National Pet First Aid Month has arrived! To celebrate this important month in the veterinary calendar, Intriquip has created the ultimate awareness toolkit for clinics, featuring actionable advice, informational graphics, educational posters and more. If you’re a pet owner, be sure to give this a close read. If you’re a veterinary clinic, share this blog and don’t forget to download your free resources at the bottom of the page.
When it comes to our furry friends, it’s not hard to understand the signs they give us: when they are hungry, when they want to go for a walk, when they want to go to the toilet. However, spotting signs of injury or distress – and knowing what to do about it – can be a little more challenging.
The fact is that for most pet owners out there, there is a lack of awareness around the importance of animal first aid. Indeed, figures from the PDSA show that 90% of pet owners have never received any pet first aid training. Over 80% of pet parents don’t have an animal first aid kit, and 74% wouldn’t know what to do if their pet was having a seizure.
On National First Aid Week, we’re inviting you to join us in driving awareness and changing these statistics for good!
A Beginner’s Guide to Pet First Aid
Before we get into specific tips on pet first aid, let’s look at how you, as a pet owner, can identify an emergency situation. Your pet may be giving off some very obvious signs that they are in crisis: they may have difficulty breathing, or may not be breathing at all.
They may be bleeding, choking, or have experienced a sudden collapse and can’t get up. Your pet may have broken bones, difficulty moving, or may have been vomiting for a long period of time – a sign of stomach illness, or a symptom of eating something they shouldn’t have.
If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important that you assess the situation with a calm mind. By remaining composted, you can make better decisions to help your pet.
Tip #1: Stopping Bleeding
Seeing your pet bleed can be a distressing sight, and you will have to act immediately. Use a clean cloth to apply pressure on the wound. This will help to slow down the bleeding significantly.
As a preemptive action, it is essential to have a first aid kit readily available, including sterile gauze pads in the event of an emergency. In the event of a minor cut, all you need to do is clean and bandage the wound. After you have taken this step, you can take your pet to your vet if required.
Tip #2: Preventing Choking
If your pet is choking, the first step is to NOT panic. Remain calm and act quickly before their airway becomes blocked.
Place yourself behind your pet, and apply firm upward pressure on their ribcage.This should dislodge whatever your pet is choking on. Knowing how to do this manoeuvre is extremely important, and we recommend checking out some of the many tutorial videos available online.
Tip #3: Addressing Fractures
Limb fractures are incredibly common in household pets, and often led to swelling, followed by limping or whining. Where your pet is experiencing a fracture, veterinary intervention is necessary.
As a pet owner, the first thing you should do is limit their movement. Lay the animal on a flat surface, where the limb can get some much-needed rest. Next, find a flat, padded board (or make your own using a clean cloth) and wrap it around the affected limb with a bandage. This will provide the stability they need until they get to the vet.
Tip #4: Treating Wounds
If your pet is suffering with a minor wound, start by washing it with clean water. Where bleeding persists, you will have to take your pet to the vet.
Remove as much blood as possible from the wound and lightly cover it with a clean gauze or cloth to reduce the likelihood of infection. During this period, it’s important that you don’t feed your pet before going to the vet, as this can increase the wound’s chance of becoming infected. You can, however, give them some water to make them feel more comfortable.
Be sure to take care when carrying your pet into the vet, ensuring you don’t put too much pressure on the affected area.
Tip #5: Performing CPR
If your pet is having difficulty breathing or isn’t breathing at all, it’s essential that you call a vet immediately. While you wait for them to arrive, there are a number of steps you can take to help your furry friend.
Be prepared to deliver CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Lay them on their side, taking care to avoid any sudden movements. Check their airway for blockages, and if it’s clear, tilt their head upwards, secure the jaws shut and deliver a sharp puff of air into their nose every three seconds. You can also administer three compressions for every breath if your pet’s heart is not breathing.
Following the above steps will give your pet some relief until a vet intervenes.
Pet First Aid: How Clinics Can Help
On National Pet First Aid Week, your clinic can drive positive change by joining us in raising awareness. All you have to do is share this blog, circulate our free infographics, or print out our educational posters for use on walls, doors and noticeboards. Get your free resources below and make an impact!