By Jodiann Cates,HGDR. 2008.
 
 
It can be hard deciding when to go to a vet for an emergency and when it’s best to monitor and wait. If you have ever agonized over this decision reading this article will help. This time around attention will be paid to common wounds, later on in part 4 of this series common illnesses will be addressed. First off, assume its after your regular vet is closed for the night or its Sunday and your vet office is open in the morning for you to make a regular visit. That is when most of the emergencies happen at my house and I am betting if your reading this its happened to you a time or two.  This article is by no means to be in place of a vet's advice. Do not hesitate to call a vet any time your Great Dane is sick or injured. 

Very common, often with pain. Might Swell. Crying out when touched, or will not bear weight, guarding. 

Take your dog to the vet IMMEDIATELY if the following occur... 

 ~If there is fever of 105ƒF or more. 

 ~If pain becomes progressively worse over time ( long or short period). Is accompanied by excessive panting, restlessness, and vocalizations.

~ If a later wound is discovered and you determine this wound needs immediate attention. 

Wait and monitor your dog in your presence...

~If resting comfortably within an half hour. 

~If allows cold compacts on guarded leg. ( switch to warm compacts a few hours after injury)

~If pain lessens over time.

Call your vet for advice...

~If you think your Dane needs pain management.

Take your dog to the vet IMMEDIATELY if the following occur... 

 ~If the wound is large,deep, or bleeding excessively ( doesn't stop or slow with pressure applied in 2 minutes) 

 ~If there is debris in the wound you cannot or do not wish to remove.   

 ~ If there is a foreign object lodged in the wound. Don't remove.

Wait and monitor your dog in your presence...

~If bleeding stops or slows quickly with pressure applied.  

~If wound edges are clean and even and starting to close together on their own. 

~If your dog is resting comfortably in a half hour. 

Call your vet for advice...

~If bleeding starts again.

~If you think your Dane needs pain management.

If you wish to have this wound stitched do not wait more that 24 hours. 

Take your dog to the vet IMMEDIATELY if the following occur... 

 ~If bleeding excessively ( doesn't stop or slow with pressure applied in 2 minutes) 

~If the nail is hanging off to the side and bumping causes flows of bleeding to start again.    

~ If your dog will not allow you to clean or inspect and you suspect its more than just a broken bleeding nail.  

Wait and monitor your dog in your presence...

~If bleeding stops or slows quickly with pressure applied.  

~If nail can be trimmed to catch on fewer things and this keeps it from bleeding.  

~If your dog allows you to clean and inspect and is resting comfortably in a half hour. 

Call your vet for advice...

~If bleeding starts again.

~If you think your Dane needs pain management.

Take your dog to the vet IMMEDIATELY if the following occur... 

 ~If bleeding excessively ( doesn't stop or slow with pressure applied in 2 minutes) There are large blood vessels in the ear useful in cooling the body. If one is nicked the bleeding may not stop without medical intervention. 

~Be mindful of blood spray. This is a sure sign blood under pressure ( venous blood). Make a B-line for the vet.

Wait and monitor your dog in your presence...

~If bleeding stops or slows quickly with pressure applied.  

~If wound edges are clean and even and starting to close together on their own. 

~If your dog is resting comfortably in a half hour. 

Call your vet for advice...

~If excessive bleeding starts.

~If you think your Dane needs pain management.

Take your dog to the vet IMMEDIATELY if the following occur... 

 ~If bleeding excessively ( doesn't stop or slow with pressure applied in 2 minutes) 

~ If there are tendons, bone, showing.    

~ If there is a foreign object lodged in the wound. Don't remove. 

Wait and monitor your dog in your presence...

~If bleeding stops or slows quickly with pressure applied.  

~If wound is only the pad. Pad heals quicker on its own than skin and will not hold a stitch.   

~If your dog is resting comfortably in a half hour. 

Call your vet for advice...

~If bleeding starts again.

~If you think your Dane needs pain management.

 Next, in Part 4 of this series: Vet Emergencies: Illnesses.