Ultimate First Aid Guide For Pet Owners

Limb injuries and fractures

If a limb has been injured, your pet may limp and whine. A muscle or tendon damage, a fracture, or dislocation could be the cause. If your pet appears to be in pain after an injury, it’s a good sign that something isn’t quite right. 

What you should do:

1. If required, use a muzzle on your pet. If a dog refuses to let you do this, don’t press the issue further because frightened dogs may bite when muzzles are applied.

2. If the fracture is open, carefully cover it with clean gauze or a towel and fasten the bandage. Apply no ointment to the open wound. Before administering any medication, it’s preferable to wait until the veterinarian analyses the injuries.

3. If you sense a broken bone, use something solid to brace the limb, such as a rolled-up magazine, and secure it gently with wrapped gauze or elastic band. Wrap the injury tightly but not too tightly to avoid restricting blood flow; it should be firm, not tight. Don’t force your pet to wear this improvised leg splint if it doesn’t like it. Without anaesthetic, manipulating a fractured limb can be excruciatingly painful.

4. To keep your pet warm, wrap them in a blanket or towel. To safely transport them into your vehicle and to a veterinarian, use a stretcher (flat board or blanket). 

External Bleeding 

Common injuries that induce bleeding include scrapes, bites, scratches, and ripped claws. The signs and symptoms of external bleeding are pretty clear. There will be blood dripping from the skin, which may become entangled in the fur. There could even be a trail of drops or stains on the ground. 

What you should do:

1. If required, use a muzzle on your pet.

2. To eliminate any debris or pollutants, flush the wound with water or an antiseptic solution suitable for animals. Unless told otherwise, leave wound cleaning to your veterinarian if the incision is particularly deep.

3. Using a clean cloth or gauze, apply pressure to the cut until the bleeding stops. Remove the damp gauze and replace it with a new sterile bandage if the wound is mild. Secure it and contact your veterinarian for advice on what to do next as soon as possible. To stop bleeding from nails that have been trimmed too short and have started to bleed, apply styptic powder or cornstarch.

4. If the bleeding is moderate, it may take several minutes to stop. If blood seeps through the cloth, replace it and continue to apply pressure. Once your pet has been stabilised, rush to your veterinarian or the nearest emergency veterinary facility for examination and treatment options. Further flushing and antibiotic therapy may be required if the wound is deep.

5. A tourniquet can be put between the wound and the body while applying pressure on the wound for excessive bleeding on a limb. It needs to be loosened for 15-20 seconds every 15-20 minutes and then reapplied. A tourniquet should only be used as the last option on a limb or tail because it might cause permanent harm or loss.

Excessive, uncontrollable bleeding is life-threatening, and you should take your pet to the vet right away.

Internal Bleeding 

Your pet might be bleeding on the inside if they were hit by a car or fell from a great height. Internal bleeding can be harder to spot because the signs aren’t as prominent or evident as external bleeding. The following are some warning indicators to look out for: 

• pale gums
• bleeding from the nose or mouth
• blood in the urine
• rapid heartbeat
• weakness
• collapse
• coughing up blood

This is a dangerous condition that should be treated by a veterinarian very away.

What you should do:

1. Make sure your pet is ready to be transported to a veterinarian. If necessary, use a stretcher (a flat board or blanket).
2. On the drive to the clinic, it’s critical to keep your animal as calm and quiet as possible.

Burns 

Electrocution, chemical exposure, and hot liquids or objects are all major causes of pet burns. If a limb has been burned, the animal will display signs of pain and discomfort by whining or even hobbling. Depending on the intensity, the skin may seem red but intact (first-degree), or there may be a partial or complete loss of numerous layers of skin (second-degree and third-degree). If the burn is severe and covers a significant region of the body, your pet may go into shock, which is a life-threatening condition.

What you should do:

1. If required, use a muzzle on your pet.

2. Applying creams or ointments to the burn is not recommended.

3. Cool the burn down with a slow trickle of cold water in the shower for less severe burns from hot fluids, hot objects, or electrocution (switch off electricity or power to equipment before reaching the animal).

4. Apply a cold compress using a clean, moist, and cool washcloth for no more than 10 minutes after rinsing (avoid using ice). Apply a non-stick bandage to the burn and contact your veterinarian for further instructions. Professional help may be required depending on the severity of the burn.

If a chemical has burned your pet, wear gloves to protect your hands while tending to their wound. Rinse the area with cold water for 15-20 minutes after removing any collars or accessories that may contact the chemical. Cover the burn with a non-stick bandage and contact your veterinarian for further instructions and treatment options.

Multiple layers of skin are involved in second and third-degree burns, making them more dangerous. These burns require immediate veterinarian attention and may cause your dog to become disoriented. Cover the wound with clean, dry gauze that will not stick to it. Stabilize your pet and take them to your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital as soon as possible.

Choking 

Curious pets can find themselves in a lot of trouble by chewing on things they shouldn’t. If your pet exhibits these symptoms, it may be choking. Coughing and gagging sounds, difficulty breathing, pawing at their mouth, and blue colouring of the gums and tongue are all signs of choking. 

What you should do:

1. If your pet’s mouth can be safely opened, do it with caution. It’s a good idea to have someone else hold the animal while you check its mouth.

2.If possible, look into the mouth and gently remove the thing. Make sure it doesn’t go any further down the throat. If you can’t safely remove the object, you’ll have to choose between performing a dislodging manoeuvre or taking your pet to a nearby veterinarian or emergency veterinary hospital right away.

3. Hold a small dog or cat erect with their back against your chest while attempting a dislodging manoeuvre. Place one hand in a clenched fist below the sternum, with the thumb against the abdomen and the other hand on top of your fist. To drive air out of the lungs, make five thrusts in and up toward their head. Swipe their mouth to see if the thing has gotten loose.

4. Stand behind a big dog and wrap your arms around its abdomen to dislodge an object. Place one hand in a closed fist beneath the rib cage below the sternum, thumb against the stomach, and the other hand on top of the fist. To drive air out of their lungs, make five thrusts up and forward toward their head. Swipe their mouth to see if the thing has gotten loose.

5. Repeat the process until the object is free or on a veterinarian’s way.