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Those who have faced emergencies can tell you it is essential to get your
first aid kit together and get familiar with first aid measures BEFORE you
are confronted with an accident, emergency or sudden illness. Many situations
require fast and correct action to prevent further injury, infection or
death. So assemble a first aid kit now, so that you’ll be ready when your pet
(or a human) needs immediate help.
Be
sure to read through the First Aid Kit list that follows. It will give you an
idea of the situations that can and do come up. Being prepared can keep a
manageable incident from becoming health threatening. It will reduce the
chance of infection and further complications... reduce stress for
everyone...cut recovery time...and empower you to effectively help. Being
prepared can even make the difference between life and death.
FIRST
AID KIT
Keep
a first aid safety kit on hand at home and in your car. Take the one from
your car with you when you travel with your pet.
Each
kit should include the items listed. It might sound like a lot of stuff, but
when an accident occurs, these items can help you save the health or life of
an animal...or a human.
Waterproof Kit Container:
Write on the container, in indelible ink, the phone numbers for your vet, the
closest emergency animal hospital, and poison control hotlines. Also list
your own name, address and phone numbers.
First Aid Guides:
Animal first aid book, such as, The First Aid Companion For Dogs and Cats Dog
Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook
(http://www.doctordog.com/dogbook/dogch01.html), and Cat Owner’s Home
Veterinary Handbook (http://www.doctordog.com/catbook/catch01.html)
CPR
Instructions
Essential Vet and Contact Info to list on your Tip Sheet:
Prepare and make copies of a list including:
Phone number for your vet, the closest emergency animal hospital, and poison
control hotlines (such as the 2 listed in this tip sheet).
Your own name, address and phone numbers.
Your emergency contact person’s numbers, in case you are incapacitated.
The name, age, breed, sex, identification (such as micro chipping
information), and any health problems (especially useful information if your
pet sitter or emergency contact needs to call an emergency medical service
about your pet.
A
copy of your pet vaccination records.
Photo of each pet in case it is needed for ID or other purposes.
Kit Supplies:
Scissors
Tweezers (flat slant tip instead of the rounded variety)
Sterile needle (to remove splinters and tick heads)
Turkey baster or bulb syringe (for flushing wounds and administering
medications)
Eyedropper
Rubber gloves
Nail clippers
Comb
Rectal thermometer (normal body temperature of dogs and cats is 100.5 to
102.5 F; take your pet’s temperature under normal conditions to get a
baseline for comparison in case he gets sick or injured)
Disposable safety razor (for shaving fur from around a wound)
Towel
(at least 2)
Paper towels
Blanket (the compact thermal blanket works well; uses include keeping an injured
animal from going into shock)
Bandanna and/or nylon stocking (many uses, including muzzling or securing a
torn earflap)
Strips of cloth
Dog booties or little socks (to cover wounded paws or to protect so you won't
need to treat)
Flashlight
Matches
3x3
sterile gauze pads
Rolled gauze (for bandaging, stabilizing joints, making a muzzle)
Adhesive first aid tape (in narrow and wide widths)
Cotton rolled
Cotton balls
Bandages (including self-clinging or vet wrap and waterproof types)
Anti-bacterial wipes or pads
Q-tips
Hot/cold pack
Ice pack
Hydrogen peroxide 3% USP (to induce vomiting and
to use on infected wounds; check the expiration date from time to time and
keep only fresh solution in your kit)
Activated charcoal tablets (effective in absorbing many toxics)
Syrup of Ipecac (to induce vomiting).
Betadine
solution (a type of antiseptic iodine medicine for wounds to deter infection)
Antibiotic ointment (such a Neosporin)
Rubbing alcohol (apply on skin as body cooling agent to aid heat stroke or
fever; helps break down oils; acts as a drying agent between toes and skin
folds; but do not use on wounds as it can damage skin and is not an
appropriate antiseptic)
Bag
Balm (especially useful for treating paw pads)
Petroleum jelly (helpful aid for taking temperature)
Sterile saline eye solution (to flush out eye contaminants and wounds)
Artificial tear gel to lubricate eyes after flushing
Eye ointment with no cortisone
Epsom salt (mix 1 teaspoon in 2 cups of warm water for drawing out infection
and bathing itchy paws and skin)
Baking soda (good for soothing skin conditions)
Styptic powder (to stop bleeding of torn toenails, etc.)
