TEN COMMON FIRST-AID INTERVENTIONS FOR PET EMERGENCIES

Pets are cherished members of our families, and just like humans, they can encounter emergencies that require swift action. Knowing some basic first aid can make a huge difference in keeping your furry friend safe and comfortable until you can get them to the vet.

In our previous blog, we discussed the importance of first aid for pets, highlighting why every pet parent should have basic first aid knowledge and what essentials should be included in a first aid kit.

Now, let's dive deeper into common first-aid procedures for pet emergencies. 

EXTERNAL BLEEDING AND OPEN WOUNDS

Injuries resulting from fights or accidents can result in severe blood loss or infections that can subsequently lead to life-threatening complications or death. When pets sustain an injury first aid is essential before visiting the vet to ascertain the severity of the injury.

WHAT TO DO: 

• First, wash the site of injury with clean water or a diluted antiseptic flush like Chlorhexidine 2% and povidone-iodine 

• Make sure there is no debris in the injury.

• Apply pressure to stop the bleeding, if the bleeding is not stopping after a few minutes. Immediately contact your emergency veterinarian

• If bleeding stops and home care is appropriate for the size and severity of the injury. Clean the injury with sterile gauze and apply a bandaid from your first aid kit 

• If advised to, take your pet to the veterinary clinic as a vet might recommend pain relief medication, anitbiotics, tetanus boosters and/or sutures.

READ Bite Emergency: Essential Steps For Immediate Care And Recovery in Pets

INTERNAL BLEEDING

Like external bleeding, internal bleeding can result from dog fights, automobile accidents or other forms of trauma. Unlike external bleeding which is like a scene from a Gladiator movie, internal bleeding can be difficult to see (especially if your pet has a dark skin tone) and assess the severity. However, a pet parent can tell something is wrong with their pet as they will be in severe pain, whining, usually depressed, vomiting and showing other signs such as laboured breathing swollen abdomen, rapid pulse rate and skin discolouration.

WHAT TO DO:

• There is nothing you can do about internal bleeding except take your animal to a Veterinarian as internal bleeding is the hallmark of pet emergencies requiring immediate medical attention. 

AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS

In the world we live in, pets getting involved in automobile injuries is an avoidable yet daily incident. Requiring pet owners to supervise and secure their pets better. 

WHAT TO DO:

• Access your pet for broken bones, extent of injuries and/or bleeding (internal or external)

• Immediately contact your veterinarian for proper medical assessment and treatment.

CHOKING/SUFFOCATION

Many times pets are brought into the clinic breathing funny because they have a bone, ball or some object stuck in their throat. In as much as these incidents can be prevented, they are still very common occurrences.

WHAT TO DO:

• Get an assistant to help you hold your pet.

• Check the airways to know what is causing the obstruction.

• If the dog is still breathing and is calm, check if you can use a tweezer to grab the object obstructing the airways. Make sure you can do this without pushing it further into the airways.

• For pets who can’t breathe at all or collapse, use the external extraction technique (XXT) or a modified Heimlich manoeuvre. Follow up with a veterinarian right away. 

Ps. Most times even for objects that the owner can see, it is necessary to leave it to a veterinarian as the animal might need to be sedated so the jaws are relaxed and the object is removed from the airways. Always contact your veterinarian before acting out complex first aid techniques.

FRACTURES

Fractures (broken or dislocated bone), sprains (torn tendons), strains (torn ligaments) and muscle tears are extremely painful conditions in animals that require the affected areas to be immobilized and fixed. Fixing a fracture is not like in the movies and pressure applied wrongly can result in even worse outcomes.

WHAT TO DO:

• Owners are advised to immediately seek veterinary counsel

• Gently move the animal to the veterinary clinic, making sure not to agitate them so they do not get aggressive

• Unless advised by your veterinarian, do not bandage the fracture or apply a splint.

BURNS

Thermal/heat burns as well as chemical burns can result from domestic accidents and are usually very painful. 

