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Helpful First Aid Knowledge and TipsTemperatureNormal 100.0 to 102.5 FCheck rectally with thermometerFeel ear flaps, skin on the belly or groinCold wet nose doesn’t indicate normal or abnormalHyperthermiaCauses: infection, inflammation, pain, heat strokeIf temp exceeds 105 F, get to DVM ASAP!HypothermiaCauses: shock, low blood pressure, being in cold water for prolonged period of time, wet fur/skinIf less than 95 F, get to DVM ASAP!PulseNormal 60 to 120 beats per minute for large breeds; 100-140 for small breedsPlace flattened hand on lower left side of chest behind left armpitCheck pulses on inner thigh (groin) of either back legUse timer or smartphone to count out 15 seconds. Count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply by 4 for beats per minute.TachycardiaCauses: exercise, excitement, stress, pain, heart or lung disease, shock, infection, dehydration, anemiaBradycardia Causes: hypothermia, over sedation, heart disease, underlying disease, athletic conditioningWith either condition – monitor for shortness of breath, weakness, staggering, confusion, dizziness, fainting and/or collapse. See DVM ASAP if this happens RespirationNormal 10-35 breaths per minute (in normal resting non-panting dog)Please hand on side of chest and feel the rise and fall of each breath.1 rise and fall = 1 breath. Count number of breaths in 15 seconds and multiply by 4. This equals the breaths per minuteIf greater than 35 per minute WHILE SLEEPING, take pet to your veterinarian ASAP for possible respiratory or heart diseaseIf extremely heavy, hard panting, weakness, ataxia – possible heatstroke, pain or other disease. Go to veterinarian ASAP.AirwayBlocked or notIf pet unconscious, feel in mouth for obstruction to remove (do NOT do if awake)Heimlich ManeuverAbdominal thrusts or back blows to dislodge foreign objectPlace hand on each side of ribcage, apply quick firm pressure in 3-4 bursts until (hopefully) object dislodgedBreathingNormal or Abnormal?Are they acting restless, distressed, louder breathing sounds, shallow breaths, coughing, etcIf they are NOT choking but not breathing or getting air perform mouth to snout (small dogs/cats) or mouth over nostrils (larger dogs) resuscitation. Ensure their mouth is closed. Place your mouth over theirs and exhale into their nostrils. Watch for the rise and fall of their chest every time you give them a breath.CirculationHeart rate (see Pulse section above)Heart rhythm (regular or irregular)Oral gum color (aka mucous membrane color)Color of gums in the mouth. We usually check above upper teeth. More difficult in dogs with pigmented gums. Pink is the normal color.Pale pink, whitish – anemia, shockBlue – poor oxygenationBrick red – early shock, sepsis, fever, heat strokeYellow – liver disease or red blood cell destructionBrown – Tylenol toxicityRed spots on gums/skin – possible blood clotting disorder, poisonNeurologic StatusAlert, Responsive to sound/voices, Responsive to pain, Unresponsive?Common First Aid SituationsBleedingAre they bleeding? Will feel warm and wet (rule out licking) with thick, sticky liquid Smell like ironDo not remove any penetrating objects if found especially in the skull, chest or abdomen – stabilize object and get to vetHelp stop or control blood lossApply pressure to the area and apply gauze/washcloth/hand towel (depending on size of wound or how much bleeding) over the site.If the bandage/towel becomes soaked, add a new on top of it. Do not remove the soaked bandageFirmly (not too tight) secure the bandage in place with bandage tape, self-adhesive bandage wrap or packing tape.If multiple wounds around neck (dog or coyote attack), apply firm pressure with cloth across the front of the neck (major blood vessels)Wounds on the chest – apply pressure over wounds directly in case they extend into chest wallMinor woundsRinse with saline (eye flush)Clean with DILUTED iodine and pat dryApply nonstick bandage pad (may apply triple antibiotic to pad)Secure in place with gauze roll and bandage tapeCover with self-adhesive bandage cover (not too tight)Get veterinary care ASAP for further wound evaluation.Allergic ReactionsOver-reaction of the immune system to a generally harmless substance (allergen)Causes - Bee stings or other insect bites/stings, vaccinationsHypersensitivityVomiting, diarrheaExtremely