Small Animal First Aid Flashcards
1
Q
What is first aid?
A
Basic treatment performed before the pet gets to a veterinarian for definitive care
2
Q
First aid principles DR ABCD
A
Danger
Response
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
D = disability
3
Q
How do we assess for danger (first aid)
A
- Scan environment for hazards
- Approach calmly and cautiously
- Animals may be painful/terrified
- Muzzles
- Breathing? Mentation? Vomit?
4
Q
How do we assess for response (first aid)
A
- Level of consciousness (LOC)
- Responsive to movement/sound/touch?
- If trauma suspected - spinal injuries?
- Decreased LOC - may still bite!
5
Q
How do we assess for airway (first aid)
A
- If non-responsive, check airway (care!)
- Increased noise? Prolonged phase?
- Lower mandible, pull tongue
- 2 finger swipe (5s) – remove foreign material
- Forceps? Heimlich?
6
Q
How do we assess breathing (first aid)
A
- Ventilation = amount of air in and out = resp rate/minute x volume
- Watch rate, listen for noises, look for depth
- Head/neck extended? Elbows out?
- Are gums purple or blue?
- Apnoea or Agonal breathing?
- Apnoea/agonal + unconscious → start CPR
7
Q
Apnoea
A
no breathing
8
Q
Agonal breathing
A
infrequent gasping, unconscious
9
Q
How do we assess circulation (first aid)
A
- Signs of altered perfusion? May be shock!
- Decreased LOC
- Abnormal mucous membrane colour and capillary refill time
- Weak pulse (try femoral when learning), heart may be slow or racing
- Feet may be cold
** If no pulse + unconscious + apnoeic/agonal → CPR!**
10
Q
Perfusion parameters to observe: (6)
A
- Mentation changes
- Mucous membrane colour
- Capillary refill time
- Heart rate (≠ pulse rate)
- Pulse quality
- Extremity temperature
11
Q
Perfusion
A
Delivery of blood and oxygen to tissues, ensuring their proper function
12
Q
What is shock?
A
Any state where cell metabolic demands are not met
- Results in cumulative oxygen debt and organ dysfunction
- Shock is a medical emergency!
13
Q
What is cirulatory shock?
A
Inadequate perfusion → insufficient flow
- Circulatory shock is a very common type of shock
14
Q
How do we assess for disability (first aid)
A
- Mentation/LOC
- Pupils
- Posture
- Seizures
- Paresis/paralysis
15
Q
Indications for need of immediate care:
A
- Large firm bladder or rapidly distending abdomen
- Uterine or rectal prolapse, priapism
- Open fractures
- Haemorrhage
- Labour/dystocia
- Suspected toxicity
- Temperature extremes
16
Q
Only use a muzzle if dog is in extreme pain, is aggressive and ….
A
breathing is ok
17
Q
What does active haemorrhage require? (PIE)
A
Pressure - clean gauze/cloth, firm ongoing pressure
- Immobilize
- Elevate above heart
18
Q
What to do if bleeding goes through cloth/gauze?
A
Apply more ON TOP
19
Q
When do we use Tourniquets?
A
- Life threatening arterial (pulsatile) haemorrhage only
- No response to direct pressure
- Expected loss of limb (will likely result in disability/amputation)
20
Q
How to apply a Tourniquet?
A
- Apply proximal to severe extremity injury (NOT neck) above joint
- Use wide material/belt, wrap twice, tie knot, insert stick
- Twist stick until bleeding stops, relieve every 15-20min for 15-20s
21
Q
What to do when animals need emergency care for spinal injuries? (7)
A
- Don’t get bitten!
- Use a flat board to keep spine in alignment
- Hold in place with straps/rolled towels
- Don’t apply pressure to neck
- Maintain at 15-30 degrees
- Don’t fight an animal that is thrashing
- Transport immediately
22
Q
How to give first aid to a heatstroked animal?
