what do you do?

[Sweetpea]

I was just reading the thread about the customer freak out. What do you do if you accidentally cut a dog? I know it depends on the severity of the cut but what are some basic things I can pick up from the store to be prepared IF it happens? Someone told me one time that she put kwik stop on a cut but it wasn't even on the nail, I kinda made a sour face at that because it just didn't seem right. Thanks in advance.

[milhasavilla]

The first thing you should probably do is apply pressure so the blood can clot (if it's not a nail). There was 1 time on a paw pad there was a deep poke that was not clotting, and I did apply styptic to it. Thankfully besides that time, I've never cut a dog so bad that it didn't stop bleeding after applying some pressure and having some patience. I guess for me it would depend on where the cut was at and how bad it was, as to how I would handle it....Anxious to see what others have to say about it. All around it's a tense moment when a nick is made and it's good to be prepared. Good luck..

[bow_wow_wheels]

Have you taken the American Red Cross Pet First Aid/CPR class? LOTS of good info there both in the class and in the book. Your local chapter may have the bookfor sale; if not contact me and I'll see what I can do. (I am an ARC PFA/CPR instructor.) In the interim you can get a human first aid kit and with the addition of a few items you can make it work. No need to purchase a special kit just for pets and pay a silly price for it when the basics in all FA kits are pretty much the same. You'll want to add some sterile saline solution for eyes for sure!

I strongly caution you against using QuickStop because it will cause the area to scar and it stings like heck. If you have spurting blood apply pressure above the wound, if you have seeping blood apply pressure below the wound. You can also apply pressure to the top of a nail to get it to stop bleeding. IF you can get a pet to lick something sweet (tea, ice cream, etc.) you may be able to stop a bleeding tounge; for some reason sugar seems to help the bleeding. But a cut there will seem like it'll bleed forever and a day because the area is a fast healing area and doesn't seem to clot fast. Apply a pressure bandage to the ears instead of the Quick Stop. If the bandage gets blood-soaked do NOT pull it off but apply another piece of gauze to the area and continue to apply pressure. And don't be a hero! If a cut/injury is serious GO TO THE VET!!!!!! And tell your client-don't let them discover on their own that you cut/injured their pet!!!

This is just a very basic reply with a few highlights because I can't teach the class here

[milhasavilla]

bow wow wheels, is there some place where I can find out where to take a class like this in my area? Thanks!!

[Helly]

For minor wounds, I saturate a cotton ball with Betadine and apply direct pressure. The bleeding will usually stop quickly. Even ears. Don't clean with peroxide or alcohol. I don't use KwikStop, but I've used liquid bandage on nicked pads a few times. You have to stop the bleeding first, then apply. It helps keep them from opening up again.

[sheilabgroomer]

Remember to always be upfront and honest about any cuts or nicks or clipper irritations, no matter how small. The smallest irritation can develop into a big hot spot which can cause you trouble down the road if you don't bring it to the owners attention. I will always offer to pay the vet bill, and will sometimes give the groom for free, depending on how bad the wound is and how much of it was my fault...lol... I am often surprised at how many of my customers will not let me pay the vet bill or give them a freebie. You will find that most people are very understanding about such things if you tell them about it upfront.

[Pawsitively Purrfect]

Bow Wow gave you the best advice...I carry a first aid kit (luckily I never have had to use it) Also have a Vet that you trust and can get a second opinion from if the need arises....

[pamperedpups]

Great advice, bow_wow. Do post where we can sign up for the course you mentioned. I keep two complete pet First Aid kits in my salon and a pet first aid manual, in addition to Kwik Stop (nails only) and Medistyp (liquid band-aid).

[bad_chihuahua]

What the did at the vet

When I worked at the vet, they would clen the wound with peroxcide then evaluate how bad it was. Most of the time it reqired applying pressure for 5-10 minutes sometimes it would need liquid bandage.

[plushpuppy]

Have you taken the American Red Cross Pet First Aid/CPR class? LOTS of good info there both in the class and in the book. Your local chapter may have the bookfor sale; if not contact me and I'll see what I can do. (I am an ARC PFA/CPR instructor.) In the interim you can get a human first aid kit and with the addition of a few items you can make it work. No need to purchase a special kit just for pets and pay a silly price for it when the basics in all FA kits are pretty much the same. You'll want to add some sterile saline solution for eyes for sure!

I strongly caution you against using QuickStop because it will cause the area to scar and it stings like heck. If you have spurting blood apply pressure above the wound, if you have seeping blood apply pressure below the wound. You can also apply pressure to the top of a nail to get it to stop bleeding. IF you can get a pet to lick something sweet (tea, ice cream, etc.) you may be able to stop a bleeding tounge; for some reason sugar seems to help the bleeding. But a cut there will seem like it'll bleed forever and a day because the area is a fast healing area and doesn't seem to clot fast. Apply a pressure bandage to the ears instead of the Quick Stop. If the bandage gets blood-soaked do NOT pull it off but apply another piece of gauze to the area and continue to apply pressure. And don't be a hero! If a cut/injury is serious GO TO THE VET!!!!!! And tell your client-don't let them discover on their own that you cut/injured their pet!!!

This is just a very basic reply with a few highlights because I can't teach the class here

Wow Patty great Info Thanks