First aid
First Aid for your Great Dane
The following advice is a guideline and may not apply to your circumstances. Always consult a Vet where possible. Our Liability is limited. See our Disclaimer for details.
Vomiting
This advice is based on your dog being fit and healthy…
If your dog has just vomited his dinner or, after eating grass, is sick once or twice, there is no need for treatment. However, if this should continue for several hours, stop all food intake, and only give water sparingly. Call the Vet for advice.
- If your dog should vomit yellowy, frothy bile stop all food, give only half a cup of water to wet the dog’s mouth.
- Should the dog continually vomit for more than a couple of hours, call the Vet for advice. If you have more than one dog, isolate from the others. Read our Bloat pages for more information.
- Should the dog vomit frothy bile that is slightly brown in colour, take the dog to the Vet immediately with a specimen of vomit. Read our Bloat pages for more information.
- If a puppy under 9 months old is vomiting, call the Vet for advice. Read our Bloat pages for more information.
- In all cases keep a record of the time the dog first vomited – also note the circumstances i.e. stomach full or empty - the possibility of scavenged rubbish - remember to take a specimen to the Vet.
Learn more about Bloat
Diarrhoea
This advice is based on your dog being fit and healthy…
If the faeces are a little loose, then continue feeding as normal, but monitor the dog.
- Should the faeces become quite loose then withhold all food and water for between 12 and 24 hours, other than half a cup of water to wet the dog’s mouth. Contact your Vet for advice and any treatment prescribed by your Vet should be given during this period.
- After this time, a light diet should be given; the maxim is ‘little and often’. Suitable foods include cottage cheese, egg yolks, boiled rice, chicken, fish (take care to remove all bones!), and rabbit. Complan and Farex (both made up with water), quantities: 7-10 tablespoons for the average Great Dane, 5-6 times daily. No red meats, liver, milk, fat, dried foods, or biscuit/meal should be given.
- Providing the diarrhoea has cleared up, the normal diet can be gradually reintroduced after a week free from any symptoms. Any treatment should be completed i.e. do not stop medicines or tablets at the first sign of recovery.
- Should diarrhoea continue for longer than three or four days, or if the condition deteriorates, e.g. increased frequency of diarrhoea, do not delay but go to your Vet as soon as possible!
- If the faeces is watery and, or, spurts violently from the dog, then immediately take the dog to your Vet, and remember to take a faeces specimen with you.
Learn more about Bloat
Split Tail
Great Danes have an annoying habit of wagging their tails against hard surfaces causing the tip to split open.
This is an extremely difficult area to heal, perhaps the following information may help.
- First clean the damaged area with either warm salty water (½ teaspoon to ½ pint), or Pure Lavender Oil in warm water (2 drops to ½ pint). Diluted Surgical Spirit in warm water (1 teaspoon to ½ pint), is particularly good at cleansing and helping to harden the skin surface, against further trauma to the tip.
- Dab dry gently.
- We have successfully healed tails with Camrosa ointment, which when applied gently onto the wound aids healing. With perseverance amputation is not necessary unless a severe case is identified.
- Protect the sore with a non-stick dressing and use Co-Plus Flexible Cohesive Bandage to hold it in place. Do not apply any dressing tightly; it could stop blood circulation!
- Make sure the very tip of the tail is not covered, so that air can get in.
- Redress the wound if it should get blood stained, or dirty, taking care to cleanse thoroughly each time and redress with a fresh dressing.
- The aim is for the wound to become dry and firm which will hopefully scab and harden with time. The hair should regrow.
If you have a particularly senseless Great Dane who insists on whacking its tail at every conceivable opportunity, redecorating your lovely newly papered walls, try the following to protect the wound.
- After applying a dressing on the wound, tape on a hair curler to surround and protect the dressing (preferably not the prickly type!). This will protect from any whacks and allow air to pass through to the wound.
- Alternatively try the cradle idea; see picture to the right, by kind permission of Ronnie Jones.
REMEMBER...
- Only wash the wound if it bleeds or gets dirty.
- The wound needs time to heal and scab. Scabs form to stop bleeding, they are nature’s plasters.
