Animal First Aid First aid information and techniques can age over time so it s important to review this information with your veterinarian, particularly if you have questions or concerns. Remember also that a document list this is no substitute for training from professionals. It s one thing to understand what to do. It s quite another thing to be able to do it. GENERAL INFORMATION Basic medical characteristics Cat Small dogs Medium dogs Large dogs Temperature 101-102.5 101-102.5 101-102.5 101-102.5 Heart Rate 150-200/min 90-120/min 70-110/min 60-90/min Respirations 20-40/min 10-30/min 10-30/min 10-30/min Gestation 63 days (58-67) 63 days (58-65) 63 days (58-65) 63 days (58-65) Pulse should be strong, regular and easy to locate. Checking the pulse The easiest place to locate a pulse is the femoral artery in the groin area. Place your fingers on the inside of the hind leg and slide your hand upward until the back of your fingers touches the abdomen. Gently move your fingers back and forth on the inside of the hind leg until you feel the pulsing blood. Count the number of pulses in 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4. This will give you the beats per minute (bpm). Taking the temperature Animal temperatures are taken rectally. If possible have a second person restrain the pet by holding its head or neck firmly. A muzzle is suggested. Shake the thermometer down to 95 degrees. Lubricate it with K-Y jelly, Vaseline, or soap. Lift the tail and gently insert the thermometer into the rectum. Do not force the thermometer. Maintain gentle, constant pressure until only 1/4th of the thermometer extends out from the rectum. Hold on to the thermometer and wait for 3-4 minutes before taking a reading. Thermometer should be almost clean when removed. Abnormalities are indicated by blood, diarrhea, or black, tarry stool. Handling an Injured Animal Any animal injured or in pain can bite or scratch you. Even the friendliest of pets must be handled with care for the safety, of all involved. If you are accidentally bitten or scratched, seek medical attention. Both dog and cat bites can become infected quickly. Animal First Aid - 1
Restraint Methods If your animal is injured, you must restrain him/her for your safety as well as your pet's. Muzzle your pet to restrain it unless it is unconscious, has difficulty breathing or has a mouth injury. Dogs--Muzzles 1. Speak and move calmly and quietly. 2. Have someone restrain the dog with a leash. 3. Approach dog from the side and behind its head; do not attempt to put muzzle on from the front. 4. Quickly slip a nylon or wire cage muzzle over nose, secure snugly behind ears. 5. If a muzzle is not available, you can make one from a strip of gauze, rag, necktie, belt or rope about 3 feet long. Cats--Muzzles Make a large loop in the center. Quickly slip loop over dog's nose. Bring ends under chin. Tie snugly behind ears. 1. Speak and move calmly and quietly. 2. Have someone restrain the cat by holding the scruff of its neck firmly. This does not hurt the cat; it just prevents him/her from moving. 3. Working from behind the cat, quickly slip a nylon muzzle over the cat's face. The muzzle will cover most of his/her face, including the eyes. Secure snugly behind head. 4. If you are alone, scruff the cat with one hand and put the muzzle over the cat's face with the other. Slide both hands along muzzle straps and secure behind the head. 5. If a muzzle is not available, one can be made with a rag or a strip of gauze. Make sure that it is carefully placed around the cat's mouth and securely fastened, as cats can escape from these temporary muzzles. Cats--Body Restraint 1. Most cats can be restrained by holding the scruff of the neck. 2. The "Cat Sack" can be used for fractious or very frightened cats. Slip sack over cat from tail to head, zip up appropriate zippers. 3. Wrap cat in a towel, making, sure his/her front legs are covered and against the body. 4. Gloves are not recommended for handling cats. They reduce the handler's dexterity and can easily be penetrated by a cat's teeth. BASIC FIRST AID PROCEDURES Cats and Dogs All of the following situations require immediate veterinary care. Animal First Aid - 2
