CANINE FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY CARE
By: Dr. Mike Lappin, DVM
HEAT STROKE
Usually occurs in animals exposed to a high environmental temperature and exposed to stress (confinement in a car, overexertion). Overweight animals as well as geriatric or infant are more prone to heat stroke. Rectal temperature can reach 105 -110 (normal = 99.5 - 102.2). Alters functions of all body organs, causes cell death and kidney failure, shock. Excess panting leads to changes in body pH and electrolyte abnormalities as well as brain swelling and death.
Symptoms:
1. Excess panting
2. Weakness, collapse
3. Rectal temp > 105
4. Irregular heartbeats
5. Possible dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of urine output
6. Possible seizures
First Aid Treatment:
1. Lower body temperature by immersing animal in cold water or putting cold compresses or
packs on the animal (especially in the groin, neck, chest areas)
2. Attempt to get a rectal temp of 102 within 30 - 60 minutes
3. Monitor rectal temp every 2 to 5 minutes so as not to overcool the animal
4. Stop cooling when temp = 103.5; transport ASAP to hospital where animal will be put on IV therapy
BURNS: THERMAL, CHEMICAL
Thermal Burn Symptoms:
Redness, blistering, charred skin, singed hair coat
First Aid Treatment:
1. If skin is broken and blistered, do not apply ice, water, or ointment!
2. DO apply sterile non-adherent bandage (second skin) and transport
3. If skin is not broken and blistered, apply ice packs or cold water compresses followed by an
anesthetic cream (lanacaine)
Chemical Burn Symptoms:
If fur present it may feel like thickened area under the hair coat - Animal may lick or scratch at the area - Skin may be red, blistered.
First Aid Treatment:
1. Flush areas with copious amounts of water (5 minutes!) even if the skin is broken
2. Water dilutes the chemical and helps to flush it away from the skin
3. Pad the area with wet gauze and transport ASAP
4. Try to ID the chemical
5. Do not apply topical meds
6. Do not let animal lick the area - it can lead to burns of the mouth and throat
7. If burn occurs near or in the eyes, flush with sterile saline (contact lens solution)
ELECTRICAL BURNS **** YOUR SAFETY MUST COME FIRST ****
Usually results from chewing electrical cords or being struck by lightening. Affects local tissues as well as the heart.
Symptoms:
1. May be local tissue (if chewing a cord) of the mouth or may involve deep underlying tissues
2. Full extent of tissue injury may not be evident for several weeks when all of the burned
tissue sloughs off
3. May have initial swelling as well as pulmonary edema
4. May have affected heart rate and rhythm
5. May be unconscious, not breathing, and/or without a heartbeat
First Aid Treatment:
1. If unconscious and/or not breathing or without a heartbeat, begin rescue breathing and
CPR if necessary
2. If conscious and breathing, safely move animal away from danger and transport to hospital ASAP
3. Veterinarians will monitor heart function and administer medication to prevent infection and
other side effect conditions
4. And monitor tissue damage over the next few weeks to determine if surgical
debridement is necessary
INSECT BITES
Includes bees and hornet type flying bugs, ants, spiders. Can cause an allergic reaction, locally or systematically
First Aid Treatment:
1. Locate stinger and remove with tweezers
2. Apply ice pack or cold compress
3. Monitor for infection (red skin maybe with some swelling)
4. If in doubt, check it out!
5. Monitor breathing and possibility of swelling around the face and neck or possibly hives
6. Treat these initially as a systemic allergic reaction with possibility of anaphylaxis by giving Benadryl
7. Transport ASAP if systemic reaction is occurring
8. Watch for Symptoms of toxicity over the next few days including: Excess salivation,
Irritated skin areas Painful areas Fever Rapid or difficult breathing Paleness to gums
Vomiting or diarrhea Blood in urine Stiffness or paralysis
Can carry diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme, Ehrlichia, and Babesiosis. Ticks embed only their mouth parts into the skin. It is not possible for a tick's head to get left behind in the animal's skin but it is possible for the area to become infected or irritated and swollen. Mouth parts may be left in bite area. They are "glued" into the skin when the tick attaches.
