The curious and energetic nature of our pets often leads to unexpected accidents and injuries. Today, we delve into the topic of first aid for our furry friends.
What to Include in a Cat or Dog First Aid Kit
It pays to be prepared for minor pet injuries to occur, so our team at Carolina Veterinary Specialists has put together a list of essential items to have on-hand in your pet first aid kit. Keeping the following items in a toolbox or another case helps to ensure that they are easy to get to if your dog or cat gets injured.
- Latex gloves
- Cotton swabs or cotton balls
- Antiseptic lotion, powder, or spray
- Hand sanitizer or wipes
- Instant hot and cold packs
- Alcohol swabs
- Penlight or flashlight
- Nonstick and waterproof adhesive tape to secure bandages
- Grease-cutting dish soap
- Tweezers
- Sterile gauze pads and bandages
- Hydrocortisone cream 3%
- Blunt-tipped scissors or razor for cutting hair and bandages
- Splints and tongue depressors
- Styptic liquid to stop minor bleeding
- Antibiotic ointment
- Blanket, carrier, or leash to secure your pet
- Rectal thermometer
- Copy of rabies vaccination
- Water in case of dehydration
- Lubricating jelly
- Copy of medical records
- Turkey baster, rubber bulb syringe, or dosing
Basic Animal First Aid for Dogs & Cats
If you need to perform first aid for pets, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Remember that your safety comes first! Even the nicest pets may bite or severely scratch their beloved owners when they're hurt, so it's best to be careful. Vets, vet techs and many other staff working in veterinary hospitals have the training and skill to safely deal with hurt and anxious pets. If you are unsure about your ability to apply first aid safely, contact a veterinarian for help determining your best course of action.
- Press a clean, thick pad of gauze over any cuts or scrapes, and keep your hand on the wound until the blood starts to clot. Keep the pressure on for at least three minutes before checking to see if the blood is clotting.
- Keep the pet as quiet and warm as you can and contact your vet for guidance.
- If you think the pet has broken bones you will need to get your pet to the vet as quickly as possible. Contact your veterinary clinic, or the nearest animal emergency hospital for advice on how to keep your dog or cat as comfortable as possible as you travel to the hospital.
- Remember that any first aid you give your pet should be followed by veterinary care right away. First aid care is not the same as veterinary care, but it could save your pet's life until it can see a vet.
- Some animal hospitals that treat emergencies have ambulances. Call your vet to find out how to move an injured animal based on your specific situation.
CPR for Cats & Dogs
It is always best to contact your veterinarian for assistance if your pet's heart and breathing have stopped. But if a vet is unable to help you right away it may be possible to perform CPR on your pet.
- Remove any obstacles. Open the animal's mouth and make sure its air passage is clear. If not, remove the object blocking the airway.
- Extend the head and give the dog or cat a few fake breaths.
- For large dogs, close the dog's mouth tightly and breathe into the nose. The dog's chest should raise. Give 2 breaths at a time
- You may be able to cover the nose and mouth of small dogs and cats with your mouth while breathing. The chest of the animal should rise. Take two deep breaths.
- Chest compressions
- Large dogs may be able to be positioned on their backs and their chest compressed in the same way that humans do.
- You may need to lay the animal on its side and compress the side of the rib cage for small dogs and cats, as well as large dogs with funnel chests. You could also turn the animal on its back and press on both sides of the rib cage.
- The rate of chest compressions varies depending on the cat or dog's size.
- Dogs over 60 pounds: 60 compressions per minute.
- Animals between 11 and 60 pounds: 80-100 compressions per minute
- Animals 10 pounds or less: 120 compressions per minute.
- Alter your breaths with compressions. The compression-to-breath ratio should be similar to that of humans - 30:2. Repeat until the animal responds or begins to breathe on its own.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.