Dogs teach us to be aware and take responsibility.

Proper Safety, First Aid and Medical Treatment

Proper safety, first aid and medical treatment creates a safer family pack.

First, choose the right veterinarian. A qualified veterinarian will take time to answer all of your questions and will communicate the answers in ways you can understand, or at the very least, find another helpful professional to help answer those questions.

Second, safety means that your dog is safe no matter what happens, no matter where you are, no matter where It is, with a certain degree of predictability. If you cannot predict the safety with some certainty, the dog is not safe.

Important aspects to consider are usually environmental, including yard security if the dog roams in the yard, temperature of the environment, enclosure security at parks, beaches, etc., as well as other humans and animals who may pose a threat to the dog’s safety.

The hot and humid weather of Hawaii can pose special risks to dogs. Be aware of the signs of Heatstroke:

Early Stages:
•Heavy Panting
•Quick or rapid breathing
•Excessive drooling
•Bright red gums and tongue

Advanced Stages:
•White or blue gums
•Lethargy
•Excessive or uncontrollable urination and or defecation
•Difficulty breathing

Treatment and Suggestions:
•Get the dog into shade or a cool space as soon as possible
•Hose down with water
•Apply rubbing alcohol to the dog’s paw pads
•Apply ice packs to the groin area
•Offer the dog ice to lick or water to drink, but not in excess
•Offer the dog Pedialyte or other electrolyte supplement to restore electrolytes

Always consult a qualified veterinarian immediately.