First Aid Treatment:
The best treatment is prevention - use flea/tick sprays and check the animal over after every trip into the fields or woodlands.
1. Pull the tick with constant pressure using tweezers if possible. "Ticked OFF"
2. If available, apply flea and tick spray first
3. Do not burn or apply any other chemicals to the tick while it is in the animal's skin
4. Avoid touching the tick with your bare hands and flush it down the toilet
5. Apply antibiotic ointment to the area if you would like
LYME DISEASE
Is a bacterial infection transmitted to the animal via the deer tick, which is very small, similar in size to the head of a pin?
Symptoms:
May include fever, shifting lameness, lethargy, poor appetite, kidney disease
Infection transmitted by brown ticks.
Symptoms:
May include lethargy, fever, poor appetite, anemia, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding tendencies.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER
Symptoms:
May be vague, joint pain, hemorrhages, lethargy, fever, poor appetite, lameness
Treatment:
Usually antibiotics, typically Doxycycline. Prevention is best.
Symptoms:
Blood parasite. Anemia, low platelets, may mimic autoimmune disease, bleeding, hemolytic anemia, kidney failure.
Treatment:
Imidocarbonate, an antibiotic
SNAKES ***IDENTIFY THE OFFENDING REPTILE IF POSSIBLE***
Non-poisonous:
Bite wound is usually multi-toothed and painless and usually appears superficial
First Aid Treatment:
1. Clip hair, clean wound with betadine type soap
2. Apply dry sterile bandage
3. Seek veterinary help (not an emergency) for antibiotic treatment. Snakes have extensive
bacterial flora in their mouths!
4. Observe animal closely for 6 hours, especially if the species of snake is unknown
Poisonous:
There are 3 groups of venomous snakes in North America -- Pit vipers, coral snakes, and colubrids. All are dangerous - lethality is dependent upon toxicity and amount of venom, size and health of victim, time delay between evenomation and medical intervention.
Pit Viper includes:
Water Moccasin, Cottonmouth, Copperhead, and Rattlesnake
Characterized by:
Deep pit located between the eye and nostril, elliptical pupils, retractable front fangs
First Aid Treatment:
1. Get the snake off! Pry it or burn it.
2. Keep animal calm because high heart rate will speed the flow of venom
3. If bite is on a limb, apply a tourniquet 2 - 3 inches above the bite
4. Should be able to insert 1 finger between tourniquet and animal's skin
5. If leg swells, loosen the tourniquet
6. Cut 1/2 inch through each puncture
7. Flush wound and squeeze
8. Clean with betadine and lots of water
9. Cold pack (ice)
10. Transport ASAP
11. If bite is not on a limb keep animal calm, cold pack and transport
12. Animal may develop respiratory distress or digestive upset and may become depressed,
paralyzed, comatose or may even die en route
Prevention:
Avoid them! Keep a close eye on your animal using a leash except when working. Watch for the approach of other animals whose owners are not as watchful. Watch the behavior of the two animals! If a fight occurs, do not use your hands anywhere near the faces. Use a leash or strong stick: place it through the collar of the attacker and twist it so that the collar tightens. He will release his grip. Be prepared to quickly use the stick or a two hand strong arm to keep the animal from turning on you. Use the leash as a noose when one animal has a vice grip on another, shove a stick between his jaws. He will relax only for a moment at which time you must quickly pull him off.
First Aid Treatment:
1. Thoroughly go over the animal looking for punctures, tears, or matted fur
2. Clip the hair around the wounds
3. Scrub with a betadine type soap
4. Anything over 1/2 inch should be seen by Veterinarian
5. Bites on head, limbs, and genitalia or from a larger animal may have more serious
"crushing" injuries, which will severely damage underlying tissues
6. Have it checked out! Many doctors will prescribe antibiotics
Generally associated with trauma - Must immediately restrict activity - May also involve internal bleeding or other life threatening injuries.
