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Did you find an injured dog or cat? How to help it

Learn how to help an injured animal. Which veterinary clinics, in Attica and Thessaloniki, provide their services 24 hours a day

No creature deserves a slow, painful death on the tarmac.

Because some unconscious and cowardly vehicle driver abandoned it, helpless and helpless to save his life.

According to article 16, par. C of L.4039, whoever injures an animal with his vehicle, “is obliged to immediately notify the relevant Municipality, in order to provide the injured animal with the necessary veterinary care”. The abandonment of an injured animal after a car accident has penalties: a fine of 300 euros.

Instant death is redemptive. There are, however, cases where a dog or cat remains at the scene of the accident, until the next car gives them the free shot.

And others, where the animals were able to move to the side of the road.Save a life. Do not leave her to her fate. Learn how to help an injured animal, by veterinarian Anna Bardani and VSA-CDT graduate positive dog trainer Angelika Herra.

  • Tips from veterinarian Anna Bardani “When we find an injured animal, we always approach it carefully. Most of the time he is in a state of shock and intense pain. Such an animal can become aggressive: scratching or biting out of fear. So, we are careful in our handling. If it is in the middle of the road, it is good to try to take it to the side, to prevent any additional injury from a passing vehicle, but also to prevent a car accident.

Animal transport

If we have a thick cloth, we use it to cover, mainly, the dog’s head, so that we can handle its body. If it is a cat, we cover the whole body, to immobilize it.

A small animal can be transported in a cardboard box, or in a transport cage, if available.

If it is a large dog, we can place it on a towel, or on a sheet, and use them as a portable bed (stretcher type).

It will be good for the animal to be transported to the nearest veterinary clinic as soon as possible.

We contact the relevant municipality or the animal welfare association that cooperates, maybe they can help us find a collaborating doctor with them.

If a fracture is suspected, we avoid the intense and unnecessary movements of the animal.

We try not to stress the animal, because stress worsens its already bad state of health, and can lead to shortness of breath, or other risks to its life.

We try to keep it warm during the winter months, while in summer we do not leave it in the sun for a long time.

We treat any obvious wounds with an antiseptic, such as oxygen and betadine.

In case of heavy bleeding, apply pressure with a clean cloth on the wound, so that no more blood is lost.

If the animal is not in such a bad condition, we offer him water and food. A visit to the vet is a must. The animal must undergo all the necessary examinations, in order to properly control its state of health and at the same time to give instructions for its recovery.

  • Angelika Herra, Graduate Positive Dog Trainer: How to Approach a Dog
    “When we are able to collect an injured dog, our first concern is to safely approach and transport the animal to the vet.

Our physical integrity is paramount, so that we can help the animal.

The dog in need of treatment may have unpredictable or even aggressive behavior due to the pain it experiences, or the shock it has suffered.

In the case of knowledge of first aid in animals, the situation is clearly easier, but we must always respect and take into account the emotional state of an animal.

In any case, an injured dog, even if we are able to offer him first aid, it is necessary, then, to take him to the vet for a thorough examination.

Those who are engaged in feeding / caring for stray dogs, it would be good to have in their car or bag some basic tools, useful in an emergency.

Indicatively I mention the following:

1. Delicacies with a rather tempting smell (fish or meat), or other fresh food, or canned – other than dry food

2. Bowl and water

3. Sheet, or blanket, or large towel

4. Strap – guide

5. Wide bandage, or long socks, for making a makeshift muzzle

6.Anxiety supplements in spray form (Pet Remedy, Uk), or other essential oils with sedative properties.

7. Thick protective gloves

8. Crate

Once we have identified the dog that needs care, we try to gradually reduce the distance between us.

Ideally, the approach should be done exclusively by one person, and the second person should be at a distance.

We also inform, as far as possible, any passers-by not to approach the point where we are attempting, thus creating an imaginary circle of protection.

We move with slow and calm movements, we lower our body, but also our gaze towards the ground.

