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Information included on this page: Applying a bandage
How to weigh your pet
Administering medication
Administering tablets to dogs
Administering tablets to cats
Shampoos |
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 | Applying a bandage 1. Apply the 'Rondopad' with the shiny side against the wound.
2. Apply a layer of 'Orthoband' or cotton wool. This offers both support and absorbency for discharging or bleeding wounds.
3. The 'Orthoband' has been continued to just the above the 'knee' or carpal joint. This helps secure the bandage and offers added support.
4. Next comes a layer of 'Crepe Knit' bandage this secures the layers so far and offers a good support layer.
5. For emergency purposes the 'Crepe Knit' bandage can simply be tied or taped to finish the bandage.
6. For a more durable and supportive bandage 'Coflex' cohesive flexible bandage is applied. 'Coflex' is very elasticated and it is VITAL that it is applied loosely.
7. Here the 'Coflex' bandage has been pulled away from the roll and loosened before applying. Circulation may be affected if coflex is applied too tightly. You should be able to comfortably fit a finger between the bandage and the limb. If you cannot or it is difficult, remove the 'Coflex' and only reapply if you are confident that it is not too tight.
8. The bandage is complete.
9. Just to prove that no animals were harmed in the filming of this sequence, Scally receives a well earned cuddle!
(all bandaging materials are available in the "First Aid" section of the catalogue. For this bandage on Scally who is a medium sized dog we used a 5cm x 5cm Rondopad, 5cm wide Orthoband, 5cm wide Crepe knit bandage and a 5cm wide Coflex bandage). |
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How to weigh your pet Most pets with the exception of large dogs can be easily weighed using normal bathroom scales.
To weigh a cat or small/medium dog
1. Weigh yourself on bathroom scales and note down you weight
2. Pick up your pet and step back onto the scales noting the weight
3. Then do the simple calculation-
Your weight WITH PET minus Your weight WITHOUT PET = WEIGHT OF PET
To weigh large dogs
This is more difficult as larger dogs cannot easily be lifted. Some can be trained to sit on bathroom scales if they are not too large. Most veterinary surgeons have electronic walk on scales in their surgeries. The most simple way to obtain the weight of a large breed dog is to ask your Vet to weigh your dog when they visit for booster vaccinations or examinations. If you find it impossible to weigh your dog, we have available to us a list of average breed weights. If you email us with the breed of your dog we can give you a weight estimate. |
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Administering medication To administer a tablet
Many tablets can be crushed and given with food. To do this, crush the tablet finely, this can be done with the back of a spoon or between 2 teaspoons. Then mix with a small amount of your pets favourite food. Cats often are difficult as they can often smell the medication in their food. Strong smelling foods can mask this. Dogs who tend to swallow their food in chunks can often be fooled into eating their medication pushed into a piece of meat or cheese and offered from the hand.
If is often necessary to give tablets directly to pets. Some pets can detect disguised tablets or tablets are too bitter to be masked. In thes instances knowledge of a few tricks of the trade are needed (keep a packet of plasters handy!)
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 | Administering tablets to dogs 1. Gently place your thumb and fingers on either side of the muzzle. Squeeze firmly in and up just behind the canine teeth (the long 'fang teeth). The dog's mouth should open.
2. Use your free hand to hold on to the tablet while lowering the dog's jaw.
3. Whilst holding the mouth open wide, place the tablet as far back on the tongue as possible, pushing it even farther with your index finger (a "Pill Giver" is useful at this point as it delivers the tablet quickly and accurately). Gently close and hold the muzzle while your dog swallows.
4. It's all over! Scally our 'guinea pig' enjoys a tasty treat
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 | Administering tablets to cats
1. Grasp the cat’s head firmly and tilt the head backwards. The cat’s mouth
Usually automatically opens a little way
2. Gently pull the lower jaw down whilst still tipping the head back (an extra pair of hands is useful to gently hold the cat’s forelegs to stop it from scratching at this point).
3. Push the tablet as far back on the tongue as possible (a "Pill Giver" is useful at this point as it delivers the tablet quickly and accurately ).
4. Close the mouth and gently stroke or blow on the cats nose this often causes the cat to lick it’s nose which in turn causes it to swallow.
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 | Shampoos When shampooing your pet, mixing some shampoo with a small amount of water in a seperate jug or bottle before applying to the coat achieves a much better lather. You will also find that the shampoo will go further! |
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