- Never cover the wound completely, stopping air circulation.
- Never leave a dressing on for longer than 24 hours – gangrene can set in very quickly.
- If all else fails, Veterinary laser treatment is also extremely good.
This is how an experienced Great Dane owner handled a Split Tail
I’ve just been having a good look through the website and found it very interesting and useful. Some very useful tips there. There’s something I can add to the advice on split tails. It’s a method that was passed to us from some Great Dane owners that we met by chance in the middle of nowhere – always the way! Their Great Danes were prone to doing it and had come up with this solution – using foam pipe insulation.
Obtainable from any DIY store in 2 sizes 15mm and 22mm internal diameter – depends on the size of the dog. It is already partially split along it’s length, so can be opened up to slip over the tail and then taped into place closer to the dog’s bottom, and more loosely taped nearer the sore point.
We managed to get some foam and set about an attempt. We treated the sore part with antiseptic and soothing compounds, and then fitted the foam pipe, and after some trial and error, learned to tape it securely further down the tail and well away from the soreness and then putting strips of tape loosely across the split in the foam. We had cut the pipe just long enough to go beyond the sore point to give some impact protection. We cut away some of the pipe at it’s end so that the air could get to the wound. The advantage by using the foam we realised, was that it supported the whole tail so that it acted less like a whip.
We were staying for some days, so helped to change the dressing every day while we there. This proved to be a very trying exercise as this poor dog was beside herself in pain, and we had to muzzle her each time to protect ourselves. I’ve never heard such a big dog actually scream before, and never want to again. It was horrible. There were four of us working on her each time, and we all ended up in tears, including a huge South African bloke who was doing some other work, but helped us keep her still until the treatment was done.
Split Ears
Unlike the treatment of a tail injury, ears need to be kept soft and moist.
Should a Great Dane (one usually with large flappy ears) have the misfortune to split the edge of its ears, the following treatment should heal the wound.
- First clean the damaged area with either warm salty water (½ teaspoon to ½ pint), or Pure Lavender Oil diluted into warm water (2 drops to ½ pint).
- Whilst the dog is quiet and resting, dress the cut with Camrosa. Massage the ointment into the affected area, even if a piece of scab falls off. Sudocrem works equally well.
- Unless the ear becomes dirty, or is continually bleeding, creaming twice daily should be sufficient. The Camrosa and Sudocrem acts as a barrier and should protect the open wound.
To cover with a dressing is not practical, besides the logistics of how you keep it in place? Air is the best healer, but obviously not dirt!
If you dry the skin without any creaming, the surface will shrink back and scabs will fall off leaving a ‘serrated’ edge to the ear, which will not re-grow.
This treatment has saved a beautiful Great Dane from having large pieces of ear missing from around the edge.
Cuts and Bleeding
A cut foot pad is one of the most common canine injuries. If the pad is cut by glass while out on a walk, it can bleed for more than 30 minutes.
WHAT TO DO...
- Stem the flow of blood by applying a pressure bandage.
- Do not put cotton wool directly on the wound. Instead use a clean handkerchief, shirt, or a piece of sheet, to make an absorbent pad.
- Press firmly on the wound.
- If the blood is bright red coming in spurts, a major artery may have been severed.
- Do not apply a tourniquet, do not remove soaked cloths, just continue to add layers to the pressure bandage and keep pressing very firmly until the Vet can take over treatment.
- If the cut is minor, wipe clean with warm salty water (½ teaspoon to ½ pint) or Pure Lavender Oil mixed in warm water (2 drops to ½ pint).
- Each time the dog has exercise, make sure all bits of dirt are removed.
- Whilst the dog is quiet and resting, dress the cut with Camrosa ointment, or apply Sudocrem.
- If the cut needs covering i.e. before a walk on a gritty or hard surface, put on a thick based sock (sports sock), and secure in place using ‘CO-PLUS’ Flexible Cohesive Bandage. This is brilliant for holding sock in place and does not irritate the skin, or pull out the dog’s hairs on removal. If more protection is needed, then purchase a boot that will be strong on rough terrain.
Poisons
The following advice is a guideline and may not apply to your circumstances.