Fractures Muzzle animal. Gently lay animal on a board, wooden door, tarp, etc. padded with blankets. Secure animal to the support. Do not attempt to set the fracture. If a limb is broken, wrap the leg in cotton padding, then wrap with a magazine, rolled newspaper, towel or two sticks. Splint should extend one joint above the fracture and one joint below. Secure with tape. Make sure wrap does not constrict blood flow. If the spine, ribs, hip, etc. appears injured or broken, gently place the animal on the stretcher and immobilize it if possible. Bleeding (external) Muzzle animal. Press thick gauze pad over wound. Hold firmly until clotting occurs. If bleeding is severe, apply a tourniquet between the wound and the heart. Loosen tourniquet for 20 seconds every 15-20 minutes. A tourniquet is dangerous and should only be used in life-threatening hemorrhaging of a limb. It may result in amputation or disability of the limb. Bleeding (internal) Burns Shock Symptoms: bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum; coughing blood; blood in urine; pale gums; collapse; rapid or weak pulse. Keep animal as warm and quiet as possible. Chemical Muzzle animal. Flush immediately with large quantities of cold water. Severe Muzzle animal. Quickly apply ice water compresses. Treat for shock if necessary. Symptoms: weak pulse; shallow breathing; nervousness; dazed appearance. Often accompanies severe injury or extreme fright. Keep animal restrained, quiet and warm. If unconscious, keep head level with rest of body. Animal First Aid - 3
Restraint Methods Cats and Dogs If your animal is injured, you must restrain him/her for your safety as well as your pet's. Muzzle your pet to restrain it unless it is unconscious, has difficulty breathing or has a mouth injury. Dogs--Muzzles Speak and move calmly and quietly. Have someone restrain the dog with a leash. Approach dog from the side and behind its head; do not attempt to put muzzle on from the front. Quickly slip a nylon or wire cage muzzle over nose, secure snugly behind ears. If a muzzle is not available, you can make one from a strip of gauze, rag, necktie, belt or rope about 3 feet long. Cats--Muzzles Make a large loop in the center. Quickly slip loop over dog's nose. Bring ends under chin. Tie snugly behind ears. Speak and move calmly and quietly. Have someone restrain the cat by holding the scruff of its neck firmly. This does not hurt the cat; it just prevents him/her from moving. Working from behind the cat, quickly slip a nylon muzzle over the cat's face. The muzzle will cover most of his/her face, including the eyes. Secure snugly behind head. If you are alone, scruff the cat with one hand and put the muzzle over the cat's face with the other. Slide both hands along muzzle straps and secure behind the head. If a muzzle is not available, one can be made with a rag or a strip of gauze. Make sure that it is carefully placed around the cat's mouth and securely fastened, as cats can escape from these temporary muzzles. Cats--Body Restraint Most cats can be restrained by holding the scruff of the neck. The "Cat Sack" can be used for fractious or very frightened cats. Slip sack over cat from tail to head, zip up appropriate zippers. Wrap cat in a towel, making, sure his/her front legs are covered and against the body. Be careful when using gloves for handling cats. They reduce the handler's dexterity and, depending on the glove, can easily be penetrated by a cat's teeth. Birds Basic First Aid Procedures All of the following situations require immediate veterinary care. Fractures Wing Animal First Aid - 4
Restrain bird by wrapping in a towel or slipping into a sock with the toe cut out. Leg Bleeding Restrain bird by wrapping in a towel or sock, leaving leg exposed. Splint leg with 2 pieces of adhesive tape placed perpendicular to leg across break site. Broken "blood" feather (new feather) Pull feather out gently; bleeding should decrease. Press finger over removal site until bleeding stops. Wound or broken nail Apply pressure to site with finger(s). Bleeding should decrease. Apply "Quick Stop" powder or styptic to stop bleeding. Flour or cornstarch can be used in an emergency. Puncture Wounds Restraint Wrap bird in towel or sock. See veterinarian: antibiotics are required to prevent infections. Carefully wrap bird in towel, gently folding his/her wings against the body. Keep your hands out of the way of the beak. Gloves are not recommended for bigger birds. They reduce the handler's dexterity and strong beaks can easily penetrate them. Small Mammals and Reptiles Restraint Wrap the animal in a towel or rag, gently folding his/her legs against the body. FIRST AID KIT Note that the suggested quantities are per animal. Plastic box (to hold the first aid kit) First Aid Instruction Guide Gauze pads 2 x 2 (4-5) Gauze roll (2 x 10 yards)/bandages Roll of cloth Rectal thermometer Tweezers Hydrogen peroxide (cleaning wounds; helps stop bleeding) Antibiotic ointment Animal First Aid - 5
