PVN - First Aid Flashcards
What is an open abdominal wound?
An injury to the abdomen that is exposed to the air and thus subject to infection
What is a penetrating wound?
A long tract of a puncture wound that may have entered a body cavity e.g. abdomen
What could be causes of penetrating wounds?
Bite wounds, bullets, glass etc.
Rupture
An injury in which a tear appears in the abdominal wall allowing internal organs from the abdominal cavity to move into other areas of the body
Hernia
Where internal organs protrude through a natural opening in the body wall
What are the causes of ruptures?
RTA, staking injuries, severe bites, gunshot wounds, surgical procedures
Give an example of a congenital hernias
Umbilical hernia
Why are herniated organs compromised?
The blood supply is occluded, often resulting in severe compromise
What is a closed abdominal wound?
Blunt trauma to the abdominal contents causing bruising or inflammation
What are the causes of haemorrhage?
- Haemorrhage into the abdomen occurs when a blood vessel or organ is damaged* It can occur from open or closed wounds
What procedure should be performed to confirm fluid in the abdomen?
Paracentesis - with abdominal haemorrhage, whole blood will be detected
What are primary nervous system disorders that cause seizures?
- Infections (viral/bacterial)- Trauma with increases intracranial pressure- Congenital conditions e.g. hydrocephalus- Epilepsy- Brain tumours
What are secondary causes for seizures?
- Hypoglycaemia- Portosystemic shunt- Hypocalcaemia- Uraemia- Poisons e.g. metaldehyde
Extracranial seizures
Caused as a response to metabolic or toxic abnormalities e.g. uraemia
Intracranial seizures
Caused by disease of the structure of the brain e.g. brain tumours
Idiopathic epilepsy
Chemical imbalance in the brain
What are the 3 phases of seizures?
Pre-ictal, ictal, post-ictal
What is the pre-ictal phase?
Occurs a few minutes before the fit starts- Animal is restless or excitable
What is the ictal phase?
This is the fit- Collapse, salivation, jaw champing- Paddling or jerking movements- Vocalisation- Urination/defaecation- Loss of consciousness
What is the post-ictal phase?
Period following the fit- Can last from a few hours up to a week- Dazed, exhausted, restlessness, disorientation
Status Epilepticus
This is a prolonged fit lasting longer than a few minutes. Brain damage will occur if left untreated
Cluster Fits
This is multiple seizures within a short space of one another
Penetrating thoracic wound
A penetrating wound through the chest wall allows air from the atmosphere to flow into the chest - known as a sucking wound
What is the treatment for penetrating thoracic wounds?
Using adhesive bandage stick a piece of plastic over the wound to create an airtight dressing. This will prevent more air entering the chest.
What can penetrating thoracic wounds lead to?
Pneumothorax or haemothorax
Pneumothorax
This is the presence of air in the pleural space. It is a common result of blunt trauma to the chest - leads to pressure causing the lungs to collapse, leading to dyspnoea
Simple pneumothorax
Normally caused by non-penetrating trauma to the chest wall, often from RTA’s
Open pneumothorax
A penetrating wound in the thoracic wall, resulting in a collapse of the lungs. Often caused by fights, stick injuries and fractured ribs
Tension pneumothorax
Serious condition where a large pulmonary leak acts like a ball valve, allowing air to enter the pleural cavity but not leave. Intrapleural pressure increases and the lungs are compressed resulting in severe respiratory compromise
Haemothorax
Bleeding into the pleural cavity. As with pneumothorax, as blood builds up, the lungs will collapse under pressure.
What is the most common cause of haemothorax?
Fractured ribs
Flail chest
Loose segments from a series of broken ribs that are able to move freely as the animal breathes
What are the entrances for poison?
Inhalation, ingestion, absorption across skin/mucous membranes