Always consult a Vet where possible.
- Poisons in the home: Animal and Human medication, detergents, bleach, plants, old paint, household waste and gloss paint.
- Poisons in the garage: Antifreeze.
- Poisons in the garden: Weed-killer, toxic plants, and toad venom, rat, and mice poison, (remove dead mice/rats out of dogs’ reach). Slug pellets, (slugs and snails also carry the life-threatening lungworm ‘Angiostrongylus vasorum’). If your dog swallows one, there is a risk it could become infected. Please visit this website for more information...
- Poisons on a walk: Carcasses of dead animals i.e. Badgers, Rats, could contain poison.
The symptoms of poisoning are usually extremely dramatic; excessive dribbling, loss of balance, respiratory distress, pawing at the mouth, convulsions, and collapse, to name but a few.
WHAT TO DO...
Never make your pet sick unless directed by the Vet. (Some poisons would burn its throat for the second time).
- If your dog has brushed against some gloss paint or stepped onto a lid, for example, you can massage Swarfega into the area which will help it to dissolve, and then wash the dog in warm soapy water, several times. Swarfega is not toxic.
- If the dog has a large area of gloss paint anywhere on its body, take the animal to the Vets immediately. Do not give the animal milk to drink, as this could aid absorption of the poison.
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If the pet has fallen into a poisonous liquid, such as acid or bleach, call the Vet and with his approval, wash the animal thoroughly from top to between the toes in mild soapy water, in order to reduce the chance of the poison being absorbed through the skin. Do not use a solvent, or an oily substance. Repeat this until you feel that the fur is clean. Gently dab the animal dry with a soft towel, as the skin will be very sore and tender.
- If the animal collapses or goes into shock, keep it warm and calm whilst driving to the Vets.
REMEMBER...
When taking your animal to the Vet take the poisonous substance or the container or the dead animal too.
Choking
Dogs will eat anything!
- When objects like babies’ dummies, toys, balls, and sticks become lodged in the throat, the dog will gag repeatedly and paw frantically at the mouth.
- This is a case of severe choking; the inner dog’s jowl might turn blue due to lack of oxygen; you have very little time to act. (An asthma attack could also show similar symptoms).
WHAT TO DO...
- Check in the dog’s mouth for signs of an obstruction, remove if possible, taking care not to be bitten. (The cardboard inner tube to Co-Plus – Flexible Cohesive Bandage, makes a stable support to jam the mouth open, between the back teeth, without harming the dog’s mouth, or something similar).
- If you are successful in removing the object, your dog will still need immediate Veterinary attention.
- Depending on what the dog swallowed, there still could be bits stuck in his throat.
- On the journey to the Vet, talk quietly and reassuringly to the dog also ensure that there’s fresh air circulating.
Burns
What to do if your dog gets burnt…
- Burns by scalding or hot water and boiling oil: Cover the area with cold water. Take the dog to the Vet immediately for treatment, whilst travelling keep the area cooled with cold wet towels.
- Burns by flame, candle flame and wax: Smother the flame, i.e. with a rug, towel, or coat until it is extinguished, than cover the area with cold water. As above, take the dog to the Vet immediately for treatment. The dog will be screaming in pain, if you can, put a few drops of Rescue Remedy into the dog’s mouth; a few for you too! Shock is inevitable...
In all instances DO NOT APPLY ICE to cool the dog it will cause further burns to the affected area.
REMEMBER...
- Wheat bags: do not allow a dog to lie directly onto a heated wheat bag, the temperature will intensify and could cause burns.
- Heat lamps: do not allow a dog to lie under a heat lamp with a wet coat, the water will heat up and could cause burns.
- Heatstroke: if a dog lies in direct sunlight too long, it could suffer heatstroke.
Collapse
Dogs can collapse for a variety of reasons…
- Particularly shock after an accident, heart attack, epileptic fit, diabetic collapse, and exposure.
- In all instances take your dog to the Vet immediately.
Road Traffic Accidents
What to do if your dog is hurt in a road traffic accident.
This must be every pet owner’s worst fear, to see their own or in fact someone else’s pet involved in a road accident. It is a desperate situation, requiring desperate measures. (The following could apply to other animals as well ).