Cotton-tipped applicators/q-tips (5-6) Instant cold pack Rags/rubber tubing for tourniquet Neosporin ointment for minor wounds. (Animals can easily get cut after an earthquake; ask your veterinarian if there is anything specific you should include for your animal). Syrup of ipecac (induces vomiting) Provodine-iodine ointment (skin disinfection or cleaning wounds) Telfa pads 2 x 3 (telfa will not adhere to the wound) (2-3) Telfa pad 2 x 4 (telfa will not adhere to the wound) (1-2) Ophthalmic ointment (eye infections or scratches) Adhesive tape (1 x 10 yards) Provodine-iodine swab (cleaning wounds; skin disinfection) 6 ml syringe Safety scissors Diphenhydramine: (Benadryl) antihistamine, allergic reactions, sleep aid (5 tablets) Dimenhydrinate: (Dramamine) prevents nausea and motion sickness (5 tablets) Aspirin (Caution: do not give aspirin to cats!) Aspirin may be given to dogs in most situations to relive pain if immediate veterinary care is not available. The usual dose is one normal strength aspirin for a 50 lb dog. For larger or smaller dogs, adjust the dose proportionally. The does may be repeated every 6-8 hours. Long term use of aspirin may prolong clotting time and should be avoided if surgery is eminent. After a long day of hiking or hunting, older dogs may benefit from a dose of aspirin. This is the list of recommended pet first aid kit published by King County Animal Care and Control. You may want to make one for your home and another for your car or motor home. Sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 and 2 x 2 ) and gauze bandage rolls (1 and 2 ) First aid adhesive tape, 1 roll Cotton swabs (Q-tips ) Tweezers Scissors Plastic freezer/sandwich bags Small bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide Styptic pencil or cornstarch (stems blood flow from minor cuts) Antibacterial ointment Antiseptic cleansing wipes Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol Animal First Aid - 6
A current pet first aid book Eyewash Eyedropper Mineral oil (a lubricant and laxative when given by mouth) Digital or rectal thermometer in a plastic case Leather work gloves (to protect you from being bitten) Latex gloves Leash Thin rope Splint materials (tongue depressor, 12-inch wooden ruler, or thick magazine_) Place the contents in a plastic storage box, tackle box, or coffee can with lid. Pre-made pet first aid kits are available for purchase at pet supply stores such as PETCO, pharmacies, retail and discount stores and online. HANDLING KIT Puncture proof work gloves Muzzle Towel and/or pillow case GENERAL TECHNIQUES CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) Lay animal on his right side, left side up. Clear mouth of debris and pull tongue forward to establish open airway. Cup hands around muzzle to shut mouth. Breathe in through animal s nose. Check that chest rises. Give three quick breaths. Press low on chest (about the 5h rib, or just behind the elbow) with the heel of your hand, both hands in the animal is over 40 lbs. Repeat 6 times, one second apart. Check for heartbeat. If still none, repeat steps 3-5 until animal is revived or determined dead. Artificial Respiration If animal has heartbeat, but is not breathing perform steps 1-4 giving 10-15 breaths per minute. Continue until animal coughs or breast. Shock Shock may occur in cases of severe trauma, pain, blood loss, or other extreme circumstances. It may be difficult for an untrained person to recognize the symptoms of shock. These symptoms include pale gums, cold extremities, weak pulse, rapid shallow breathing, and a dazed attitude. This condition requires immediate professional treatment. All animals suffering serious injuries should be considered potential shock victims. First aid consists of preventing blood loss and keeping the animal warm and quiet until professional help is obtained. Animal First Aid - 7
Restraint Use extreme caution when approaching an injured animal. Injured animals may attempt to bite due to confusion or the fear of additional pain from being handled. Do not attempt first aid unless you are confident you can handle your animal without endangering yourself. You will be unable to help your animal if you yourself are severely bitten. Bites and scratches from pets may develop into serious infections. If you are injured by your pet, see a physician. Use of a Muzzle Always use a muzzle before attempting to move or treat an injured dog. A muzzle may be made by cutting off approximately 2 yards from your roll of gauze material, or by using a belt, handkerchief, nylon stocking, etc. With the mouth closed, wrap the gauze tightly around the nose and mouth repeatedly, and then tie in a bow at the top. The rigid structure of the nasal passages will allow for normal breathing. Caution: Do not muzzle an animal which has a bloody nose or is having difficulty breathing. Do not allow the muzzle to obstruct the nasal passages. Due to their short snouts cats are difficult to muzzle. It is best to grasp a cat by the scruff of the neck and wrap its body with a towel or a blanket. Continue to hold the cat by the back of the neck while administering treatment. Excessive restraint will cause some cats to become aggressive. In the case of a frightened or ill=tempered cat, attempting first aid may be difficult or even harmful. SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES Abrasions Rubbing or scraping off of hair and skin, oozing of serum and blood, swelling and pain. Often caused by sliding on road surfaces following auto accidents. Muzzle and restrain the animal, flush the affected area with soap and water or hydrogen peroxide. Trim the hair around the injury if necessary. Use sterile gauze or cotton tipped applicators to tease away dirt, grave, and other contaminants. Apply providone-iodine ointment liberally. Cover the area with a telfa pad, and wrap with gauze and tape. Large abrasions should be seen by your veterinarian. Frequently severely bruised skin will die due to poor blood supply. Dead skin will turn dark and hard; seek veterinary help for additional treatment. Allergic Reactions Mild Reactions Swelling of muzzle, itching, hives. Usually caused by insect bites, foods, plants, drugs and immunizations. Animal First Aid - 8
