By Doug Tack, DVM
northgatejrts@comcast.net
Bite Wounds
Probably the most common Terrier injury
1. Control Bleeding
-
In most instances,
firm pressure applied directly against the bleeding tissue for a few minutes,
will allow clotting to begin. If the bleeding does not stop, and you are dealing
with a wound to the leg, you may try a tourniquet. Using a shoe lace or a piece
of rubber tubing, simply tie the limb off at or above the closest joint to the
wound. You can also apply direct pressure to help with clot formation. REMEMBER
- The tourniquet can be dangerous. It should be loosened at least every 3-5
minutes, to allow blood flow to return to the limb. Lack of blood starves the
tissue of oxygen and nutrients very quickly. (Often times causing severe
complications or tissue death!)
2. Clean and Flush Wound
-
Deep
Punctures - Flush large volumes of fluid through the wound. (I like sterile
saline (water will do in a pinch) with enough Betadine added to make a dark tea
colored fluid.) Be careful not to dislodge clots. If you had a bleeding problem
you should SKIP this step! Clean all hair, dirt and debris from the wound. Clip
the hair from around the edges and scrub throughly. REMEMBER - Deep punctures
are always much worse below the surface of the skin. Seek Veterinary care
as soon as possible. Good broad spectrum antibiotics should be prescribed (
I like Baytril or Clavamox).
Superficial (Mild) - Cuts, Scrapes and
Punctures - Clip Hair around wounds, then scrub throughly with Betadine or
Nolvasan (Chlorhexaderm) scrub. If there is any doubt, flush wounds and see your
Veterinarian. Continue to clean and scrub wounds until they have healed. Keep
scabs off!!! They are only plugging up the holes, keeping bacteria
inside!
Helpful Hints:
1. If the wound is
extensive, apply a thick layer of K-Y Jelly over the entire wound before
clipping. This will prevent hair and dirt from getting into the wound while
clipping. It then will be easier to flush out later.
2. Wounds of the
extremities (legs) often respond best to therapeutic soaks. Simply make up your
solution of Betadyine and water, (diluted to a dark tea color), and then soak
the limb for 5 to 10 minutes. You can then scrub scabs off and apply antibiotic
ointment. This should be done 1 to 2 times a day until all wounds are
healed.
3. DO NOT bandage wounds and forget about them! If you are
covering a wound, you MUST change the dressing at least once a day. Remember to
clean and soak the wound each day.
4. Do Not suture or staple closed a
deep or infected wound. You need adequate drainage, or you will trap bacteria
under the skin. This will result in an abscess.
5. If you start
antibiotics, always continue for 3 days past healing. To help avoid bacterial
resistance, the minimum is 3 days of any antibiotics before
discontinuing.
6. Don't forget pain management - Baby Aspirin will help,
Rimadyl is better (ask your veterinarian for dose). Yes dogs are stoic, but
these wounds hurt!
Eyes
Second most common injury in Terriers
Flush eyes with Sterile Ophthalmic Flush/Saline after working a hole. Roll the eyelids out to thoroughly flush the conjunctival sacs. Flush liberally! If your pet is squinting and holding the eye shut, he/she probably has a corneal ulcer or puncture. Apply a healthy amount of an Ophthalmic (eye) Antibiotic ointment ( I prefer mycitracin or some other ophthalmic triple antibiotic ointment). Continue the ointment 3-4 times a day until you have seen your veterinarian.
REMEMBER -
1. NEVER put
anything with cortisone into your dog's eyes without your veterinarian's
specific instructions. If your pet has a corneal ulcer, scratch or puncture, the
cortisone will delay healing.
2. Only use drops, ointments and flushes
specifically made to be put into the eye. Anything else can damage the
eye.
3. Always see your veterinarian for a follow up visit if the
squinting doesn't resolve within a few hours, or if your are at all unsure if
there is a problem.
Fractures & Broken Limbs
1. Muzzle the dog: even
your most beloved pet will bite you if in extreme pain.
