Small animal first aid Flashcards

Question

shock treatment?

Answer 1

dicover cause and treat that - eg haemorrhage control (cardiogenic) - eg antibiotics or antihistamines (distributive) keep warm and comfortable IVFT - not best for cardiogenic as adds more pressure to heart observations - TPR, CRT, MM - pupillary reflex (pupil reflex with light) - palpebral reflex (blink when touching inside of eye) TLC - keep aware of surroundings (stocking and talking) to keep in consciousness can deteriorate quickly - record continuously I relatively stable - record every 5-10 mins

Answer 2

``` wounds burns and scolds poisons - eg insect stings unconsciousness/collapse seizures/epilepsy fractures and luxation (dislocation) sensory organ damage - eyes, ears tongue major organ damage - heart, spleen, kidneys ```

Answer 3

open or closed? - open - broken skin surface - closed - internal bleeding may or may not be appropriate to ask owner to apply pressure - depend on situation - no if fractured leg - more pain - yes if easily accessible with no protruding objects bring down asap - regardless of info given - can over or under exaggerate - perception

Answer 4

``` haemorrhage control - and assess for shock remove foreign bodies - eg bacteria clip and clean dress and re-dress surgery - may need sutures ```

Answer 5

``` cold compress - for vasoconstriction drain - needle and syringe dressing/bandage - compresses - protect from any further damage (padding) surgery - if internal bleed ```

Answer 6

both types of wounds burn - dry heat - eg. fire/electricity scold - moist heat - eg. boiling water or hot oil

Answer 7

``` size - small or majority of skin? depth - superficial? (surface) - deep? (penetrating into tissues underneath) danger to yourself - if electricity burns make sure off before handling - if chemical/hot water burn wear gloves and try to remove first poisoning of patient - could lick chemical burns - try and wash off as fast as possible infections - there is a break in skin so is common ```

Answer 8

``` bring to practice asap COOL running water warm the patient - lose lot of heat through burns - blanket, rugs etc dress the wound - reduce fluid loss from weeping - keeps heat in and bacteria out - use cling film at home - specific dressing given in practice replace fluid loss - vet prescribes fluid analgesia assess for shock - hypovolaemic ```

Answer 9

can be oral or via skin ``` antifreeze - cause kidney failure pesticides - rat bait and slug bait fungicides - often on grass or in streams insecticides - eg dog flee treatment toxic to cats household chemicals - bleach/white spirit inhalants - smoke/carbon monoxide plants - lillies/ragwort/daffodiles medicines - paracetamol foods - mouldy food - grapes, chocolate, mushrooms ```

Answer 10

what is the poison? - package/samples? when was the animal in contact with the poison/when did they digest it? did they definitely eat the poison - any other animals nearby? how much was eaten? - danger dose dependant what is their species, breed, age? - danger also species dependant showing any symptoms? - vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, seizures, tremors - sample of vomit or diarrhoea

Answer 11

bring to practice asap if thought dangerous prevent further exposure - eg inhalant toxins = remove from the area and giving fresh air/oxygen - eg toxin on skin = washing coat identify poison - use sample/packaging if given - do know of any antidotes? contact veterinary poisons information service - helpline - explain what patient has taken - they will give advice on treatment/antidotes - paid service but owners can also call

Answer 12

induce vomiting - don't if corrosive substances as will further damage oesophagus - don't if unconscious/convulsing - don't if had more than 4 hours ago - likely already ingested give gastric lavage - placing stomach tube and flushing out stomach give charcoal - lines coating of gastrointestinal tract - stops absorption - but hard to have patient take charcoal

Answer 13

liquid oil substances - use liquid paraffin - rinse until cant smell any more substance non-oily compounds - use warm water solid oily compounds - clip clumped areas - use veg oil/butter to soften and then able to wash off

Answer 14

type of poisoning generally not severe depends on site - throat will cause swelling so make breathing difficult - foot not as severe can result in allergic reaction for some patients - may provide antihistamines

Answer 15

bee - they are acidic - bathe in something alkaline - eg dilute bicarbonate of soda wasps - they are alkaline - so bathe in something acidic - eg dilute vinegar

Answer 16

often on nose or leg cause rapid swelling and fang marks may go into anaphylactic shock practices may have antivenom to give may just provide wound support and management and let the patient rest

Answer 17

A condition that causes waves of disorganised electrical activity within the brain resulting in frequent seizures - often idiopathic (don't know cause) - can have from birth - or caused by something (eg toxins)

Answer 18

Pre-ictal - feel as if something is about to happen - hyper/excited/anxious Ictal - actual seizure - recumbent, tense, libs and extend and paddle - drooling and lose baldder/rectal control Post-ictal - dazed and unsteady - aggression is likely - thirsty

Answer 19