Check for insect stingers; apply cold packs to affected area. Give diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 1 capsule per 25 lbs of body weight. If condition is worsening after 1/2 hour, seek veterinary help. Facial swelling may be life-threatening in short nosed breeds. For all animals, injections by a veterinarian will speed relief. Severe Reactions Restlessness, vomiting and/or diarrhea, labored breathing, collapse. Causes are similar to above. Seek veterinary treatment immediately. This is a life threatening condition. Bite Wounds Equally sized animals (cat vs. cat or dog vs. dog) Wounds may be punctures or small lacerations exhibiting swelling, bleeding and pain. Recent puncture wounds may be inconspicuous, especially in cats. Old wounds may be draining pus. Muzzle and restrain the animal. Clip the hair from around the wound area. Use soap and water or hydrogen peroxide to flush the wounds. Use sterile gauze or cotton tipped applicators to tease away dirt, hair and debris. Clean skin edges with providone-iodine swabs. Cover the area with a telfa pad coated with providone-iodine ointment. Wrap with gauze and tape. Lacerations longer than 1/2 inch heal best if sutured. Deep puncture wounds are difficult to clean and are best treated with systemic antibiotics. Consult your veterinarian. Unequal sized animals (dog vs. cat or big dog vs. little dog) External punctures may hide severe internal injuries, muscle damage and fractures, especially ribs. Hernias or penetrating chest wounds may be present. Muzzle animal, cover and wrap penetrating chest wounds immediately. Cover herniated tissue or organs with moist gauze pads and wrap to contain hernia. Keep the animal warm and quiet. Seek immediate veterinary care; shock may be a factor. Bleeding Obvious blood. Animal First Aid - 9
Muzzle and restrain the animal. Quickly identify the source of bleeding. Using a sterile gauze pad, apply direct pressure to the site for 5 minutes. If bleeding stops but starts again, repeat this step 2-3 times. Keep the animal quiet. In cases of severe bleeding from a leg or the tail, apply a tourniquet, releasing every 5 minutes while seeking professional help. If bleeding is successfully controlled, cover the wound with a telfa pad and wrap with gauze and tape. If injury is deep or more than 1/2 inch long, consider the need for sutures and systemic antibiotics; consult your veterinarian. Burns Pain, redness, swelling, blistering, and/or burned hairs. Muzzle and restrain the animal. If the burn has just occurred, soak in cold water or pack with ice for 15-20 minutes. Cover with a dry warp of gauze and tape. If a large area is burned, observe for signs of shock. Antibiotics may be needed: consult your veterinarian. Badly burned areas will usually die and slough requiring reconstructive surgery. Choking Choking, gagging, violent coughing, attempts to vomit. May be caused by bones, toys, balls, rocks or food. These symptoms may also be confused with coughs due to infections, heart disease or other causes. Open the mouth; use a helper to hold the mouth open if available. Roll the lips over the teeth to prevent biting. Grasp the tongue and pull it forward to observe the throat area. If a foreign object is obvious, remove it with pliers or forceps. If you re unable to dislodge the object, apply the Heimlich maneuver as used on humans. If you are unsuccessful at dislodging the object, you must seek immediate veterinary assistance. Sever coughing and gagging can be caused by many different diseases. Only a veterinarian can make a definite diagnosis. Diarrhea Watery bowel movements. Most often caused by changes in food or eating inappropriate substances. Other causes might be parasites, food poisoning, and viral or bacterial infections. Check the temperature. If the temperature is elevated (over 102) or the animal is depressed, dehydrated, vomiting, or has bloody stool, consult your veterinarian. If the temperature is normal, administer 1 tablespoon Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol per 10 lbs of body weight every 8 hours. Feed small amounts of a bland diet (1/2 boiled rice and 1/2 boiled chicken, or baby food). Give 2/3 of the normal diet amount in 4 or 5 small meals. Animal First Aid - 10
