STUDENT MANUAL CANINE SEARCH SPECIALIST TRAINING UNIT 12 CANINE FIRST AID

Transcription

1 STUDENT MANUAL CANINE SEARCH SPECIALIST TRAINING UNIT 12 CANINE FIRST AID Unit Objective Enabling Objectives Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to demonstrate the physical assessment and stabilization of an injured or ill canine. You will: Perform the primary and secondary medical assessment of the canine; Evaluate that assessment even to decide on euthanasia; and Implement stabilization or transportation of the canine. November 2006 SM Unit 12-1

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3 I. Unit Objective Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to demonstrate the physical assessment and stabilization of an injured or ill canine. II. Introduction The purpose of this unit is not to make veterinarians or veterinary technicians out of you. We will simply be covering the basic knowledge that you will need. III. The basics Preventative Care Try to maintain, as much as possible, the normal feeding schedule and normal food while on the missions. Know what your dog s normal reaction is to stress. Look for such things as: Stops eating, Develops diarrhea, Excessive thirst, or Increased appetite. The dog must be kept in top physical condition through routine exercise and preventative care. Current vaccinations: DHP-PV, Rabies, and Bordetella, with optional Leptospirosis. Preventative heartworm care daily, monthly. Routine fecal checks and other needed treatments. IV. Knowing Your Canine To provide the best care for your dog, you must know and understand your own dog s normal physiological parameters and response to various conditions. The disaster canine has all requirements intensified: More possibilities of risk, More stress responses, and Different mechanisms of injury. November 2006 SM Unit 12-3

4 Acclimatization of Dog Be aware of the climate conditions when dogs are deployed to various geographic areas. Food Be aware of cold, heat, humidity, and altitude. Work your dog accordingly when on assignment. Train in as many different climates as possible, and know your dog's reactions to them. Travel with minimum of three days food and water (if possible). Also, carry a first-aid kit. Canine Safety Equipment Take safety equipment for your dog, such as quick release collars and harnesses, reflector vests, and dog boots. Dangerous Equipment Be aware of the dangers of working around heavy equipment. V. Canine Anatomy Canine Assessment Nose to Tail Head mouth, eyes, ears, teeth, skin, mucus membranes, tongue, salivary glands, and lymph nodes. Neck trachea, blood vessels, skin, and lymph nodes. Thorax heart, lungs, skin, spine, shoulder blades, and ribs. Front limbs toenails, pads, vessels, nerves, bones, and skin. Abdomen stomach, liver, kidney, pancreas, intestines, bladder, spleen, lymph modes, skin, vulva, testicles, and prostate. Hind limbs toenails, pads, vessels, skin, nerves, bones, hips, and pelvis. Tail skin, bones, vessels, and nerves. Table of normal values On the following page is a table of normal values for a canine. SM Unit 12-4 November 2006

5 VALUE AVERAGE YOUR CANINE Body Temperature º F (º F) Heart Rate Rest beats/min (beats/min) Work beats/min (beats/min) Respiratory Rate Rest breaths/min (beats/min) Working-panting (panting) Hematocrit (PVC) 37-55% RBC M/CMM HGB GM/DL WBC 6-17 K/CMM Segs (Neutrophils) 60-77% Bands 0-3% Lymphocytes 12-30% Monocytes 3-10% Edsinophils 2-10% Basophils 0-2% GGTP 0-15 IV/L SGPT (alt) IV/L SGOT IV/L LDH IV/L AIK. Phos IV/L T. Bilirubin MG/DL D. Bilirubin MG/DL I. Bilirubin MG/DL T. Protein GM/DL Albumen GM/DL Globulin GM/DL A/G Ratio Glucose MG/DL Bun MG/DL Creatinine MG/DL Bun/Creat. Ratio Uric Acid MG/DL Calcium MG/DL Phosphorus MG/DL Sodium MEQ/L Potassium MEQ-L Chloride MEQ/L Carbon Dioxide MEQ/L Cholesterol MG/DL Triglycerides MG/DL Thyroxin (T-4) VG/DL Lab values from the Veterinary Diagnostics of Maryland Medical Labs, Inc. November 2006 SM Unit 12-5

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7 VI. Canine Assessments Use your knowledge of human assessments. (A-B-Cs) Plus, do not forget to survey the scene. Primary Assessments Airway Check from nostrils to back of throat; nasal passages, to trachea. Pull tongue through canine teeth and over lower incisors to help open back of throat, and therefore, the airway. Breathing Is the canine breathing? Check for quality and quantity of respirations. Is breath coming through mouth, nose, or both? Evenly? Check motion of chest walls. Is the dog on his side, standing, lying upright, on his chest? Sitting? Are his head and neck extended upward? Is there any noise associated with his breathing? Inspirations, expirations, wet, dry, wheeze, cough dyspnea, or gasping? Cyanosis? (Blue) Due to lack of oxygen. Circulation Check for bleeding where? Arterial? Life threatening? Is there a heart rate? Pulse? (Femoral-carotid) equal in extremities? CRT (capillary refill time) Check mucous membranes of the mouth for refill time should be 2-3 seconds. If mucous membranes are black, check tongue. If tongue is black (rare), check the penis, or inside the vulva. Cyanotic? Anemia? Circulatory deficit? Correct problems, bandage, fluids, and so on; CPR if necessary. Consciousness (mental status check very important) Determine level of consciousness unconscious or conscious? Is the dog alert and responsive to his or her handler? To others? Knows name? Is the dog apprehensive whining, crying? Is the dog aware of his surroundings? Is the dog sensitive to painful stimuli? (Can be overridden in a very apprehensive dog). November 2006 SM Unit 12-7

