Most emergencies require immediate
veterinary care, but first aid methods may help you stabilise your pet
and increase his/her chances of survival before the veterinarian
arrives.
The first step to a successful first aid
is knowing your pet’s normal behaviour, because understanding what is
normal will allow you to more accurately detect problems when they
occur.
Some signs to show that your pet may need
emergency care are: pale gums, rapid breathing, weak or rapid pulse,
change in body temperature, difficulty in standing, apparent paralysis,
loss of consciousness, seizures, deep wounds, excessive bleeding,
choking, etc.
When giving first aid to a sick or
injured animal, it is of utmost importance to protect yourself from
being bitten or scratched. Animals in pain are often unexpectedly
vicious. If you are examining a dog for traumatic injury or bandaging a
wound, temporarily muzzle it. If no muzzle is available, you can
improvise by using a bandage roll or thin strip of clothing.
Cats are a little trickier, but can be
restrained by holding the scruff of the neck very firmly, or by rolling
them up in a bath towel. You may need to practice this a few times when
your pet is healthy and it will be a lot easier if it becomes necessary
in an emergency situation.
Wounds and lacerations
It is quite common for our household pets
to sustain wounds and lacerations when fighting with each other. At
other times, an accident may occur in which they are cut by an object
with a sharp edge or even a broken glass. If this happens, clean the
wounds thoroughly with clean water and mild soap or dilute disinfectant.
Bleeding wounds or wounds that are wide open should be covered with a
bandage.
Please, ensure that the bandage is not
too tight. The bandage should be changed daily until a veterinarian has
examined the wound or advises otherwise.
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Severe diarrhoea or vomiting can be
worrisome, particularly in very young or very old pets. Puppies with
profuse, foul-smelling diarrhoea may have parvovirus and will need
intensive care from a veterinarian to survive.
If your pet has diarrhoea or is vomiting,
you can rest their stomach and intestines by withholding food and water
for 6-12 hours. When food is reintroduced, give small portions of bland
foods like boiled chicken or minced boiled beef, and rice.
If the diarrhoea or vomiting continues or the pet acts ill, contact a vet immediately.
Fractures
Muzzle your pet and gently lay him/her on
a flat surface. You can attempt to set the fracture with a home-made
splint. A badly-placed splint may cause more harm than good. If in
doubt, it is always best to leave the bandaging and splinting to a
veterinarian.
In addition, while transporting your
injured pet to a veterinarian, use a stretcher, or place it on a board
or other firm surface. If possible, secure the pet to the stretcher or
board, and make sure you do not put pressure on the injured area or the
animal’s chest.
Poisoning
Poisoning is a condition that results
from the ingestion, inhalation, absorption, injection, or application of
a substance that causes functional disorder of body tissues. The poison
can be a plant, a medication given in excess, a cleaning product, or
other household chemicals. Examples include cleaning products, rodent
poisons and anti-freeze.
If your pet’s skin or eyes are exposed to
a toxic product (such as many cleaning products), check the product’s
label for information about specific antidotes, and the instructions for
people exposed to the product. If the label instructs you to wash your
hands with soap and water if you’re exposed, then wash your pet’s skin
with soap and water (don’t get any into its eyes, mouth or nose). If the
label tells you to flush the skin or eyes with water, do this for your
pet as soon as possible (if you can do it safely).
Activated charcoal is another good
antidote for poisons because it binds to ingested poisons, reduces the
absorption into the body, and aids in the elimination of the poison. I
strongly advise everyone to have activated charcoal in their first aid
kits.
Early signs of ingestion of poison
include increased salivation, unsteady gait, lack of coordination,
muscle spasms, etc. Once you notice that your pet has ingested any
poison, please administer the activated charcoal. In the absence of
activated charcoal, a quick first aid is palm oil, milk or raw eggs.
However, it is advisable that you call a veterinarian immediately.
Seizures
If your pet has a seizure, don’t panic.
Protect the pet from injuring itself by moving away any objects
(including furniture) that might hurt it. Do not try to restrain the pet
during and after the seizure. Do not place your hands near the pet’s
mouth. If the seizure lasts more than three minutes, cool the pet with
cool water on the ears, belly and feet, and seek veterinary attention at
once. Shorter seizures are not immediately life-threatening and a
veterinarian can be consulted in due time to diagnose the specific cause
and formulate a treatment plan.
Have an exciting weekend.
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