When consulting with a Vet, the RSPCA, and the Police; all have different ideas as to the correct procedure to follow.
Consequently, it is advisable that you read the following information….
THE VET
The Vet suggests that either the Police or Dog Warden should be contacted in the case of a ‘stray’ dog injured. They have facilities to collect a dog from the scene of the accident. Legally if you bring a dog into a Surgery, or call a Vet to the scene of the accident, you are responsible for the costs. Some practices are lenient regarding costs if the owner cannot be found, i.e. no Identification, no publication of reported dog lost.
The RSPCA
The RSPCA suggests that the Police will go out to an accident and they have lists of Vets that they can call on. Also, the RSPCA have the facility to attend an accident – on call 24 hrs. If the owner cannot be found, they will put the first £50 towards a Vet bill.
THE POLICE
If you are unfortunate enough to hurt a dog whilst in a public place and the owner is present, you do not need to report the incident to the police.
- Do not admit to liability – just exchange personal details, address, and Insurance Company, and that is all.
- At all times, consider what you say, or admit to, the dog’s owner may appear to appreciate it was an accident, however their Solicitor may not.
- If you are unable to afford full Insurance cover on your dog i.e. Vet bills and Third-Party Liability, it is advisable to at least purchase the latter.
- If the owner is not present and cannot be immediately found, then it is your duty to report the accident to the Police.
However, there are 56 Police forces; each have their own policies on handling accidents involving dogs. Some may have a list of Vets that can be called upon, some Police may come out and assist, the overall impression given, is that you are on your own!
For more information visit the national police website
For more information on Road Traffic Accidents and what to do
Regarding the payment of the Vet bill, the RSPCA may possibly pay the first £50 but what about the balance of the outstanding bill?
If the dog has no microchip and the owner cannot be found, you will foot the bill! However. the Veterinary Surgery you end up in, may look on the situation ‘kindly’.
Rules must apply now that you have decided to help the injured animal – never put yourself at risk! No one wants to be calling an ambulance as well as a Vet, and only intervene, if you know what to do!
Familiarise yourself now with the following information:
First Aid Knowledge is best learnt before an incident, when there is no time to refer to a book!
WHAT TO DO:
If a pet has been involved in a road accident it may be bleeding, unconscious, in shock, nursing broken bones or in respiratory distress.
- First… in a town or village situation, ask a sensible person to direct the traffic. If you are alone in the countryside, find something that could act as a warning to oncoming traffic, that you are stationary and there is a hazard in the road; a shopping bag, cushion, coat, opened umbrella, tree branch and put it in the middle of the road. (Also switch on your hazard lights).
- Now… Call the police – 999, tell them what animal is injured and the location of the incident. Also ask for the telephone number of the nearest Vet. (If you hit a wild animal i.e. a Badger or Deer etc., the Police can send out a Gamekeeper to attend).
- If the police are unable to help, call the RSPCA for help or ask them for the nearest Veterinary surgery.
24-hour service, Direct line – 0300 1234 999 (This is also their cruelty line).
For more information
First Aid Kit
Essentials for car and home…
Kit for the car:
- Scissors… curved and blunt ended.
- Non-adhesive sterile dressings.
- Sterile swabs… or clean handkerchiefs.
- Clean tea-towel to use for wadding a deep wound.
- Sterile saline – ‘Normasol’ purchased from chemist.
- ‘CO-PLUS’ Flexible Cohesive Bandage.
- Camrosa ointment.
- Rescue Remedy drops.
Kit for home:
- Scissors… curved and blunt ended.
- Non-adhesive sterile dressings.
- Sterile swabs… or clean handkerchiefs.
- Clean tea-towel to use for wadding a deep wound.
- Sterile saline – ‘Normasol’ purchased from chemist.
- ‘CO-PLUS’ Flexible Cohesive Bandage.
- Camrosa ointment.
- Rescue Remedy drops.
- Tea tree oil.
- Pure Lavender oil.
- Bio-oil.
- Anthisan cream.
- Crab-apple (Bach Flower Remedy).
- Sudocrem.
