Customer Reviews

First Aid for the Active Dog

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February 04 Clean Run
Review:
First Aid for the Active Dog
A book by Sid Gustafson, D.V.M.
By Ronda Clark, D.V.M.
As a veterinarian and canine perfor-
mance exhibitor, my fellow exhibitors
often ask me questions about their canine
teammates' health, and especially about
health problems their dogs are having
during a competition weekend. Although
I am always happy to help when needed,
I think many exhibitors would bene' t
from and appreciate ' rst aid information
that they can have at their ' ngertips.
I found Dr. Gustafson's text, First Aid for
the Active Dog, to be just the ticket for
referencing information quickly and eas-
ily, especially when one is traveling with
a dog and a vet isn't readily accessible.
With just over 110 pages, the book is
small enough to put in a training bag or
pack. The inside cover lists the contents
of a suggested ' rst aid kit that has nearly
anything a person would need to deal
with most minor canine emergencies.
Before discussing the causes, signs, and
treatments for individual diseases or
injuries, the ' rst four chapters give ex-
cellent insight into accident prevention,
securing the scene of the accident to
prevent further harm to dog or owner,
restraining and examining injured or
sick dogs, and taking and evaluating vital
signs. Clark also includes muzzling tech-
niques, normal heart rates, respiratory
rates, normal pupil size, and response
evaluation.
Subsequent sections cover primary body
systems (that is, respiratory, gastrointesti-
nal, musculoskeletal, and so on) and are
further subdivided into more particular
chapters addressing speci' c problems:
vomiting or diarrhea, wounds and bleed-
ing, exposure to extreme heat or cold,
seizures, and so on.
Throughout the book, many photo-
graphs and illustrations show techniques
for restraint and handling of injured
"First Aid for the Active Dog is a
book suitable for most types of
canine performance activities,
be it flyball or agility, hunting
or hiking, ' shing, or even search
and rescue. I found the book an
informative addition to any dog
enthusiast's library."
dogs, and "Caution" boxes reiterate im-
portant points mentioned in preceding
topics. Also sprinkled throughout the
book are captioned "Dog First Aid Tips"
that stress situations that are likely be-
yond a layperson's expertise and encour-
age handlers to seek veterinary attention
as soon as possible. A common phrase
threaded throughout the entire book is
"First, do no harm," a reminder that dog
owners should not attempt to perform
procedures they are unfamiliar with, or
administer medications that may not be
approved for use in dogs.
Each chapter lists:
* Common causes
* Frequent signs and symptoms
* Prevention suggestions
* Treatment options and recommenda-
tions
The last seven chapters discuss environ-
mental dangers, including insect bites
and stings, snakebite, porcupine quills,
' shhooks and lines, hypothermia and
frostbite, heat stroke and dehydration.
First Aid for the Active Dog is a book
suitable for most types of canine perfor-
mance activities, be it ' yball or agility,
hunting or hiking, ' shing, or even search
and rescue. I found the book an infor-
mative addition to any dog enthusiast's
library.
Ronda Clark has been a small animal
veterinarian in Texas since 1986. She started
competing in agility in 1996 and has put
Masters titles on three Cairn Terriers and
a Miniature Poodle. Ronda is currently
competing with a young Cairn and a new
Miniature Poodle, and has a young Aussie
in training.

First Aid For The Active Dog by Sid Gustafson (a practicing Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine), is a very handy guide which is filled from cover to cover with life-saving basics for helping four-footed canine friends, ranging from dealing with a broken leg; to tooth problems; to ticks and fleas; to heat or cold exposure, and more. Of special note is "Part I" addressing the prerequisites to first aid. Spiral-bound for easy reference and specifically written for non-specialist general readers with canine companions, First Aid For The Active Dog is an excellent emergency resource, and a perfect "take along" for when one is hiking, hunting, or on the go with an active dog. Not intended to replace proper veterinary care, First Aid For The Active Dog is a welcome and recommended addition for any personal or family dog care reference shelf.