Animal First

AidThe Basics

Part 1

Animal First Aid First aid is the provision of initial care for an

illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-experts (or sometimes by an expert in case of an emergency), to a sick or injured animal until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care past the first aid intervention. It generally consists of a series of simple and in some cases, potentially life-saving techniques that an individual can be trained to perform with minimal equipment.

Wounds and Punctures

Wounds and punctures can include

anything from a minor scratch or scrape,

to a full thickness (meaning all the layers

of skin have been affected) laceration or

puncture wound from a bite.

Minor Wounds and Punctures

Superficial Wounds (wounds that do not

penetrate all the way through the skin)

Minor wounds and punctures generally include an injury to the first or second layer of skin and do not involve much bleeding if any. These types of injuries can include a scratch from another animal, or a small puncture from running into a tree branch. Treatment usually includes shaving around the wound and cleaning with an antibacterial soap. Topical antibiotics may or may not be needed, or may not be practical if the animal attempts to lick it off.

Laceration Vs. Puncture Laceration versus puncture wound

A laceration is a wound that is produced by the tearing of soft body tissue. This type of wound is often irregular and jagged. A laceration wound is often contaminated with bacteria and debris from whatever object caused the cut.

A puncture wound is usually caused by a sharp pointy object such as a nail, animal teeth, or a tack. This type of wound usually does not bleed excessively and can appear to close up. Puncture wounds are also prone to infection and should be treated appropriately.

Laceration Vs. Puncture

Minor Scratch

Minor Puncture

Laceration

Deep Wounds (generally those that are

bleeding or have exposed muscle, fat,

or bone)

A laceration is a major form of a cut or

scrape. A laceration can be the result of

many different situations including dog

fights, hit by car (HBC), road rash, or even

from an encounter with barbwire.

Lacerations are generally full thickness

wounds which means they penetrate all

the layers of the skin. There can also be a

large amount of bleeding involved.

Laceration

Laceration

Typically lacerations require sutures or

staples, but in an emergency until this

treatment can be provided there are a

few steps that can be taken to prep the

wound until a veterinarian can see the

animal.

Laceration What to Do Stop the bleeding using direct pressure.

Do not attempt to clean the wound unless instructed to do so by a veterinarian.

Protect the wound from contamination by applying a water or saline-soaked compress. Do not remove it until instructed to do so by a veterinarian.

Immobilize the wound to prevent further damage.

Provide shock care if necessary. Obtain professional veterinary care. Transport the

animal with the affected area facing up.

Lacerations

What NOT to Do

Do not apply materials (other than those

mentioned) to the wound unless

specifically instructed to by your

veterinarian.

Abscess

Animal teeth and claws easily puncture

skin, introducing bacteria under the skin of

the affected animal. If the skin heals

quickly the bacteria become trapped,

which creates infectious pockets that are

commonly referred to as abscesses.

Abscess Abscesses may be very small or extraordinarily large,

and may feel swollen and warm. These wounds are often extremely painful. Typically, animals with abscesses become depressed, and may exhibit a tendency to hide in inconspicuous places in the home. Occasionally abscesses may rupture prior to the onset of any other signs. Abscesses of the anal glands are very common and can be mistaken for rectal bleeding if they rupture. They may cause the pet to ‘scoot’ the rectal area on the ground. Tooth root abscesses typically form just below the eye, and start as a bump or swelling. They may break open and bleed, and the pet may stop eating due to the pain or experience pain upon chewing.

Abscess

Abscess

Abscess

Abscess Small, uncomplicated abscesses may respond to

medical therapy, while larger and more extensive abscesses may require surgical treatment. Proper surgical management of abscesses often requires the placement of a drain or latex tubing (either under sedation or general anesthesia) to provide an escape route for secretions from the damaged tissues of the wound. Tooth root abscesses require tooth extraction – antibiotics alone will only lead to a temporary solution, but the abscess will recur unless the affected tooth is pulled. This surgery requires general anesthesia.

Abscess

Abscess

Abscess

Abscess

Abscess

Abscess

Abscess

Abscess

Abscess What to Do Abscesses should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as

possible and within 24 hours.

Fluid may normally drain from the site of an abscess. An abscess does not drain through the tube, but rather around the latex tubing. Therefore, it is important for you to clean the area around the drain twice daily with warm water.

Apply a hot compress to the affected site at least two times daily for 3 to 5 days after the animal leaves the hospital. Wet a clean washcloth with very warm water and place it directly over the affected site, and then apply gentle pressure ideally for 5 to 10 minutes.

Abscess Be sure you and/or other family members wash your hands thoroughly

after contacting any fluids draining from the abscess site.

Be sure to administer all prescribed medications exactly and completely as detailed by your pet’s veterinarian. Some patients may appear to feel better after only a few days of treatment; however, it is crucial for medications to be administered according to schedule to prevent the infection from recurring.