``` Do not touch patient Minimise people in the room but do not leave alone Remove objects that could injure the animal - eg table leg Reduce light and noise - can trigger seizures Allow to rest once subsided - let them move gradually on own Advise owner to take notes - how long? Triggers? How many? Bring to vet as soon as safe - Once through post-ictal phase ```

Answer 20

Often don't treat if one off seizure - often not a risk - if 2 or more then investigate Take bloods to try and identify cause If known cause (eg toxin) treat Ictal phase should last around 2 minutes - After 5 concerns won't come round on own - May need to give anti-seizure drugs Status epilepticus - can't get get out stage - even with meds - put under anaesthetic and gradually wake

Answer 21

``` Simple/Transverse - straight break into two Oblique - diagonal break into two Spiral - broken bone spins Comminuted - multiple breaks - shattered bone Greenstick - incomplete break ```

Answer 22

``` Pain - May not be until moves Swelling - bruising around soft tissue Deformity - especially if complete break Loss of function - partial or complete - may damage ligaments/tendons Crepitus - bones rubbing/crunching Unnatural mobility - range of motion has increased ```

Answer 23

``` Take care to avoid causing more damage Provide support - supporting bandage or splint - to immobilise area Control any haemorrhage - may need internal - assess for shock Restrict movement - cage/box rest Keep spinal injuries flat and still Give analgesia Surgical correction - comminuted and major breaks - some left to heal on own (eg pelvis) ```

Answer 24

Joint not in correct place ``` Major force required to dislocate a normal joint - eg RTA or fall Some susceptible - eg dogs with hip dysplasia Often associated with pelvis fracture Dislocations may be reduced (put back into place) - use bandage to support joint - however likely to dislocate - may need surgery ```

Answer 25

``` Conjunctivitis - reddening/inflammation of conjunctiva Epiphora - increase tear production Photophobia - avoid bright light - close eyes or burry head Blepharospasm - excessive blinking ```

Answer 26

``` Foreign bodies - eg grass seeds under eyelids Wounds - don't use hibiscus as toxic - use iodine instead - suture under GA likely An inflammatory reaction - eg from allergic reaction of sting - use ice packs to soothe ```

Answer 27

``` Cornea injuries - penetrating wounds (eg scratches) - non-penetrating wounds (eg ulcers) Direct trauma to the eyeball - often cause heamorrhage Fractures to skill - along zygomatic arch - check for breaks or crepitus Prolapse of the eyeball - dislodge from socket - lubricate the eye (boil and cool water and hold over eye) ```

Answer 28

``` A prolapsed eye should be replaced ASAP - keep lubricated and prevent self trauma Flush with saline to clean - or iodine not hibiscub Sterile gauze taped over area - keeps eye moist Use buster collar Dark, warm area - reduce stress and further damage - increase pressure, HR and blood Monitor closely ```

Answer 29

Usually damage to pinna - scratch/bite Or foreign body ``` Haemorrhage - lots of blood vessels so owner likely to panic - apply direct pressure - know not fracture Shaking of head - because of discomfort - cause aural haematoma Self trauma -irritated so rub on everything - makes hard to stop bleeding Swelling ```

Answer 30

``` stop haemorrhages - provide direct pressure - know no fracture reduce pain - analgesia - remove blood-filled ear remove FBs - may require sedation surgery - tie off exposed blood vessel - only way to stop haemorrhages is to open and drain ```

Answer 31

``` part of resp system - horses and rabbits only breathe through nose injuries can cause - dyspnoea - epitaxis (nose bleed) - discharge ```

Answer 32

``` direct trauma foreign bodies - eg grass seeds infection - discharge can cause blockage tumours ```

Answer 33

``` alleviate haemorrhage - cold compress to constrict blood vessels - don't put pressure - may be a fracture give oxygen if dyspnoea provide quiet area - decrease stress which decreases HR and blood avoid muzzling is safe observe for underlying issues - eg neurological damage - eg internal haemorrhage ```

Answer 34

common injuries as patients use mouth for investigation ``` foreign bodies - eg fish hooks and sticks fractures - direct blows to the head (eg RTA) - mandibular symphysis is common in cats insect stings - eat wasps/bee ```

Answer 35

``` pain and swelling pawing/rubbing at face salivation/drooling dysphagia (difficulty eating) - off food or unable to eat presence of foreign body ```

Answer 36

``` remove foreign bodies if present - may need sedation/GA perform diagnostic tests - eg x-rays for fractures surgery - eg remove foreign bodies - eg wire jaw together give feeding tubes - insert during surgery - as unlikely to want when awake ```

Answer 37

