For many of us, our dog is a true member of the family. When our dog is sick or injured, it is important to know the best course of action to ensure a quick recovery. There are many routine health situations that can be handled from home; however, it also is important to know when to take your dog immediately to the veterinarian, such as in an emergency or if a condition does not improve or worsens. Regular veterinary check-ups also help ensure that your dog remains happy and healthy.
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Vomiting
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Occasional bouts of vomiting can occur for any number of reasons and are usually not a cause for alarm. If your dog is acting normal except for the vomiting, you can usually safely treat your pet at home. Begin by removing all food and water for three to four hours. If your dog has stopped vomiting after this time, offer a small amount of water. Continue to offer small amounts of water, then again wait a couple of hours. If your dog still shows no sign of vomiting, you can try a small amount of bland food. Cooked white rice mixed with cooked and drained low-fat hamburger is an excellent choice. Feed this bland diet for a day or two and then slowly introduce his normal food back into his diet. Begin with a portion of 25 percent normal food and 75 percent bland diet, and gradually increase the ratio of regular diet to bland food over the course of two to three days. If vomiting returns, call your veterinarian.
Diarrhea
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A sudden bout of diarrhea can be alarming; however, if your dog is eating, drinking and acting normal, it is usually not an emergency situation. As with vomiting, acute diarrhea can occur due to a number of reasons; the most common cause is that the dog has eaten something that does not "agree" with him. The best course of action is to follow the same advice that is given for treating occasional vomiting--begin with water, progress to a bland diet and slowly introduce his normal food back into his diet. If diarrhea continues for more than 48 hours after beginning the bland diet, or is present along with vomiting and lethargy, a visit to the veterinarian is suggested.
Ear Infections
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Ear infections are a common problem in the dog world. It is important to have ear problems evaluated by a veterinarian to determine their cause. Once the diagnosis has been determined, your veterinarian will prescribe a treatment program. Many times ear problems are chronic and the goal is simply to keep them under control. Routine cleaning with a mixture of 1 oz. witch hazel and 1 oz. aloe vera gel once or twice a week will help to keep your dog's ears clean and infection-free. Vinegar is also an excellent home remedy for controlling chronic yeast infections in your dog's ears. Mix 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar with 1 cup water; clean ears with this solution once or twice a week. Always use a cotton ball when cleaning ears, as cotton swabs can damage the inner ear and should not be used.
Trauma
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Any type of trauma, such as the dog's being hit by a car, getting stepped on or falling, can be life-threatening. It is imperative, even if you see no outward signs of injury, for your dog to be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Trauma can cause internal injuries or bleeding and quickly lead to shock. Depending on the size of your dog, getting him into the car after a traumatic event can be difficult. For a small dog, gently lift him and place on a stiff board, if possible. For a large dog, place a towel under him, just in front of his rear legs, and place another towel under him, just behind his front legs. These will act as a sling and allow you to lift him into the car. Be careful when moving a dog who has suffered a trauma, as he will be scared and in pain; even the friendliest dog may snap at his owners when they attempt to move him.
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