Dog and Cat First Aid and CPR
Capillary Refill Time (CRT) is used to assess your pet's ________________.
circulation
If your pet has short hair regularly check for _______________, ________________, and _________________.
external parasites; skin problems; ear problems
In something called a/n _______________________, your pet may fall over and be stiff and rigid.
grand mal seizure
What are the reason for a Central Nervous System seizure?
idiopathic epilepsy, infection or inflammation in the brain, vascular accident (bleed or clot), brain tumors, head trauma, malformation of the brain (birth defect), scar tissue in the brain
What 5 things should be in a pet emergency supply kit?
1. Leashes, harnesses, or carriers for transportation Food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter/pan and a manual can opener if your pet eats canned food 2. Medications and copies of medical records including dates of vaccines 3. A first aid kit 4. Current photos of you with your pet(s) in case they get lost 5. Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior and problems
How do you perform abdominal thrusts on a pet?
1. Open the mouth and pull the tongue forward; sweep insides with your finger to dislodge an object if your pet allows. Be cautious not to get bitten if your pet is frantic 2. Be careful not to push the object back further 3. Perform 5 rapid abdominal thrusts, lifting inward and upward 4. Stand behind or lift the dog with their spine against your chest 5. Wrap your arms under their ribs 6. Make a fist with one hand, and place your other hand over it 7. Deliver abdominal thrusts
What are the steps of CPR?
1. Perform cycles of 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths 2. Perform chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute 3. Gently close the pet's mouth and extend the neck to open the airway 4. Cover the nose with your mouth and exhale until you see the pet's chest rise 5. Give a rescue breath over 1 second. Briefly check for a heartbeat and spontaneous breathing every 2 minutes
When acquiring pets of any age, it is important to do the following 4 things:
1. Schedule a checkup with a vet as soon as possible 2. Ensure vaccinations are up-to-date 3. Bring a stool sample 4. Recommended lab tests for the pets age
What is a dog's normal breathing rate?
10-30 breaths per minute, or up to 200 pants per minute
What is the normal heart rate for a Small breed dog?
100-140 beats per minute
What is the normal heart rate for a Puppy (less than 1 year old)?
120-160 beats per minute
If the pet's airway is clear, check for breathing and a pulse. If you cannot find breathing or a pulse after ________________, begin to perform CPR with chest compressions.
15 seconds
What is the normal heart rate for Cats?
160-220 beats per minute
What is a cat's normal breathing rate?
20-30 breaths per minute
What ratio should compressions and rescue breaths be delivered during Pet CPR?
30 compressions: 2 rescue breaths
Different breeds with different fur types require different amounts of grooming attention. For example, _______________ pets should be groomed once a week.
long-haired
What are the reason for a Non Central Nervous System seizure?
low blood sugar, low blood calcium, organ failure, poisoning
What is the normal heart rate for a Medium to large breed dog?
60-100 beats per minute
What is the normal body temperature for both cats and dogs?
99.5-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit
Chewing gum seizure
A seizure where the pet will appear to be biting at invisible things
Signs of an animal bite include:
A small wound or puncture in the skin, swelling, bleeding, and bruising. Other systemic signs include lethargy and anorexia if left untreated.
Select each option that can lead to seizures: Brain Tumors Organ Failure Epilepsy Low Blood Sugar Poisoning Birth Defects ALL
ALL
What are the ABC steps?
Airway, Breathing, Circulation
When do infections most often occur after a bite wound?
All bite wounds should be evaluated as there can be substantial injury underneath the superficial wound. Bite wound infections usually appear 1-2 days after the incident. Signs include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, pain in the affected area, and swelling or abscesses near the wound.
Some causes of dehydration include:
not eating or drinking, vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination
While tenting to check for dehydration, _____________ animals' skin may stay tented for a bit longer.
older
A healthy mucous membrane would be:
pink and moist.
Arterial bleeding is characterized by:
rhythmically spurting blood, is more rapid and profuse and therefore more difficult to stop
Left untreated severe dehydration can cause __________________ or _____________.
serious organ damage; death
A prolonged CRT may indicate your pet may be in, or going into, ____________.
shock
Venal bleeding is characterized by:
slower and may be less profuse, it is much easier to stop and less dangerous (unless a large vein is involved)
It is important to consult a __________________ on what sort of diet and health strategies your pet should be on.
veterinarian
How should pets' wounds be washed?
warm soapy water or saline solution
To care for an abrasion, follow these steps:
Apply a sterile, water-soluble lubricant and clip hair around the wound with grooming clippers. The lubricant will keep hair from contaminating the wound while you shave the area. Flush and wash the wound with warm water or saline solution. This will remove the lubricant and wash away any remaining dirt or debris.
