cpr and first aid for dogs - boxer€¦ · stings / bites stings –spiders, bees/wasps symptoms:...

CPR and First Aid for Dogs

Adapted from presentation by

Laura Cuthbert

2009 Mid-Atlantic ABC Regional

October 6, 2009

Frederick, MD

Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010

1

Normal Values

Respiration (breaths/min) Young dogs 20-25Adult dogs 10-20Up to 200 pants /min

Pulse rate (bpm) Puppy 120-160Medium to large dog (>30 lbs)

60-100 Small breed adult 100-160

Temperature (rectal) 101-102 degrees F

Capillary refill time Less than 1 second

Mucous membrane color Generally pink

Know your dog so you can recognize when something is wrong.

Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010 2

Survey of an Emergency Victim

Inspect the area. Observe the animal’s body, posture, presence of blood, feces or vomit, sounds and other materials (poisons) around the victim. Is the area safe?

Inspect the animal. Assess the following: Is there an open airway?

Is the animal breathing?

Is there a heartbeat/ pulse?

Mucous membrane color (upper or lower lip and gums). Normal color is pink

Capillary refill time - after checking color press lightly on the gums. Observe the color change from white to pink again. The pink should return after 1 to 2 seconds. Less than 1 second or more than 3 seconds is an emergency.

Is the animal bleeding?

Is the animal alert, awake, seizing, disoriented, hyperactive, depressed or unconscious?


Rescue Breathing

Objective – to establish an unobstructed airway and get air into the lungs

Check for breathing.

Lay the animal on its right side.

Gently tilt the head back to extend the neck and head to open airway.

Pull the tongue between the front teeth.

Check for foreign material or vomit in the animal’s mouth. Remove with your finger if necessary.

If no signs of breathing, seal mouth & lips by placing your hands around the lips and gently hold the muzzle closed.

Place your mouth over the animal’s nose and exhale. The chest should expand and fall if air is reaching the lungs.

Give 4 to 5 breaths forcefully to see if the animal will begin breathing on its own. (Do not breathe too hard for small dogs.)

Rescue breathing should be 8-10 breathes per minute for larger dogs and 20-30 for small dogs (under 30 lbs).


CPR for Small Dogs and Cats

When: Dog will be unconscious with no movement or breathing

Objective: To get blood flow to get oxygen to the brain

Remember ABCs: Airway, Breathing, Cardiac Compression

Make sure that the animal is on it’s right side.

Kneel next to your pet with the animal’s chest facing you.

Place the palm of 1 hand over the ribs at the point where the elbow touches the chest. Place the other hand under the right side of the animal.

Compress the chest ½ to 1 inch (elbows should be softly locked)

Start with 10 quick compressions and check for consciousness

Do 5 compressions for each breath, if working alone, then check for breath.

If there are 2 people, one person does the breathing and one does the compressions at 2 or 3 compressions for each breath.

Once dog is conscious, transport to vet immediately


CPR for Medium to Large Dogs Place the animal on it’s right side with the animal’s back facing you

Extend your arms at the elbows

Cup your hands over each other

Compress the chest at the point where the left elbow touches the chest when pulled back to the chest

Compress the chest 1 to 3 inches

If working alone, do 5 compressions to 1 breath and check pulse.

If there are two people, one person does the breathing while the other does the compressions at 2 or 3 for each breath.

Once dog is conscious, transport to vet immediately

For Giant Dogs (over 90 pounds): Use the technique above, but do 10 compressions for each breath if alone, and 6 compressions to each breath if there are two people.

If you don’t remember the numbers, remember this:

Anything is better than nothing!

If you are alone and cannot do both breathing and compression:

Do cardiac compression!Presentation to Potomac Boxer Club 2/28/2010 6

ShockShock is the result of poor circulation and can be life-threatening. Common causes

are trauma, major blood loss, burns, snake bites, poisons or severe vomiting and diarrhea (dehydration)

Symptoms:

Early stage: increased heart rate, pounding pulse, rapid breathing, capillary refill time 1 or 2 seconds, pale gums, temperature may be low or in the case of septic shock may be elevated

Middle Stage: low body temperature (cool limbs), weak pulse, prolonged capillary refill time, increased heart rate, depressed mental state

End Stage: slow respiratory rate, slow heart rate, depressed mental state or unconsciousness, prolonged capillary refill time, white gums, weak or absent pulse

CARDIAC ARREST MAY SOON FOLLOW

FIRST AID: Control bleeding Warm the animal using a thermal blanket Elevate hind end slightly (not if you suspect a broken back or neck) Keep dog quiet and calm to prevent more injury (dog may be in pain or fear) Transport to vet immediately


Wounds and BleedingAbrasions / small cuts - minor bleeding Treat by cleaning with water and antibacterial solution or scrub (any soap helps) to reduce

chance of infection Do not use hydrogen peroxide

Lacerations - Major bleeding – can be life-threatening or require suturing by vet• First principle is to CONTROL the bleeding