8 Secondary Assessment This is the completion of a physical examination and the taking of a complete history. Once the dog is stabilized, take history, and ask further questions: What happened? How and how long ago did it happen? Was there an injury? What did the dog do? Before the injury? After the injury? It is important to know your dog. Outcomes Are any of the current problems related to pre-existing conditions? How will any of his pre-existing conditions affect the outcome of the current problems? Do a complete physical examination. Examine the dog by systems from head to tail. Re-evaluate the corrected problems from the primary assessment. Check for changing problems. Assess the outcome. Minor injuries are those such as cut pads, broken toenails, or minor lacerations. Dog can be treated and returned to work. Less serious injuries or illnesses will rest, fluids, or fasting stabilize? May need to evaluate day to day (previous history may help to predict outcome). Serious injury or illness Stabilize and transport the animal to a nearby veterinary facility. Devastating or fatal illness The outcome depends on many factors, including facilities available, your location, and the disaster to which you are responding. Euthanasia Recognize this possibility. The decision is yours! Prepare yourself for the affects of this on yourself and the team. Stay in control of yourself and support your teammates. SM Unit 12-8 November 2006

9 VII. Hands-On Application Restraining Muzzling the dog Use a leather pre-made muzzle, or gauze tie. Holding the dog for intravenous approaches: Neck Front leg Rear leg To immobilize the dog place the muzzled dog in either left or right lateral recumbency. Left lateral recumbency Bandaging Kneel with your knees into the dog s back. Place left hand on his neck and hold the dog s left (lower) front leg, with your left hand. Your right arm should be placed across the dog's flank, with your right hand holding his left (lower) rear leg. Shift your weight onto (over) the dog's body. The purpose of bandaging is either to stop bleeding or to protect a wound. General Principles: Apply even pressure over padding (cotton or cast padding). When bandaging paws, place small pieces of cotton between the footpads and under the carpal pad. Baby powder can also be applied to keep foot dry. You can cover bandage with boot (feet sweat). To keep the bandage on (tail, feet, head, and body), incorporate hair between layers of tape. To bandage ears, pad ears with cotton. Floppy ears should be bandaged in their natural position. Erect ears should be brought forward and heavily padded to prevent creasing the ear and causing pressure point damage. Leave the normal ears outside of the bandage. To bandage the tail tip, place lots of padding on the tip and bandage high above the lesion. For mid-tail problems, unless very minor, bandage the whole tail to prevent strangulation and sloughing of the tail. Remember, even pressure! November 2006 SM Unit 12-9

10 Chest and abdominal bandages: Pad wounded area, Wrap with even pressure, and Incorporate hair to prevent slippage. Pressure Bandage Be sure, if bandage involves limbs or tail, that wrap is applied from wound to distal end of limb or tail. Use excess padding, telfa pads next to the wound. Keep even pressure this is a must! Treatment of Wounds Contaminated wounds: Flush (irrigate) with saline and water until clean. Flush (irrigate) with iodophor (betadine) solution. If wound is gaping, use stapler, tape, or suture to pull edges together. Bandage. Follow-up treatment at veterinary office For clean wounds follow-up treatment at vet may not be required. If wound is bleeding heavily, apply pressure wrap and transport. VIII. Roles as Task Force Team Members Handler s Responsibilities The handler s responsibilities are as follows: Know your dog. Know canine assessment and first aid. Know restraints holds. Know when to treat. Know when to euthanize. Be there to help fellow handler if your partner s dog is injured. Be supportive, loving, and caring. You, as a dog handler, will know the grief your partner is experiencing. Know that canine injury or death will have a devastating effect on the whole team. Be professional. Do not be selfish in decision-making! SM Unit November 2006

11 Veterinarian s and Paramedic s Responsibilities The veterinarian s and paramedic s responsibilities to the dogs are as follows: Administer antibiotics, prescription drugs. Administer anesthesia, and perform surgery. Begin, maintain, and monitor IV fluids and drugs. Diagnose and treat with antibiotics, steroids to remedy the situation. Continue to monitor therapy/case progress. Advise you of your dog s medical status. He or she should not recommend, or decide euthanasia. That is your decision! IX. Unit Summary and Evaluation Perform the primary and secondary medical assessment of the canine; Evaluate that assessment even to decide on euthanasia; and Implement stabilization or transportation of the canine. November 2006 SM Unit 12-11

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