How to Give First Aid to Your Dog

Diarrhea is a commonly encountered problem that occurs when food is passed through a dog's intestine too rapidly. It can be caused by allergies, milk, parasites, spoiled food, or bacterial infection. There are also more serious causes such as tumors; viral infections; and diseases of the liver, pancreas, and kidney.

Be sure to seek professional help if blood, severe depression, or abdominal pain are present in your pet. Otherwise, use the following suggestions to help ease a dog's discomfort.

Step 1: Remove all food for 12 to 24 hours. Water is important to prevent dehydration in severe diarrhea. It should not be removed.

Step 2: If blood appears or if diarrhea continues for more than 24 hours, contact the veterinarian. He or she will probably want to see a stool sample.

Step 3: After at least 12 hours, treat the dog by feeding it a bland diet such as boiled skinless chicken and rice (50:50 mixture). When stools begin to form, slowly phase back to regular diet. Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol can be safely used in dogs. Call your veterinarian for the correct dosage for your pet.

When people think of animal bites, they usually think of a human being bit by a dog. But dogs can also be the victims of bites from dogs or other animals lurking in the backyard. Check the next section for first-aid tips when your dog experiences an animal bite.