first aid in dogs and cats

Question 1

basic first aid is

Answer 1

treatment performed before the pet gets to a vet for defintive care

Question 2

priority is

Answer 2

safety of all parties involved

Question 3

DR ABC

Answer 3

danger
response
airway
breathing
circulation

Question 4

danger

Answer 4

• to any party involved
• scan environment for hazards
• approach calmly and cautiously
• animals may be painful/ terrified

Question 5

response

Answer 5

• level of consciousness (LOC)
• responsive to movement/ touch/ sound
• if trauma suspected; spinal injuries?
• decreased LOC; may still bite

Question 6

airway

Answer 6

• in non responsive check airway
• increased noise? prolonged phase?
• lower mandible, pull tongue
• 2 finger swipe (5s) remove foreign material

Question 7

breathing
- what is ventilation, how do you calculate
- what is apnoea
- what is agonal

Answer 7

• ventilation= amount of air in and out= resp rate/ min x volume
• apnoea= no breathing
• agonal breathing= infrequent gasping, unconscious
• apnoea/ agonal + unconscious –> start CPR
• watch rate, listen for noises, look for depth
• head/neck extended? elbows out?
• are gums purple or blue?

Question 8

circulation

Answer 8

• signs of altered perfusion? may be shock
• decreased LOC
• abnormal mucous membrane colour and CRT
• weak pulse
• feet cold
• if no pulse + unconscious + apnoeic/ agonal –> CPR

Question 9

what perfusion parameters tell us about circulation

Answer 9

• mentation changes
• mucous membrane colour
• CRT
• heart rate (not always equal to pulse rate)
• pulse quality
• extremity temp

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Question 10

what is shock?
whats a common type of shock

Answer 10

any state where cell metabolic demands are not met
- results in cumulative oxygen debt and organ dysfunction
- circulatory shock = inadequate perfusion –> insufficient flow
- circulatory shock v common type

Question 11

Dr abcD, what does D stand for

Answer 11

disability
ie mentation/ LOC, pupils, posture, seizures, paresis/ paralysis

Question 12

other indications for immediate care

Answer 12

• large firm bladder or rapidly distending abdomen
• uterine or rectal prolapse, priapism
• open fractures
• haemorrhage
• labor/ dystocia
• suspended toxicity
• temp extremes

Question 13

what should you do first aid wise if theres a seizure

Answer 13

• don’t get bitten, hands away form mouth
• move animal away from danger
• video episode, call vet
• if epileptic ask owner if they have rescue drugs
• behaviour changes may occur before and after
• if lasts longer than 3 mins medical emergency and transport

Question 14

first aid for fractures

Answer 14

• very painful so muzzle if breathing ok
• no meds without vet advice
• if active hemorrhage –> pressure
• protect from environment, don’t need to splint
• transport immediately

Question 15

haemorrhage first aid

Answer 15

• muzzle if breathing ok
• arterial vs venous
• direct pressure
• don’t disrupt clot
• if bleeds through apply more ON TOP
• elevate above heart
• remain calm, call for help for transport

Question 16

when should a tourniquet be used

Answer 16

• life threatening arterial (pulsatile) haemorrhage only
• no response to direct pressure
• likely result in disability/ amputation
• apply proximally to severe extremity (not neck)
• use wide material, twist with stick
• twist until bleeding stops, relieve every 15-20 mins for 15-20 seconds

Question 17

spinal injuries

Answer 17

• don’t get bitten
• flat board to keep spine in alignment
• hold in place w straps/ rolled towel
• don’t apply pressure to neck
• maintain at 15-30 degrees
• don’t fight animal that is thrashing
• transport immediately

Question 18

heatstroke first aid

Answer 18

• heat generated greater than ability to dissipate heat
• more likely on hot humid days
• dogs mainly dissipate heat through panting so bracycephalic breeds are high risk
• cold water for 10-15 mins, get to vet
• do NOT wrap in wet towels, apply ice packs, hose mouth

Question 19

penetrating foreign bodies first aid

Answer 19

• do not remove object
• do not apply pressure to/ move object
• apply padding around object, prevent movement
• call vet, transport
• if swallowed fish hoot, secure end of line

Question 20

first aid head trauma

Answer 20

• may be painful, don’t get bitten
• avoid pressure on ventral neck
• care manipulating neck
• spinal precautions
• transport immediately

Question 21

muzzles

Answer 21

• NOT for breathing changes/ vomiting/ loss of consciousness/ heat
• commercial vs handmade
• must be monitored

Question 22

poison/ toxin first aid

Answer 22

• call vet FIRST
• vomiting indicated if; recent ingestion, appropriate level of consciousness and substance not caustic or sharp

Question 23

what should first aid kit include

Answer 23

• digital thermometer
• gauze, adhesive
• light bandage material
• washing soda crystals
• gloves
• bandage scissors
• tweezers
• antiseptic cream
• chlorohexidine scrub
• irrigation saline
• tick remover
• vets number

Question 24

transport

Answer 24

• call ahead
• ensure safety first
• drive safely

Question 25

what happens during cardiopulmonary arrest

Answer 25

- heart stops beating effectively, stops breathing effectively - loss of blood flow to tissue beds= not enough oxygen to vital organs - rapidly causes injury to brain and heart

Question 26

signs of impending arrest

Answer 26

- collapse - irregular breathing - opisthotonus (stretching out) - mydriasis (dilated pupils)

Question 27

signs of arrest

Answer 27

sudden collapse/ LOC, no/agonal breaths

Question 28

if arrest occurs, what should you do

Answer 28

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

Question 29

CAB (circulation, airway, breathing) check

Answer 29

- take less than 10-15 s - confirm unconscious and agonal/ apnoeic - gently shake dog, call name, look for chest wall movement - if not responsive, perform visual check of upper airway, remove debris

Question 30

check compressions, how fast and hard

Answer 30

- 100-120 compressions/ min (around 2 per second) - half to third of chest depth - arms straight, hinge at hips, don't lean

Question 31

even the best chest compressions only give

Answer 31

30% of normal cardiac output

Question 32

cardiac pump theory

Answer 32

compressions directly over heart - whippets (keel chested), small dogs and cats

Question 33

thoracic pump theory

Answer 33

- compressions over widest part of chest - obese small dogs, obese cats, big barrel chested dogs

Question 34

mouth to snout ventilation

Answer 34

- firmly hold pets mouth closed - extend neck to align w spine - make seal over the nostrils w your mouth and blow firmly - watch chest inflate as you give breaths

Question 35

single rescuer basic life support (BLS)

Answer 35

30:2 technique - 30 compressions - 2 breaths

Question 36

two rescuer BLS

Answer 36

- 30 chest compressions - other person 2 breaths - switch every 2 mins