This document provides information on first aid for pets, including when to call the emergency vet. It outlines the importance of being prepared with a first aid kit and knowing basic first aid techniques like CPR. Various emergency situations are described such as heat stroke, bleeding, and poisoning, with guidance on appropriate first aid responses. The document emphasizes calling the vet for emergencies and outlines different categories of emergencies based on the urgency of the situation. Safety is stressed both for administering first aid and when transporting an injured pet to the vet.

1. First Aid for Pets
& when to call the Emergency Vet

2. Do I Need to Know First Aid?
 Reduce pain
 Relieve suffering
 Promote recovery
 Life saving
 CPR - worth a try!

3. Don’t Panic!!
 Phone us
 Safety first
 First Aid kit
 No food or drink
 Warm and dry
 NO HUMAN MEDICINES

4. Safety
 Environment
- cars
- electricity
- other animals
 Tape/tie muzzle
 Towel wrap
 30% would risk their
own life (NOAH
survey) – don’t!

5. First Aid Kit
 Saline/water
 Bandages
 Towel
 Non adhesive
dressing
 Microporous tape
 Wet-wipes
 Scissors (curved)
 Tweezers

6. First Aid Kit
 Thermometer
- 37.5-39C
 Gloves
 Gauze swabs
 Medicine/records
 Hydrogel
 Foil blanket
 Washing up liquid

7. Nute’s First Aid Pocket Kit

8. Basic Resuscitation
 Place on their side
 Breathing – wisp of fur
to nostrils
 Tongue forwards, check
for obstructions
 Extend head, blow into
nose
 Push chest behind front
legs if no pulse
 15 compressions per 2
breaths

9. Transport to the vet
 Basket/cage
 Ask for help!
 Blanket stretcher
 Try to be calm
 Blankets &
newspapers
 Don’t touch fractures

10. Heat Stroke - Causes
 Hot cars
 Lack of shade +
water
 Humidity (panting)
 Exercise
 Overweight
 Short-faced breeds

11. Heat Stroke - Signs
 Excessive panting
 Anxious
 Red or blue gums
 Salivating
 Collapse
 Rapid heart rate

12. Heat Stroke – First Aid
 DO NOT USE ICEY
WATER
 Tepid hose or wet
sheets
 Increase air flow
 Seek veterinary help
 Encourage to drink

13. Bleeding
 Bandage
 Pressure – pad,
blanket
 Tourniquet?
 Keep as quiet as
possible
 Confine (box)
 Do not splint
fractures

14. Case report – Jack Lewins
 Running in woods
 Cephalic vein cut
 First aid from owner
 Saved his life!
 Pressure applied
 Gloves & bungee

15. Road Traffic Accidents
 Dogs – leads
 Gentle slow
movements
 Fearful – safety!
 Walk/carry – blanket
stretchers
 Always go to vets

16. Poisoning – Usual Suspects
 Chocolate – dark
 Antifreeze
 Raisins
 Household products
 Human medicines
 Beach – algae, toxins

17. Poisoning – First Aid
 Bring
packaging/plant
 Act quickly
 Always go to vet
 NEVER GIVE
HUMAN
MEDICINES
 Vet poisons unit

18. Poisoning – Human Medicines
 Speed is key to survival
 Bring packaging
 We will NOT report or prosecute
accidental poisonings!

19. Case report – Tala Burton
 Eaten 2 Christmas
cakes + box dark
chocolate
 Apomorphine
 Charcoal
 Fluids (3 days)
 Blood tests
 Thankfully ok!

20. Persistent Vomiting
 Several times
 Not keeping food
 Foreign Body
 Potential rupture
 Dehydration

21. GDV – Twisted Stomach
 Deep-chested
 Swollen tummy
 Gulping
 Salivation
 Retching
 Call vet asap!

22. Giving Birth
 Accurate service dates
 Know what to expect
 Contractions >30 min
 >2 hours green
 >2hr gap
 Digital exam

23. Lactating Bitches – Eclampsia
 Hypocalcaemia
 First 3 weeks
 Nervous/restless
 Panting
 Stiff muscles
 Inability to rise
 Coma
 Vet asap!

24. Blocked Cat – Not Peeing!
 Male cats
 Straining
 Blood
 Not always obvious
 Hiding
 Crying out
 Vomiting
 Call vet

25. Respiratory Distress
 Panting cats – true
emergency
 Noisy breathing
 Dark, pale, blue
gums
 Shallow fast breaths
 Get to vet asap

26. Post Operative Complications
 Infection
 Herniation
 Anaesthetic reaction
 REST
 Check wound
regularly

27. Other Common Problems
 Adder bites
- dark swelling
-2 puncture wounds
- pain, nervous
- collapse, V/D,
salivation
- carry, bathe, vets
immediately
 Stings
- pull out with
tweezers
- bicarb of soda
- ice
- call vet if severe
swelling/breathing
problems

28. Other Problems
 Burns/scalds
- cold water 5 min
- saline soaked
dressings
- keep warm
- phone vet for
advice if minor
 Coat contamination
- prevent licking
- clip coat
- bathe in washing
up liquid
- NEVER use
turpentine etc

29. Other Problems
 Electrocution
-power off
- broom to push
away (home)
- power lines –
police
- resuscitation if not
breathing
- vets immediately
 Fitting
- lights and noise off
- extreme care
- move items could
injure self on
- record time, video
- if >5 mins or
repeated call vet

30. Other Problems
 Eye injuries
- bulging – saline
swab
- chemicals – flush
- do not delay
 Drowning
- do NOT attempt
rescue
- remove debris
from mouth
- hold upside down
- always see the vet
after

31. Care With Cats
 Hide illness
 Sleepier than
normal
 Off food
 Hiding
 Panting
 Growling when
handled

32. The Emergency Vet – Your Vets!

33. Emergency Out Of Hours
Protocol
 Phone our usual number
 Message with answer service
 They call vet
 Message relayed
 Call you asap

34. Quick Response Emergencies
 Profuse bleeding
 RTA
 GDV
 Poisonings
 Heat stroke
 Adder bites
 Struggling to
breathe
 Eclampsia

35. See Today Emergencies
 Cuts and burns
 Extreme lethargy
 Eye injuries
 Stings with swelling
 Vomiting repeatedly
 Fitting repeatedly
 Whelping problems
 Blocked cat

36. See In Normal Hours
 Chronic problems – skin, ears
 Fitting – one off
 Stings – no swelling
 Vomiting once if otherwise well
 Diarrhoea (unless bloody or unwell)
 Give advice to manage at home

37. We Are Here To Help!
 Keep calm
 Listen to our advice
 First aid kit
 Safety