2. If possible,
try to immobilize lower limb fractures.
3. Wrap pet in warm coat or
blanket to help avoid shock.
4. Seek immediate Veterinarian
care.
5. Treat for shock, if you know how.
Poisonous Snake
Bites
Avoidance is the best.
1. If you are in an area
were this is a problem, pre-condition your dog to avoid snakes.
2. Learn
which areas to avoid.
3. If your dog gets bit:
xxxxxa. Apply
tight tourniquet above wound.
xxxxxb. Seek
immediate emergency care.
Skunking
Probably the most feared problem encountered by those who work their terriers.
For those of you who have not heard of it - trust me, it does exist. We are not making this up! We do not know all there is to know about this problem, but I'll do my best to fill you in on what we do know. We also do not know why some dogs can get "skunked" and will seemingly be unaffected, but another dog in the same set of circumstances might die. Those terriers that seem to be most severely affected are those that are in small, tight tunnels and have gotten close to the skunk before getting blasted. The skunk has once exit plugged, the terrier the other. The skunk then releases several ounces of scent from his glands. This scent is predominantly sulfuric acid. If the terrier is lucky, fresh air manages to dilute this blast of acid out quickly. If not your dog is in big trouble. I suggest you dig quickly if you suspect that this has happened. This acid quickly enters the airways. It not only causes severe burning of the airways, but it enters the lower airway and airsacs ( Alveoli), where it crosses over into the blood stream. This is where it causes the most damage. It can cause Acute Anaphylaxis ( Anaphylactic Shock)and sever Metabolic Acidosis. If your dog is lucky enough to live through these stages, we can see any number of secondary blood disorders (Methemoglobiaemia).
Treatment Recommendations -
1. Get dog out of
hole immediately.
2. If unconscious, intubate (if possible) and then treat
for shock
a. IV Catheter, Fluids, IV steroids ( Soludelta Cortef,
Dexamethasone SP, etc)
3. Get to the best 24 hour Critical Care Facility
available immediately.
What your doctor should be looking for -
1. After initial stabilization, bloods
should be drawn to check for secondary complications. The most common one being
Methemoglobinemia ( if you can't remember this, tell them it is the same things
cats get when the ingest Tylenol - and should be treated the same way). The gums
and blood will be a brownish color. If this is the case, monitor blood oxygen,
get pet into an oxygen rich environment and begin Acetyl cystine (Mucomyst)
therapy.
2. Down the Road (days to weeks) - A number of these pets have
developed Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia. This is where the body starts
attacking it's own red blood cells. We think this may happen due to damage of
the RBC's from the sulfuric acid or as a result of the Methemoglobinemia. Don't
give up!
3. If any question, call (908) 832-5734.
If your dog has been "skunked" -
Please have your
Veterinarian take a Purple (EDTA) tube, fill it with blood and freeze it. Call
me, and I will have it tested, at my expense, for Methemoglobinemia. We need
more information on this problem.
Note: Previous therapeutic regimes have
included Atropine to reduce airway secretions. I would not recommend this unless
under close veterinary supervision. Atropine can cause profound tachycardia
(fast heartbeat), which can worsen the shock.
First Aid Kit
* Sterile Eye Irrigation
Solution - Sterile Saline will work fine
* Triple Antibiotic Ophthalmic
ointment for eyes
* Wound Flush
* Small Bottle of Alcohol
* Small
Bottle of Betadine Scrub
* Muzzle Material - gauze works well
* Bandage
Material;
* Gauze sponges
* Triple antibiotic ointment for wounds
*
Tourniquet
* Hemostat
* Scissors
* Clotting Solution or Sticks
*
Antibiotic
* Other
If
you have Special Training
* IV Catheters
*
Disposable razor - to clean wound edges or prepping for catheter
* Soludelta
Cortef or Dexamethasone - for shock treatment
* IV Antibiotic - Totacillin or
Keflin
* Surgical Staples or Suture Material
* Endotracheal Tubes
*
Splint Material
* Other