First Aid for Pets

An Owner’s Manual to:EMERGENCY  FIRST AID FOR DOGS
PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB
http://pages.akc.org/rs/americankennel/images/ebook_PetFirstAid.pdf

At the AKC, we know better than anyone that your dog can’t be treated like a car or an
appliance, but we’ve named this series “An Owner’s Manual” because sometimes you
probably wish your lovable companions came with one.

These concise guides give you the tools, tips, and direction to be a responsible and
confident dog owner who brings out the best in your dog. Give them a test drive!

TABLE OF CONTENTS
About this series - 3
Before you start - 4
What to do - 7
Get the tools - 12
Online resources at AKC.org - 14
Other books in the series - 15

Pet Emergency  Care Handbook
WHAT TO DO WHEN EMERGENCIES HAPPEN
VCA Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle
https://vcahospitals.com/veterinary-specialty-center-seattle/-/media/files/vsc-pet-first-aid-handbook.ashx?la=en

How to Use This Booklet
This booklet is intended to help you prevent and deal with emergency situations that arise with your pet. It should not replace professional veterinary care. The information presented will help you handle your pet’s condition well enough to get them to a veterinary clinic for an exam and further treatment. The best way to manage an emergency is to be prepared with a plan, including having on hand emergency hospital contact numbers and the location of an emergency hospital.

Contents

01-First Aid Essentials
How to Approach an Injured Animal
First Aid Kit
Household Medications

02-Assessment
Normal Vital Signs.
Normal Physical Exam

03-Emergencies
Cardiac
Urinary
Diarrhea
Cold Weather      
Shock
Trauma
Abdominal Pain
Vomiting
Gastric Dilatation Volvulus
Allergic Reactions
Insect Bites
Bite Wounds
Bleeding Wounds/Lacerations
Burns
Fractures
Seizures
Ear
Eye
Respiratory
Neurologic
Heat

04-Poisonings
Toxins
Salmon Poisoning

05-Tips
Dog Park Etiquette
Leaving  Your  Pet  at  Home  While  Traveling            
Traveling with Your Pet
Skunk odor Removal            
Tick Removal
Fires Safety With Pets
General Pet Care Tips

What You Should Have in Your Pet's First-Aid Kit
* Link Unavailable. This site is no longer active and available to view on line. But the info was good and we wanted to keep sharing it!

Learn what supplies you'll need to keep your cat, dog, or other pet safe and healthy

Everyone who shares a home with a pet should have a basic pet first-aid kit on hand.

Keep your pet's first-aid kit in your home and take it with you if you are traveling with your pet.

One way to start your kit is to buy a first-aid kit designed for people and add pet-specific items to it. You can also purchase a pet first-aid kit from a pet-supply store or catalog. But you can easily assemble your own kit by gathering the items on our lists below.

Pet-specific supplies

• Pet first-aid book    
  
• Phone numbers: your veterinarian, the nearest emergency-veterinary clinic (along with directions!) and a poison-control center or hotline (such as the ASPCA poison-control center, which can be reached at 1-800-426-4435)    
  
• Paperwork for your pet (in a waterproof container or bag): proof of rabies-vaccination status, copies of other important medical records and a current photo of your pet (in case he gets lost    
  
• Nylon leash    
  
• Self-cling bandage (bandage that stretches and sticks to itself but not to fur—available at pet stores and from pet-supply catalogs)    
  
• Muzzle or strips of cloth to prevent biting (don't use this if your pet is vomiting, choking, coughing or otherwise having difficulty breathing)
  

Basic first-aid supplies

• Absorbent gauze pads   
  
• Adhesive tape    
  
• Antiseptic wipes, lotion, powder or spray   
  
• Blanket (a foil emergency blanket)   
  
• Cotton balls or swabs    
  
• Gauze rolls   
  
• Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting—do this only when directed by a veterinarian or a poison-control expert)    
  
• Ice pack    
  
• Non-latex disposable gloves    
  
• Petroleum jelly (to lubricate the thermometer)    
  
• Rectal thermometer (your pet's temperature should not rise above 103°F or fall below 100°F)  
  
• Scissors (with blunt ends)    
  
• Sterile non-stick gauze pads for bandages    
  
• Sterile saline solution (sold at pharmacies)    
  
• Tweezers    
  
• A pillowcase to confine your cat for treatment   
  
• A pet carrier
  

Pre-assembled first-aid kits

The hassle of creating a kit for your pet can be reduced by purchasing one pre-assembled.

