Pets can get into things very easily and sometimes require first aid, but what is pet first aid? Our Brookhaven Animal Hospital vets will give you a guide to pet first aid.
First Aid For Pets
You love your pets and want to keep them with you, so it is important to know how to handle a health emergency so that you can stabilize them to get them to a vet.
First aid for pets is similar to first aid for a human. Use the “Dr. ABCs”
Danger – You need to keep yourself and others around you safe.
Response – Make sure to check if your pet responds to their name or touch.
Airway – Are they choking? Is their airway clear?
Breathing – are they breathing?
Circulation – Do they have a pulse or heartbeat?
Send – It is time to send someone to ask for help!
CPR For Pets
The first concern is always are they breathing. Brain damage and death happen quickly if they are not breathing. For cats and dogs, the process is similar to the process of humans.
- Check if they are breathing and try to find a heartbeat.
- If they are not breathing check the air passage is unobstructed.
- If there is no heartbeat begin chest compression at around 100 to 120 compression per minute.
- Do 30 compression and give rescue breaths.
- Close the pet's mouth and breath through its nose.
- Check every 2 minutes for a heartbeat/independent breathing.
First Aid Kit For Pets
A pet first aid kit is not that different from a human first aid kit.
- Bandages
- Blunt-ended scissors
- Tweezers
- Vinyl gloves
- Wound dressing
- Self-adhesive tape
- Antiseptic wipes
- Foil blanket
- A blanket to use as a stretcher or to immobilize them.
Summary
Remember “Dr. ABCs”. CPR for most pets is like the human version but breath through their nose. Use common sense and best judgment. When in doubt, call your emergency vet clinic
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.