|
Emergency First Aid for Pet Owners
Dogs, cats,
birds, and exotic animals can have urgent life threatening medical
conditions. These conditions such as trauma, toxicosis, sudden illness,
long term illness, or complications related to current medical or
surgical problems need to be addressed in a calm and timely fashion. The
following first aid guidelines for pets will help owners prepare for a
crisis before arriving at their veterinarian’s hospital or the local
emergency hospital.
[top
of page]
Important Information
 Pet owners should be aware of
their veterinarian’s regular office hours and if emergency services are
available. If the pet owner’s regular veterinarian does not have
emergency hours available for evening, weekend, or holiday emergencies
then owners should access the Animal Emergency and Critical
Care Center
at Long Island Veterinary Specialists. The proper telephone number and
directions to Long Island Veterinary Specialists should be clearly
posted in the home for quick reference. Poison control hotlines are very
helpful when a pet ingests poison. Early intervention is critical to
help prevent the toxic effects of the specific poison your pet was
exposed to.
The Animal Poison Control
telephone
is 1- 800-
548-2423. A fee of $45.00 will be billed to a major credit card for this
service. Emergency services should be sought immediately!
Exotic Animal Emergencies
 Exotic
animals present a special challenge because each species has specific diseases and
respond differently to insults and therapies. It is important for owners
to become very familiar with the normal behavior of their pets.
Critically ill exotic animals usually do not exhibit overt signs of
illness; therefore, any change in behavior may be a warning sign.
Anticipation of complications before they occur is imperative with
exotic pets. Appropriate emergency therapy must be sought as soon as a
problem is suspected. Make sure you contact a veterinarian that
cares for exotic animals. In addition, the Animal Emergency and Critical
Care Center is staffed and equipped to treat emergency exotic patients
every evening, weekend or holiday.
[top
of page]
Safety
Safety is extremely important
for the owner and pet at the time of an emergency. The most friendly
pets can bite or scratch if they are nervous or in pain. It is
strongly recommended that owners always exercise proper caution when
approaching or handling a wounded or animal in pain.
First Aid List for Pet
Owners
-
Muzzle - Used to keep dogs from biting. It is strongly recommended that owners use muzzles (specific
sizes and models can be purchased at most pet/grooming stores) before
handling their dog during an emergency situation. If a muzzle is
unavailable, belts or cloth strips secured around your pet’s mouth can
be used. Always use caution when applying a muzzle-type device. Do
not muzzle a cat; instead a large blanket can be used for handling
purposes to prevent unintended injuries.
-
Stretcher - Use plywood or an ironing board large enough to
carry your pet if it is non-ambulatory. Always secure the pet to
the board with cloth rags, tape, or belts.
-
Pet Carrier - Used to transport cats or small pets. If you
are unable to place an injured cat in a pet carrier, wrap the cat
in a large blanket.
-
Blanket - Used to decrease loss of body heat and to wrap-up
cats/small dogs for handling purposes.
-
Telfa pads - Used to place over open wounds.
-
Medical tape - Used to secure a bandage on a patient (1 and 2
inch white tape).
-
Hydrogen peroxide - Used to induce vomiting if directed to
do so by poison control or a veterinarian.
-
Large plastic bag - To cover the transport vehicle’s seat
in case of bleeding, urination, defecation or
vomiting.
-
Eye Wash - To flush eyes if needed.
[top
of page]
Common Emergencies Requiring Urgent Medical Attention
Ì
Bloody diarrhea
Ì
Choking
Ì
Collapse
Ì
Diabetic insulin crisis
Ì
Heatstroke
Ì
Poisoning
Ì
Pregnant – straining for 2 hours without giving birth
Ì
Respiratory distress
Ì
Seizures
Ì
Straining to urinate
Ì
Trauma
Ì
Vomiting
[top
of page]
Bite Wounds
Bite wounds are often more
severe than they appear, and frequently are not recognized as an
emergency. Serious internal damage may occur without major external
wounds. Large wounds can be bandaged with a clean towel or cloth,
whereas small wounds can be cleaned to remove dirt and other foreign
material. If an object that caused a penetrating wound to the chest or
belly (i.e. knife) is still in the body, it should be left there for
removal by a veterinarian.
Burns
Burns may cause serious and life
threatening injuries to animals. Immediately remove the pet from the
heat source and wrap it in towels soaked with cool water while
transporting it immediately to a veterinary facility for medical care.
External Hemorrhage
Bandages may be applied to areas
of bleeding until you are able to get medical care for your pet by
placing a clean sheet, towel, or piece of clothing over the wound. To
avoid restricting blood flow or breathing, bandages should not be
wrapped too tightly.
If a bandage becomes blood
soaked, apply more bandage material but do not remove what is already in
place.