Consult a veterinarian if there is no improvement in 24 hours. Collect a sample of the diarrhea for parasite analysis. If young dogs unvaccinated for Corona virus and Parvo disease, consult a veterinarian immediately. Electric Shock Difficult breathing, burns around the mouth, drooling, unconsciousness. Often occurs with puppies and kittens chewing electrical cords. Unplug the cord. Administer CPR if needed. See a veterinarian immediately to treat for possible fluid in the lungs. Eye Injuries Redness, blinking, squinting, discharge, pawing at eye. The goal of treatment is to prevent further damage to the eye until the condition can be professionally treated. Muzzle and restrain the animal. Lift up upper eyelids and pull down lower eyelids to check for foreign objects. Using cotton tipped applicators tease out dirt, sand, grass seeds or other foreign material. Apply antibiotic ophthalmic ointment every 4 hours until the eye can be examined by a veterinarian. Continuous squinting may be a sign of corneal injury or foreign material under the eyelids. These conditions require special treatment by your veterinarian. If the eyeball is out of the socket, keep it moist with eyewash or ophthalmic ointment while transporting immediately to a veterinarian. Bleeding within the eyeball as occurs with severe trauma requires veterinary attention. Fractures and Dislocations Swelling, acute pain, distorted appearance, inability to stand or walk, walking on 3 legs. Muzzle and restrain the animal. These injuries are very painful. Fractures of the extremities may be splinted using sticks, boards, corrugated cardboard or other rigid materials; however if you have ready access to veterinary care and the animal is calm, splinting may not be advised or beneficial. Move the animal onto a coat, blanket, board, box, etc. to allow transporting without causing further trauma to injured areas. Get to a veterinarian quickly since dislocations may be reduced without surgery if treated early. Keep the animal warm and quiet. For dogs, if there is no bleeding, or sign of shock, aspirin may be used to help relieve pain until veterinary assistance is obtained. (Do not give aspirin to cats!!) Animal First Aid - 11
Heatstroke Rapid, shallow, panting-type breathing, disorientation, temperature over 105, and collapse. Usually seen in animals confined in poorly ventilated areas, especially cars during hot weather or animals confined in the sun without shade or water. Check the initial temperature; administer a cool water bath using a garden hose or bathtub. Continue to take the temperature every few minutes. When the temperature drops below 103 discontinue the bath, dry the animal with a towel and keep it in a cool environment. Consult your veterinarian; sometimes additional treatment is necessary to prevent cerebral edema and shock. Itching Skin Itching, chewing, biting, licking, face rubbing, scaling, hair loss, reddened oozing areas of the skin. Bathe with a good quality pet shampoo to remove pollens, fleas, ticks, or other external causes. Cold baths or soaks will give temporary relief. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 1 capsule per 25 lbs of body weight may give relief if itching is from an allergy or insect bite. Since itching may be caused by allergies, parasites, bacteria, fungal infections, autoimmune disease, hormone imbalances, or other causes, a definite diagnosis by your veterinarian is necessary if symptoms persist more than 24 hours. Lacerations Bleeding, pain, open wound, licking. Usually caused by automobile accidents, dog fights, traps, fences, broken glass or other jagged objects. Muzzle and restrain the animal. Clip the hair away from the edges of the wound. Use soap and water or hydrogen peroxide to cleanse the wound of hair, dirt, or other debris. Swab or smear a light film of providone-iodine ointment over the surface of the wound. Close the edges of the wound, covering it with a telfa pad. Secure the pad by wrapping it in gauze and tape. Lacerations over 1/2 inch in length heal best when sutured. Antibiotics may be required. Consult your veterinarian. Motion Sickness Drooling, panting, shaking and/or vomiting when traveling in a vehicle. Animal First Aid - 12