Milk
of magnesia (for stomach upset and certain types of poison ingestion)
Pepto Bismol (for stomach upset and some types of poison ingestion; do not
give to cats)
Kaopectate (OK for cats and dogs)
Benadryl (for bug bites and stings)
Gentle pet sedative such as Rescue Remedy (available at health food and some
pet supply stores)
Aspirin
(for dogs only, 1 tablet per 60 pounds; do not use acetaminophen or
ibuprofen; do not give aspirin to cats; since aspirin and other pain
relievers can be toxic to any pet, consult your vet and first aid books)
Can
of soft pet food (can help reduce the effect of a poisoning)
Mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid such as Dawn (to clean contaminated
skin or sticky substances)
Plastic baggies
Muzzle
(an injured or scared animal may try to bite)
Nylon leash
Pet crate or carrier (a safe, calming place for your pet and a safe way to
transport)
Also
have in your car:
Bottled water
Bowl or other container to use for water
Spare leash
Other
suggested items:
Slicker brush
Tick scoop (handy little device for removing ticks)
Treats containing sugar (in case the animal experiences hypoglycemic or low
glucose episode)
Betadine Swab Sticks
Panalog (a healing cream)
Nexaban (a type of skin glue to glue a wound closed if necessary)
Penlight (to see how the pupils respond to light; in normal animals, pupils
decrease in size when exposed to light)
If
you prefer to purchase a ready-made kit, good choices include:
Medi+ Pet Deluxe First Aid Kit
http://www.naturespet.com/firstaidkit.html
The Hiker First Aid Kit for Canines
http://www.ruffwear.com/products/firstaid
If someone is taking care of your pet while you're
away: show them where you keep the first aid kit and vet records, your vet
and emergency animal hospital info, how to contact you, and the name and
phone number of a friend or relative in case you are unavailable. In
addition, let your vet know in advance who you have authorized to take your
pet to the vet in your absence, and that you will pay for any emergency
visit.
FIRST AID TREATMENT
Hit
by a car, hard falls or other high-impact injuries: Rush the animal to the
closest animal hospital. First, place the dog on a firm surface, such as a
plywood board. If a board is not available, place the animal in a blanket.
Keep the animal as steady as possible to prevent further injury.
Poisoning:
If there is any possibility that your pet came into contact with a poison, go
to the vet immediately, since the onset of symptoms could be delayed a day or
even two...and by then, it may be too late.
If
you cannot get to the vet immediately, waiting for a ride, or are stranded,
you can call either of these 24-hour emergency hotlines staffed with
experienced veterinarians: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
1-888-4-ANI-HELP or 1-888-426-4435 National Animal Poison Control Center
1-800-548-2423
Fees
apply to these nonprofit hotlines, which are staffed by veterinarians. Call
immediately, and have this info ready:
* Your name, address and telephone number.
* The type of the poisonous substance the pet was exposed to. Be as specific
as possible about the subtance, the amount ingested or contacted, the time
since exposure, etc. Have the container/packaging available, because the
label will identify the product’s active ingredients.
* The species, breed, age, sex, weight and number of animals involved.
* The symptoms the animal is experiencing.
Antifreeze poisoning:
If you suspect your pet may have ingested antifreeze, take him to the vet or
emergency animal hospital immediately! Immediate treatment is essential to
prevent a painful death. Initial signs include excessive thirst and
urination, lack of coordination, weakness, nausea, tremors, vomiting, rapid
breathing and heart rate, convulsions, diarrhea and paralysis. Not all signs
may be evident. The final stages of poisoning are characterized by oral and
gastric ulcers and renal failure, followed by death.
Ethylene
glycol is the toxic component in antifreeze. Vets have a test kit to confirm
the presence of the poison in the body. If positive, ethanol (vodka or wood
grain alcohol) or a newer antidote will be administered intravenously. The
goal is to prevent the ethylene glycol from metabolizing to its toxic
components. Dialysis can be used to remove the ethylene glycol from the blood
stream.
If
you are delayed in getting to the animal hospital, it is often recommended to
induce vomiting immediately. And some people have had success giving their
dogs vodka or other alcohol orally, followed by water. The alcohol reportedly
interferes with the body’s processing of the ethylene glycol before it fully
metabolizes. However, it is imperative to first call a vet for guidance, and
if your vet is not available, call your nearest emergency animal hospital
and/or one of the phone hotlines listed in this your personal Tip sheet.
