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FIRST AID FOR
PETS
Pet First Aid Print
Format
Attempt first aid only if you have
specific instructions from your veterinarian to do so. Be sure
you can handle your animal without risking your own safety.
CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN FIRST.
APPROACHING YOUR PET
When your pet is injured or in pain, he may not recognize you.
He may try to run away, bite you or scratch you so you must
restrain him.
ACTION:
Try calling your pet. If this fails, try to place a blanket over
him and put him on a leash. In all cases, keep a cat’s feet
covered! Next, see if your pet is breathing. If so, muzzle him
and check for bleeding and signs of shock or overheating. Do not
muzzle if dog is showing signs of difficulty in breathing or
panting heavy. Do not try to muzzle a cat. If there is an
irregularity in breathing pattern-either too fast or too slow or
both, remove the collar and clear the nose and throat of any
obstructions. Call your veterinarian at once. If your pet
is not breathing at all, you may have to try artificial or
mouth-to-nose breathing.
Artificial
respiration: Lay your pet on his side and pull the tongue
forward. Pull the head and neck forward. Place your hands over
the animal’s ribs, push down on the chest and release.
Warning:
Do not press too hard. You might damage the animal’s ribs.
Mouth to nose
breathing: Lay the dog on his side. Use a clean cloth to
remove any blood, saliva or vomit in the nose or mouth. Pull the
tongue forward. Give the dog 8 to 10 breaths of air per minute.
Stop when he begins to breathe on his own. If the dog vomits or
makes a rattling type sound, lift the back legs slightly above
the level of the head to help drain the fluids. (Do not
attempt if there is a back injury).
For Cat:
Lay on side and remove fluids as with dog. Pull the tongue
forward and close his mouth so that the tongue is between the
front teeth. Place your mouth over the nose and blow 2 to 5
seconds or until you see the chest rise. Rest 2 or 3 seconds and
repeat.
SHOCK
Shock is a life-threatening emergency. It can be difficult to
recognize because it may occur hours after an accident. When
shock occurs, it can do great damage to the cardiovascular
system and brain. Consult your veterinarian immediately.
Signs of
shock: Rapid or feeble heartbeat; rapid, shallow breathing;
pale pink or white gums; body cold to touch; confusion or
unconsciousness.
Action: Do
not waste any time getting your pet to the vet. On the way, be
sure to do the following:
- Keep
your pet warm by wrapping him in a blanket. Make sure the head
is lower than the rest of the body.
- Keep
your pet calm. Talk to him or stroke him.
- Loosen
the collar and clear his mouth of any visible blood, vomit, or
saliva.
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Administer mouth-to-nose or artificial respiration if
instructed by your veterinarian.
BLEEDING
If your pet is bleeding, apply direct pressure to the wound with
a clean cloth or gauze pad. When the pad becomes saturated, do
not remove it; instead, put another one on top of it. Anchor the
pad with tape or gauze strips, and continue pressure while on
the way to the veterinarian.
Mouth and nose
bleeding: Place a cold compress or ice pack on the bleeding
area. A minor nosebleed should stop within 5 minutes. See your
veterinarian if bleeding continues for a longer period of time.
Vomiting
blood: This is an indication that your pet may be injured
internally. Contact your veterinarian immediately.
Superficial cuts: Clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide and
apply compression. If bleeding continues, contact your
veterinarian.
POISONING
Signs of poisoning: Salivating, retching, vomiting,
weakness, bleeding, muscle twitching, seizures & collapse.
Action:
Contact your veterinarian immediately. If the veterinarian is
not available, call the local poison control center for
assistance. If your pet is licking his coat, he could be
ingesting the poisonous substance. Hold your pet down and wash
his coat. Your veterinarian may instruct you to make your pet
vomit. If so, use hydrogen peroxide undiluted and a children’s
bulb syringe.
Warning: Never
make your pet vomit if he has ingested any caustic solutions,
such as lye. These will burn him a second time as they come up.
HEATSTROKE:
Contact your veterinarian: Heatstroke can lead to shock,
convulsions, brain damage or death.
Causes for
heatstroke: Leaving your pet in a hot or unventilated car,
cage, room or outside without shade.
Signs:
Thick, stringy saliva, panting, noisy respiration, tongue
hanging out, collapse, or unconsciousness.
Action:
Douse your pet with a lot of cold water. Use a garden hose or
place him in a bathtub and run cold water over him. A cold
compress to the head will reduce the chance of brain damage.
CHOKING AND OBSTRUCTIONS
See your veterinarian immediately. Most objects swallowed must
be surgically removed.
  
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