Pet First Aid Basics

Just like people, sometimes pets need first aid for bites, stings, burns and boo boos. Especially if you and your dog enjoy visiting the dog park, strolling through town, or hiking together along the trails, it’s a good idea to have a basic pet first aid kit as well as important information and numbers available in case of an emergency.

Whether it’s in your wallet or on your smartphone, be sure to have this information readily available:

• Phone number of your veterinary practice
• Phone number of an emergency hospital/clinic
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 888-426-4435
• Online access to your veterinary practice with login to a pet portal for your pet's health information

It’s easy to assemble your own pet first aid kit with items readily available at your local pharmacy, grocery store or superstore retailer. Fill a tote bag, plastic container or pet carrier with the following items for convenient transportation between home and car:

• Absorbent gauze pads, gauze roll and cotton balls
• Adhesive tape
• Antiseptic wipes or spray
• Small blanket, towel and/or pillowcase (to confine a cat for treatment)
• Instant cold packs
• Blunt-end scissors, tweezers and nail clipper
• Sterile saline solution
• OTC antibiotic ointment
• Splints or tongue depressors
• Expired/sample credit card (to scrape away insect stingers)
• Plastic eyedropper or syringe 

You may also consider having a gallon of water, soft/inflatable e-collar, extra collar and leash, and Benadryl on hand.

Handling Common Emergencies

Being prepared by understanding basic pet care for a variety of situations and having the necessary first aid supplies is the best way to help a pet during an emergency until immediate veterinary care is available.

Bites and Cuts: Wash the wound and apply absorbent gauze with light pressure to stop the bleeding. Cover and wrap lightly with gauze roll. Call your veterinarian if the bleeding doesn’t stop or the wound is deeper than a surface scrape to determine of further treatment is necessary. For severe bleeding, apply a tourniquet and pressure to the wound and seek medical attention immediately.

Bee Sting: Remove the stinger with the edge of a plastic card or tweezer and apply an instant cold pack. Call the veterinarian if there’s increased swelling or an adverse reaction like difficulty breathing or vomiting.

Accidental Poisoning: Call pet poison control or your emergency veterinary hospital immediately. If you know what the animal ingested, keep the item/container/label on hand so you can provide the veterinary professional with as much information as possible.

Burns: Flush the area with a lot of water and, if available, apply an ice water compress to the burn. Seek immediate veterinary care.  

Heatstroke: Remove the pet from the situation to a cooler, shaded area. Never leave your pet in a vehicle on warm days—even with the windows cracked open—or confined to a space located in direct sunlight with no access to water or shade. The temperature inside the vehicle can rise quickly. Place cold, wet towels on the body or rinse with cool water to help lower the body temperature. Do not cover the animal’s face/nose. Seek immediate medical attention.

Contact your veterinary practice, an area animal shelter/organization, or local government to ask about pet first aid presentations or detailed information.

Doylestown Veterinary Hospital and Holiday House Pet Resort & Training Center, in partnership with the Bucks County SPCA, are holding a free Pet First Aid presentation on Monday, April 20 from 7-8pm at the Wellness Center (Cornerstone Club) on Easton Rd, Warrington. Learn more about basic pet first aid and how to handle different emergency situations. Q&A session with Dr. Christina Moore. Limited seating. Click here to register for this Pet First Aid event via Eventbrite.

Dog Daycare Programs Keep Pets Happily Busy

From retrievers and herders to even the smallest dogs—historically bred to capture vermin—by nature, are energetic, smart and designed to perform a variety of jobs—of which solitary couch potato is not included! Dogs are social animals that enjoy spending time with people and other dogs, so when left alone a resourceful canine will find ways to keep busy. Chewing on your furniture, tunneling under the backyard fence and running through the neighbor’s garden, or barking and howling excessively are all game for a fun adventure.

The challenge with keeping your dog out of trouble is that while everyone is away—at work or at school—the house can be a quiet, lonely place. There are several options for providing your pet with plenty of exercise, enrichment and training to ensure a happy pup…and that your favorite pair of shoes remains free of teeth marks. A doggie daycare program is one option that offers many benefits to the dog and owner.   

A Matter of Health and Happiness

The daily activities of a daycare program target the social, emotional and physical wellness of your dog. Obesity and depression are real health challenges faced by dogs too. With over 70% of dogs considered overweight, exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy weight. As a social species, dogs instinctively want to be part of a pack which includes being an important member of the family as well as belonging to a group of friends at a dog park or involved with a pet-centric program. A good, well-structured daycare program should offer plenty of exercise with an open area for free play and companionship with other dogs, activities for enrichment and fun, and personal attention to match the unique needs of your dog. 

Too Busy for Bad Behavior

Energy that is directed toward positive, healthy experiences and productive playtime leads to better behavior in public and at home. Dogs that receive the level of exercise and enrichment needed to burn off the excess energy are less likely to engage in destructive or bad behaviors due to boredom. Staying active throughout the day means your dog will arrive home tired but happy so you can both unwind together. A daycare program with highly-trained staff can provide reinforcement of skills and manners learned during training. Even among dogs, unruly behaviors can be socially unacceptable within an organized pack. 

Being active has helped Bella...

Bella and Harvey quickly became best buds.

 Bella, a German Shepard, recently started attending the daycare program a couple days a week since her mother works the night shift and sleeps during the day. Short walks weren’t enough for Bella’s level of energy and jumping up to greet people was becoming a behavior challenge.

“She seems more content since coming to daycare to play, which pleases me. It gives me peace-of-mind knowing that she’s in good care,” expressed Bella’s mom Roseanne.