Apply direct pressure with a clean piece of material Elevate area if possible If blood is spurting, hold area just above the wound If blood is flowing heavily, hold area just below the wound Apply a pressure bandage to constrict blood flow – wrap tight enough to stay on, but not

too tight If working on a limb, check repeatedly for swelling of the toes and temperature of the toes

• If none of the above works – apply pressure at the pressure points:

Front Limbs: Pressure point is 3 fingers into the armpit on the side of the bleeding limb

Back Limbs: Pressure point is 3 fingers into the inner thigh on the side of the bleeding limb

Head: Pressure point is 3 fingers at the base of the lower jaw (below the ear) on the same side as the bleeding

Neck: Pressure point is 3 fingers in the groove next to the wind pipe on the side where the bleeding is occuring

Release pressure slightly every 10 minutes to check if the bleeding has stopped.


ChokingSymptoms:

Animal stops breathing

Struggling or gasping to breathe

Loud breathing sounds

Anxiousness

Gums may be blue or white

History of chewing/playing with objects such as rawhide/balls.

FIRST AID:

Open mouth and sweep from side to side to dislodge object

Pull tongue forward and remove object

If animal is small enough, lift and suspend by the hips with head hanging down

If animal is too large, hold animal’s rear legs in the air so their head hangs down

IF THE OBJECT DOES NOT COME OUT

Have the animal either stand or lie down

Place your arms around the animal’s waist

Close your hands together to make a fist & place your fist behind the last rib

Compress the abdomen be pushing up 5 times in quick thrusts

Perform rescue breathing for 5 breaths

If this fails give a sharp blow with the flat of your hand between the shoulder blades and repeat


Fractures (or suspected fractures)

Symptoms: Pain Swelling, deformity, dislocation, visible or suspected bone fracture Limping or loss of use of a limb

FIRST AID: If part of a traumatic accident, address bleeding and shock first Cover an open fracture with clean dressing (do not push a bone back through

the skin) Do not reduce a dislocation – treat is as a fracture For lower limb fracture, immobilize joints above and below the knee (stifle) or

elbow using an external temporary splint (roll cotton wrap, cotton padding, elastic gauze wrap / tape)

Transport to vet ASAP


Stings / BitesStings – spiders, bees/wasps

Symptoms: Pain, swelling, redness, rash Pawing at face, snapping in the air (often stung on the face)

FIRST AID: Remove stinger if visible (can use credit card to scrap if off) Use cool compress to ease sting Administer oral Benadryl (diphenhydramine) (one to two 25mg capsules

depending on size of the dog) For persistent swelling or any sign of breathing difficulty, take to vet

Bites – snake, wild animalSymptoms: (depends on how long after the incident occurred) Pain, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy Salivating and thirsty Swelling at site Shock

FIRST AID: Take immediately to the vet Keep bite area immobile and keep below the heart level Keep animal calm and confined while transporting If possible, identify the snake species to assist in treatment options


Heat Exhaustion / Stroke

Heat Exhaustion – early stage of heat exposureSymptoms: Fatigue, excessive panting, dehydration, shaking, red gums

FIRST AID: Move dog to shade and rest Offer small amounts of water

Heat Stroke – a result of excessive heat exposureSymptoms: Excessive panting, temperature > 105-106 degrees F Disorientation, weakness Rapid pulse & breathing Dark red mucous membranes

FIRST AID: Move dog to shade and immerse in cool water (not ice water) Slowly cool body – can use ice wrapped in cloth under armpits, in groin

area, around head and neck Transport to vet immediately


PoisoningWho gets poisoned? Active, inquisitive, unsupervised pets, especially puppies. Pets kept in garages, kitchens, and bathrooms are at greatest risk. Most poisons are

swallowed. Common Causes: Household cleaners Pesticides, rodenticides, herbicides, fertilizers Antifreeze Kitchen items (Raw salmon, chocolate, onions, onion powder, garlic, coffee, tea, yeast

dough, salt, avocados, alcohol, macadamia nuts, grape skins, raisins, spoiled foods) Chocolate – including cocoa bean mulch Xylitol (sugar substitute found in chewing gum) Plants (holly, ivy, poinsettia, iris, lily, China berry, pokeweed, and many more) Household items (human medications, button batteries, pennies, fabric softener sheets,

mothballs)Symptoms: depends on the type and how much exposure of the poison occurred Topical – rash, skin irritation Gastrointestinal – vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach pain Bleeding and anemia (especially from rodenticides)– bruising, nosebleeds, bloody stools Neurological – seizures Heart symptoms (plants like oleander, jimson weed, kalanchoe)– irregular heart rhythm Kidney symptoms (antifreeze, Easter lily, philodendron, dieffenbachia) – inability to produce

urine Liver symptoms (medications including acetaminophen and selected plants) – liver damage


Poisoning


National Animal Poison Control Center1-888-426-4435

First Step: Call your vet or the Poison Control Center

FIRST AID for Topical Poisons: Unless the substance is caustic (lime), wash the animal with large volumes of water and

baby shampoo…..rinse, rinse, rinse If the poison is petroleum based, use DAWN dish washing liquid. If the poison is a powder, use a vacuum to remove it.

