Basic First Aid Procedures - Dogs And Cats

WARNING! All of the following situations require immediate veterinary care.

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 it with tape. Make sure the 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.

WARNING! 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)

• 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.