If you have been directed by a
veterinarian to place a tourniquet, it is imperative to release the
tourniquet every 5 minutes to avoid permanent limb injury.
[top
of page]
Eye Emergencies
If the eye has been exposed to
any type of irritants or if the globe is exposed, keep the pet calm and
avoid struggling. If it does not stress the pet, flush the eye(s) well
with eye flush while transporting to the veterinary clinic.
Foreign objects penetrating the
eye should never be removed by the pet owner. Pets with a foreign
object in their eye should be brought to their veterinarian immediately
if during regular business hours, or the Animal
Emergency and Critical
Care Center during the evenings, weekends or holidays.
Fractures
Immobilize pets by placing
them on a stretcher or in a confined area (carrier or a box) and
transport to your veterinarian immediately if during regular business
hours, or the Animal Emergency and Critical Care Center
during the
evenings, weekends or holidays.
Heat Stroke
Hot, humid weather, poor
ventilation, strenuous exercise, obesity, breeds with short length
muzzles,
and pre-existing diseases increase the risk of heatstroke. Animals
suffering from heatstroke need immediate attention to bring down the
body temperature. The animal should be cooled with room-temperature
water baths or wrapped in towels soaked in cool water. DO NOT PLACE
ANIMAL IN COLD WATER. Owners should transport their pet immediately to a
veterinary clinic for medical care.
[top
of page]
Hypothermia
Frostbite and hypothermia can
occur in minutes in frigid temperatures. Frostbite usually affects the
ears, tail, scrotum, and feet. Signs of frostbite can range from the
skin appearing bright red in the early phase to pale grey color. If the
damage was severe enough the skin or foot pads could peel.
Hypothermia can cause severe
life threatening consequences. Signs of hypothermia are skin that is
cold to the touch, change in behavior, excessive shivering, or a
coma-like state. Keep your pet warm by wrapping them in a blanket while
being transported to the veterinary hospital.
Poison
If an animal has ingested or
contacted a poison, the owner should read the active ingredient usually
found on the label. Poison control centers should be contacted for
specific antidotes and treatments.
The Animal Poison Control
telephone is 800- 548-2423. A fee of $45.00 will be billed to a
major credit card for this service.
If a pet has ingested a toxin,
the owner should follow the direction of a veterinarian over the phone
until they are able to get to the veterinary hospital. If your
veterinarian directs you to induce vomiting in your pet, they may
recommend hydrogen peroxide and syrup of ipecac be used for this
purpose.
If the pet has externally
contacted a poison, remove the animal from the source while wearing
protective gloves and clothing. Wash the animal with copious amounts of
water before arrival at the hospital. Check all animals in the home for
contact with the poison.
[top
of page]
Common household pet toxins are:
-
mouse/rat poisoning
-
human
drugs
-
antifreeze
-
windshield wiper fluid
-
Organophosphates (lawn fertilizers, weed killers, pet flea products,
etc.)
-
Antifreeze Toxicity -
If a pet is suspected to have ingested
antifreeze (2 tablespoons can be toxic to a small dog or cat) go directly
to a veterinary facility (ask if they have the test for antifreeze
toxicity and the specific antidote). Signs that may be observed after
ingestion of antifreeze are: abnormal behavior, staggering gait,
vomiting, seizures, and excessive urination initially,
but these progresses to no urine
production. Addressing this type of toxicity in a timely
fashion can save your pets life.
-
Human Drug Toxicity -
Owners accidentally administer their own
prescribed medication to their pets. In this situation poison control
should be called for recommendations on specific treatments
-
Mouse/Rat Poison Toxicity -
Clinical signs after ingestion
are bruising of the skin, rapid breathing, and bloody vomit or stool. If
you suspect your pet has ingested poison, bring your pet and the toxin
packet to a veterinarian immediately.
-
Organophosphates Toxicity -
Products containing
organophosphates include but not inclusive are: certain flea
dips/powders, many insecticides, and weed killers. Clinical signs are
salivation, urination, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures. If a topical
product was applied, rinse the pet with a mild shampoo and warm water.
Wrap in a towel and bring to a veterinarian as soon as possible if
during regular business hours, or the Animal Emergency and Critical Care
Center during the evenings, weekends or holidays.
[top
of page]
Respiratory Emergencies
Respiratory emergencies not
associated with choking are best handled by keeping the animal as calm
and stress-free (minimal restraint) as possible. Cats should be placed
in a dark, well ventilated, cool carrier and minimize noise and
excessive movement.
Traumatic Events
Avoid rapid changes in body
position to prevent further injury to animals with possible internal
injuries, bleeding, or shock. While transporting your pet, try to avoid
excessive stress.
[top
of page]
|