During the approach, we make sure to be constantly in the dog’s field of vision, but without staring into his eyes. This would pose a great threat to the already injured animal and possibly force it to flee.

We approach the animal sideways (not face to face) and leave the tempting food near it, speaking in a calm and low tone of voice.

 

Because we are not able to tell if the injury was caused by an accident or by a human hand, we do not attempt to pet a injured dog directly, nor do we extend our arms toward it. And we never bend over his head.

As long as the dog accepts what we have offered him and is able to move on his own, we lure him with extra food and guide him in the direction we want.

In any case, we wait for the dog to take the first step towards us.

Note: a dog that refuses to eat may be in shock.

Once we make sure that the dog shows confidence in us, has approached us and has smelled / explored us, we use the guide / leash. Leave the guide / leash on the ground and in front of the dog, in the form of a loop. We place food in its center and let the dog take the food from there.

In the next step, we pass our hand through the circle of the loop of the leash, with which we hold food, and offer it to the dog

.

When we feel that he is comfortably receiving the delicacies from our hand, with the other hand we pass the strap over his head and then around his neck gently.

We always make sure that our face is at a safe distance from the dog’s mouth, just in case.

Note: as a positive dog trainer, I do not recommend or use the leash or other rope method as a “loop” under any circumstances. It is an unacceptable means of positive training for a dog. Therefore, the above description refers only to an emergency rescue / rescue of a dog, when there is no other solution.

In case the dog is unable to move alone, after passing the leash around his neck, we should lift him gently with a blanket, making an improvised stretcher

.

If the dog is calm and cooperative, we can temporarily tie his mouth with a makeshift muzzle to reduce the chance of being bitten – in case he is in pain during transport.

Caution: do not use a muzzle if the dog has a tendency to vomit.

If at any of the above stages we notice nervousness, fear, or anxiety in the animal, we stop approaching and try again with slower movements.

Rescuing a dog presupposes a good knowledge of its “body language” and early recognition of the calm signals it emits in threatening situations. Indicatively, I mention some signs of calm, such as:

1. aversion of his head in the opposite direction from us

2. Nervous licking of the mouth, yawning, or shaking of the hair

3. gaze sideways, letting his eye look like a half-moon (whale eye)

4. lifting of one of the two front legs 5. rigid posture, or tightly closed mouth “.

Μένες Some veterinary clinics that serve emergencies all year round in Attica and Thessaloniki

Attica

1. Placentia Veterinary Clinic, Boeotia 1 & Al. Panagouli 31 (Metro area of ​​Doukissis Plakentias), Ag. Friday, 153 43, Athens – Attica, 210 / 608.23.08

2. Animal Hospital of Athens SA in Pikermi, 21st km. Marathonos Avenue, 190 09 Pikermi, 693.47.91016

3. Attica Animal Hospital SA, 20th km Lavriou Ave., 19002, Peania, Attica, Tel: 210 / 664.0 552-553

4. Agios Stefanos Veterinary Center, 2 Marathonos Ave., & Karditsis 2, 145 65, Agios Stefanos, tel.210 / 814.0100

5. Veterinary Clinic Gerakas, Ermou 8, near the main street Kleisthenous (at the height of number 235). Serves emergencies by telephone. Tel. 211 / 700.5677

6. Agios Modestos Animal Hospital, 35 Thiseos Ave., | 146 71 Nea Erithraia, tel. 210 / 813.4772. Accepts emergencies by telephone.

Thessaloniki

1. Veterinary Clinic of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 11 Stavrou Voutyra, tel. 231 099 4403

The operation of the Emergency Clinic is as follows: – On working days from 14:00 until 09:00 of the next day – On weekends and holidays 24 hours a day

2. Agathangelidis Clinic, 88 Oreokastrou, in Stavroupoli, tel. 231 066 6318, 6936.119.191.

3. Agios Modestos Veterinary Clinic, Aerodromiou 59A, Amfithea, 570 13 Oreokastro. Tel. 2310 68. 30. 98. Emergencies are accepted 24 hours a day by telephone.

Source: ygeiamou.gr

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