Do you ever wish you had a quick reference for some basic First Aide help?
Well often I think; Gee, why have I not taken the time to gather up some basic First aide facts, and put them where they could be found them quickly.
With this in mind, we have put together a few for this article. I plan on printing this out and putting a copy in my Dog First Aide Kit.

Symptoms of choking are:

Gasping Open-mouthed breathing

Pawing at face

Slow

Pale or blue gums

shallow breathing

Unconscious, with dilated pupils

If your dog is choking 

Pet owners should consult their veterinarian for specific details on procedures outlined here.

 

CPR for Cats & Dogs
CPR for cats and dogs is similar to CPR for humans. These directions assume the animal is unconscious and the risk of being bitten by the animal is not present
1. Remove any obstruction.
Open animals mouth and make sure the air passage is clear. If not remove the object obstructing the air passage.
2. Extend the head and give several artificial respirations:
A. For large dogs: close the animal's jaw tightly and breathe into the nose. The animal's chest should rise. Give 2 breaths. B. For small dogs and cats you may be able to cover the nose and mouth with your mouth as you breathe. The animal's chest should rise. Give 2 breaths.
3. Next perform chest compression
A. For large dogs you may be able to position the dogs on its back and compress the chest just like for humans. B. For small dogs and cats as well as large dogs with funnel chests, you may need to lie the animal on its side and compress the side of the rib cage. Alternatively you can position the animal on its back and press on both sides of the rib cage.
C. The rate of chest compressions varies with the size of the animal i. Dogs over 60 lbs: 60 compressions per minute

 ii. Animals 11 to 60 lbs: 80-100 compressions per minute

 iii. Animals 10 lbs or less: 120 compressions per minute

4. Alternate breaths with compressions
The ratio of compressions to breaths should be approximately the same as for humans - 30:2 Continue doing this until the animal responds or begins to breathe on its own.
Source: depts.washington.edu

 

 The Heimlich maneuve

• Open the mouth and look for a foreign object. If the dog is unconscious and an object is blocking the airway, grab the tongue and pull it outward to try to dislodge the object. Regardless of consciousness, sweep your finger through the dog's mouth in an effort to feel or dislodge any object. Use caution to avoid being bitten.

• If the object cannot be reached or pulled out, lift the dog and place the dog's spine against your chest.
• Place both hands under your dog at the waist line, behind the ribs. Clench your hands together to make a fist and place the fist behind the last rib. Perform abdominal thrusts by pushing up and in with your fist quickly 5 times.
• Open the dog's mouth and look for a foreign object, using a penlight. Use your finger to carefully sweep the dog's mouth to dislodge the object and remove it. Again use caution.
• If the object was not dislodged, place your hands in front of the hips, lift the dog and suspend the dog with the head hanging down.
• Check the mouth again and use your finger to carefully sweep the dog's mouth to dislodge the object and remove it.
• If the object was not dislodged, hold your dog in a sitting or standing position and give 5 sharp blows with your hand to the dog's back between the shoulder blades.
• Open the mouth and look for a foreign object, using a penlight. Use your finger to carefully sweep the dog's mouth to dislodge the object and remove it. Again use caution.
• Continue steps 2 through 8 until the object becomes dislodged.
• If the dog becomes unconscious, give 5 breaths (see link to 1604) and then 5 abdominal thrusts, and continue this pattern until the object is dislodged.
• When the object is dislodged, stop the abdominal thrusts. Check the dog's airway, breathing and heart beat. Perform CPR if needed.
• Take the dog to your veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately.

 Source: www.peteducation.com

 

 Extra During an emergency it is very important that you remain calm. Animals can sense your unease, but cannot understand what is happening and you cannot verbally tell them. Your body language is very important. Be calm, yet deliberate in your actions.

 

 When you determine that you either have corrected the life-threatening problem, or are unable to stabilize the animal, you should transport to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital.

Notify your emergency clinic that you are coming in with a dog in respiratory arrest with a foreign body airway obstruction and/or cardiac arrest.

 Give them the following information via phone if possible: Your name Your Estimated Arrival  Time

Steps taken (CPR, O2…) Breed/size If a foreign body, what the suspected object is If a poison or medication has been ingested, type of injury (hit by car…)

 

Write the phone number of the 24 hour animal hospital nearest you here:___________________

 

How to take my dog's pulse?
There are several areas on the dog's body where you may be able to feel the pulse. A pulse occurs with every heart beat. Sometimes, you can just place your hands low on your dog's chest, near the elbow joint, and feel the heart beats. You can count how many beats you feel in 15 seconds and then multiply it be 4. That will give you the pulse.
A second place to find the pulse is high on the inner side of the thigh. You will be feeling for the femoral artery. Place two fingers on the middle of the thigh near where the leg joins the body. What you feel is the 'femoral pulse.' The femoral pulse can be very difficult to feel in cats.
It is always best to use your fingers to feel the pulse. If you use your thumb, and press too hard, what you feel will actually be your own pulse.
The normal pulse for a dog ranges from 70 to 180 beats per minute. In general, the larger the dog, the slower the pulse. Puppies generally have a fast pulse, up to 220 beats per minute. Cats usually have a pulse of 120-240 beats per minute.
The pulse of a dog is not always steady. Sometimes, the rate changes as the dog breathes in and out. The pulse will be faster on inspiration and slower on expiration. This is normal and is called sinus arrhythmia.

How can to take a pet's temperature at home?
First did you know. You will need a rectal thermometer to take your dog's or cat's temperature. You do not need a special 'dog' or 'cat' thermometer – you can use one designed for human use.
Shake down the thermometer until the reading is 96°F or less.
Lubricate the thermometer with some vaseline or lubricating jelly.
Grasp your pet's tail at the base and raise it. Hold it firmly so your pet will not sit down. Reassure and talk quietly to your pet during the whole procedure. This will help keep your pet calm, relaxed, and holding still.
Gently insert the bulb portion of the thermometer into your pet's anus. It works best if you use a twisting motion. Insert the thermometer about 1 inch in cats and small dogs, and up to three inches for giant breed dogs.
Leave the thermometer in place for 1-2 minutes. Then remove it and wipe it with gauze or a cotton ball. Read the temperature at the end of the column of mercury.
Clean the thermometer with rubbing alcohol and store it safely in your pet first aide kit.

	Normal Rectal Temperature
Dog	100° to 102.5°F
Newborn Puppy	96° to 100°F
Cat	100° to 102.5°F
Newborn Kitten	97° (at birth) to 100°F (one week of age)

If the thermometer would break off inside your pet, do not panic. Do NOT try to retrieve the broken portion inside your pet. Call your veterinarian and explain the situation.