This is a short slid show describing how to attend to an animal in need of First Aid.

1. Animal First
Aid
The Basics
Part 1

2. Animal First Aid
 First aid is the provision of initial care for an
illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-
experts (or sometimes by an expert in case of
an emergency), to a sick or injured animal
until definitive medical treatment can be
accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or
minor injuries may not require further medical
care past the first aid intervention. It generally
consists of a series of simple and in some
cases, potentially life-saving techniques that
an individual can be trained to perform with
minimal equipment.

3. Wounds and Punctures
 Wounds and punctures can include
anything from a minor scratch or scrape,
to a full thickness (meaning all the layers
of skin have been affected) laceration or
puncture wound from a bite.

4. Minor Wounds and Punctures
Superficial Wounds (wounds that do not
penetrate all the way through the skin)
 Minor wounds and punctures generally
include an injury to the first or second layer of
skin and do not involve much bleeding if any.
These types of injuries can include a scratch
from another animal, or a small puncture from
running into a tree branch. Treatment usually
includes shaving around the wound and
cleaning with an antibacterial soap. Topical
antibiotics may or may not be needed, or
may not be practical if the animal attempts
to lick it off.

5. Laceration Vs. Puncture
 Laceration versus puncture wound
 A laceration is a wound that is produced by the
tearing of soft body tissue. This type of wound is
often irregular and jagged. A laceration wound is
often contaminated with bacteria and debris from
whatever object caused the cut.
 A puncture wound is usually caused by a sharp
pointy object such as a nail, animal teeth, or a
tack. This type of wound usually does not bleed
excessively and can appear to close up. Puncture
wounds are also prone to infection and should be
treated appropriately.

6. Laceration Vs. Puncture

7. Minor Scratch

8. Minor Puncture

9. Laceration
Deep Wounds (generally those that are
bleeding or have exposed muscle, fat,
or bone)
 A laceration is a major form of a cut or
scrape. A laceration can be the result of
many different situations including dog
fights, hit by car (HBC), road rash, or even
from an encounter with barbwire.
Lacerations are generally full thickness
wounds which means they penetrate all
the layers of the skin. There can also be a
large amount of bleeding involved.

10. Laceration

11. Laceration
 Typically lacerations require sutures or
staples, but in an emergency until this
treatment can be provided there are a
few steps that can be taken to prep the
wound until a veterinarian can see the
animal.

12. Laceration
 What to Do
 Stop the bleeding using direct pressure.
 Do not attempt to clean the wound unless
instructed to do so by a veterinarian.
 Protect the wound from contamination by
applying a water or saline-soaked compress. Do
not remove it until instructed to do so by a
veterinarian.
 Immobilize the wound to prevent further
damage.
 Provide shock care if necessary.
 Obtain professional veterinary care. Transport the
animal with the affected area facing up.

13. Lacerations
 What NOT to Do
 Do not apply materials (other than those
mentioned) to the wound unless
specifically instructed to by your
veterinarian.

14. Abscess
 Animal teeth and claws easily puncture
skin, introducing bacteria under the skin of
the affected animal. If the skin heals
quickly the bacteria become trapped,
which creates infectious pockets that are
commonly referred to as abscesses.

15. Abscess
 Abscesses may be very small or extraordinarily large,
and may feel swollen and warm. These wounds are
often extremely painful. Typically, animals with
abscesses become depressed, and may exhibit a
tendency to hide in inconspicuous places in the
home. Occasionally abscesses may rupture prior to
the onset of any other signs. Abscesses of the anal
glands are very common and can be mistaken for
rectal bleeding if they rupture. They may cause the
pet to ‘scoot’ the rectal area on the ground. Tooth
root abscesses typically form just below the eye, and
start as a bump or swelling. They may break open
and bleed, and the pet may stop eating due to the
pain or experience pain upon chewing.

16. Abscess

17. Abscess

18. Abscess

19. Abscess
 Small, uncomplicated abscesses may respond to
medical therapy, while larger and more extensive
abscesses may require surgical treatment. Proper
surgical management of abscesses often requires
the placement of a drain or latex tubing (either
under sedation or general anesthesia) to provide
an escape route for secretions from the damaged
tissues of the wound. Tooth root abscesses require
tooth extraction – antibiotics alone will only lead to
a temporary solution, but the abscess will recur
unless the affected tooth is pulled. This surgery
requires general anesthesia.

20. Abscess

21. Abscess

22. Abscess

23. Abscess

24. Abscess

25. Abscess

26. Abscess

27. Abscess

28. Abscess
 What to Do
 Abscesses should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as
possible and within 24 hours.
 Fluid may normally drain from the site of an abscess. An
abscess does not drain through the tube, but rather around
the latex tubing. Therefore, it is important for you to clean
the area around the drain twice daily with warm water.
 Apply a hot compress to the affected site at least two times
daily for 3 to 5 days after the animal leaves the
hospital. Wet a clean washcloth with very warm water and
place it directly over the affected site, and then apply
gentle pressure ideally for 5 to 10 minutes.

