First consideration is
Safe working environment
_ / 10 dogs and cats will have an emergency at some point
9
_ more animals could be saved with appropriate first aid
1/4
By knowing first aid you can:
Triage is …
the process of evaluating needs during an emergency
Questions to determine priority
Is animal breathing? (If yes then heart is beating
if heartbeat is present but not breathing - rescue breathing)
Is heart beating? (If not breathing AND no heartbeat - need to perform CPR)
Heart and lungs are working but animal is in distress - need to perform first aid
What are agonal breaths
gasping or labored breaths signaling death
10 situations requiring vet
5 vital signs
How to check pulse and normal range
-place two fingers over depression in upper inner thigh
-count for 60s (or 30 s x 2)
-normal:
cat 160-200 bps
small dog 90-160 bps
m/l dog 65-90 bps
How to check respiration and normal range
Observe, or place hand over chest
Normal:
cats/small dogs 20-40 breaths/minute
m/l dogs 10-30 breaths/minute
Normal range of temps
Normal: 100-102.5
Fever: 103 or higher
Emergency: 104 or higher
Normal CRT
1-2 seconds
How to check hydration
Pinch fold at nape of neck, shouldn’t stay tented
Press gums - shouldn’t be dry or sticky
How to examine animal
-Start from nose, work your way back, observing with eyes and gently feeling
-Checking for sores, redness, lumps, bumps,
mites, bruising, bleeding, tenderness
-Gently clean ears, check for redness, parasites, odor
-Observe eyes - should dilate symmetrically, normal motion tracking
-Feel muzzle for bumps, tenderness
-Gums should be pink
-Check for broken teeth, swelling, bleeding
-should feel not see ribs
-inspect legs and paws making sure not cracked toenails good length
-check abdomen for hard spots or tenderness
-mammary glands, genitals, anus should be clean with no colored discharge
-check skin/coat for flaking, excess shedding
Basic signs of illness/injury
Creating safe environment
First aid kit should contain…
Signs of choking
If you suspect choking for a small pet:
With front end on floor, place hindquarters in lap to elevate
Deliver firm blow between shoulder blades
If suspect choking for larger pet:
Stand behind arms around waist
Close hand over fist just behind last rib
5 quick thrusts
Choking: If large animal is unconscious
Place animal on side
Hand over hand on one side of chest
5 quick thrusts
Alternate with rescue breathing and CPCR
CPCR and CPR similarities
Both use chest compressions and artificial respiration
CPCR and CPR difference
CPCR focuses more on chest compressions