When to induce vomiting:
For many types of poisoning, it is advised to induce vomiting, soon after
ingestion before the chemical can do damage. These include ingestion of
arsenic (in rat and mouse poisons), chocolate, insecticides, lead, matches, medications
(except tranquilizers), plants, shampoo, and shoe polish, slug and snail
bait, strychnine and weed killers. However, unless you are stranded
somewhere, induce vomiting only under the direction of a vet, physician or
poison emergency hotline staff member. It is critical to properly identify
the ingested substance.
To
induce vomiting in pets, give the animal household hydrogen peroxide 3% USP
by mouth, using a syringe or turkey baster. Do not try to pour it down his
throat. Instead, pull his lips away from the side of the mouth to make a
pocket, in which you will deposit the liquid. It is suggested to use 1
teaspoon per 5 pounds of the animal’s weight, to a maximum of 3 to 4
tablespoons. Before dosing, first give the animal a little bread or other
soft food so there is something to bring up along with the stomach contents.
If he has not vomited after 15 minutes, repeat the dose of hydrogen peroxide
one more time. After vomiting, some folks recommend giving the animal a
teaspoon of Epson salts mixed in some water to help empty the intestine.
Activated
charcoal is also used to induce vomiting in pets. It has the ability to
absorb and deactivate many toxins, preventing the poisons from reaching the
blood stream. Activated charcoal tablets also help when you don?t have access
to a clean water supply. Mix a tablet of activated charcoal in 2 teaspoons of
water. Give 1 teaspoon per 2 pounds body weight and follow with a pint of
water.
While
syrup of Ipecac has been used to induce vomiting, a growing number of
veterinarians, physicians and FDA/public health officials discourage its use
for people and animals.
Do
not feed salt water or mustard, or stick a finger down the throat; these
methods are ineffective and potentially dangerous.
·
When NOT to induce
vomiting.
Do
not induce vomiting if the animal is lethargic, unconscious, convulsing,
having a seizure or is in shock. Do not induce vomiting if the animal
ingested an acidic or alkaline product such as drain cleaner, household
cleansers and paint thinner. Caustic and corrosive substances can burn the
throat and stomach on the way back up, compounding the injury. Also, do not
induce vomiting for ingestion of tranquilizers, bones, sharp objects or
petroleum products such as gasoline or lighter fluid.
If
the ingested substance was gasoline, kerosene, an acid or alkali, or a
corrosive: Try to give the animal milk to dilute the toxin in the stomach.
If
you know the substance was an acid: First, rinse the mouth. Then feed the dog
Milk of magnesia or Pepto Bismol using bulb syringe or eyedropper aimed the
back of the mouth. Dose 2 teaspoons per 5 pounds of body weight. (For cats, 1
teaspoon Milk of magnesia per 5 pounds; do not give Pepto Bismol to cats,
although Kaopectate is OK.) This helps neutralize the chemicals and reduce
the burn.
If
you know the substance was an akali: First, rinse the mouth. Then mix
tablespoon vinegar with a tablespoon of water and feed the mixture to your
pet using a bulb syringe or eyedropper aimed at the back of the mouth. An
alternate solution is 1 tablespoon lemon juice mixed with 1 teaspoon of
sugar. This helps neutralize the chemicals and reduce the burn.
Note: Since cats groom themselves, they can ingest poisons
such as sprays that get on their fur. So be sure to wash the pet’s fur.
Remember,
for any poisoning; get to the vet as soon as possible. Temporary first aid
measures alone are not enough.
Wounds:
Be careful, since any animal in pain may try to bite. Muzzle your pet by
using a strip of soft cloth, gauze, rope, necktie or nylon stocking. Gently
wrap around the nose, under the chin and tie behind the ears. Do not obstruct
breathing. A towel placed around the head will help control small pets.
Wash
your hands if possible to avoid further contamination. Wear gloves if you
have them. Carefully check the wound. Clip the fur back as needed to clear
the area around the wound. Clean out debris using ample amounts of saline,
balanced electrolyte solution or Betadine antibacterial scrub (or Betadine
solution diluted with water to the color of tea). If these are not available,
use regular water.
After
irrigating the wound, apply antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin to the
wound.
Note: Do not pour hydrogen peroxide into an open wound; it
is better for wounds that have become infected. Do not use alcohol on wounds,
as it damages tissue and retards healing.
