First aid for your pet
31 July 2017
If your pet swallowed something they shouldn’t, or was involved in an accident, would you know what to do under pressure? Many of us have a basic understanding of first aid for humans, but when it comes to pets, lots of us wouldn’t know where to begin.
Life-threatening emergencies require speedy action, so it’s important to know what to do should something happen to your pet. There are many veterinary-led First Aid courses for pets, and attending a course can help you prepare for and respond to emergencies.
“Knowing how to respond in an emergency, and being prepared, can make the difference between life and death in some instances”, says PDSA Vet Rebecca Ashman. “There are some basic precautions and steps than can be taken to stop things from becoming very serious, and potentially life-threatening.”
To help pet owners get up to speed, here are Rebecca’s top tips on first aid and what to do if an emergency should arise.
- Don’t panic. If your pet is involved in an accident, it’s important to remain calm. While seeing your pet in pain will be distressing, you will be more likely to be able to help your pet if you remain focused.
- Animals that are in pain can bite or scratch. Approach them from the front so they can see you, talk softly to them and if needed use blankets to cover your pet’s head while you are doing your checks
- Check your pet for wounds, bleeding and any abnormal areas. If an area is bleeding excessively, bandage or wrap a towel around the area. Nappies or sanitary towels placed directly on the wound are good absorbers.
- If your pet is unresponsive check their ‘ABC’ vital signs: A – check the Airway is clear, B – are they Breathing? C – check their Circulation – do they have a pulse/heartbeat? A veterinary-led first aid course will provide practical CPR training.
- Call your vet. If something happens to your pet, give your vet a call first. They may need to give you vital information, or they may want to get set-up for your arrival to save precious time. Keep a pen and paper to hand to be ready to write down instructions of what to do.
- Don’t let your pet have anything to eat or drink unless your vet says it’s ok to do so.
Rebecca adds: “It’s also important to be prepared for an emergency. So keep a ‘pet-friendly’ first aid kit at home and with you while travelling, in case an emergency should arise. This can include bandages, wound dressings, tick remover, and a foil blanket, for example.
“Save the number and address of your vets in your phone and have it next to your landline at home. If you do need to call them in hurry, you won’t waste time searching.
“Learning CPR for pets can be beneficial in some situations. Speak to your vet for advice on attending a veterinary-led first aid course, to learn how to deliver CPR in the safest way.”
For further advice on first aid for your pet, visit PDSA’s website: www.pdsa.org.uk/firstaid.
