First Aid For Dogs & Cats

Deborah Orr RVN MBVNA

Main Aims

• Preserve Life

• Prevent Suffering

• Prevent the situation deteriorating

• Promote recovery

Personal Safety and Restraint

• Require considered handling – “Scruffing”?

• “Swipes” very common • Handling aids can help• Can calm down when handled

correctly

• Use suitable restraint, at the very least a slip lead• Muzzle, even if friendly for procedures

• Approach slowly and calmly• Quiet, calming voice and body language

CATS DOGS

Triage• Assess the situation

> Danger to the animal AND YOU!> Suitable place for First Aid treatment?> Can the animal be moved?

• Assess the injuries> Life threatening injuries FIRST> Consider the injuries that may be causing pain for handling> Blood does NOT always signify the worst injury

• Treatment Plan

Anatomy and Physiology

Understanding the body functions to assist in

FIRST AID

The Nervous System

• Brain, Spinal Cord, Nerves

• Conscious

• Unconscious

• Reflex Actions

The Respiratory System

• The Lungs

• External Respiration, The Intake of Air

• Gaseous Exchange

The Circulatory System

• Heart, Arteries, Veins

• Functions of Blood

• Blood Cells

The Digestive System

• The Passage of Food

• Digestion

• Waste

The Urinary System

• Parts of Urinary System

• Function of Urinary System

• Healthy Urine

The Reproductive System • Reasons for Neutering

> Disease / Infection> Behavioural> Population Control

• Post Op Care

> General demeanour> Wound checks> Patient interference?

Preventing Accidents and Disease

Know What to Look For

The Healthy Animal

Dog Cat

Body Temperature 38.3 – 38.7°C 38.0 – 38.5°C

Pulse Rate 60 – 180 110 – 180

Respiration Rate 10 – 30 20 - 30

Gum Colour + Capillary Refill Time

Pink Gums

< 2 seconds

Pink Gums

< 2 seconds

Temperament Bright, alert, responsive, Bright, alert, responsive, relaxed

Appearance Bright eyes, clean ears and nose, normal coat, normal posture, odour free (!)

Bright eyes, clean ears and nose, normal coat, normal posture, odour free

Behaviour Eating, drinking, urinating and defecating normally, keen to exercise.

Eating, drinking, urinating and defecating normally, easy fluid movement.

The Unhealthy Animal

Watch Out For:

• Diarrhoea / Vomiting / Loss of Appetite

• Straining to Urinate / Defecate

• Change in Behaviour

• Change in Posture

• Unresponsive / Lethargic

Reasonable Protection

– Vaccination / Parasite Control

– Kennel / Run Security and Upkeep

– Trained Handlers – Basic lessons

– Animal Behaviour

– Cleaning Protocols

First Aid Situations

Breathing Difficulties

• Call for help!

• Check Airway

• Conscious Animals

• Unconscious Animals

• Artificial Respiration

• Recognising Death

Circulatory Emergencies • CALMLY Call for Help!

• Internal Bleeding> Bruising

> Care After Surgery

> Shock

• External Bleeding> Severity and Types of Bleeding

> Controlling bleeding

–Direct pressure

–Tourniquets

> Bandaging hints and tips

Poisoning

• Identify the Cause if Possible

• Remove Source

• Induce vomiting if recommended

• Dilute and Absorb

• Symptomatic Treatment

OR

Convulsions

• Do Not Touch!

• Clear Area

• Remove All Stimuli> Light

> Sound

> Touch

• Phases of a Seizure

• Causes> Epilepsy

> Poisoning

> Head Injuries / Tumours

> Systemic Disease

Fights

• Your Safety

• Puncture Wounds

• Infection Highly Likely

• Flush, Flush, Flush!

• Antibiotics If Possible

Fractures

• Very Painful

• Swelling & Immobility

• Transport Carefully

• Chemical Restraint where possible for Splinting

Eye Injuries• Very Uncomfortable and Self

Trauma Common

• Saline Flush Always Useful

• Chemicals should be Flushed Out

• Reduce light levels where possible

Hypothermia • Core body temperature is

below normal • Trauma, collapse, shock • No direct heat!• Insulate the animal

Hyperthermia• Core temperature is above normal• More common in dogs• Move away from heat• Cool with water and fans• Small frequent drinks

• Control environment• Ensure temperature correction gradual• Special care with infants and geriatrics.

Bites & Stings • Identify the cause• Neutralise if origin is known

• Treat the symptoms:> Cool compress to reduce inflammation

> Anti-histamine treatment effective

• In Facial Swelling Observe Breathing

Burns• Cool with water or saline

• Treat for Shock

• Need much higher calorie requirement in recovery

Any Questions?