Wrap
open wounds to keep them clean. Make sure bandages are not cutting off
circulation; in most cases, it?s best to wrap lightly. Change bandages
frequently to aid in healing, gently re-applying antibiotic ointment as
needed.
As
soon as you finish treating the wound, loosen or remove the muzzle. Bite
wounds often become infected, so call your veterinarian, who may dispense
prescription antibiotics.
Another
home remedy for treating wounds: mix 1 teaspoon Epsom salt in 2 cups of warm
water and soak to draw out infection.
If
the Wound is Bleeding:
Place clean gauze or fabric over the wound and apply firm, direct pressure
over the bleeding area until the bleeding stops. For serious bleeding, hold
the pressure for at least 10 straight minutes, since continually releasing
the pressure to check the wound will hamper clotting. When bleeding stops,
continue with the steps in the previous section.
Avoid
tourniquets unless absolutely necessary. If you must apply one, consider this
information from http://www.dog.com/vet/firstaid/01.html:
Apply a tourniquet between the heart and the wound if the bleeding is coming
from an artery and on the side away from the heart if it is coming from a
vein. Arterial blood is bright red, tends to spurt out with significant
force, and pulses with each heartbeat as it bleeds. Venous blood (blood from
a vein) is dark red and may flow rapidly but does not actually spurt or
pulse. Because venous blood is on its way back to the heart from the rest of
the body, the tourniquet is applied below or "distal to" the wound,
i.e., if the wound is on a leg, the tourniquet is applied on the side closer
to the foot. Make the tourniquet just tight enough to stop most of the
bleeding. Loosen it every 10 to 15 minutes for 5 to 10 seconds to allow the
blood to circulate again into the extremity. You can use almost any cloth,
rope, sock, or stocking as a tourniquet, as long as it is long enough to go
around the extremity and be tied securely.
Puncture Wounds:
Clean the wound and the surrounding skin with an antibacterial solution such
as Betadine, applying by dabbing with a gauze pad. Use warm damp compresses
for puncture wounds, since you want to delay formation of a scab that could
seal the infection in under the skin. This will also increase blood flow to
the wound area, which aids healing. It is recommended not to bandage over
puncture wounds.
Paw Treatment:
A home remedy for treating paw pad and other wounds: mix iodine and water to
the point at which it looks like tea. Add some Epsom salt to clean out the
wound and bandage it with gauze. You can also apply Bag Balm to help chaffed
and injured paws heal. Put on a dog bootie or small sock to protect injured
paw pads.
Burns (chemical, electrical, or heat):
Symptoms include singed fur, blistering, swelling, and redness of skin. Flush
burns immediately with lots of cool, running water. Apply an ice pack for 15
to 20 minutes. Do not place an ice pack directly on the skin. Instead, wrap
the pack in a light towel or cloth.
Neutralize
acid on skin by rinsing with a solution of baking soda and water. Neutralize
alkali substances with a weak vinegar-water solution. Blot dry, apply
antibiotic ointment and tape gauze dressing loosely around the affected area.
Olive oil can also be applied.
Brush
off any dry chemicals that are on the skin. Beware; water may activate some
dry chemicals. Call your veterinarian immediately.
Choking:
Signs include pawing at the mouth, gagging, gasping, breathing difficulty,
odd neck posture, abnormal gum color (blue, gray, white), unconsciousness.
Open the mouth and try to pull out the tongue to check for an obstruction.
Sweep inside with a finger if you cannot see anything. If you see or feel the
object, remove it if you can do this without causing throat trauma.
If
you can’t clear the airway or the animal is struggling, hold the pet upside
down by his back legs if you can. Or use a Heimlich-type maneuver and push up
with your fist held under the animal’s belly, just behind the ribcage. Do not
apply too much force or you can injure the animal. Go to the vet ASAP.
Drowning:
To resuscitate, place your pet on a flat surface, open his mouth, pull the
tongue forward, and clear away any debris in his mouth. If he is still in
distress, hold him by his hind legs and gently swing him back and forth in an
attempt to clear the water from his lungs and stomach. If the pet is too
large to lift, place him on his side and press upward on his midsection or
abdomen. If necessary, perform the Heimlich-like maneuver described in the
Choking Section, and take him to the nearest vet.