Administer dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) one tablet per 25 lbs for dogs, 1/2 tablet for a 10 lb cat. If your pet has a history of motion sickness, give dimenhydrinate 30 minutes before traveling. Paralysis Weakness, usually in the hind legs, inability to walk, poor coordination, lack of sensation. Keep the animal quiet, since symptoms are frequently associated with spinal cord or other nervous system damage. Move the animal onto a board, box or blanket and transport to a veterinarian immediately. For dogs, give aspirin for pain and to resist swelling. (Do not give aspirin to cats!) Poisoning Depending on the type of poison ingested, signs may include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, poor coordination, tremors, and seizures. If ingestion has occurred within the last hour and animal is still alert, induce vomiting. Caution: do not induce vomiting if the poison is a petroleum produce (gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid, furniture or nail polish, etc.) or a strong alkali (lye, drain cleaner). Do not cause the animal to vomit it if is unconscious or in convulsions. If you know exactly what your pet has ingested, call poison control or your veterinarian for specific advice. Save package container and vomitus. Vomiting may be induced using one of the following methods: Animal Hydrogen Peroxide Salt Syrup of Ipecac Cat/Small Dog 1 Tablespoon 1/2 teaspoon 2 teaspoons Medium Dog 2-3 Tablespoons 1 teaspoon 1 Tablespoon Large Dog 4 Tablespoons 2 teaspoons 2 Tablespoons Note: 1 teaspoon = 5 cc, 1 Tablespoon = 15 cc Sit the animal down holding the head with the muzzle turned upward. Open the mouth and pour the product in the back of the mouth, holding the head up and stroking the throat until swallowed. If the animal is developing tremors, seek veterinary help immediately. Animal First Aid - 13
Porcupine Quills Dogs used for hunting or allowed to run free in open spaces occasionally encounter porcupines. Frequently, owners attempt to remove quills under field conditions. Only the most stoic of dogs will tolerate this procedure. Should you attempt to extract the quills, grasp them firmly with pliers near where they puncture the skin. Pull them straight out. Avoid bending or breaking quills. Always consult a veterinarian since frequently quills are buried in the tongue or oral cavity. Broken quills will be come infected unless removed, and antibiotics will be needed. Seizures Mild (Petit Mal) Seizures Transient weakness, confusion, dazed attitude, slight trembling, muscle twitching. Severe (Grand Mal) Seizures Animal falls to the ground, all limbs rigid, running movements, neck arched, teeth clenched, may lose bowel and bladder control. Seizures usually last 1-4 minutes then animal relaxes and after a brief period returns to normal. Do not interfere or move the animal unless necessary for its safety. Stimulation will prolong the seizure. If you must move the animal, be careful to avoid being bitten. If seizures last more than 4 minutes or repeat at short intervals, wrap the animal in a blanket or coat and transport to a veterinarian. Slug bait, Strychnine, 10-80, and many organic phosphates when ingested cause continuous seizuring which gets progressively worse. Immediate veterinary care is essential. Puppies, kittens and very small animals may develop seizures from low blood sugar. Hunting dogs that run all day without proper conditioning may also develop low blood sugar seizures. Give honey, Kayo syrup, or sugar water. Pregnant or nursing animals may develop seizures due to low calcium levels seek veterinary help. Snake Bite Two fang marks, pain, swelling, discoloration. May cause depression, vomiting and shock. Attempt to slow absorption of venom by applying cold packs to the site. If on the leg, apply a tourniquet above the bite to slow blood flow. Keep the animal very quiet, carry if possible to avoid increasing the heart rate. Immediate veterinary care is needed. If you can identify the type of snake without putting yourself into danger, it will be helpful to your veterinarian. Animal First Aid - 14
Toenail Injury Limping, broken or bleeding toenail. Muzzle and restrain the animal. Although this is a minor injury, it is painful for the pet. Trim the hair from around the base of the nail. Clean the area with soap and water or hydrogen peroxide. Cover the exposed tissue with providone-iodine ointment, and wrap the entire paw with gauze and tape. Your veterinarian may need to remove the broken part of the nail, and antibiotics may be required. A toenail which has been cut too short will bleed. Using a sterile gauze sponge hold pressure against the cut surface of the nail for 5 minutes. Most short cut nails will clot quickly. Vomiting Causes include ingesting of spoiled food or garbage, rich, fatty or spicy food, foreign objects, bloat, pancreatitis and internal diseases or infections. If the animal is running a fever (temperature over 102), is very depressed or obviously pained, or its condition is worsening rapidly, see a veterinarian immediately. If none of these symptoms exist, stop food and water. If the animal continues to vomit after 6-7 hours, consult a veterinarian. If it is not vomiting, offer small sips of water or ice cubes to lick. After 4-6 hours of keeping water down, allow larger drinks. If there has been no vomiting after 24 hours, offer bland diet 1/2 boiled rice and 1/2 boiled chicken or baby food). If food stays down, offer small amounts every 4-6 hours gradually increasing amount. After 24 hours, gradually mix in normal diet. Animal First Aid - 15