29. Abscess
 Be sure you and/or other family members wash your hands thoroughly
after contacting any fluids draining from the abscess site.
Be sure to administer all prescribed medications exactly and completely
as detailed by your pet’s veterinarian. Some patients may appear to
feel better after only a few days of treatment; however, it is crucial for
medications to be administered according to schedule to prevent the
infection from recurring.
Restrict your animal to indoor activities until the infection has resolved
completely.
Notify your pet’s doctor should your pet experience any of the following:
- Increased redness and/or heat from the site of abscess
- Failure of abscess to heal
- Worsening of your pet’s general health
- Loss of appetite lasting longer than 24 hours

30. Abscess
 What NOT to Do
 Do not attempt to open the abscess yourself.
 Do not attempt compressing the wounds of a
fractious cat. Contact your veterinarian for
assistance should this situation arise.
 Do not apply medicines, potions, or home
remedies unless directed by a veterinarian.

31. Hemorrhage
 Hemorrhage: Bleeding or the abnormal flow
of blood.
 A hemorrhage may be "external" and visible
on the outside of the body or "internal," where
there is no sign of bleeding outside the body.
Bleeding from a cut on the face is an external
hemorrhage. Bleeding into the spleen or liver
are examples of internal hemorrhage.

32. Hemorrhage
 Pets often suffer blood loss as a result of trauma.
Some bleeding is visible, and is a result of a cut or
laceration, while internal bleeding occurs inside
the body (such as in the chest or abdomen) and is
not visible to the naked eye. If bleeding is severe
or continuous, the pet may lose enough blood to
cause shock; loss of as little as 2 teaspoons per
pound of body weight may cause shock, which
doctors usually detect as a high heart rate and
low blood pressure. Emergencies may arise that
require you to control the bleeding, even if it is just
during transportation to the veterinary facility. Pet
owners should know how to safely stop
hemorrhage (bleeding) if their pet is injured.

33. Hemorrhage
 Techniques to Stop External Bleeding
 The following techniques are listed in order of preference. The first
rule when dealing with an injured pet is to avoid injury to yourself, so
take appropriate precautions (such as the use of a muzzle) to
avoid being bitten. For all techniques below, seek veterinary
attention immediately after stopping the bleeding, or on the way
to the veterinary hospital.
 Direct Pressure
Gently press a compress (a pad of clean cloth, feminine sanitary
product or gauze) over the bleeding area, so it can absorb the
blood and allow it to clot. Do not disturb blood clots after they
have formed. If blood soaks through, do not remove the pad;
simply add additional layers of cloth and continue the direct
pressure more evenly. The compress can be bound in place using
loosely applied bandage material, which frees the hands of the first
provider for other emergency actions. If you don’t have a
compress, you can use a bare hand or finger.

34. Hemorrhage
Direct pressure on a wound is the most
preferable way to stop bleeding.

35. Hemorrhage
 Elevation
If a severely bleeding wound is on the foot or leg, gently elevate the leg so
that the wound is above the level of the heart.
Elevation uses the force of gravity to help reduce blood pressure in the injured
area, slowing the bleeding. Elevation is most effective in larger animals with
longer limbs where greater distances from the wound to the heart are
possible. Direct pressure with compresses should also be maintained to
maximize the benefits of elevation.
 Elevation of a limb combined with direct pressure is an effective way to stop
bleeding.
 Pressure on the Supplying Artery
If external bleeding continues after you have used direct pressure and
elevation, use your finger or thumb to place pressure over the main artery to
the wound. Apply pressure to the femoral artery in the groin (on the inside of
the thigh) for severe bleeding of a rear leg; to the brachial artery in the inside
part of the upper front leg for bleeding of a front leg; or to the caudal artery
at the base of the tail if the wound is on the tail. Continue application of
direct pressure. Seek veterinary attention immediately.

36. Hemorrhage

37. Hemorrhage

38. Hemorrhage
 Tourniquet
Use of a tourniquet is potentially dangerous and it should
be used only for a severe, life-threatening hemorrhage in a
limb (leg or tail) not expected to be saved. If you see blood
spurting or pumping from a wound, which is a rare
occurrence, consider the use of a tourniquet. Use a wide
(2-inch or more) piece of cloth and wrap it around the limb
twice and tie it into a knot. Then tie a short stick or similar
object into the knot as well. Twist the stick to tighten the
tourniquet until the bleeding stops. Secure the stick in place
with another piece of cloth and write down the time it was
applied. Every 20 minutes loosen the tourniquet for 15 to 20
seconds. Remember this is potentially dangerous and can
often result in disability or amputation.

39. Hemorrhage
A tourniquet should only be used as a
last-resort, life-saving measure!

40. Hemorrhage
 Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is a life-threatening condition,
but it is not obvious like external bleeding. Any
bleeding that is visible is external. Internal bleeding
occurs inside the body and will not be seen. In
internal bleeding, blood pools in the stomach or
chest but does not result in blood in the stool or
bleeding from the rectum. There are, however,
some external signs of internal bleeding:
 The pet is pale (check the gums).
 The pet is cool on the legs, ears, or tail.
 The pet is coughing up blood.
 The pet is unusually subdued.

41. Hemorrhage
 If you see any of these signs, immediately
transport your pet to a veterinary facility
for professional help. Most cases of
internal bleeding will require intensive
therapy in a veterinary hospital.
Remember: internal bleeding is not visible
on the outside.