itchy – rubbing face/body on the floor, rubbing against walls, rolling on carpetFacial swellingHives – bumps felt on the skin or hair feels raised and irregular in patchesAgitationAnaphylacticVomiting, diarrheaWeakness, holding head downTrouble walking or unable to walkPale to white colored gums that may feel cool/coldCollapse May give 1mg per pound of body weight of Benadryl every 8 hours for hypersensitivity reactions only. Anaphylactic reactions are life threatening emergenciesBurnsFrom sun, open flames, heating pads, hot-air dryers, hot metal surfaces, boiling liquids, electric cords, etc.Apply cool water or ice packs to the burned area for 15 minutesApply cooling while headed to veterinary clinic for animals that are severely burned, painful and in distressDo not apply any ointmentsCover the area with nonstick bandage pad and wrapSeek veterinary careChokingGagging, repeated retching, trouble breathingPet may bite if hand inserted into mouth to remove objectHeimlich ManeuverHeatstrokeWho is at risk:Older dogsThick furOverweightShort nosed breeds (pugs, bulldogs)Medical conditions (laryngeal paralysis) Dogs without an off switch for playtimeUsually rectal temperature at or exceeding 105 FHeavy, hard panting, tongue hanging out excessively far, very red gums, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, wobbly, collapseRepeatedly apply cool water to back of head and neck as well as feet. Pet may be wet with hose, in pool or tub but to not allow head to go under water. A cold, water-soaked towel can be applied over the back and head while headed to the vet office.Place pet in front of fan or blasting car air-conditioner in route to veterinarianGet them to drink cool water or drip some on their tongueMonitor temperature every 5 minutes and stop cooling when temperature at or below 103 FDO NOT GIVE acetaminophen or aspirinSeek veterinary attentionHeat stroke can cause organ (including brain) damage and death HypothermiaIf temperature at or below 95 F, get to vet ASAPRemove from cold and put in warm roomDry off (if wet) using warm towels or hair dryer on low setting 12” from bodyWrap in a warm blanket (from dryer)Supervised use of heating pad (if pet is dry). CAUTION – BURNS if too hotDrink warmed water (not hot)Get to veterinarianBloatRisk FactorsDeep, narrow chested dogs (GSD, Standard Poodle, Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, Akita, Boxer)Males>FemalesLeaner dogsOlder (ligaments???)Sibling history of bloat (60% increased risk) or previous bloatFast eaters (air gulping)Elevated bowls!Nervous, fearful or aggressive personalitiesFed only dry food or one large meal per dayDiet with an oil of fat listed as one of the first 4 ingredients (ie sunflower oil) have 2.5-fold increase in riskMarked distention of stomach filled with food, fluid or gas. This puts pressure on other organs.Bloat can cause decrease or lack of blood flow to the heart and stomach itselfDifficulty breathingTear(s) in stomach wallSigns and symptomsRestless and anxiousDroolingRetching/trying to vomit but nothing comes upHard, swollen abdomenStretch in “prayer posture”Pale gum color (may feel cool to touch)Rapid heartrateShort of breathCollapseGet to veterinarian NOW!Foreign body/Toxin ingestionTo vomit or not to vomit?Depends on what was ingestedToxic foods, gum containing xylitol – YESMedications – Usually YESPoisons – MaybeForeign objects – MaybeVomiting should not be induced without calling your veterinarian or poison control hotline. Some substances cause damage on the way back up and can make the pet worse.Hydrogen Peroxide 3%This can be used to induce vomiting if cleared to do so by poison control or vetVomiting is only helpful if toxin was injected within the last 60 minutesPet should have some food in their stomach to help it vomit. Feed small amount if not eaten in last 2 hoursGive 1mL per pound of body weight (max of 45mLs regardless of size of dog) orally (1 teaspoon is 5mLs)Wait 15 minutes. If not vomiting, repeat the dose ONCEWhether pet vomits or not with hydrogen peroxide, take it to the vet after attempted (or successful) decontamination.ASPCA Poison Control Center 1-888-426-4435Pet Poison Helpline 1-855-213-6680Both are 24-7 and there is a small fee (worth it) ................
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