PATCHELL VETERINARY CLINIC
Creating a First Aid Kit
Get a water resistant container large enough for the following items; such as a tackle box or a rubber maid container:
Gauze (roll & pads) Peroxide
Tongue Depressors Cotton Balls & Swabs
Alcohol Prep Pads Moist Towelettes
Ace Bandage Thermometer
Adhesive Tape Antibacterial Ointment
Probe covers Ky Jelly or Vaseline
Antiseptic Wash Normal Saline Rinse
Eye Dropper Scissors
Tweezers Latex Gloves
Rope Leash Flashlight
Benadryl Tabs Pepto Tabs
Zip Lock Bags Bottled Water
Can Dog Food Pen & Notepad
Blanket
Important Phone Numbers
Patchell Veterinary Clinic
Animal Poison Control Center
(888) 426-4435
(501)362-8291
Canine First Aid Basics
Dogs are active animals, and that’s one reason why they’re prone to
accidents. You can’t always prevent mishaps, but you can prepare for
them by reading about basic first aid techniques and then discussing what
you’ve learned with your veterinarian. If an emergency occurs, stay calm
and think clearly. Once you’ve given your pet first aid, take him into a
veterinarian.
Approach: An injured dog is likely to be frightened and in pain, and is
capable of biting anyone. If you don’t know the dog, it may be unwise to
approach it. Even if it’s your pet, approach slowly, calling your pet’s name.
If your pet appears calm, let it smell your closed hand before examining
his injuries. But if it snarls or snaps, protect yourself first by restraining
the dog.
Restrain: You can capture a loose dog by tossing a blanket over it. To
keep the dog from biting, loop a long strip of fabric or roll gauze over its
muzzle at a point 2/3 thirds of the way from nose-tip to jaw. Knot it on
top and again beneath the chin; then tie the ends behind the ears.
Assess: Injuries should be treated in order of severity. Give your pet a
quick examination, then decide what to treat first.
Vital Signs: Check for regular breathing and pulse rate, in that order; begin
treatment immediately if either is absent. A healthy dog breathes 12 to
30 times per minute. To feel for a pulse, place your fingertips on the
inside of his upper hind leg, ½ to ¾ of the way up. Count the beats for 15
seconds, and multiply this number by 4. Totals that fall between 70 and
160 are within the normal range for dogs.
Artificial Respiration: Your first priority is to restore your pet’s breathing.
If he is unconscious, follow these steps:
1) Lay your dog carefully on its side
2) Extend its head and neck
3) Gently use a blunt instrument wrapped in a cloth to clear the mouth of any liquids or solids
4) Close your dog’s mouth, and place your mouth over its nose to form an airtight seal
5) Exhale into its nostrils until your dog’s chest expands
Give your dog 8 to 12 breaths per minute. When your dog begins
breathing on its own, rush it to a veterinarian.
Heart Massage:
1) Lay the dog on its side
2) Place the heel of one hand on its lower chest, right behind the left front elbow
3) Put your other hand, palm up on the equivalent spot beneath the dog’s body
4) Firmly press both hands toward each other, then pause
Repeat this action 80 times per minute.
CPR: CPR combines artificial respiration and heart massage. Massage the
heart 5 times, then give 1 quick breath. Repeat until normal breathing
and heartbeat are restored.
Temperature: To take a dog’s temperature you will need a digital
thermometer, probe covers, and some KY jelly or Vaseline. Place a probe
cover over the end of the thermometer and put a small amount of KY jelly
or Vaseline on the end of the thermometer and place it into the dog’s
rectum. A dog’s normal temperature ranges from 100-102 degrees.
Shock: Severe injuries and other traumas may cause shock. The symptoms
include weakness; rapid breathing; and a weak, fast pulse. Be careful not
to move your dog quickly. Cover him warmly, and go to a veterinarian.
Internal Injuries: Pale gums, a swollen abdomen, vomit mixed with
blood, shock, and paralysis are some signs of internal injury. DO NOT
attempt treatment yourself. Wrap warmly and, moving your dog with
extreme care, get it to a veterinarian.
Move: If you suspect that your dog has internal injuries, carefully slide
him onto a board, blanket, jacket, or other makeshift stretcher. You can
carry a small dog with minor injuries by resting its hindquarters in the
crook of your arm and using the same arm to support your dog’s stomach
and chest. With your other arm, hold up its head and neck. To carry a
large dog, stoop and wrap one arm around its front legs and the other
around its hind legs; then lift.
Treating Common Dog Injuries
ALLERGIC REACTION
Symptoms: These range from tearing or itching eyes, a swollen face, and
sneezing to difficulty in breathing, collapse, and unconsciousness.
Treatment: If your pet’s reactions appear severe, rush it to a
veterinarian.
BURNS
Symptoms: Reddened skin and singed hair are signs of first-degree
burns. In the case of second-degree burns, the area will be swollen and
the skin may appear loose. Blackened or whitish skin signals a third-
degree burn.
Treatment: Apply cold water or ice to first-degree burns. Cover extensive
second- or third-degree burns with a cool, damp cloth (do not use cotton),
and take your pet to a veterinarian.
HEATSTROKE
Symptoms: Intense heat coupled with inadequate water and ventilation
can cause a dog to pant excessively and run a fever in the 105 to 110
degrees range. Shock, collapse, and death may follow.
Treatment: Immerse the dog in water to its neck to lower its body
temperature. An ice pack will help cool the dog’s head. When its
temperature approaches the normal range, 100-102 degrees, take the dog
to a veterinarian.
