First Aid

  • Immediate treatment of injured animals or those suffering from sudden illness.

  • First aid preserves life, prevents suffering and situation deteriorating and promotes recovery.

  • Rules;

  • DON’T PANIC!

  • Assess situation.

  • Ensure animal is correctly restrained.

  • Maintain airway.

  • Control any haemorrhage.

  • Contact the vet ASAP.

  • Reassure owner.

  • Emergencies include;

  • Life-threatening emergencies such as anaphylaxis, severe burns, snake bites etc.

  • Immediate-action emergencies such as gaping wounds, fractures etc.

  • Minor emergencies such as insect stings, minor burns, slight lameness.

  • ABC;

  • Airway – check and maintain airway.

  • Breathing – RR. Observe breathing 15-30bpm.

  • Circulation – mm + pulse, control bleeding 70-100bpm mm. 1-2s. Pink.

  • Hypothermia;

  • Brachies, obese, very active, heart conditions dogs most at risk.

  • Ring vet ASAP.

  • Cool dog ASAP.

  • Offer small amounts of tepid water.

  • Transfer to vets.

  • Drowning;

  • Wipe away material from mouth/nose.

  • Drowned animal can be quickly positioned to promote gravitational drainage of fluid from lungs.

  • Perform CPR if not breathing.

  • Freshwater = Absorbed quickly.

  • After resuscitation efforts, wrap in warm blanket and take to vet.

  • Secondary drowning;

  •  The affected dog has inhaled water in an insufficient quantity to cause drowning and death.

  • 1-3ml/kg bodyweight of water inhaled interferes with gaseous exchange.

  • 4ml/kg body weight or more aspirated may cause drowning and death.

  • Can happen up to 24 hours after a near-drowning episode.

  • Pets may become letheargic, weak, cynatoic, cough or struggle to breathe.

  • TAKE TO VET.

  • Inhaled water dilutes the surfactant in the lungs =>instability + collapse of alveoli => reduction in blood O2 level.

  • Reduced exchange of O2 => reduced O2 getting to the brain => nerve-induced constriction of blood vessels in lungs + increase in blood pressure => rupture of lining of the capillaries supplying the lungs => leads to a greater fluid build-up in the lungs.

  • IN SALT WATER, salt osmotically draw fluid into the alveoli over several hours => further fluid build-up in the alveoli => further reduction in O2 exhange.

  • Hypoglycaemia;

  • Low blood sugar lower than <3.3mmol/L.

  • Low mood symptoms.

  • Feed a meal.

  • If not alert – hand feed honey.

  • If unconscious – rub a tablespoon of honey on his gums.

  • If remaining unconscious – medical emergency – seek vet ASAP.

     

    • Fractures/dislocations;

    1. Do not apply a splint as it is painful and may cause bone to break through skin.

    2. Confine patient for transport to vet.

    3. Small dogs can be put in a box.

    • Bites/ stings;

    1. Adder bites cause low moods and swelling where bit.

    2. Rest and reduce movement.

    3. Ring vet ASAP.

    4. Pull out sting below poison sac.

    5. Bathe the area in water/bicarbonate of soda.

    6. Apply a cold compress.

    7. If the sting is in mouth/throat, ring vet.

    8. Monitor for anaphylaxis.

    • Proptosis;

    1. If eyeball, apply a wet dressing, prevent rubbing and call vet.

     

     

    • GDV – Gastric Dilation Volvulus;

    1.  Bloat, looks podgy.

    2.  Extensive gas causes distension and rotation of the stomach.

    3. Large and deep chested breeds are more susceptible.

    4. May be walking or recumbent.

    5. May have episodes of non-productive retching.

    6. Hyper salivation.

    • Epilepsy;

    1. Grand mal is tonic seizures.

    2. Petit mal is clonic.

    3.  Represent acute and usually brief (30s to 5 min) disturbances of normal electrical activity in the brain.

    4. Rare in cats.

    5. Distressing for bot patient and owner.

     

     

    1. Status epilepticus – repeated convulsions without the animal regaining consciousness.

    2. LIFE THREATENING.

    • Respiratory distress;

    1. Hypoxia.

    2. BOAS, feline asthma, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, oedema, foreign body, tracheal collapse.

    • Electric shock;

    1. Take care with equipment.

    2. Always switch off electricity before touching patient.

     

    • Haemorrhage;

    1. Loss of blood from vessels.

    2. May occur from an artery, vein or capillary.

    3. May follow from trauma and may be external or internal.

    4.  Internal – not visible.

    5. External – visible. Apply pressure to haemorrhage site.

     

    1. Apply direct pressure for at least 5 minutes => pressure dressing and bandage => indirect pressure => tourniquets.

     

    • Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation (CPCR);

    1. Cardio => pulmonary => cerebral.

    2.  Provides sufficient blood flow to the brain and vital organs to support life until more advanced medical therapy can be initiated.

    3. Artificial breathing ensures lungs are supplied with oxygen.

    4. Chest compressions help circulate blood and oxygen around the body.

    5.  Gasping respiratory pattern, absent heartbeat, weak pulse, loss of consciousness, fixed dilated pupils.

    6. Assess ABC.

    7. Position the patient is right lateral recumbence.

    8. Aim to deliver artificial breathing at a rate of between 6-12 breathes per minute

    9. The volume of air per breath should be judged so that the thoracic wall can be seen to rise only a small amount as over inflation will damage the lungs

    10. Mouth to nose – use a swab or piece of cloth to prevent disease transmission!

    11. 1-3cm in depth.

    12. 15 chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute are recommended. (2 compressions per second)

    13. Only 10% of dogs will recover from a cardiac arrest.

    • First Aid Kit;

    1. Roll of adhesive bandage OR cohesive bandage.

    2.  2x rolls of conforming.

    3. Tweezers.

    4. Sterile.

    5. Roll of cotton wool.

    6. Sterile wound dressings.

    7. Dog muzzle.

    8. Swabs.

    9. Nail clippers.

    10. Antiseptic wash.

    11. Round-ended scissors.

    12. Salt.

    13. Cotton wool.

    14. Thermometer and lubricant.

    15. Sticky tape.

    16. Honey.

    17. Address and telephone number of vet practice.

    18. Leaflet containing basic first aid advice.

    19. Dog lead.

    20. Buster collar.

    21. Access to a rug or blanket/ stretcher.