first aid in dogs and cats Flashcards
basic first aid is
treatment performed before the pet gets to a vet for defintive care
priority is
safety of all parties involved
DR ABC
danger
response
airway
breathing
circulation
danger
- to any party involved
- scan environment for hazards
- approach calmly and cautiously
- animals may be painful/ terrified
response
- level of consciousness (LOC)
- responsive to movement/ touch/ sound
- if trauma suspected; spinal injuries?
- decreased LOC; may still bite
airway
- in non responsive check airway
- increased noise? prolonged phase?
- lower mandible, pull tongue
- 2 finger swipe (5s) remove foreign material
breathing
- what is ventilation, how do you calculate
- what is apnoea
- what is agonal
- ventilation= amount of air in and out= resp rate/ min x volume
- apnoea= no breathing
- agonal breathing= infrequent gasping, unconscious
- apnoea/ agonal + unconscious –> start CPR
- watch rate, listen for noises, look for depth
- head/neck extended? elbows out?
- are gums purple or blue?
circulation
- signs of altered perfusion? may be shock
- decreased LOC
- abnormal mucous membrane colour and CRT
- weak pulse
- feet cold
- if no pulse + unconscious + apnoeic/ agonal –> CPR
what perfusion parameters tell us about circulation
- mentation changes
- mucous membrane colour
- CRT
- heart rate (not always equal to pulse rate)
- pulse quality
- extremity temp
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what is shock?
whats a common type of shock
any state where cell metabolic demands are not met
- results in cumulative oxygen debt and organ dysfunction
- circulatory shock = inadequate perfusion –> insufficient flow
- circulatory shock v common type
Dr abcD, what does D stand for
disability
ie mentation/ LOC, pupils, posture, seizures, paresis/ paralysis
other indications for immediate care
- large firm bladder or rapidly distending abdomen
- uterine or rectal prolapse, priapism
- open fractures
- haemorrhage
- labor/ dystocia
- suspended toxicity
- temp extremes
what should you do first aid wise if theres a seizure
- don’t get bitten, hands away form mouth
- move animal away from danger
- video episode, call vet
- if epileptic ask owner if they have rescue drugs
- behaviour changes may occur before and after
- if lasts longer than 3 mins medical emergency and transport
first aid for fractures
- very painful so muzzle if breathing ok
- no meds without vet advice
- if active hemorrhage –> pressure
- protect from environment, don’t need to splint
- transport immediately
haemorrhage first aid
- muzzle if breathing ok
- arterial vs venous
- direct pressure
- don’t disrupt clot
- if bleeds through apply more ON TOP
- elevate above heart
- remain calm, call for help for transport
when should a tourniquet be used
- life threatening arterial (pulsatile) haemorrhage only
- no response to direct pressure
- likely result in disability/ amputation
- apply proximally to severe extremity (not neck)
- use wide material, twist with stick
- twist until bleeding stops, relieve every 15-20 mins for 15-20 seconds
spinal injuries
- don’t get bitten
- flat board to keep spine in alignment
- hold in place w straps/ rolled towel
- don’t apply pressure to neck
- maintain at 15-30 degrees
- don’t fight animal that is thrashing
- transport immediately
heatstroke first aid
- heat generated greater than ability to dissipate heat
- more likely on hot humid days
- dogs mainly dissipate heat through panting so bracycephalic breeds are high risk
- cold water for 10-15 mins, get to vet
- do NOT wrap in wet towels, apply ice packs, hose mouth
penetrating foreign bodies first aid
- do not remove object
- do not apply pressure to/ move object
- apply padding around object, prevent movement
- call vet, transport
- if swallowed fish hoot, secure end of line
first aid head trauma
- may be painful, don’t get bitten
- avoid pressure on ventral neck
- care manipulating neck
- spinal precautions
- transport immediately
muzzles
- NOT for breathing changes/ vomiting/ loss of consciousness/ heat
- commercial vs handmade
- must be monitored
poison/ toxin first aid
- call vet FIRST
- vomiting indicated if; recent ingestion, appropriate level of consciousness and substance not caustic or sharp
what should first aid kit include
- digital thermometer
- gauze, adhesive
- light bandage material
- washing soda crystals
- gloves
- bandage scissors
- tweezers
- antiseptic cream
- chlorohexidine scrub
- irrigation saline
- tick remover
- vets number
transport
- call ahead
- ensure safety first
- drive safely
what happens during cardiopulmonary arrest
- heart stops beating effectively, stops breathing effectively
- loss of blood flow to tissue beds= not enough oxygen to vital organs
- rapidly causes injury to brain and heart
signs of impending arrest
- collapse
- irregular breathing
- opisthotonus (stretching out)
- mydriasis (dilated pupils)
signs of arrest
sudden collapse/ LOC, no/agonal breaths
if arrest occurs, what should you do
1) call for help
2) check circulation, airway, breathing (CAB)
3) chest compressions, mouth to snout ventilation
4) transport to vet for more comprehensive care
CAB (circulation, airway, breathing) check
- take less than 10-15 s
- confirm unconscious and agonal/ apnoeic
- gently shake dog, call name, look for chest wall movement
- if not responsive, perform visual check of upper airway, remove debris
check compressions, how fast and hard
- 100-120 compressions/ min (around 2 per second)
- half to third of chest depth
- arms straight, hinge at hips, don’t lean
even the best chest compressions only give
30% of normal cardiac output
cardiac pump theory
compressions directly over heart
- whippets (keel chested), small dogs and cats
thoracic pump theory
- compressions over widest part of chest
- obese small dogs, obese cats, big barrel chested dogs
mouth to snout ventilation
- firmly hold pets mouth closed
- extend neck to align w spine
- make seal over the nostrils w your mouth and blow firmly
- watch chest inflate as you give breaths
single rescuer basic life support (BLS)
30:2 technique
- 30 compressions
- 2 breaths
two rescuer BLS
- 30 chest compressions
- other person 2 breaths
- switch every 2 mins
