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Prescription of Dog Medicine

To some people, giving the dog medicines is an awesome task. Here are some helpful hints.

Make sure the dog finishes the course prescribed. In ear cases, for example, treatment often contains a local anaesthetic to give the dog immediate relief and the dog may appear well very quickly, simply because the anaesthetic has removed the pain. If you stop the course at this point the problem will reappear because the medication has not had time to work. Similarly with antibiotics—sometimes an infection will appear to be better but has, in fact, not cleared up completely.

hake the vial for at least a minute. This resuspends any particle matter in the solution. Clean the dog's earlobes with methylated spirits and cottonwool. Using a cotton bud, clean out the ear canal. The ear canal is fairly long, with a right-angled bend at the bottom leading to the ear drum, so it is very difficult to touch (and consequently damage) the ear drum. Cleaning in this way allows the medication to get right to the infection, rather than be deactivated by debris. After administering the required number of drops to the ear, hold the dog's head firmly while massaging the ear canal down behind the jaw. This will allow the drops time to reach the depths of the ear canal before the dog begins to shake its head.

Medication should be given six times daily because constant secretion of tears washes away medication within forty minutes. Always follow the in structions exactly. Take advantage of the dog's third eyelid and place the medication in the conjunctival sac. With the forefinger and thumb of one hand, gently push the upper and lower eyelids towards the nose. The thineyelid will cross the eye in the opposite direction and form a membranous sac. In this way the dog cannot see the ointment or medication being administered. After the medication has been administered to the eye, hold the eyelids together and massage gently.

Most medications designed to be put in the food are palatable, but sometimes a fussy eater will reject them. To solve this problem, starve the dog for twenty-four hours and then place the medication in about a quarter of the normal food allocation. When the dog finishes, feed another quarter to let it lick the bowl along with any remaining medication. For future meals, keep the appetite keen until the medication programme has been completed. In this way the dog will be so hungry at each feed that it will be prepared to eat the medicated food.

Solutions are best administered with a plastic disposable syringe. Elevate the dog's head to 45 degrees and tilt the head to one side. Introduce the tip of the syringe to the corner of the dog's mouth on the upper side. Always administer the solution very slowly into the pocket between the lip and the teeth so the dog has time to swallow. Fluid administered too quickly, without the dog having time to swallow, can enter the lungs and cause pneumonia and possible death.

Before administering any tablets, make sure that the dog has had a small portion to eat, otherwise the medication may be rejected by the stomach and the dog will vomit the tablets. A few dogs will take tablets in some minced meat, mush or sweets, but always observe the animal for ten minutes or so afterwards to make sure that it did in fact swallow the tablets. The surest method of administration is to open the dog's mouth wide by placing your thumb and forefinger around the upper lips and pushing the lips over the of fingers. dog's teeth with your fingers, so that if the dog tries to bite or clamp its jaws Popping the pill.

Pushing the pill over the back of its lips will be pressed uncomfortably against its teeth. Pull the dog's head the tongue. back and place the tablets at the back of the tongue as if you were trying to push them right down the throat (it is impossible to push them into the windpipe). Close the dog's mouth, keeping it elevated, and allow the dog to swallow. If it does not swallow, tickle its throat. Lock the dog in a confined space for fifteen to twenty minutes to ensure that the dog does not regurgitate the tablets. If it does, try again till they stay down.

The most effective bandage for the dog is a 5-centimetre-wide adhesive bandage. The adhesive sticks to the hair and stops the dog tearing the bandage off. Most other varieties of bandage are useless. To remove these bandage and use a razor blade to cut the bandage against the instrument. The bandage can then be removed from the hair by dabbing the margin with methylated spirits or ether, so dissolving the adhesive.

A plastic bucket will prevent a dog from licking wounds.

Steps in applying an alternative method of restraint to the muzzle of a savage dog.

Whenever dogs have bandages, plaster casts or any other restrictive terial placed on the limbs, it is important to ensure that circulation is r ing the toes. This can be tested by feeling the toes to make sure the:. warm rather than cold. Sensation can be determined by pinching the to make the dog withdraw the foot.

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