|
|
|
| BITE WOUNDS |
|
| Treatment/Action |
Approach the pet carefully to avoid getting bitten.
Muzzle the animal. Clean the wound with large amounts of
water. Wrap large open wounds to keep them clean. Apply
pressure to profusely bleeding wounds. Bite wounds often become
infected and need professional care.
Call veterinarian. |
|
|
| BLEEDING |
|
| Treatment/Action |
Apply firm, direct pressure over the bleeding area until the
bleeding stops. Avoid bandages that cut off circulation.
Call veterinarian immediately. |
|
|
| BREATHING |
|
| Treatment/Action |
Check to see if the animal is choking on a foreign object
(see choking).
If an object is removed from the throat and the animal still is not
breathing, place the animal with its right side down. Close the
animal's mouth and exhale directly into the nose, not mouth, until the
chest expands. Cover the nose with a handkerchief or a thin cloth if
preferred. Exhale 12 to 15 times per minute. At the same time,
apply heart massage with the other hand. The heart is located in the
lower half of the chest behind the elbow of the front left leg.
Place hand over the heart and compress the chest 1 to 2 inches for large
animals, 1 inch for small animals. Apply heart massage 70-90 times
per minute.
Call veterinarian immediately. |
|
|
| BURNS |
|
| Treatment/Action |
Singed hair, blistering, swelling, redness of skin
Flush burn area immediately with large amounts of cold water.
Apply ice pack for 15-20 minutes.
Call veterinarian immediately. |
|
|
| CHOKING |
|
| Treatment/Action |
Difficulty breathing, excessive pawing at mouth, blue lips
& tongue.
Look into the mouth to see if foreign object in throat is
visible. Clear the airway by removing the object with pliers or
tweezers being careful not to push it farther down the throat. If
the object remains lodged, place your hands on both sides of the animal's
rib cage, and apply firm, quick pressure. Or place the animal on its
side and strike the side of the rib cage firmly with the palm of your hand
3 or 4 times. Repeat this procedure until the object is dislodged.
Call veterinarian immediately. (See breathing). |
|
|
| DIARRHEA |
|
| Treatment/Action |
Withhold food for 12-24 hours. Give ice cubes only.
Call veterinarian. |
|
|
| FOREIGN OBJECTS
IMBEDDED |
| Treatment/Action |
Porcupine quills - sharp, hollow shafts
Quill cannot be pulled out without anesthesia
Call veterinarian.
Foxtails - barbed seed sometimes visible in eye, nose, mouth, throat,
or skin
Foxtails cause severe irritation, and are usually too deep to remove
without general anesthetic.
Call veterinarian. |
|
|
| FRACTURES |
|
| Treatment/Action |
Pain, inability to use leg
Muzzle animal and control bleeding. Watch for any sign of
shock. DO NOT TRY TO RESET A FRACTURE. Transport the animal to
the veterinarian immediately using a stretcher. |
|
|
| HEAT STROKE |
|
| Treatment/Action |
Rapid or difficulty breathing, vomiting, high body
temperature, collapse
Place animal in a tub of cold water, gently soak with a garden hose or
wrap in a cold wet towel.
Call veterinarian immediately. |
|
|
| INSECT BITES |
|
| Treatment/Action |
Onset of swelling, itching and pain within one hour of bite.
Remove stinger and apply cold packs. If isolated from veterinary
care, a topical cortisone or an anti-inflammatory ointment can be rubbed
on area of bite. A previously prescribed antihistamine may be given
orally. |
|
|
| POISONING |
|
| Treatment/Action |
Vomiting, convulsions, diarrhea, salivation, weakness,
depression, pain
Write down what the pet ingested and how much. Immediately call
the veterinarian or poison control center. Do no induce vomiting or
attempt treatment without direction from the doctor. In the case of
poisoning on the fur/skin from oils, paints or chemicals, wash the animal
with mild soap and rinse well.
Call veterinarian. |
|
|
| SEIZURES |
|
| Treatment/Action |
Salivation, loss of control of urine or stool. Violent
muscle twitching, loss of consciousness
Move pet away from any objects that could be harmful. Use a
blanket for padding and protection. Do not put yourself at risk by
restraining the animal during the seizure. Time the seizure; it
usually lasts only 2 or 3 minutes. Afterwards keep the animal calm,
quiet and cool.
Call veterinarian immediately. |
|
|
| SHOCK |
|
| Treatment/Action |
Irregular breathing, dilated pupils
May occur with serious injury or fright. Keep animal gently
restrained, quiet and warm with head elevated.
Call veterinarian immediately. |
|
|
| SNAKE BITE |
|
| Treatment/Action |
Rapid swelling, skin puncture, pain, weakness, shock
Stop all exercise to prevent spread of venom. Clean area.
Many poisons damage nerves or body tissue on contact.
Call veterinarian immediately. |
|
|
| VOMITING |
|
| Treatment/Action |
Withhold food for 12-24 hours. Give ice cubes for two
hours after vomiting stops. Then slowly increase the amount of water
and foods given over a 24 hour period.
Call veterinarian. |
