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 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.

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.