Other useful items   
[*]Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), if approved by a veterinarian for allergic reactions. A veterinarian must tell you the correct dosage for your pet's size.    
[*]Ear-cleaning solution   
[*]Expired credit card or sample credit card (from direct-mail credit-card offers) to scrape away insect stingers    
[*]Glucose paste or corn syrup (for diabetic dogs or those with low blood sugar)    
[*]Nail clippers    
[*]Non-prescription antibiotic ointment    
[*]Penlight or flashlight    
[*]Plastic eyedropper or syringe    
[*]Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) to clean the thermometer   
[*]Splints and tongue depressors    
[*]Styptic powder or pencil (sold at veterinary hospitals, pet-supply stores, and your local pharmacy)   
[*]Temporary identification tag (to put your local contact information on your pet's collar when you travel)   
[*]Towels    
[*]Needle-nosed pliers

Common-sense advice

In addition to the items listed above, include anything your veterinarian has recommended specifically for your pet.

Check the supplies in your pet's first-aid kit occasionally and replace any items that have expired.

For your family's safety, keep all medical supplies and medications out of the reach of children and pets.

Coping With Heatstroke in Dogs
https://www.australian-shepherd-lovers.com/heatstroke-in-dogs.html?fbclid=IwAR1ysONWAob0dGyStTKQY_X0naALHvuFctVOF4x4XbdyCVzX1o36RU-E3FQ

Heatstroke in dogs can be a real concern as they don't have the same built in cooling system that humans do—sweat glands. For dogs, getting rid of excess heat can be much more of a challenge and the thicker and heavier their coat, the more difficult it becomes. That's why responsible dog owners need to be particularly careful in hot weather and should always provide their dog with a ready water source and plenty of shade. ---CONTINUED---

Dog First-Aid Kit Essentials
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-first-aid-kit-essentials/

 Emergencies can strike at any time, whether you’re at home, running errands around town, or traveling. When they do occur, you should always be prepared with a dog first-aid kit, in addition to your human supplies.

This list will help you assemble everything you’ll need in a first-aid kit for a canine medical emergency or health issue. ---CONTINUED---

First Aid & CPR for Cats and Dogs
https://kurason.com/sites/default/files/documents/CPR%20for%20cats%20and%20Dogs%20-%20Web.pdf

Includes:

1.Preventing a Health and Safety Crisis
Nutrition and Feeding
Provide Plenty of Clean Water
Avoid Vigorous Exercise after Meals
Safe Environment
Temperature
Exercise
Leash Choking
Proper Identification
Electric Cords
Choking
Poisoning
Travelling
Regular Veterinary Check-Ups
Dental Health
Prevention: A Final Note

2. What is First Aid?
The immediate care includes:
What to check and maintain:
Treating Shock:
Treat cerebral symptoms:
Secondary Survey and Definitive First Aid
Transport
First Aid Kit
Preparedness Phone Numbers
General Directions for First Aid

3. Muzzling
Primary Survey and Resuscitation
Safe Rescue

4. Abscess

5. Type of wounds
Cuts
Tear
Abrasion
Shot
Burns

6. Poisoning

7. Bandaging
Cleaning the Wound
The Contact Layer
The Absorbent Layer
The Outer Layer

8. Cardio pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Rescue breathing and chest compressions.
Basic CPR: Rescue Breathing
Secondary Survey

9. First Aid for Choking
Perform a Finger Sweep
If the Pet is Conscious

Pet Health
http://northbaycanine.org/public_html/coldwet-txt.htm

Includes:

Signs of Illness in Your Dog
Poisonous Plants & Substances
Man Made Substances that are lethal
Human foods that poison pets
Holiday Hazards
Hot Weather Tips
Ticks, Bee Stings & Fox Tails

Emergency Medicine for Pets
https://www.thereadystore.com/blog/emergency-medicine-for-pets

*Note- Always check with your veterinarian before administering any medicine to your pet. Also, if you suspect your pet has a serious condition, please go directly to your veterinarian. This list is intended solely for emergency situations when veterinary care is not available.

Dogs and cats are members of the family, so why not keep a pet first aid kit? Pets are can be easily injured or stressed during an emergency and there are several over-the-counter medications that are generally considered safe for pets.  ---CONTINUED---

Includes:
~Over the Counter Medications
~Pet First Aid