Printable Guide

Frenchie First Aid Cheat Sheet

16 emergency home remedies in a printable quick-reference format. Tape it to your fridge or keep it in your Frenchie's go-bag.

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Emergency Red Flags - See a Vet Immediately

Labored breathing, gasping, blue gums

Emergency vet IMMEDIATELY - do not wait

Blood in stool, urine, or vomit

Emergency vet within 1 hour

Fever above 104°F (40°C)

Emergency vet within 2 hours

Seizures, collapse, disorientation

Emergency vet IMMEDIATELY

Hot spot larger than a quarter or rapid spreading

Vet within 24 hours

Vomiting/diarrhea beyond 48 hours

Vet within 24 hours

Yellow or green eye/nose discharge

Vet within 24–48 hours

Sudden limping or inability to walk

Vet within 12 hours

Quick-Reference Remedy Table

Condition	First Action	Remedy	How To	See Vet If
Itchy Skin	Give an oatmeal bath immediately	Colloidal Oatmeal Bath	Dissolve 1 cup colloidal oatmeal in warm water. Soak 10–15 min, rinse, pat dry. 2–3x/week.	Hair loss, open sores, or no improvement after 1 week
Dry Skin / Folds Irritation	Clean & apply coconut oil	Virgin Coconut Oil Rub	Warm pea-sized amount between fingers, massage into dry patches & folds. Daily.	Weeping, bleeding, or foul-smelling skin
Yeast / Skin Odor	Dilute ACV spray	Apple Cider Vinegar Spray	Mix 50/50 ACV + water in spray bottle. Apply to folds & paws. Air dry. 1x/day.	Redness increases or persists beyond 2 weeks
Hot Spots (Acute Moist Dermatitis)	Trim fur around spot, apply compress	Green Tea Compress	Brew strong green tea, chill. Compress for 5–10 min, 3–4x/day. Must prevent licking with cone.	Larger than quarter, foul odor, or no change in 48 hrs
Diarrhea / Upset Stomach	Start bland diet immediately	Plain Pumpkin Puree + Bland Diet	1–2 tbsp plain pumpkin in food. Switch to boiled chicken + rice (1:2 ratio). Small meals every 4–6 hrs.	Beyond 48 hours, bloody, or accompanied by lethargy
Vomiting / Refusing Food	Withhold food 12 hrs, offer bone broth	Homemade Bone Broth	Simmer bones in water 12–24 hrs. Serve 2–4 tbsp warm over food or alone.	More than 3 vomits in a day, or blood present
Ear Itching / Mild Odor	Wipe outer ear with ACV solution	ACV Ear Rinse (Prevention Only)	50/50 ACV + water on cotton ball. Wipe outer ear only. Never insert into canal. 1x/week.	Dark discharge, strong odor, head shaking, pain - this is an infection
Paw Licking / Inflammation	Rinse paws after walks, Epsom soak	Epsom Salt Paw Soak	1 tbsp Epsom salt in 1 quart warm water. Soak 5–10 min. Rinse and dry completely between toes.	Open sores, limping, or obsessive licking beyond 1 week
Cracked / Dry Paw Pads	Apply shea butter before bed	Shea Butter Paw Balm	Massage raw shea butter into pads before bed. Use dog socks for 10–15 min. Daily.	Deep cracks, bleeding, or signs of infection
Congestion / Reverse Sneezing	Steam therapy immediately	Steam Therapy	Run hot shower, sit with dog in steamy bathroom 10–15 min. Never under direct water.	Gasping, blue gums, collapsing - surgical BOAS evaluation needed
Nasal Congestion	Apply saline drops	Saline Nasal Drops	1–2 drops plain 0.9% saline per nostril. Let them sneeze naturally. 1–2x/day.	Thick yellow/green discharge, or breathing difficulty
Joint Stiffness / Arthritis Pain	Start fish oil, warm compress	Omega-3 Fish Oil	20–55 mg EPA+DHA per lb daily in food. Results in 4–6 weeks. Add warm compress 10–15 min before activity.	Limping, refusing to walk, crying in pain
Chronic Inflammation / Arthritis	Start turmeric golden paste	Golden Turmeric Paste	Cook 1/2 cup turmeric + 1 cup water to paste. Add 1/4 cup coconut oil + 1.5 tsp black pepper. Start 1/4 tsp/day.	Gallbladder issues or on blood thinners - consult vet first
Tear Stains (Red-Brown Streaks)	Clean with chamomile tea daily	Chamomile Eye Wipe	Brew strong chamomile, cool. Wipe under eyes with cotton pad 1–2x/day. Apply coconut oil barrier after.	Excessive tearing, squinting, discharge, or sudden onset
Anxiety / Stress (Storms, Travel)	Put on compression wrap, start diffuser	Compression Wrap + Lavender Aromatherapy	Snug wrap or Thundershirt. Diffuse lavender in well-ventilated room 30 min before stressor.	Destruction, self-harm, house soiling - needs behaviorist
Bad Breath / Dental Plaque	Brush with coconut oil daily	Coconut Oil Tooth Brushing	Dip soft brush in coconut oil, brush outer surfaces in circles. Build up to 30 sec/side. Add parsley to food.	Visible tartar, red/bleeding gums, loose teeth - needs professional cleaning

What NOT to Do

Never use hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol on skin or ears - causes chemical burns
Never use cotton swabs inside ear canals - pushes debris deeper, can rupture eardrum
Never use human toothpaste - xylitol is deadly to dogs even in tiny amounts
Never use undiluted apple cider vinegar - always 50/50 with water
Never apply essential oils directly to skin or fur - use diffuser only, in ventilated room
Never use medicated human nasal sprays (oxymetazoline) - toxic to dogs
Never use scissors to trim fur near hot spots - use electric clippers only
Never give pumpkin pie filling - contains toxic spices and xylitol

Quick Tips

Keep a Frenchie first aid kit: coconut oil, plain pumpkin, ACV, Epsom salt, green tea bags, chamomile tea bags, fish oil, saline drops, gauze pads, electric clippers, soft cone
Switch from collar to harness - reduces throat pressure and breathing difficulty for brachycephalic breeds
Use orthopedic bolster bed - elevates head, reduces snoring and airway obstruction during sleep
Add a cool-mist humidifier to sleeping area - keeps airways moist, especially in winter
After every walk, rinse paws in warm water to remove pollen and allergens - dry thoroughly between toes
Clean facial folds daily with a dry cloth - moisture trapped in folds causes yeast infections
Use filtered water instead of tap - high-iron water worsens tear stains
Walk on grass in summer - pavement at 87°F air temp reaches 150°F; if you can't hold your hand for 7 seconds, it's too hot for paws

Ready to Print?

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