Symptoms:
1. Obvious break with bone exposed => compound or open fracture
2. Non-weight bearing on that limb
3. Swollen limb or area of leg
4. Painful, does not resolve with time
5. Fractures of ribs are usually associated with difficulty breathing
First aid treatment:
1. MUZZLE (only if the dog is NOT having trouble breathing, or vomiting) Fractures are VERY PAINFUL
2. Wrap dog in a blanket or a towel to restrict movement
3. Use newspaper folded to gently support the injured limb
4. Place dog on a board, crate pan or crate bottom (Vari-Kennel) and transport ASAP
Result from barbed wire, fighting. A hematoma is a hemorrhage under the skin, usually results from severe head shaking (itchy ears). Torn ears will bleed profusely. Head shaking leads to more bleeding
First aid Treatment:
1. Cold wet compresses applied quickly and firmly to ear flap
2. Bandage up over the head - bandage right around the head and neck (not too tight!)
3. If hematoma, see a Veterinarian for treatment (not an emergency)
FISH HOOK INJURIES
If the hook has been ingested -- do not pull on line! It is likely to get caught and do internal damage. Go to Veterinarian, ASAP. If the hook is in the lip, mouth or body, push hook through skin, cut barb with wire cutters, and back rest of hook out.
BLOAT GDV: GASTRIC DILATATION VOLVULUS
***** This is a serious emergency*****
Characterized by distention of stomach with gas or fluid or both. It is a rotation of the stomach which seals off blood supply = volvulus or torsion depending on the axis of rotation. Bloat is extremely painful and is fatal if not treated immediately (within 1 hour!). It often traps the spleen as well. Causes are many but may include: anatomic predisposition or anomalies, dry food with excess water, exercise closely associated with feeding
Physiology of the Condition:
Blood return to heart decreases, cardiac output decreases, cardiac arrythmias may follow. Toxins build up in the dying tissues of the stomach lining. Liver, pancreas, small bowel are also compromised. Shock from low blood pressure and endotoxins rapidly develops. Sometimes stomach ruptures leading to peritonitis.
Symptoms ( may include some or all):
1. Attempts at belching
2. Increased gas noises from abdomen
3. Retching or dry heaves
4. Distended abdomen (not always visible)
5. Restlessness, pacing, crying, stretching out on floor
6. Anxiety followed by depression
7. Collapse
8. Whites of eyes get red as blood vessels dilate
9. Increased respiration rate
First Aid Treatment:
1. Call ahead to hospital so they will be prepared for immediate action and surgery if necessary
2. Veterinarian will attempt to decompress the stomach and treat for shock
Suggestions for prevention (not guaranteed but will increase odds!):
1. Feed two or three small meals daily instead of one
2. Discourage rapid eating
3. Do not exercise within 2 hours of a meal
4. Give water in small amounts when associated with food or exercise
Symptoms:
1. Usually associated with trauma.
2. Flow of blood helps determine origin Spurting-arterial Flowing-venous - Blood loss can
cause shock and death
First Aid Treatment:
1. Direct pressure on the wound with sterile or clean padding
2. Pressure bandage
3. Pressure points, limited to legs hold off artery
4. Tourniquet, last resort if applied must transport ASAP.
Symptoms:
1. Rapid heart rate, greater than 160 beats per minute
2. Pale or blue gums
3. General weakness
4. Collapse
First Aid Treatment:
1. Breathing? Any obstruction to airway?
2. Bleeding? Control
3. Heart rate?
4. Broken bones?
5. Correct worst problem first, CPR, control bleeding
6.calm animal, keep warm, and transport ASAP
INJURIES TO THE SKIN
Injuries to the skin are commonly associated with some type of trauma:
Lacerations -- (cuts) from sharp objects.
Abrasions -- (scrapes) like road burns.
Punctures -- blunt objects, projectiles.
Burns.
