Assessment
Are they responsive? If they are non-responsive, take them to a vet right away.
Physical assessment
Physical assessment
- Temperature (normal resting 99 - 102 degree) is taken under the tail in the rectum. Do not pull the tail up or force the thermometer, if you feel either of these things, the thermometer is in the wrong location.
- Capillary refill time (check the gums and tongue, they should normally be a light - medium pink, if you press on the gums and release they should become lighter and come back to the normal color right away) Normal capillary time is under 2 seconds, if this takes longer than 2 seconds, take the pet to a vet.
- Hydration (are their gums moist or tacky to feel). You can also tent the skin behind/below the shoulder blades, if it drops back down right away they are hydrated, if not, they are dehydrated and need to see a vet. If using this method, make sure you are not tenting the skin too high up, by the neck as this area will take a slightly longer time to go back down especially with cats.
- Respiratory rate (normal is approximately 8 - 40 breaths/min for dogs and cats, however the resting rate should be under 35)
- Checking for heartbeat and/or pulse
- For a cat, you can often feel the heart rate in the chest, just behind the elbow of a relaxed arm.
- For a dog, lay them on their right side and you may be able to feel the heart rate in the chest. Position their left elbow against their chest wall, and press gentle and steadily on the chest. Unfortunately this doe not work well on overweight dogs or excitable dogs. You can also check the pulse in the femoral artery area (inner thigh of the back leg).
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If your pet has a cut tongue, do NOT apply pressure. sprinkle a little sugar to help stop the bleeding.
For a lip cut, use a tea bag.. the tea will stop the bleeding (this is much easier and cheaper to keep than Styptic Powder).
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Ear cuts sometimes occur, and they like to bleed a lot. Styptic Powder is good for these little cuts or if you qwick the pet’s nail.
- Apply pressure to the wound for about 3 min. If you are unable to hold onto the ear for this length of time, fold a piece of clean paper towel over the cut and hold it in place with a paperclip.
- You need to wrap the head/ear to prevent shaking which will loosen/remove the closed wound and can reopen it to bleed again. Happy hoodies are also great tools for a cut ear.
- Make sure the bandage or hoodie is not too tight as to cut off the circulation.
- Secure the bandage to make sure it doesn't get shaken off. You can use a pin (careful not to allow any sharp points to poke the pet), a paperclip, good tape, or if it is long enough, fold the end into the bandage.
Hematoma (bruising) may look scary but are often easily brought up to the surface but simple actions. Hemroid crème temporary narrows the blood vessels near the skin surface and can help reduce the appearance of a hematoma. An ice pack will also help narrow the blood vessels if you hold it n the affected area for a few minutes (careful not to leave it too long on a cold sensitive area).
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Areas that get a lot of movement are harder to apply first aid (such as the pad of the foot) because as the pet moves around, and the first aid applied is going to shift or fall off. Then the sore area is not going to heal as quickly or efficiently. If you use a piece of clean cardboard, or an old credit card/hotel room key card or something like this, you can wrap it up with the bandaging to the the effected area and help prevent the extra exposure.
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TIP: When wrapping a bandage, slowly roll the bandage over the affected area, do NOT pull it. This will help maintain the proper tightness so it is not too loose and it won't cut the circulation by being too tight.
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For larger wounds, a sanitary pad can be used to apply pressure and help stop the bleeding. They are easily found and are very absorbent, as well as being very flexible and easy to apply to the effected area. Apply a bandage around the area, making sure some of the bandage is going over the fur as well to help keep it in place. Tape or pin it in place, or you can tie it in a bow. Make the closure over the wound area. This way when you get to the vet you can tell them exactly where the wound is as well as it creates a tiny bit more pressure in that area to help with the bleeding.
Vet wrap works the same way, except it sticks and therefore no closure is required.
For areas that are bleeding a lot, try to keep the area elevated if possible and try to keep the pet calm to keep the blood flow reduced.
Vet wrap works the same way, except it sticks and therefore no closure is required.
For areas that are bleeding a lot, try to keep the area elevated if possible and try to keep the pet calm to keep the blood flow reduced.
For wounds that may need stitches, it is best to get them in to the vet right away (within 6 hours). After this time they may have to cut away tissues before closing up the wound to ensure infection is not present and doesn't spread.
Punctures may look little or superficial but many times they have dirt or fur pushed up under the skin which can become infected. This is especially true for cat bites. After cleaning up the area you should always see a vet to make sure it is cleaned out sufficiently.