Electrocution:
Signs include panting, breathing difficulty, a burn across the lips and
tongue, and/or unconscious. It can happen if the pet chews on a power cord.
Before touching the animal, turn off power to the outlet and then unplug the
cord. Next, if the animal is conscious, rinse his mouth with cold water. Then
perform rescue breathing using mouth-to-snout resuscitation if the pet is not
breathing but does have a pulse...or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if
he is not breathing and has no pulse. See instructions for these life-saving
techniques in the online brochures listed in the next section).
Wrap
the pet in a blanket to help prevent shock, and take him to the vet
immediately (you could perform resuscitation in the car if someone else
drives). Go to the vet even if your pet seems OK, since electrocution can lead
to serious internal problems that may not be evident for a while. Also, check
the mouth for lesions for 3 weeks.
The ABC’s -- Airway, Breathing, and Circulation:
If your pet is not breathing but does have a pulse, you need to perform
rescue breathing using mouth-to-snout resuscitation immediately. If your pet
is not breathing and has no pulse, you must perform CPR immediately. Here are
web links to essential life-saving Tips about rescue breathing and pet CPR.
Print out 2 copies for your home and car travel kit so you will be ready in
an emergency situation:
Insect Bites and Stings:
Remove stinger with tweezers or by gently scraping away with a plastic card.
Bathe the area with a solution of baking soda and water, and then apply ice
packs (lined with a towel or cloth) for 5 minutes at a time. Some people
treat stings with Benadryl. Typical dosages: for cats and dogs under 30
pounds, give 10 mg..Dogs 30 to 50 pounds, give 25 mg..Dogs over 50 pounds,
give 50 mg. For more Insect/Skin Remedies, see the link listed at the end.
Stings
and bites can cause severe reactions. If there is major swelling, or the
animal seems disoriented, sick or has trouble moving or breathing, go to the
vet immediately.
Itching, Poison Ivy, Rashes:
A good tip for soothing human as well as pet skin is to apply a mixture of
baking soda and water to the affected areas. Also, mix 1 teaspoon of Epsom
salt in 2 cups of warm water to bathe itchy paws and skin.
Foxtails:
These barbed seeds from dried grasses and dogs can easily inhale weeds. They
can lodge between toes and in ears, eyes, nostrils, mouth and throat, and can
even travel through orifices deeper into body, causing infections and
abscesses. Check your dog thoroughly after hiking for foxtails, ticks, etc.
If your dog is frantically pawing his nose, ears or eyes, shaking or rubbing
his head, sneezing for long periods, biting at his anus or has blood coming
from his nose, take him to a vet.
Shock:
Symptoms include irregular breathing and dilated pupils. Shock can occur due
to a serious injury or fright. Keep the animal gently restrained, quiet and
warm, with the lower body elevated. Call your veterinarian immediately.
Heat Stroke Prevention and Treatment:
Heat stroke can be brought on by
activity as well as confinement outside in the heat, and the effects can be
devastating. Be aware of the signs of heat stroke:
**
Excessive panting
** Labored breathing that may signal upper airway obstruction
** Bright red mucous membranes in the gums or eyes and/or bright red tongue
** Lethargy and weakness
** High body temperature
** Collapsing and seizures, even coma
If
you notice any of these signs, get your pet inside and place a cool, wet
towel over him or submerge him in cool or lukewarm water. Do not use ice,
which can damage skin.
Take
your pet’s temperature using a rectal thermometer. If the animal’s
temperature exceeds 105 F, get medical attention at once.
Provide
drinking water, but do not force an animal to drink. You can apply rubbing
alcohol on the skin as a cooling agent.
FYI,
dogs cool themselves by panting; this draws air over the moist membranes of
the nose and tongue and cools by evaporation. But panting works only for
short periods. Prolonged panting endangers the metabolic system. In addition,
high humidity interferes with the ability of panting to cool the body.
This
information is not a substitute for veterinary care. Contact your
veterinarian or emergency animal hospital immediately for any potentially
serious injury, condition or illness.
A
great gift idea for any pet owner: A first aid book and kit would make a
thoughtful, creative and invaluable gift. Pick up the kit contents the same
time you buy them for your own kits for your home and car.
Related
Resources:
Emergency
Treatment 24-Hour Hotlines:
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
1-888-4-ANI-HELP or 1-888-426-4435
National Animal Poison Control Center
1-900-680-0000 or 1-800-548-2423
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