Restrict your animal to indoor activities until the infection has resolved completely.

Notify your pet’s doctor should your pet experience any of the following:- Increased redness and/or heat from the site of abscess- Failure of abscess to heal

- Worsening of your pet’s general health- Loss of appetite lasting longer than 24 hours

Abscess

What NOT to Do

Do not attempt to open the abscess yourself.

Do not attempt compressing the wounds of a

fractious cat. Contact your veterinarian for

assistance should this situation arise.

Do not apply medicines, potions, or home

remedies unless directed by a veterinarian.

Hemorrhage

Hemorrhage: Bleeding or the abnormal flow

of blood.

A hemorrhage may be "external" and visible

on the outside of the body or "internal," where

there is no sign of bleeding outside the body.

Bleeding from a cut on the face is an external

hemorrhage. Bleeding into the spleen or liver

are examples of internal hemorrhage.

Hemorrhage Pets often suffer blood loss as a result of trauma.

Some bleeding is visible, and is a result of a cut or laceration, while internal bleeding occurs inside the body (such as in the chest or abdomen) and is not visible to the naked eye. If bleeding is severe or continuous, the pet may lose enough blood to cause shock; loss of as little as 2 teaspoons per pound of body weight may cause shock, which doctors usually detect as a high heart rate and low blood pressure. Emergencies may arise that require you to control the bleeding, even if it is just during transportation to the veterinary facility. Pet owners should know how to safely stop hemorrhage (bleeding) if their pet is injured.

Hemorrhage Techniques to Stop External Bleeding

The following techniques are listed in order of preference. The first rule when dealing with an injured pet is to avoid injury to yourself, so take appropriate precautions (such as the use of a muzzle) to avoid being bitten. For all techniques below, seek veterinary attention immediately after stopping the bleeding, or on the way to the veterinary hospital.

Direct PressureGently press a compress (a pad of clean cloth, feminine sanitary product or gauze) over the bleeding area, so it can absorb the blood and allow it to clot. Do not disturb blood clots after they have formed. If blood soaks through, do not remove the pad; simply add additional layers of cloth and continue the direct pressure more evenly. The compress can be bound in place using loosely applied bandage material, which frees the hands of the first provider for other emergency actions. If you don’t have a compress, you can use a bare hand or finger.

Hemorrhage

Direct pressure on a wound is the most

preferable way to stop bleeding.

Hemorrhage Elevation

If a severely bleeding wound is on the foot or leg, gently elevate the leg so that the wound is above the level of the heart.

Elevation uses the force of gravity to help reduce blood pressure in the injured area, slowing the bleeding. Elevation is most effective in larger animals with longer limbs where greater distances from the wound to the heart are possible. Direct pressure with compresses should also be maintained to maximize the benefits of elevation.

Elevation of a limb combined with direct pressure is an effective way to stop bleeding.

Pressure on the Supplying ArteryIf external bleeding continues after you have used direct pressure and elevation, use your finger or thumb to place pressure over the main artery to the wound. Apply pressure to the femoral artery in the groin (on the inside of the thigh) for severe bleeding of a rear leg; to the brachial artery in the inside part of the upper front leg for bleeding of a front leg; or to the caudal artery at the base of the tail if the wound is on the tail. Continue application of direct pressure. Seek veterinary attention immediately.

Hemorrhage

Hemorrhage

Hemorrhage Tourniquet

Use of a tourniquet is potentially dangerous and it should be used only for a severe, life-threatening hemorrhage in a limb (leg or tail) not expected to be saved. If you see blood spurting or pumping from a wound, which is a rare occurrence, consider the use of a tourniquet. Use a wide (2-inch or more) piece of cloth and wrap it around the limb twice and tie it into a knot. Then tie a short stick or similar object into the knot as well. Twist the stick to tighten the tourniquet until the bleeding stops. Secure the stick in place with another piece of cloth and write down the time it was applied. Every 20 minutes loosen the tourniquet for 15 to 20 seconds. Remember this is potentially dangerous and can often result in disability or amputation.

Hemorrhage

A tourniquet should only be used as a

last-resort, life-saving measure!

Hemorrhage Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding is a life-threatening condition, but it is not obvious like external bleeding. Any bleeding that is visible is external. Internal bleeding occurs inside the body and will not be seen. In internal bleeding, blood pools in the stomach or chest but does not result in blood in the stool or bleeding from the rectum. There are, however, some external signs of internal bleeding:

The pet is pale (check the gums).

The pet is cool on the legs, ears, or tail.

The pet is coughing up blood.

The pet is unusually subdued.

Hemorrhage

If you see any of these signs, immediately

transport your pet to a veterinary facility

for professional help. Most cases of

internal bleeding will require intensive

therapy in a veterinary hospital.

Remember: internal bleeding is not visible

on the outside.