When cutting nails, if you hold the toe just by the base before the nail it will help slow the blood flow and helps prevent the quick from bleeding more. If you quick the pet, use a stopping powder, a cauterizing stick or corn starch. Once the bleeding has stopped, slowly release the toe. If you let go all at once the blood will rush the area and can burst through the cauterized area.
For pets that have injured their tail, they can be wrapped against one of their back legs. This is especially helpful for dogs with "happy tail"! Happy tail happens when a dog gets so excited they bash their tails against objects and they can split or injure their tail. Most common on larger dogs with long tails and thin or short fur like a great dane, pit bull or lab. Repeat offenders can sometimes get a bleeding ulcer on their tail and some more serve or repeat cases will get part of the tail amputated to prevent further injury.
A bandage with support (like a mini splint) is a useful way to avoid repeating or furthering damage to the tail. Care must be taken to ensure no chewing is occurring.
A bandage with support (like a mini splint) is a useful way to avoid repeating or furthering damage to the tail. Care must be taken to ensure no chewing is occurring.
Pets can have allergic reactions to many items, however more commonly they may have sensitives. What's the difference?
The main difference is how their body responds. Sensitivities are caused by the digestive tract or skin having a mild reaction, causing upset tummy, loose stool or dry itchy skin. An Allergic reaction is caused by the immune system and effects multiple organs, this can include swelling, loss of breath, chronic (re-occurring) ear infections or skin infections. Some as in people, a severe allergic reaction can cause anaphylactic shock and require immediate care from a vet.
The main difference is how their body responds. Sensitivities are caused by the digestive tract or skin having a mild reaction, causing upset tummy, loose stool or dry itchy skin. An Allergic reaction is caused by the immune system and effects multiple organs, this can include swelling, loss of breath, chronic (re-occurring) ear infections or skin infections. Some as in people, a severe allergic reaction can cause anaphylactic shock and require immediate care from a vet.
Symptoms of allergies and sensitivities include but are not limited to:
- Itchy skin (where they are itchy, can help diagnosis the type of allergy)
- Hives
- Constant Licking of an area
- Swelling
- Red, inflamed skin
- Loose Stool
- Vomiting
- Sneezing
- Chronic Ear infections
- Runny eyes
Allergic reaction: Benadryl liquid capsules work quickly and effectively for most dogs. If you are not comfortable or able to pop the pill in the dogs mouth, you can poke a hole in the capsule with a pin or pair of scissors and poor the liquid in their mouth.
What else should be in your first aid kit?
- Peroxide is a common first aid companion as it will not only clean a wound, it is very effective at removing blood from surfaces, fabrics and fur. Comes in the bottle for easy pouring as well as a spray bottle for ease. Peroxide should not be used alot on an animal as it actually kills cells and will stop the wound from healing. It should only be used on small superficial wounds.
- White vinegar is also good for cleaning out wounds and areas, and it is pet safe (they can lick it without adverse reactions). Also a great odor neutralizing agent.
- Neosporin is safe for both dogs and cats but NOT for small critters such as rabbits or guinea pigs.
- Band-Aids are a most in any first aid kit, Flexible fabric band-aids work will to not restrict movement. (Band-Aids are not for pets)
- 12 cc syringe works well to irrigate a dirty wound. You can fill it with water or with the peroxide or vinegar to help clean out the area.
- The syringe can also be used to force feed a stubborn animal with wet food or medications as needed.
- Gloves should always be used when blood in involved. They can also be used to hold gauze or bandaging in a foot or tied around a leg.
- A Thermometer (once one is used on an animal it should only be used for an animal, you do not want to mix these up)
- Tongue depressors can be used as a splint on smaller animals or to apply a medication.
- An Antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin
- A triangular bandage is good for making a sling, tying a large splint on a larger animal, to wrap a head or larger body area
- To splint a leg you can also use a rolled up newspaper or magazine.
- Cheap aftershave or a professional animal skin care solution can be used on pets after a close shave to help reduce irritation.
- Vetericyn works will on minor cuts and wounds but also for brush burns
- Benadryl also comes in a spray form for minor skin irritations like a slight rash or bug bites
- Muzzles may be needed if the pet is in a lot of pain or is overly stressed to prevent them from biting. Even if the animal is normally very docile or shy, they can sometimes snap under these situations.