A day full of activities gives Bella the energy outlet she needs, and the teachers have been working with her to correct the jumping, which Roseanne said has calmed Bella down a lot. “Bella loves playing with the other dogs and she comes home tired,” added Roseanne.

Daycare at Holiday House Pet Resort

A typical day at Holiday House Pet Resort Doggie Daycare includes up to 10 hours of structured activities and free play, with a mid-day group siesta with relaxing music. Students enjoy themed weeks filled with daily activities including art projects, birthday parties with special treats, agility exercises, enrichment activities, pool splashing, and special events like a visit with a pet psychic ,Super Bowl inspired party or summer camp. Attend for two days or all week, rain or shine, your dog will enjoy personal attention and companionship in a healthy, caring atmosphere. Daycare is the perfect worry-free alternative to leaving your furry friend alone at home.

For a free daycare evaluation and trial, look for the special coupon in our March newsletter or call 215-345-6960 for details and to schedule a convenient appointment.

Brushing Your Pet's Teeth in 4 Easy Steps

Steps Courtesy of Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Daily dental care for your pet is an important step in preventing periodontal disease. Brushing your dog or cat’s teeth can be done in 4 easy steps. Consult with your veterinarian about an annual dental exam and cleaning or if you have questions about brushing technique.

Alert: Never use human toothpaste; only use toothpaste approved for use with pets. 

Step One

Brushing your pet’s teeth is going to feel awkward at first, and your pet is likely to find it uncomfortable too. It’s important to stay relaxed, remain patient, and provide your pet with lots of positive praise.

Practice lifting their lip to see their teeth and reward with praise.

Step Two

You can wrap your index finger in gauze or use a finger toothbrush. Available at most pet stores.

After your dog or cat is comfortable, lift the lip and gently rub the pet toothpaste over the teeth and gums.

Step Three

Introduce the toothbrush after the pet becomes comfortable with you using your finger and gauze.

Place a small amount of pet toothpaste on the brush and gently start brushing. (A bit of chicken broth or tuna juice may make the job easier with a cat.)

Step Four

Brush teeth and gums gently and finish with the bottom front teeth.

Focus on the outside of the teeth—the surface facing the cheek is most prone to plaque and tartar buildup.

When finished, offer praise and plenty of love—make brushing a positive experience.

Watch Now: The importance of regular dental care and steps for successful brushing

That’s it—congratulations on giving your pet a healthy mouth and bright smile!

The Holiday House Pet Resort Grooming Spa offers a tooth brushing service, which can also be added to any grooming or bathing option. Regular dental care and professional grooming promote overall wellness for a healthy, happy pet. To schedule a spa appointment, call 215-345-6960.

Professional Dog Grooming for Wellness

Professional dog grooming is more than a day at the salon. A clean, fresh-smelling dog is a pleasure to have around, but professional grooming is also essential to your dog’s wellness.

Health Check

        An appointment with a grooming professional is another opportunity for your pet to be examined for problems which can lead to more serious health conditions. During the grooming process, the coat and skin are inspected for fleas and ticks, scratches and cuts, sores and abnormal growths which can lead to prompt medical attention. Removal of an imbedded tick in a timely fashion could prevent a more serious problem like Lyme disease; a cancerous tumor found early could save a life.  

Experience and Safety

A small dog may be easy to bathe in your own sink or bathroom but a pet salon is designed for the convenience and safety of all pets. Professional groomers are skilled at working with different breeds, sizes and personalities and have the right tools to make your dog look stylish without injury. Lifting a dog into a tub could be dangerous for you and your dog and trimming the hair around the eyes or paws could lead to injury if the dog moves unexpectedly.

Your Pampered Pooch

Regular bathing keeps your dog’s coat and skin healthy by removing dirt, debris and excessive hair. For dogs with a skin condition, especially due to allergies, grooming with the proper products like a medicated shampoo can provide significant relief from itching. Removal of excessive hair through bathing, de-shedding treatments and a thorough blow out can reduce matting and knotting. Brushing the coat also removes dead hair and distributes natural oils over the skin making the coat shiny and healthy. 

The right haircut for your dog, based on breed and lifestyle, is not only attractive but functional—and frequency of a grooming appointment also depends on both factors as well as need. In cold or wet climates, the right cut will protect your dog from the harsh elements. Depending on your lifestyle, you may want a cut for your dog which makes coat care between appointments easier.      

        Grooming services usually include ear care and nail trimming. Ears are cleaned and excess hair, which can cause bacteria to be trapped, is removed to reduce the chance of an ear infection. Attention to the ears can also detect ear mites. Manicures and pedicures may be relaxing for people but that’s not usually the case for pets. Walking with long nails can contribute to joint problems. The nails should be trimmed monthly and if not done correctly, the experience can be painful. Professionals have the right tools and know exactly where to cut to avoid injury. 

        Massage is another healthy benefit of grooming for the modern pet.  It’s used to relieve anxiety and muscle soreness as well as improve circulation. Professional groomers know the musculoskeletal system and apply the right touch in order to help your dog relax and enjoy the experience.

        Grooming is part of overall wellness for your pet. There are many health benefits to professional grooming services besides convenience and a clean pet. The coat and skin are your dog’s first line of protection. Routine grooming is an opportunity for early prevention and treatment of medical problems between yearly veterinary exams. A healthy dog is a happy dog!

        The Holiday House Pet Resort Grooming Spa offers a full range of grooming and bathing options plus additional services like tooth brushing, blueberry facial, Furtastic Designs, and various coat sprays. Call 215-345-6960 today to schedule a spa appointment.