For a bleeding wound:
Apply direct pressure using gauze over the bleeding site. If blood soaks through, apply more gauze. Direct pressure is the safest way to stop bleeding until you can reach a veterinary hospital.
What are the two types of serious bleeding:
Arterial bleeding
How often should pets be brought to the vet?
At least once a year
How do you Place tape stirrups while treating a wound?
Bandage the foot by placing a strip of adhesive tape on each side of the foot, starting several inches above the wound and extending several inches past the bottom of the foot (Tape should go directly on the fur). This tape acts like stirrups to hold the bandage in place
What does CPR stand for?
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
After a seizure, the animal may be disoriented, walk into walls, or appear to be blind. It is also true that:
Cats and dogs may also behave normally after a seizure.
Keeping a log of your pet's seizures will help keep track of important data for your vet to help treat the condition. Include information such as:
Date, Time of day, Time after their last meal, How long the active phase of the seizure lasts
T/F: If the gums are pale, white, or any other color, this can be indicative of a non-serious health issues, it is not advisable that you should seek professional care.
F
T/F: Make sure you have a plan if you need to evacuate your home, and never include taking your pet with you.
F
T/F: Pets bitten by other animals do not necessarily need veterinary attention to prevent the wound, regardless how large or small, from getting infected.
F
T/F: The main goal in pet nutrition and health is to maintain a desirable Body Condition Score (BCS), which does not vary based on species, age, and special considerations per pet.
F
T/F: Wounds do not need to be checked on or consulted by a veterinarian after you've bandaged them
F
What is critical in being able to provide immediate care for your pet?
Having your veterinarian's phone number readily available, and knowing the nearest emergency or 24 hour hospital
If blood is spurting:
Hold the area just above the wound with your hand.
If blood is flowing heavily, but not spurting:
Hold the area just below the site. Hand positions may help close off the blood vessels.
How do you perform rescue breaths?
If your pet is not breathing then begin rescue breathing: Gently close the pet's mouth and extend the neck to open the airway. Cover the nose with your mouth and exhale until you see the pet's chest rise. Give a rescue breath over 1 second.
What are Lacerations?
Long or deep cuts that will most likely result in bleeding. Lacerations need to be taken care of immediately so that they may be able to heal properly.
During a seizure:
Make sure your pet is in a safe place. Do not attempt to restrain your pet. Allow them to have space, without any objects or furniture nearby that may injure them.
How do you perform CPR on a cat or small dog (less than 15 pounds)?
One-handed technique: Wrap your hand around the sternum at the level of the heart with your thumb on the up side and the rest of the fingers underneath. Two-handed technique: Place one hand over the other, with the heel of the hand directly over the heart. Lock the elbows, your shoulders should be above the hands. Compress 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the chest. Make sure the chest fully recoils before compressing again.
How do you Place gauze while treating a wound?
Place a nonstick pad or gauze sponge over the wound Wrap the paw with gauze roll, starting from the toes and ending just above the ankle or wrist. Pull the ends of the sticky tape over the end of the gauze roll bandage as far as it will go, with the sticky part twisted to face and adhere to the bandage.
How do you Wrap up the area while treating a wound?
Place an elastic or cling roll bandage over the cotton, working from the toes to the wrist or ankle. Make sure you pull the cling roll out before placing it so that it is not too tight. Make sure the bandage is not too tight by checking for swelling in the toes or above the bandage, and take your pet to a veterinary hospital.
Describe the Two-handed CPR technique:
Place one hand over the other, with the heel of the hand directly over the heart. Lock the elbows, your shoulders should be above the hands. Compress 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the chest. Make sure the chest fully recoils before compressing again.
Explain Chest compressions for Medium-Large Deep, narrow, keel chested dogs (Greyhounds, Dobermans Pinschers, etc.)
Place one hand over the other, with the heel of the hand directly over the heart. Lock the elbows, your shoulders should be above the hands. Compress 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the chest. Make sure the chest fully recoils before compressing again.
Explain chest compressions for Medium-Large Round chested dogs (Retrievers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, etc.)
Place one hand over the other, with the heel of the hand should be placed on the highest or widest part of the chest. Lock the elbows, your shoulders should be above the hands. Compress 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the chest. Make sure the chest fully recoils before compressing again.
