One Voice for Animals UK Guest Blog by RVC
The RVC First Aid Guide for pet owners is an aid for emergency situations, but is not intended to replace veterinary advice that is specific to your pet.
If you have any concerns regarding your pet, it is best to speak to a veterinary practice as soon as possible.
The First Aid Guide for Your Pet leaflet was produced with the help of the RVC’s charity, the Animal Care Trust (ACT). The ACT raises funds to support projects across the RVC aiming to improve and develop veterinary medicine. We work very closely with the RVC’s hospitals, making sure they have the best, most up-to-date equipment possible. We also organise events like Pet First Aid Days to help people understand first aid for their pets to try to ensure the best possible outcomes.
There are all sorts of ways you can help us support the advancement of veterinary medicine from simply donating to taking part in events and challenges. To learn more, or to sign up to our newsletter, see RVC Animal Care Trust, call us on 01707 666237 or e-mail act@rvc.ac.uk.
What to do if...
Your pet is bleeding:
Gently feel over your pet with clean hands and try to see where the blood is coming from
If there is an obvious wound, then put firm pressure over it with a clean tea towel, towel or bandaging material
Try to keep your pet calm
Call the vet and give them details of what you have found
Transport your pet to your vet practice for full assessment if recommended to do so. If possible, bring someone to look after the pet whilst it is in transit
Your pet has been hit by a vehicle:
Stay safe, only go to your pet if you are not endangering yourself or others.
Any vet will see you in an emergency, even if you are not registered with them.
Check your pet is breathing and assess for any wounds
If your pet is in pain, they might bite when moved, so take care
Ask for help: you may need other people to stop traffic or make phone calls for you
Gently move your pet out of the road. Use a blanket or towel or the parcel shelf of a car
Ring your vets or the nearest vet practice and let them know when your pet was hit, what injuries you can see and when you will arrive. If you cannot safely move your pet, ask the vet for advice
Go immediately to a vet practice, even if you cannot see any obvious injuries, internal injuries can be present and can be very serious
Your pet collapses:
There are many possible causes of collapse including heart and breathing problems, and exposure to toxins.
You should:
Call your pet’s name and see if they respond to you
If they do not respond and are paddling (moving their paws randomly) they may be having a seizure/fit (see panel below)
Check whether your pet is breathing normally
Let your vet know you are coming.
Check whether your pet is having breathing problems and if it is responding to you
If your pet cannot stand, they should be taken to the vet immediately
Keep your pet calm and warm (cover with a blanket) on the journey
Your pet has a fracture/broken bone:
If your pet has a swollen limb, a limb that looks abnormal or is suddenly very lame, they may have broken a bone.
Take them to a vet practice immediately (ringing first if possible)
Do not give your pet any painkillers that you may have at home (human nor animal)
Do not try and splint or bandage the limb, this could be very painful
Be aware that a pet in pain, even a very loving one, may bite
Your pet is having a seizure/fit:
If they are paddling (moving their paws randomly) and don’t respond, they may be having a seizure.
Call your pet’s name and see if they respond to you
Filming a seizure and noting how long it lasts can be useful for your vet
You do not need to hold a seizing animal or prevent them biting their tongue
Clear the area they are in and wait until the seizure finishes
If it does not finish after two minutes your pet should be taken to a vet practice immediately
After the seizure has stopped, keep your pet quiet and ring your vet for advice
Your pet may want to move around which is normal. Be aware that they may be disorientated and/or blind so try to keep them contained in a clear and safe area
Your pet is not breathing:
Call for help
Get another person to call your vet or a nearby vet practice
It is important to get your pet to your vet practice or an emergency vet as soon as possible so they can help your pet
Call your pet’s name and stroke them firmly
Check your pet’s airway for obstructions
If there is no response carefully look at them for 10 seconds to check they have not taken a breath
You can try administering a breath into your pet’s nostrils while holding their mouth closed. Sadly, this is very unlikely to be successful.
Your pet has been bitten:
Often animals are bite victims – either from another pet or from a wild animal such as a fox. Wounded animals can be aggressive so proceed with extra care.
Carefully examine and feel your pet to see if they have any wounds
If they are bleeding see panel above
Transport your pet to the nearest vet practice immediately for assessment as some injuries may not be externally obvious
Your pet has been bitten by a snake or stung by an insect:
Often you just hear your pet cry out suddenly or be unaware of the original incident occurring at all. You may notice swelling of your pet’s face or limb or that your pet is suddenly lame.
If you see the snake or insect, try to take a photo or remember what it looked like for identification
Do not try to apply a tourniquet to an affected limb
Do not attempt to remove a sting yourself
Be aware that a pet in pain, even a very loving one, may bite
Contact your vet as soon as possible for advice
Your pet has been burned:
The most common forms of burn suffered by pets are water scalds, burns from fire (debris from open fire) or household appliances.
Move the pet safely away from the heat source
If your pet has been exposed to: apply running cool water (hose or shower) to the affected area while someone rings your vet practice on your behalf
scalding water
heat source
strong sunshine (i.e. sunburn)
If a chemical burn is suspected e.g. due to kitchen/ bathroom products, then ring your vet practice for advice as how to manage this will depend on the product
If it is advised that you should flush the product off the skin with water, then take care not to allow any product to splash into your pet’s eyes
Preventing sunburn:
Animals can also get sunburnt – particularly those with white fur. If your pet is at risk, it is best to apply animal sun cream.
Your pet has become impaled:
If your pet runs onto, or falls onto, an object such as a fence or a stick, they can become impaled on it.
If your pet has some foreign material sticking out of them, such as a stick, do not remove this
If they cannot be moved without removing the foreign material then be prepared for them to bleed when it is removed (see panel above if "Your pet is bleeding")
Transport them to the nearest vet practice immediately for full assessment
Your pet is suffering from heat exposure:
Pets can suffer from heatstroke after being trapped in a hot place, such as a car, or having exercised in hot weather, particularly if they are not used to this.
If you suspect heatstroke, move your pet to a cool place
If you have a fan or air conditioning, use these or wet your pet with cool water
Call your vet practice and follow their advice on how to cool your pet
If you have a thermometer, check your pet’s temperature. Most dogs and cats have a rectal temperature of 37.8-38.7°C
Transport your pet to your vet practice as soon as possible if advised to do so
Use the air conditioning or open the car windows during transportation
Your pet is suffering from cold exposure:
Many pets will cope well with cold weather.
If your pet feels cold to the touch, wrap them in a blanket during transport and make sure the ambient temperature is warm, but do not try to actively heat them up
If your pet shows any sign of lethargy, they should be taken to your vet practice immediately for full assessment.
Your pet has eaten something toxic:
If you are unsure if something your pet has eaten is toxic, ring your vet practice.
If they advise the product is toxic, you will need to attend the practice immediately.
Note the time your pet ate the toxin, the amount/ quantity of toxin if known, and also take any packaging you have. If your pet is sick, try to see if any of the toxic product is in the vomit.
Common causes of poisoning:
Raisins
Grapes
Chocolate
Lily flowers (cats)
Garlic
Onion
Paracetamol
Ibruprofen
Slug bait
Rat bait
Anti-freeze
Mouldy food
Xylotol sweetner (often found in sweets or chewing gum)
Your pet has eaten a non-food item:
Check your pet is breathing and is not choking on the item
Call your vet practice immediately for advice
Depending on the size and material of the object ingested, they may advise that you come to the practice to make your pet sick to prevent it causing an obstruction or another problem
Do not try to make your pet sick at home
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