A
- More likely on hot humid days, exertion (+/- new to climate)
- Dogs mainly dissipate heat through panting
- Brachycephalic breeds are high risk
- Treatment: cold running water for 10-15 mins, GET TO VET
- Don’t: wrap in wet towels, apply ice packs or hose mouth
23
Q
Signs of heatstroke:
A
Heavy panting, weakness/collapse, very red gums
24
Q
Penetrating foreign body first aid:
A
- Do NOT remove the object
- Do NOT apply pressure to/move the object
- Apply padding around object/otherwise prevent movement
- Call vet for advice, TRANSPORT
(If swallowed a fish hook and line out of mouth, secure end of line)
25
Head trauma firs aid:
1. May be painful, terrified – don’t get bitten!
2. Avoid pressure on ventral neck
3. Care manipulating neck (other injuries?) - Spinal precautions
4. Transport immediately
26
Muzzles are NOT for:
- Animals with breathing changes/vomiting/loss of consciousness/heat
* MUST be monitored
27
Common poisins/toxins:
1. Rat bait (including ‘pet friendly’ baits), snail baits
2. Medications (pet/owner) including paracetamol (esp. cats)
3. Foods: chocolate, grapes, macadamia nuts, xylitol
4. Plants: sago palms, oleander, true lilies/daylilies (cats)
5. Recreational drugs: marijuana, methamphetamines
28
Poison/Toxin first aid:
Call vet FIRST - limited options for safe induction of emesis at home
Vomiting indicated if:
A) Recent ingestion of dangerous substance + delay to vet
B) Appropriate level of consciousness
C) Substance not caustic/sharp (oesophageal injury)
- Consider washing soda crystals (sodium carbonate) → ensure rock crystals, NOT powder
29
Equipment in Vet first aid kits
- Digital thermometer
- Gauze, adhesive
- Light bandage material
- Washing soda crystals
- Gloves
- Bandage scissors
- Tweezers
- Antiseptic cream
- Chlorhexidine scrub (avoid eyes)
- Irrigation saline
- Tick remover
- Vet’s number!
30
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 the brain and heart
31
When to start CPR?
Signs of impending arrest:
* Collapse
* Irregular breathing
* Opisthotonus (stretching out)
* Mydriasis (dilated pupils)
Signs of arrest:
* Sudden collapse/loss of consciousness, no/agonal breaths
32
What to do in case of cardiac arrest:
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
**Rapid recognition + good quality chest compression → improved survival**
33
Circulation, Airway, Breathing check (<10-15 s)
1. Confirm unconscious and agonal/apnoeic
2. Gently shake dog, call name, look for chest wall movement
3. If not responsive, perform visual check of upper airway, remove debris
4. Don’t get bitten!
34
Chest compressions
- 100-120 compressions/minute – push fast!
- Half to third of chest depth – push hard!
- Arms straight, hinge at hips
- Don’t lean
A++ compressions are only
~30% of normal cardiac output
35
Patient positioning for compressions
- Typically lateral recumbency
- Consider putting wide, flat-chested dogs like bulldogs on their back
- Ideal hand position depends on chest conformation and size
36
When is cardiac pump theory used?
- Big keel chested dogs
- Small dogs, cat
37
When is thoracic pump theory used?
- Big barrel chested dogs
- Obese small dogs, cats
38
How to do mouth to snout breathing:
- Firmly hold pet’s mouth closed
- Extend neck to align with spine
- Make a seal over the nostrils with your mouth and blow firmly
- Watch chest inflate as you give breaths
39
Solo first aid CPR:
30:2 technique
1. Do 30 chest compressions
2. Follow with 2 breaths
3. Rinse and repeat until help arrives
40
Duo first aid CPR:
30:2 technique
1. Do 30 chest compressions
2. Pause so 2nd person can give 2 breaths
3. Switch positions every 2 minutes (fatigue)
4. Rinse and repeat until help arrives
41
Transport during CPR
- Safety first – need driver
- Load pet as quickly as possible, go straight to vet
- If possible call vet to let them know you’re coming
- Sit next to pet on back seat (hold small dogs/cats in lap)
- Continue 30:2 technique en route
- Follow road rules, wear seatbelts, drive quickly but safely