WHAT TO DO:

• Flush the affected area with water especially in chemical burns to remove all the chemicals

• Apply a cold compress on the area if your dog is staying put, 

• Otherwise, put an Elizabethan collar over the head of the dog and/or muzzle the mouth if necessary and administer any of the following home remedies:

• Break an egg and smear the albumin over the injury

• Apply natural oil like coconut oil over the burn

• Apply aloe vera on the injury

• Apply a non-steroidal topical ointment like Sudocream on the burn

• Seek your veterinarian’s counsel before managing the wound on your own.

ALLERGIC REACTION

Happens when your dog's body gets triggered by food/treats, dust, smells, grasses, pollen, and insets. Allergic reactions in pets range from mild to severe illness appearing as reddish discolouration of the skin, hives/rashes, sneezing/coughing, drooling saliva and in severe cases suffocation and death due to suffocation from bronchial obstruction. 

WHAT TO DO:

• Identify the causes of allergies and remove your pet from the source

• Seek the counsel of your veterinarian immediately

• Per your veterinarian’s advice, you can administer a dosage of antihistamines such as Benadryl or prednisolone

• Keep your pet comfortable and if they are itchy apply topical steroidal ointments.

READ HIDDEN CAUSES OF ALLERGIES AND HOW TO HELP

HEAT STROKE

This is very common during the hot seasons, especially in very hairy breeds of animals. Owners are advised not to walk pets in the scorching sun as their haircoat does not allow them to sweat and dissipate heat. Dogs would normally cool off from their paws and when they are made to walk/run on the hot tars it will result in overheating of their body system and things can quickly escalate into the animal fainting or even dying.

WHAT TO DO:

• Immediately find a shade (an airconditioned car or cool place), lay your pet down and fan them

• Pour cool water on their head and back to cool them off

• Contact your veterinarian as in cases of severe heatstroke animals might need some fluid therapy to regain consciousness.

DIARRHOEA AND/OR VOMITING 

A little vomiting and/or diarrhoea might not be a cause for alarm as your pet’s curiosity might have led them to eat something from the trash that did not sit right with them and after expelling it they are good. Or your pet might have spent the day zooming around resulting in the food coming right out of their mouth. When a pet is pooing loose faeces and/or vomiting they should be watched carefully. If the diarrhoea and/or vomiting is continuous and your pet is sleeping more than usual and dull then this could be a telltale sign of illness.

WHAT TO DO:

• To determine what to do first call your veterinarian and forward the complete clinical history of your pet as there are various causes ranging from parasitic to microbial infections

• Ensure your dog has adequate water to drink and if they are refusing to drink, you might have to assist them as diarrhoea and vomiting can result in death due to severe dehydration.

• Following the dosage of your veterinarian, you can administer mild recommended antibiotics such as metronidazole

• In severe cases, dehydration is acute and rapid requiring an emergency visit to the vet

POISONING: 

Chemical poisoning is one of the worst pet emergencies as more often than not it results in pet fatalities. Mainly because the poison ingested has already been fully absorbed by the pet and the owner realises they have been poisoned by the manifestation of clinical signs such as abdominal breathing, drooling, rejecting food, bloody stools, vomiting, seizures and death.

WHAT TO DO:

• Identify the source of the poison

• Contact your veterinarian immediately with this information so they can tell you the right first aid to administer

• Sometimes, your vet might ask you to initiate vomiting if your pet just ingested the poison; follow their directive

• Visit the veterinary clinic or call the pet poison helpline.

Bonus: SEIZURES 

 Some dogs inherit conditions that make them sensitive to light or sound, while others either have a medical condition or were involved in some sort of traumatic incident which triggers seizures in them.

WHAT TO DO:

• Ensure the path is clear once you notice your dog is having an episode. Do not try to restrain them, and time the seizure. Contact your vet once it’s over.

• Most seizures stop on their own. Avoid placing your fingers in or near your dog’s mouth as accidental bites are common.

• If your dog has never had an episode before, schedule a visit to the veterinary clinic to find out why your dog is suddenly epileptic or seizing.

By knowing these common first aid procedures, you can provide immediate care and support to your pet during emergencies, ensuring their safety and comfort until professional help arrives.

READ MORE:

COMMON HEALTH ISSUES OF PETS

7 Vital Pet Care Secrets Your Vet Wishes You Knew

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