare our dogs (to some extent).
Recently I have had to remove an embedded bee sting from Astra’s inner cheek, treat the start of a bacterial skin infection on Emma, remove stuck cartilage from a meaty bone from Raven’s teeth, remove something (maybe part of a chew?) from Hendrix’s gum. When Raven was younger, I had to perform the canine equivalent of the Heimlich manoeuvre to dislodge something blocking her airways.
There are many ways in which we can prepare ourselves and our dogs for these kinds of situations. The most obvious one is a canine first aid course. With the knowledge gained comes confidence. First aid means you have to act fast yet efficiently. Knowing exactly what to do may mean you can save a life.
Another way in which we can be prepared is to get our dogs accustomed to health checks and all of their body being touched. Owners do daily health checks without realising it during petting and grooming sessions.
I like to do a full body check around twice a week. This involves checking all of their body, skin, eyes, ears, nose, mouth (teeth and gums), paws and nails, and genitalia. Not only do I look at everything, but I also feel for any bumps and irregularities, and any signs of pain when doing so. I am mindful of any new bad smells when checking them as well. If there is anything new then I know I have spotted it in the early stages. Knowing your dog and their normal behaviour may help when it comes down to a subtle change in their behaviour. Dogs can hide their pain well but may lip lick, appear sleepy, prefer to sleep in areas where they will not be disturbed, lick their paws, ears may be flat against their head, go off their food, drink less, and not want to play.
Imagine trying to examine a dog that hasn’t been used to ear checks, or mouth checks. They would feel very uncomfortable, their heart rate is going to increase, stress hormones flood their body and if it is prolonged contact coupled with pain from an infection- they may be scared to have that area being examined again.
Law
By the Animal Welfare Act, 2006, owners have a duty of care to protect animals from pain and must meet their basic needs. This involves keeping animals in a "suitable environment to live in, feed a suitable diet, allow them to exhibit normal behaviour patterns, to be housed with or apart from other animals, and to protect them from pain, injury, suffering and disease".
Quote taken from the government website.
Methods to provide health care and prevent illness:
- Annual vet checks and boosters/titre testing
- Regular flea and tick treatment and/or using natural flea deterrents
- Regular deworming treatments and or natural dewormers
- Good quality diet
A few case stories
A good few weeks ago, I saw Raven clawing at her mouth and I knew she had just finished chewing a chunky moonbone. I watched her and realised she couldn’t dislodge whatever it was. Without hesitation, I dropped down, opened her mouth, found cartilage stuck in a few teeth, and pulled it out carefully. It was over within seconds and as she is accustomed to mouth checks, there was never a moment for her to panic.
Astra enjoys chasing bees and flying insects. Every Summer, I keep a close eye when she is out as I know how much she wants to play with and eat bees. I have rescued many bees/wasps/shield bugs and thankfully all pack members know the commands “leave” and “stay”. It gives me time to run in the house to get a jug to catch the insects. In mid-October, Astra came into the house and seemed a little quiet. Not long later, I looked at her and one cheek had swollen up. I gave her Piriton inside cheese to tackle the swelling and irritation. I inspected her cheek and saw a hole with something inside. Despite her being in pain, with help, we used tweezers to remove the tiny sting. She was a little worried but is used to being handled with her mouth checked. She is a big, strong girl and she could easily have escaped but with reassurance, careful restraint, and previous socialisation, she settled well and allowed us to remove it.
First aid kit
First aid kits are essential. You may never need it or very rarely but when you do need it, you will be thankful. My absolute essentials are leucillin, gauze pads, self-adhesive bandages, tweezers, scissors, tick remover, and manuka honey. I also have various-sized cones in case of emergency. Leucillin is absolutely incredible as it is a natural, non-toxic, effective antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal solution. I keep the spray and dropper versions, making them suitable for skin, eyes, and ears. I have a first aid kit in the home, car, and in my handbag. I would rather be safe than sorry as I always want access to essential items in case of an emergency.
Muzzle training
When dogs are in pain, they are likely to snap and bite to try to protect themselves from more harm. They would not be able to understand that any human or vet is trying to help them. I strongly recommend muzzle training and keeping a muzzle in the first aid kit. By socialising them with a muzzle without actually needing it, it is one way to avoid further stress when the need arises.
Our Puppies
Our puppies are handled from birth and I perform full body health checks to prepare them for grooming and their vet check up. I also get them used to the grooming table which also prepares them for the vets. I mimic a vet check-up as well as holding the scruff of their necks to prepare them for their vaccination. My goal is to minimise any new things in socialisation so that when they come to the vet, they have already gotten used to the car, used to the crate, have been handled and had full body checks since birth, met new people and gained positive associations, got used to the grooming table for the height and being checked on there, and we will have done many confidence building activities. The only new things they will encounter are the vet, the environment, the vaccination, and microchip implantation.In my socialisation programme, I will be putting puppy clothes on the puppies. The reason for this is to get them used to the feeling of something on their fur. Their fur will move differently, and the temperature of that area will feel different. This is the foundation for them potentially needing a bandage or a surgical vest in the future. I will also put cones on the other dogs so the puppies can see that it is not something to worry about. I have heard of dogs being terrified at seeing other dogs wear cones so I want to prepare our puppies to avoid cases like this.
The short video below shows how settled our first litter were at the vets.
Claire 🐾
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