Symptoms:
1. Damage to skin
2. Openings through skin, exposing tissue below
3. Bleeding
First Aid Treatment:
1. Abrasions, clean area if dirty and apply topical antibiotic
2. Lacerations clean (irrigate) stop bleeding, protection of area, if sutures are needed to vet.
3. Punctures, cover and protect, stop bleeding, see vet if you believe there is anything inside of wound.
4. Wounds involving chest may compromise respiratory function if chest cavity is invaded.
"Sucking" chest wound -- cover with non-porous material, and transport
5. Tail wounds bandage and tape to fur.
6. Sutures usually required if wound is more that 1/2 - 1 inch long or gaping.
PAD INJURIES
Trauma -- sharp objects, abrasions
Foreign objects -- grass awns, metal, glass
Torn or broken nails
Symptoms:
1. Sudden or gradual lameness (could also be higher in leg)
2. Blood from foot
First Aid Treatment:
1. Pad lacerations -- Clean and bandage transport to suture if needed
2. Torn nail -- Clip loose pieces, bandage
3. Abraded pad -- Apply protective agent and bandage
4. Foreign objects, thorns, metal, glass -- Remove and bandage
EYE INJURIES
Types of Injuries:
1. Environmental, wind, water, dust
2. Traumatic, branches, falls
3. Foreign material, dirt, plant material
Symptoms:
1. Eyes red and runny
2. Mucus discharge
3. Squinting
4. Pawing at eye
First Aid Treatment:
1. Rinse eyes if there is no apparent corneal injury
2. Apply topical ophthalmic antibiotic
3. If cornea appears cloudy, blue or cut/scratched/perforated, protect eye from rubbing and
further injury (e-collar) and transport to vet for treatment.
4. Foreign material in area around eyeball may be able to be removed with q-tip
FOREIGN BODIES
Can occur at almost any region of body. Porcupine quills, splinters, grass awns (seeds) fishhooks, bones and sticks in mouth. Ears, eyes, skin, in nose, ingested.
Symptoms:
1. Obvious object in body part
2. Rubbing eyes, shaking head, lameness
3. Vomiting, diarrhea
First Aid Treatment:
1. Remove foreign object if possible
2. Cutting shaft of porcupine quill will allow it to deflate
3. If unable to remove will need to see vet
4. Fish hook, pad additional hooks before trying to remove. Push barb thru skin and cut barb off.
Then back rest of hook out.
5. Clean and apply topical antibiotic.
ALLERGIC REACTIONS
Insect bites / stings - Food, dust, toxic plants (nettles) - Drugs and chemicals
Symptoms:
1. Itchy, scratching, rashes, urticaria (hives), swelling of head / face / throat
2. Sneezing, runny eyes, reverse sneeze
3. Vomiting, diarrhea,
4. Difficulty breathing
First Aid Treatment:
1. If topical, wash off and apply topical Benedryl or calamine lotion
2. Administer antihistamines, Benadryl (1mg per pound)
3. Vomiting, diarrhea, bland diet and pepto bismol.
Diet - Food poisoning; dietary indiscretions.
First Aid Treatment:
1. Take temperature. If over 103, prompt treatment
2. If abdominal pain or "bloating" seek vet ASAP
3. Check for dehydration, gums sticky, skin "tents" when pulled up and released
4. Vomiting, pepto bismol, withhold water for 4-6 hours, food for 6-12 hours
5. Small amounts of water when offered. Wait 30-60 minutes and if no further vomiting,
may offer more.
6. Bland diet, boiled Hamburg, chicken, turkey and boiled rice, or pasta. Mix 50:50 and offer
small amounts 1/2 - 1 cup at a time.
7. If vomiting and / or diarrhea are protracted, seek veterinary attention.
Symptoms:
1. Not breathing, water immersion, lifeless.
First Aid Treatment:
1. Artificial respiration, mouth to nose with animal's mouth closed.
2. Compress chest to expel water
3. Check throat for obstruction
4. Keep head down to try to get rid of water.
Rare in animals unless foreign material, bones, sticks, grass, water (drowning)
Symptoms:
1. Coughing, gagging,
2. Increased breathing sounds
3. Gasping for breath
4. Sudden collapse, blue gums, no breathing
First Aid Treatment:
1. Try to check and clear any material from animal's throat
2. Try to calm animal
3. Artificial respiration / CPR Transport to vet ASAP
Various sources, ingestion, inhalation -Dead animals, plants, most animals will not eat caustics. Antifreeze - Pest baits, -Sitting in car or truck with engine running (carbon monoxide)
Symptoms:
1. None to caustic burns to vomiting and diarrhea.
2. Difficulty breathing
3. Unconsciousness
4. Depression, cherry red gums, muscle twitch (carbon monoxide)
First Aid Treatment:
1. Induce vomiting.
Hydrogen peroxide 1-2 tbsp (DOG), 1 tsp (Cat) hydrogen peroxide, orally, repeat in 10 minutes
up to 3 times.