POISONING
Symptoms: These vary with the poison taken. Small amounts of
medication, antifreeze, or other household chemicals can be fatal to dogs.
In general, look for lack coordination, severe vomiting, diarrhea, delirium,
collapse, and convulsions.
Treatment: If you suspect poisoning, call a veterinarian or the Animal
Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. A $60 consultation fee may be
applied to your credit card.
FRACTURES
Symptoms: A bent or dragging leg, pain, and swelling.
Treatment: DO NOT try to set the bone yourself. Restrict your pet’s
movements while in route to a veterinarian.
DROWNING
Hold the dog upside down for 10 to 15 seconds. Administer CPR. Then
wrap the dog warmly and take to a veterinarian.
Feline First Aid Basics
Cats are curious, independent animals, and that’s one reason why accidents can happen to them. You can’t always prevent mishaps, but you can prepare for them by reading about basic first aid techniques in the booklet and then discussing what you’ve learned with your veterinarian. If an emergency occurs, stay calm and think clearly. Once you’ve given your pet first aid, take him into a veterinarian.
Approach: Loud crying, labored breathing, and an anxious expression are signs that a cat is in pain and therefore potentially dangerous. Call to the animal as you approach it slowly. Be especially cautious with a cat you don’t know. If it hisses, tries to bite, or scratches, you may need to try and restrain the cat.
Restrain: You can capture a cat by tossing a towel over it. A towel wrapped around your pet will also keep it from scratching you. If the cat’s injuries appear minor, you may hold it by the back of the neck. But don’t ever try to muzzle a cat.
Assess: Injuries should be treated in order of severity. Give your pet a quick examination, then decide what to treat first.
Vital Signs: Begin by checking respiration and heartbeat. A healthy cat will breathe 16 to 32 times per minute. To feel for a heartbeat, lay your pet on its side, position your thumb on the cat’s chest just behind the front left elbow, and place the other fingers on the equivalent spot beneath its body. A normal cat’s heartbeat will equal 100 to 160 beats per minute. To save valuable time, count the number of beats for 15 seconds, then multiply by 4.
Artificial Respiration: Your first priority is to restore your pet’s breathing. If he is unconscious, follow these steps:
1) Lay the cat carefully on its side
2) Clean any liquids or solids from the cat’s mouth with a blunt instrument
wrapped in a cloth
3) Close the cat’s mouth, and place your mouth over its nose
4) Exhale into the cat’s nostrils until you see its chest rise
5) Pause briefly
Give your cat 10 to 12 short puffs of air per Minute.
Heart Massage:
1) Lay your cat on its right side
2) Place your fingertips on the lower left side of the chest wall, behind the
front elbow
3) Put the fingertips of your other hand on the equivalent spot beneath the
cat
4) Press both sets of fingers toward each other
Repeat this action 80 times per minute.
CPR: CPR combines artificial respiration and heart massage. Massage the
heart 5 times, then give 1 quick breath. Repeat until normal breathing and
heartbeat are restored.
Temperature: To take a cat’s temperature you will need a digital
thermometer, probe covers, and some KY jelly or Vaseline. Place a probe
cover over the end of the thermometer and put a small amount of KY jelly
or Vaseline on the end of the thermometer and place it into the cat’s
rectum. A cat’s normal temperature ranges from 101.5-102.5 degrees.
Shock: Shock results when a cat’s body is unable to adjust to serious
injuries or other traumas. Look for weakness, rapid breathing, listlessness,
and legs that are cool to the touch. Wrap the cat warmly in a blanket or
towel, move it slowly and carefully, and hurry to a veterinarian.
Internal Injuries: If your cat’s back legs do not respond to pinching, a
spinal injury may be the reason. Labored breathing, and bleeding from the
mouth or nose may indicate internal bleeding. Move the cat with extreme
care and take it to a veterinarian.
Move: A seriously injured cat should be slid gently onto a board, blanket or
towel and transported as if on a stretcher. You can carry a cat with minor
injuries by using your arm and hand to support his hindquarters, abdomen,
and chest, supporting its head and neck with your other hand.
Treating Common Cat Injuries
BITES
Symptoms: These include a temperature above the normal range of about
101.5 to 102.5 degrees, loose tufts of fur, dried blood, and swelling. Bites
are frequently suffered by “outside” cats, especially intact males.
Treatment: Because of the chance for serious infection, it’s best to take
the cat to a Veterinarian.
BURNS
Symptoms: Reddened skin and singed hair are signs of first-degree burns.
In the case of second-degree burns, the area will be swollen and the skin
may appear loose. Blackened or whitish skin signals a third-degree burn.
Some cats develop the dangerous habit of chewing on electrical cords. This
can cause serious burns to the mouth and often leads to death from
electrical shock.
Treatment: If a burn is superficial, apply cold water or ice immediately.
Cover a serious burn with fabric (do not use cotton), and keep the cat
warm while you take it to the veterinarian.
POISONING
Symptoms: Small amounts of medication, antifreeze, or other household
chemicals can be fatal to cats. The symptoms, which vary with the type of
poison, include collapse, diarrhea, delirium, lack of coordination,
convulsions, and vomiting.
Treatment: If you suspect poisoning, call a veterinarian immediately or
the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. A $60 consultation
fee may be applied to your credit card.
FRACTURES
Symptoms: A bent or dragging leg, pain, and swelling.
Treatment: DO NOT try to set the bone yourself. Restrict your pet’s
movements while in route to a veterinarian.
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