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First
aid for your pet
— Contributed by Dr. Kamalan Jeeva
First aid care for your pet is very important, as it is
the immediate and temporary care given to your pet when injured. It plays
a significant role in ensuring your pet's well-being and chances of survival
until it is presented to a veterinarian for immediate assessment and management.
As owners there are many things to consider when you have an injured pet
on your hands and here are some useful tips.
Stay calm, don't
panic!!
Most owners panic when they see their pet bleeding, choked or collapsed.
It is natural for us to be worried about our pet's condition, however,
time is of essence so we should think rationally by performing first aid.
Being calm and getting your pet to professional hands immediately will
be of great help to your pet.
Protect yourself
When an injured pet is in pain, a tame pet may become fierce due to
the intense pain it suffers. Often injured pets can turn and bite, not
because they dislike you but because of the fear of more pain when you
manipulate them or try to help them. Before helping, study the pet's behaviour
first — is it snarling with teeth exposed, growling or hissing,
ears straight back, tail between legs — these are all signs of an
angry pet that may bite. Always approach an injured pet cautiously and
slowly, to observe its response to your presence and help. Back off if
it tries to bite or scratch! It is advisable to keep a muzzle available
for these situations.
Rational considerations
Now that you are calm and thinking rationally, here are a few things
that you will need to consider:
- Assess bleeding, if any, and apply pressure/bandage
on the bleeding area
- Wrap your patient in a towel (patients in shock lose
a lot of body heat)
- Move the pet to a safer place (away from traffic, hot
sun, wet conditions, etc.)
- Avoid too much handling i.e. lifting, rolling - use
a hard surface board if necessary
- Get in touch with your veterinarian and inform him
of the necessary. Always have his phone number and address handy at
all times.
Basic First Aid for Unusual Circumstances
Now that we are done considering important issues,
it is equally crucial to provide some basic care and help for the injured
pet.
Poisoning
Poisoning may manifest in your pet as a sudden
change in behaviour and condition where they may start vomiting, frothing,
convulsing or even bleeding. If you know the offending substance, take
a sample of it to the vet as it may help the vet treat the animal specifically.
Burns
In cases of burns, the best thing to do is
to wrap your pet in a thick towel. Do not decide to apply bandage or plaster
on the affected area as it may further irritate the wound. Seek professional
advice as soon as possible.
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke occurs most commonly in
dogs when they have been left alone on a hot day without ventilation.
If your dog has not already collapsed it may be panting, vomiting or frothing
at the mouth. Remove your dog from under the heat and reduce its body
temperature by dousing your pet in cold water. Get it to the vet immediately
for further treatment. Leaving your dog in the car for short periods can
also predispose it to heat strokes. It is advisable to not keep your pet
locked up in your car especially on a sunny day.
Choking
Anything from a piece of bone, small
stick to a tennis ball may lodge in your pet's throat. This may pose some
difficulty in your pet's breathing capabilities and quick action is necessary.
Open the animal's mouth carefully and see if you can see the object and
manually remove it. Do not waste time trying if you have been unsuccessful
in the first 10 minutes. Get your pet to a veterinarian for further assistance
and treatment.
As a responsible pet owner you
should always have a pet first aid kit at home. It should consist of:
- Your vet's telephone number, plus the number of an
emergency weekend or nighttime vet.
- A veterinary first aid manual such as Emergency
Care for Cats and Dogs
- Gauze rolls or pads
- Adhesive tape
- Absorbent cotton
- Scissors, preferably with rounded tips
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Antibiotic ointment
- Eyewash
- Tweezers
- Rectal thermometer
- Syringe (without the needle) for giving oral medications
- Muzzle
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