2. Delay absorption, egg whites, milk, vegetable oil, and activated charcoal
3. Wash poison off coat and skin
4. Antifreeze -- Induce vomiting; give grain alcohol and transport to vet
5. Chocolate, contains stimulant that can cause heart failure, seizures
6. Carbon monoxide, move to fresh air, artificial respiration
Various causes, neurological problem. Can occur from excitement, metabolic problems, drugs, and trauma, organic Brain disorders, infections, high temperature.
Symptoms:
1. Involuntary twitching, stumbling, convulsions, in-coordination
2. Animal may seek out owner prior to seizure
First Aid Treatment:
1. Try to prevent animal from injuring self or others
2. May try to calm animal down if seizure not severe
3. If temperature high, cool down.
4. If seizures continue, need to transport to vet
HYPOTHERMIA, FROSTBITE
Prolonged exposure to cold air and cold water temperatures
Symptoms:
1. Sluggish
2. Low body temperature
3. Weakness
4. Frostbite, usually on ears, tail, nose
First Aid Treatment:
1. Wrap animal in blanket, and warm with gentle heat
2. Frostbite. Warm frozen areas with moist heat.
SKUNK ODOR REMOVAL FORMULA
A formula for neutralizing skunk spray developed by Illinois chemist Paul Krebaum: 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda 1 teaspoon of liquid soap. Apply it to the sprayed areas, then wash off with tap water. The solution must be mixed as needed; it can't be contained in a bottle.
FIRST AID KIT
1. Information: your name and emergency contact person as well as your animals Veterinarian
and vaccination history (especially copy of rabies certificate!)
2. Gauze sponges 3x3 or 4x4
3. #30 - Gauze bandage roll
4. Vet wrap
5. Small pair of panty hose
6. 1-inch adhesive tape
7. Sterile pads such as Telfa
8. Nonstick pads such as Second Skin or New Skin for burns
9. Antibiotic ointment
10. Betadine
11. Rubbing alcohol or alcohol wipes
12. Eye wash or contact lens saline solution for eye rinse
13. KY jelly or Vaseline
14. Bandage scissors
15. Tweezers or forceps
16. Hemostats
17. Wire cutters or "Leatherman" tool (has pliers, wire cutters, knife, etc.)
18. Ziploc Baggies for ice packs
19. Old wash clothes for washing big areas
20. Oral syringe
21. Latex gloves
22. Thermal or heat packs - Commercial ice packs like those used for sports injuries
23. Splints or you can use sticks or newspaper
24. Nail clipper
25. Bulb syringe
26. Rectal thermometer
27. Cotton swabs and cotton balls
28. Safety pins - Triangular arm bandage = cravat
29. Razor blade or 22g needle for splinters
Medicines:
1. Honey
2. Pepto bismol tablets 1 tablet per 40lbs
3. Pepto liquid 65 lb dog: 3-4 tablespoons every 6 hrs
4. Benadryl [1-2 mg/lb every 8 hrs] 65lb dog: (2-4) 25mg tabs every 8 Hrs
5. Aspirin [5mg per lb every 12 hrs] (1) 325mg tab per 40 lb, every 12 hrs
6. Hydrogen peroxide (10-30ml) every 10-15 min to induce vomiting
7. Imodium 1 capsule per 40 lbs every 12 hours for diarrhea
SUGGESTIONS FOR DOG KIT (CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN):
1. Ear cleaner such as Chlorhexiderm Flush or Otomax
2. Panalog type ointment for hot spots or ear infections
3. Cortisone type spray such as Hydro Plus
4. Eye ointment for emergencies
USEFUL CONVERSION:
1 TSP = 5 ml (usually how measurement is made on a syringe)
1 TBSP = 15ml
NORMAL VALUES:
Temp. = 99.5 - 102.2 F (Dog) 100-101.5 F (Cat)
Pulse = 60 - 120 beats per minute
Respiration = 14 - 22 per minute
Page last updated on July 14, 2009