To care wrap a wound on the leg or paw:
Place tape stirrups, Place gauze, Wrap up the area
Explain Chest compressions for Barrel, flat chested dogs (Boston terriers, Pugs, French Bulldogs, etc.)
Place the dog on its back. Place one hand over the other, with the heel of the hand on the highest part of the sternum. Lock the elbows, your shoulders should be above the hands. Compress 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the chest. Make sure the chest fully recoils before compressing again.
How do you check your pet's pulse rate?
Place your two fingers as high up as possible on the leg in the inguinal area, just where the leg meets the body wall; this recess is where the blood vessels run, and where you'll find the pulse.
To determine if your pet is dehydrated:
Pull up on the skin between their shoulder blades, upon letting go, the skin should spring right back in place. If it stays tented this can be a sign of dehydration.
What are Abrasions?
Scrapes to the skin's top layers. It can be shallow and heal easily or large and more serious. Your dog may lick or scratch the area, which may appear red or ooze blood.
Some seizures may look like your pet is:
Staring into space or biting at invisible things.
If the object does not come out during abdominal thrusts then:
Suspend the pet by the hips with the head hanging down If they are too heavy to hold, lift their hind legs Use the palm of your hand to give 5 sharp blows between their shoulder blade After each step, check the mouth for the object if it has not come out If your pet has stopped breathing, give rescue breaths on your way to the veterinary hospital Monitor the heartbeat and start chest compressions if necessary
T/F: Dry, sticky or tacky-feeling gums are indicators of dehydration.
T
T/F: Good nutrition and plenty of exercise are the best ways to keep pets fit and trim.
T
T/F: Grooming and exercise should be a regular activity in any kind of pet's life.
T
T/F: Pad wounds are typically caused by stepping on sharp objects such as glass or thorns. Apply direct pressure if bleeding.
T
T/F: Pet owners should take their pets to a veterinarian for check-ups at least once a year. For older pets, twice a year is recommended to.
T
T/F: Seizures can be the result of problems in the brain (central nervous system) or outside of the brain (Non Central Nervous System).
T
T/F: Smaller pets may be shaken by bigger animals during a bite, which can result in internal injuries.
T
T/F: Typically, an elevated temperature can be indicative of infection or inflammation, and can signify serious health issues.
T
How long does anti-seizure medication prevent seizures from occurring?
They may not prevent future seizures, but decrease the frequency and severity of seizures
Call your vet and bring your pet to the vet for seizure activity if:
This is your pet's first seizure, The seizure lasts longer than 3-4 minutes, Your pet is not recovering from a seizure, Your pet has had multiple seizures in a 24-hour period
What is the goal of CPR?
Trying to preserve blood flow to the brain and heart. When done properly, CPR may help your pet survive longer in emergency situations until professional help can be given to your pet. CPR should only be delivered after determining that your pet is not breathing properly and has no circulation by checking their ABCs.
What kind of container should an emergency supplies kit be stored in?
Waterproof
How do you check a pet's airway?
With the pet on its side, tilt the head back, pull the tongue out, use your finger to check for a foreign object in their throat. Move your finger in a sweeping motion, so as not to push foreign objects further back into the throat.
To care for a bleeding wound:
Wrap gauze or other soft material around the wound. Secure with tape. Check for swelling. Check repeatedly for swelling above and below the bandage, which indicates your bandage is too tight and you need to loosen it. Elevate the wound if the leg does not seem to be broken. Continue to apply direct pressure.
Describe the One-handed CPR technique:
Wrap your hand around the sternum at the level of the heart with your thumb on the up side and the rest of the fingers underneath.
During a seizure keep your hands away from your pet's mouth, and do not disturb them because:
Your pet may not know who you are during their seizure, and may bite you in response. You do not need to worry about trying to hold their tongue during a seizure, your pet will not swallow their tongue.
In the event of an emergency it's important to have _______________ and _____________________________________________________________.
a plan; current identification including a collar with an ID tag and microchip.
During a/n ____________ seizure, your pet will often fall over, twitch, urinate, defecate, and drool.
active
Choking occurs when either food or toys have gotten stuck inside your pet's throat and is obstructing airflow. This can quickly become fatal if your pet is unable to start breathing again soon. What are the signs that your pet may be choking?
anxiousness, acting frantic, lack of breathing, bluish or white gums, loud or struggled breathing, and pawing at their mouth