Some other common health concerns to be aware of:
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If you pet is over heating, you need to bring their temperature down. Cool water (not chugging), air conditioned building, and fans are the best way to help on animal with heat exhaustion.
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If you suspect Bloat, your dog needs to be rushed to an emergency clinic for surgery! DEATH can occur in minutes!
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For more information on HCM (Click here).
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For more information on animal diabetes (Click here).
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Toxins
Animals have very fast gastrointestinal systems, so if you think an animal has ingested a toxin they need to see a vet ASAP (within an hour is the best case scenario). If the vet can see the pet while the toxin is still in the stomach, they can get them to vomit to bring it up. Once it has moved past the stomach it becomes a lot harder. Some items can burn the esophagus if they vomit and therefore the vet may not want to use this as a treatment plan (depends on what the toxin is). If you believe your pet has ingested a toxin, call your vet or your local poison center, both places have lots of information on different toxins and can give you the next best step. Animal poison control will have ALL the toxins for your pet and can be called if the others cannot help.
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Some common toxins for dogs:
Chocolate Caffeine Alcohol Onions Grapes Raisins Garlic Guacamole Avocado Macadamia Nuts Xylitol (sugar free gum) Marijuana Many human medications (Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, antidepressants) Engine Oil Engine Coolant |
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Some common toxins for cats:
Lilies Caffeine Alcohol Chives Chocolate Garlic Grapes Raisins Yeast dough Aloe plants Mistletoe plants Tulips Xylitol (sugar free gum) Marijuana Many human medications (Advil, Aleve, diet pills, human vitamins) Glow sticks Liquid potpourri Engine Oil Engine Coolant |
Unsure? Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435, Pet Poison Hotline at 1-800-213-6680,
Non-Responsive
If your pet is non-responsive (not moving or acknowledging you calling to them, give a little nudge), you need to do an assessment of what may be causing this. Is there any signs or red flags that they may have eating something they shouldn't, could they be choking, got electrocuted or shocked. Make sure you are safe before trying to administer any CPR or heimlich maneuvers. Are they breathing?
(sometimes you can see the respiratory breathes easier in the abdomen.
(sometimes you can see the respiratory breathes easier in the abdomen.
The ABC's of CPR
Airway
- Check the airway for obstructions by opening the mouth and looking inside and down the throat, you can hold the tongue and pull it out slightly to open the passageway allowing you to see further down)
- With one - two fingers make a scoop and take out any foreign items. Start at one side and swoop to the other side to be careful not to accidentally push anything further down the throat.
- If there is something blocking the airway and you are unable to get it out, you may need to perform the Heimlich maneuver to get the item out.
- There are a couple ways to do this maneuver, however the general mechanics of each way will force the air out of the lungs which will help expel any items in the airway.
- Small animals can be picked up. With their back side against your body. Find the bottom of the ribcage. Sharply pull your hands inwards and up under the rib cage. You can try this s a couple times and look inside the mouth again to swoop out any loosened items if needed. If this isn’t working, do not continue this for too long (maybe 3 – 4 times) as you only have a short time to help them. If you are unable to remove the object, get to the vet ASAP for professional help. If another person can drive to the vet, you can continue trying this while getting to the vet.
- For larger animals that cannot be picked up, lay them on the ground on their side, with their back against your knees. Using 1 hand/fist, find the bottom of the ribcage and abruptly push in and up under the ribcage.
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Breathing
- Once you know the airway is clear, you can start breathing for them if they are not breathing. Close their mouth and hold it closed. Putting your mouth over their nose and creating a seal, blow into their nose.
- Watch for the abdomen to rise. You do not want to blow too hard. Smaller pets do not need a full human sized breath, whereas a larger dog or pet will have a similar lung capacity and may need a full breath.
- 5 – 10 breathes per min if they still have a heartbeat but not breathing
- If they do NOT have a heartbeat, the breathes per minute will be less because the chest compressions to get the blood circulating is more important (approximately 3 breathes per minute).
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Circulation
- For large dogs, have them laying on the ground with their back against your knees. Where the dogs elbow meets the chest is where the heart is found in the chest. With both hands over the heart, give full chest compressions. They should be controlled but quick.
- For extra large dogs such as a bull mastiff or great dane, chest compressions may not be enough and you will need to alternate 1 hand on the chest and 1 hand on the abdomen to get the blood circulating efficiently.
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