Pet First Aid: What You Should Know

Just as humans can suddenly fall ill, so can animals. Being a family member, you want to know how to treat any emergency wound, bleeding, injury or pain in your pets, before the vet can meet them for treatment.

Learning basic pet first-aid skills could help save your pet’s life, especially if you are far from the nearest vet, or they are in real life-threatening danger. Minor accidents can turn into big injuries, so it’s always best to know at least the basics.

If your pet is showing signs of distress or illness such as lethargy, vomiting, heavy breathing, frothing or foaming at the mouth or seizures, call 0427 019 109 immediately to speak to an emergency vet at Rossmore Hospital.

What Is Pet First Aid?

Pet first aid is an immediate emergency care response to ensure the safety of your pet and help create a greater possibility of full recovery.

The main difference between human and animal first aid is a greater need for knowledge of your pet’s anatomy and biological needs. Animals cannot communicate their pain or situation, and therefore pet owners must obtain such information by closely observing changes and idiosyncrasies in their pet’s behaviour.

Pet First Aid Basics: Essential Knowledge for Pet Owners

Common emergencies where pet first aid is required include bleeding, cuts and wounds, choking or breathing difficulties, poisoning, broken bones and fractures, being hit by a car, seizures, burns and heat stroke.

To be prepared for anything, assemble an emergency first aid kit with the following supplies:

• Disposable gloves
• Soft cloth/wipes
• Adhesive tape
• Tweezers, ideally ones with a rounded point
• Tick Freeze and Tick Twister
• Bandages
• Swabs
• Scissors
• Saline
• Salt
• Honey
• Thermometer and lubricant
• Cleaning solution
• A safe container to transport your pet
• Blankets or towels to calm anxiety

Common Pet Emergencies and How to Handle Them

Minor Cuts and Wounds

Any wounds that bleed, such as incisions, punctures or abrasions can be treated similarly to a human.

Firstly, gently wash away any debris with saline or water if your pet allows it. Then, apply direct pressure to the wound to restrict blood flow for at least three minutes with a strike wound dressing or cotton pad. This ensures the blood starts to clot. Next, secure the dressing or pad with a bandage, clean shirt or sock, without it being too tight. Elevate the injured limb, if possible, to encourage further clotting and secure a second pad and bandage if bleeding continues.

Your pet then needs to be transported to the vet for further assessment and treatment.

Choking

Address choking safely by removing the foreign object with tweezers if you can see it, being careful not to push it further down. If unsuccessful, conduct a modified Heimlich manoeuvre and rush to the vet.

Technical first aid treatments such as these emphasise the importance of consulting a pet first aid guide for information on how to apply the technique specific to your pet’s size and species.

Poisoning

There are many unsuspecting common poisons for pets around the home. Things like paracetamol, rat poison, chocolate, grapes, raisins, currants, sultanas, onions, garlic, and lilies are harmful to your dog’s health.

Try to remove the foreign product from their mouths. Do not induce vomiting as this can heighten their trauma but save any samples in a zip-lock bag for the vet to inspect. Try to determine how much your pet has eaten and contact your vet. It’s helpful to bring the packaging of the ingested substance with you.

If the product ingested is petroleum-based, a cleaning solution, strong acid or alkali, swallowed more than 3 hours ago, or if your pet is unconscious, having difficulty standing or breathing, you must get your pet to a vet as soon as possible.

Heatstroke

Heat stroke can be life-threatening and requires urgent medical attention. Remove your pet from the hot environment and lower their body temperature by wetting them with a hose or bucket, avoiding the face.

Try blowing a fan over their damp skin too and offer water.

Never wrap a wet towel around them as this will trap any heat. Avoid ice baths as these can cool them too rapidly and constrict blood vessels.

Seizures

Witnessing your pet having a seizure is scary but try to stay calm and remove any nearby objects that may hurt them in the area and do not attempt to restrain them.

Time your pet’s seizures—they usually last between two and three minutes.

After the seizure has stopped, keep your pet as quiet, calm and warm as possible and contact your vet. If the seizures last longer than two minutes, do not wait. Transport them to the vet immediately.

Broken Bones and Fractures

If your pet is in a lot of pain, experiencing unnatural movement, or there is swelling, deformity and irregularity around the skin, it may have a broken bone or fracture.

If you suspect this is the case, do not reposition the limb—only apply a bandage if there is a lot of bleeding that needs to be controlled. Minimise movement of the limb and keep the animal as comfortable as possible. Do not try to splint the limb, just transport your pet to the vet for an x-ray as quickly and comfortably as possible.

Preventive Tips to Avoid Pet Emergencies

Accidents happen and can’t always be avoided. However, there are several ways you can pet-proof your home to reduce the chance as much as possible.

• Clean thoroughly and regularly with non-toxic cleaning products.
• Keep electrical wires, medication and expensive items out of reach, as with anything small that can be swallowed.
• Common pot plants can be toxic to dogs, so keep them out of reach.
• Regularly mow the lawn to reduce the potential for ticks and fleas.
• Ensure that your dog has access to shade and water if they are outside.
• Use childproof latches on cupboards and drawers your pet shouldn’t access.

Another effective prevention measure is regular veterinary check-ups. As trained medical professionals, vets can provide first aid instructions to support you as the pet owner, tailored to your pet’s size and species. An annual health check is necessary to maintain your pet’s vitals and monitor any illnesses or risks your dog may be prone to.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your pet has a fracture, infection, shock, burns, swelling, or a sudden loss of consciousness and collapse, these may be symptoms that your furry friends need emergency care to come to the rescue.

Please get in touch with the friendly staff at Rossmore Vet to discuss our after-hours arrangements, so your family is well prepared before you actually need help.

Need an Emergency Vet? We Can Help!

Accidents and emergencies can occur anywhere and at any time. It’s important to be prepared and know pet first aid to protect you and your loved ones from further damage. Share this article with your friends and families and consider enrolling in a pet first aid course to further your education.

Our team at Rossmore Vet is more than happy to provide further instructions and help if emergency assistance is required. Get in touch and book a check-up today.