``` gastric dilation and volvulus serious and life threatening usually in deep chested breeds - eg greyhounds cause no always known ``` - usually after ingesting large amounts of food quickly followed by exercise - gas then fills stomach which twists - this stops gas from leaving - this pushes on caudal vena cava and diaphragm causing obstructive shock gas will continue to be made which will cause rupture if not treated

Answer 38

``` distension of the stomach (large/swollen/bloated) discomfort and restlessness - stomach/abdomen hard to touch - sounds hollow from air dyspnoea trying to burp to release gas unproductive vomiting collapse - late stage obstructive shock signs - late stage ```

Answer 39

``` genuine emergency IVFT - to increase blood pressure - but sudden relaxation on vena cava causes crash relieve pressure asap - needle to stomach and stomach tube surgery - gastropexy - suture stomach against body wall ```

Answer 40

means gut isn't moving properly ``` obstruction - eg foreign body or mass - can cause gastric rupture - especially in animals that cant vomit not eating - either starved or health issues ``` use radiographs to diagnose - show if any obstructions

Answer 41

``` anorexia (not eaating) discomfort and restlessness reduce gut sound sounds lack of feaces and diahorrea vomiting (if possible) colapse and shock - from rupture ```

Answer 42

``` geuine emergency - especially if chance of rupture monitor blood glucose assist in hand feeding - hand, syringe or tube - if no blockage treat for shock give analgesia and prokinetics - get system working again remove any obstructions ```

Answer 43

blood filled organ so damage can lead to haemorrhage and death ``` trauma - eg RTA tumours - grown and ruptured torsion - twisting and turning - close connection with stomach (GDV) ```

Answer 44

``` sudden collapse hypovolaemic shock tachypnoea (fast breathing) pale MMs and weak pulse - so fast HR cold to touch if torsion then will be swollen, hard and very painful ```

Answer 45

``` if ruptured little can be done so PTS if not ruptured treat fr shock - blood transfusion or IVFT surgery - spenectomy - removal of spleen - don't need as other organs can take over ```

Answer 46

large blood supply so trauma can lead to haemorrhage and death nephroliths - kidney stones blunt force trauma - eg kick or RTA

Answer 47

``` 'hang dog' psoture - praying position - bottom up, shoulders down haematuria - blood in urine oliguria - recution in volume or frequency of urine ```

Answer 48

warm, dark, quiet kennel - to reduce stress treat for shock have VS diagnose extent of damage often heal well on own - other one will take over - will still need support

Answer 49

``` uroliths - bladder stones - cause blockage in urethra - causes rupture bruising and displacement - from direct trauma ```

Answer 50

``` anuria/dysuria - true emergency as sign of rupture - rupture will cause crash = PTS haematuria - blood in urine oliguria - increased volume or frequency of urine ```

Answer 51

``` monitoring of urine production urine sample analysis imaging of bladder and kidneys - check for damaged further up remove eruthral blockage if any surgery - into bladder and remove large stones that won't pass ```

Answer 52

pyometra = puss filled uterus repeated cycles with no pregnancy causes cysts these burst releasing puss opening of cervix during oestrus causes bacteria to enter there are low WBCs within uterus during osterus so best conditions for bacteria

Answer 53

``` vomiting and diarrhorea anorexia uncomfortbale abdomen pyrexia (high temp) if open then purulent vaginal discharge if closed rupture is likely collapse - spetic shock ``` use ultrasound to diagnose

Answer 54

``` treat shock - IVFT IV antibiotics ovariohysterectomy - to remove puss ```

Answer 55

more common in cats than dogs usually result of RTA abdominal organs move into thoracic cavity

Answer 56

``` for some may be none varying degrees of dyspnoea - panting - gasping/struggling orthopneic position - sitting upright - extend head and neck with shoulders back - to increase air in lungs ```

Answer 57

``` keep warm and quiet oxygen supplementation monitor pulse and resps surgery - close rupture - stabilise and wait few days first ``` use radiographs to diagnose

Answer 58

``` when heart is unable to pump blood around body - resulting in cardiogenic shock left sided heart failure - fluid accumulates in chest - pulmonary oedema/plural effusion ighted sided heart failure - fluid accumulates in body - especially abdomen (ascites) ```

Answer 59

signs of cardiogenic shock | - eg dysnpnoea, pale MM, weak pulse

Answer 60

``` diuretics - removes excess fluid - by increasing urination thoracentesis - needle in plural cvity to remove fluid oxygen therapy low stress handling keep warm ```

Answer 61

``` heart beat present but slow respiration present muscles are flaccid body temperature is stable cornea are moist pupillary light response is present but may be sluggish fits may occur bladder control may be lost ```