Basic First Aid Help
Bleeding and Bandaging
Bleeding
- Direct Pressure
– Apply firm pressure to the wound, do not disturb clots once they have formed and add extra layers if blood has soaked through!
- Elevation
– Gently elevate so the wound is above the heart.
– Pressure on the Supplying Artery- apply finger or thumb pressure over the main artery in severe cases.
- Tourniquet
– The use of a tourniquet can be VERY DANGEROUS, and should only be used for a severe, life threatening bleed in a limb or tail that is not expected to be saved.
- Internal Bleeding:
– Requires immediate veterinary attention!
– External signs of bleeding within the body include – pale gums or eyelids, cool ears, legs or tail, and lethargy.
Bandaging
- Thoroughly clean the wound before bandaging!
- First Layer /Contact Layer:
– Sterile, inert, non-stick (eg. Telfa pad).
- Second Layer /Absorbent Layer
– Holds contact layer in place snugly but NOT tightly, usually a cotton or dacron material
– Use a material of proper width to avoid a tourniquet effect or wrinkles which can cause discomfort and even tissue death. ALWAYS wrap from the toes or tail tip towards the body!!!
- Third Layer/Outer Layer
– Apply smoothly and snugly but NOT tight enough to cutoff blood circulation. Use a porous adhesive tape or elastic tape.
– Bandages should be checked frequently for any signs of swelling, discolouration, saturation, and odour. It is best to have bandages placed by a veterinarian or a veterinary technician.
Bee Stings
- If a stinger can be found pull it out.
- Apply a cool compress to the area (to neutralize some of the acidic venom, one can apply a paste mixture of baking soda and water).
- Contact your veterinarian before administering medications; however, if that is not possible an antihistamine – DIPHENHYDRAMINE HCl can be administered 1-4 mg/kg (Benadryl- no extra additives).
Hyperthermia
- Hyperthermia is simply an elevation of body temperature.
- Remove from the environment where the hyperthermia occurred.
- Move pet into the shade and cool with a fan.
- Determine rectal temperature if possible and record it!
- Begin cooling the body by wetting the animal with cool water, ice packs wrapped in towels can be placed in the groin. Be careful not to cool the animal too quickly!!!
Poisoning
- Get in touch with a veterinarian or poison control IMMEDIATELY!
- If ingestion occurred within the last 3 hours, induce vomiting unless a petroleum product, cleaning solution or a strong acid or alkali has been ingested.
- Ipecac syrup or Hydrogen Peroxide (5-10ml by mouth) can be administered to induce vomiting
- Consult your veterinarian immediately.