FIRST AID for Inhaled Poisons: Gases (carbon monoxide) Get the animal to fresh air but do not risk yourself Provide rescue breathing and be alert for signs of shock

FIRST AID for Ingested Poisons: (depends on the type of poison and when ingested) When advised to do so by a vet, induce vomiting with 3% hydrogen peroxide orally (2

tbsp for an adult), repeat in 15 minutes if dog has not vomited When advised to do so by a vet, administer activated charcoal (Endosorb) to adsorb

poisons Take a sample of the poison with you when you transport the dog to the vet

Seizures

Symptoms:

Before a seizure your dog may seem dazed and anxious, and may seek you or a safe place (aura phase), and start to tremble.

During an active seizure he/she will often fall over (sudden paralysis), twitch or have convulsive leg paddling , urinate, defecate, drool and will not recognize you

Some seizures look like the animal is staring into space

Once the seizure is over your dog may be disoriented, walk into walls or appear to be blind. Some may also behave normally.

FIRST AID:

Cover the dog with a towel or blanket or place on a rug and hold him (if possible) in a position to avoid self-inflicted damage. Keep track of how long it lasts (typically a few seconds to a few minutes).

Stay calm and reassuring

Ocular compression - You may push gently on the eyeballs (on the lids, of course) to help stimulate the vagus nerve, possibly slowing the seizure. Apply this pressure for 5 to 8 seconds, release and repeat. Continue until seizure eases.

Call your vet to report the incident.


Burns and ScaldsFrequent Causes: Kitchen accidents (hot liquids and pans) Puppy heating pad too hot Chewing on an electrical wire Outside open flame fires Chemical burns

Symptoms: First degree burns are superficial - reddening of the skin, tender or painful to the touch,

swelling Second degree burns affect deeper layers of the skin - blisters, redness, swelling,

tenderness Third degree burns – loss of skin, swelling under the skin, skin is not sensitive to touch,

tissue may look charred Electrical burns – lips, tongue and gums will be burned (could stop the heart)

FIRST AID: First degree burns – apply cold water or ice (usually do not need a vet’s care) For second and third degree burns - cool water compresses (e.g. sterile non-stick pads)

held with loose gauze should be applied as soon as possible For anything other than minor burns, contact your vet as soon as possible Chemical burns – flush with water for 10-15 minutes and transport to vet Do not use ointments, petroleum jelly or butter due to chances of infection


BloatBloat – A life threatening situation…gastric dilatation/torsion, often common in

deep chested dogs. It is an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid and foam trapped in the stomach which can twist as it expands. When stomach attachments to the esophagus and intestine are blocked, it can kill a dog in less than an hour.

Symptoms: Distended abdomen (hard) Dry retching Significant anxiety and restlessness “Hunched up” appearance Excessive drooling Depression and shock

FIRST AID: TRANSPORT TO VET IMMEDIATAELY

Prevention: Split your dog’s food into at least two feedings per day (am/pm) Avoid lots of water at once (don’t want gulping of air) No exercise before and especially after eating


Pet Owner First Aid Kit


• A list of emergency phone numbers including your pet’s vet, an after hours vet clinic and Poison Control

• Bandages for control of bleeding and wrapping of wounds Gauze sponges (a variety of sizes) Roll Gauze, 2-inch width (can use for a

make-shift muzzle) Roll bandage (like vet wrap) Adhesive tape, hypo-allergenic (do not use

BandAids) Non-adherent sterile pads Clean strips of cloth

• Material to make a splint (wood pieces, newspaper, sticks)

• Handy tools Small scissors Penlight Needle-nose pliers Grooming clippers or a safety razor Pediatric rectal thermometer Expired Credit card to swipe away stingers Tweezers Baby dose syringe or eye dropper Styptic powder or pencil

• Medications 3% Hydrogen Peroxide Rubbing alcohol Over-the-counter topical antibiotic

ointment (Neosporin, Bacitracin) Hydrocortisone cream, Benadryl cream Anti-diarrheal (Pepto Bismol tabs, Flagyl) Epsom salts Sterile eye lubricant(Visine) Sterile saline eye wash Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), appropriate

dosage for your pet’s size, if approved by your vet

Glucose paste or corn syrup• Latex gloves• Nylon leash (at least one)• Towel• Compact Thermal Blanket• Water-based sterile lubricant• Petroleum jelly

cpr and first aid for dogs - boxer€¦ · stings / bites stings –spiders, bees/wasps symptoms:...

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