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Canine First Aid It is important to know the normal values for your dog, including capillary refill time, mucous membrane colors, Temperature, resting pulse rate, respiratory rate, and hydration in order to notice irregularities in your pet’s behavior and health. These values vary from animal to animal, but averages are as follows: Capillary refill time is the time it takes for color to return to the gums after pressing on the gum over the canine tooth, until it turns white. When the pressure is released, the color should return within 1 second. Note the normal color of your animals’ gums as they may vary from pink, brown, black or a combination of colors. To take your animal’s heart rate, lay him or her on their right side, and bend their left front leg at the elbow. Put the arm to the animal’s chest. The point where the elbow touches the chest is where the heart rate is felt the best. Place your hand or a stethoscope on that area and count the pulse for 15 seconds. Multiply that amount by 4, and you have the pulse rate for 1 minute. For dogs weighing 30 lbs. or less, the average heart rate is 100 to 160 beats per minute. For dogs weighing more than 30 lbs., the average heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute. A puppy up to 1 year of age has an average heart rate of 120 to 160 beats per minute. A cat has an average heart rate of 160 to 220 beats per minute. If your pet’s heart rate is not within normal limits, it should be treated as an emergency and taken to see a veterinarian immediately. The respiration rate is taken similarly as the heart rate. The respiration rate is the number of times a dog breathes per minute. To take the respiration rate, count how many breaths your pet takes in 15 seconds, and then multiply that number by 4. The total will be the respiration rate for 1 minute. The normal respiratory rate for young dogs is 20-25 breaths per minute. The respiratory rate for adult dogs is normally 14-16 breaths per minutes. Panting dogs have a much increased respiratory rate and may breathe up to 200 times a minute. To check your animal’s hydration, pick up a piece of skin (like you are making a Teepee), and release it. The skin should go back to normal within one second. Another main concern with pets is being able to recognize the signs of shock. Some causes of shock are; severe loss of blood, burns, poison, snake bites, prolonged gastrointestinal sickness (vomiting, diarrhea), or lack of oxygen. Shock is caused by a lack of effective circulation that results in a depressed state of vital body functions. There are many signs of shock to look out for. It is important to take your dog to a veterinarian immediately if he or she shows any of these signs including: A weak femoral pulse, or a rapid heart rate, hyperventilation or rapid breathing, confusion, restlessness, anxiety, general weakness, pale colored gums, pale inner eyelids, very slow capillary refill time (longer than 2 seconds), and general weakness. Other signs include dry lips and gums, dehydration, or excessive drooling in poison cases. During advanced stages of shock, the animal will experience continued depression and/or weakness to the point of unresponsiveness, or even unconsciousness. The mucous membranes will appear very pale or even white in color and the capillary refill time will be extremely slow (longer than 4 seconds). You may also see that the animal’s pupils are dilated, and when taken rectally (animals’ temperature should ALWAYS be taken rectally), the temperature will be very low (less than 98 degrees F). It is important to take caution when trying to aid an animal that is injured or in shock. Even though you are the animal’s owner, or it is familiar with you, many injured animals may bite or scratch out of pain or fear. You may need to muzzle the animal, but make sure to monitor the muzzle, and remove it immediately if the animal begins to vomit, overheat, hyperventilate, pant or breathe heavily. If possible, it is best to have someone help you hold the animal during treatment, examination, and during transportation to the veterinarian. Another thing to remember is that the animal is probably scared and under a lot of stress, so try to speak to your pet with soft, reassuring tones. To treat an animal that is in shock, until you reach a veterinarian’s office, make sure to keep the animal as calm and quiet as possible. This will help prevent further injury from occurring. Also, make sure to control any bleeding, and provide the animal with plenty of fresh air, and ventilation. Make sure the animal’s airway is not constricted, that he/she is breathing, and check his/her circulation (ABC’s of CPR), and try to keep the body temperature normal, by either using blankets for warmth or cool packs (always wrap them in towels) to cool the animal. Get the animal to the veterinarian or to an animal emergency clinic as soon as possible, so the doctor may start fluid replacement and/or medication. Animals, like humans, also get an occasional wound or abrasion. Although abrasions are usually minor, it is important to treat as soon as possible to prevent any infection from occurring. An abrasion is a scraped area on the skin or on a mucous membrane, resulting from injury or irritation. To treat an abrasion, it is first important to remove any debris or foreign objects. To do so, you may have to clip the hair with electric trimmers. Scissors may be used but you should be extra careful not to cause any more injury. Make sure to clean the area with a medical scrub such as Betadine or Chlorhexidine, if available. Betadine and Chlorhexidine are medical scrubs that act as antimicrobial, bactericidal antiseptics. If not, antibacterial soap will suffice, but make sure all scrubs/soaps are rinsed with plenty of clean water. Try to avoid using hydrogen peroxide as it may cause further damage to the already damaged tissue. While minor abrasions, like those discussed above, may be treated at home, major lacerations may be life threatening and should be seen immediately by a veterinarian. To control bleeding of a laceration, provide direct pressure and elevate the area above the heart, until a veterinarian is able to examine (and possibly suture) the laceration. Bandaging the wound will protect it from further injury or infection, will discourage the animal from licking the wound, restrict movement, and provide pressure to control further bleeding and edema (swelling). If bandaging is required on an extremity such as a leg, make sure that circulation is maintained to the toes, by not bandaging too tight. For more serious injuries, such as fractures, some signs include obvious pain, swelling, limping and abnormal gait, loss of use of the limb, or more seriously, a protruding bone or irregularity/deformity of the bone. In such situations it is important to remember that shock and bleeding should be controlled first. If a protruding bone is obvious, do not push the bone back in. Cover the open fracture with a clean dressing and take the animal to the proper facility as soon as possible for the proper treatment. Your veterinarian may apply a Robert-Jones style bandage or a cast. Immobilization of the area is important to decrease pain and possible shock, and to prevent further damage to the affected area. If your dog is the victim of a snake bite, seek immediate medical care. If possible, try to identify the snake species, which will help with the treatment. While transporting the animals to the veterinarian, try to immobilize the part of the body that has been bitten, and keep the area below the heart. Some signs of a snake bite are lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea, swelling at the sight of the suspected bite, and pain. A constricting band may be used (with caution) to stop or slow the spread of venom, until the proper facility is reached. In case of a sting, you may be able to see the stinger. If so, try to remove the stinger with clean forceps/tweezers, and if possible, apply cool compression. Call your veterinarian to see what treatment, if any, should be made, or if your pet needs to be seen by a professional. In some cases, the doctor can advise you over the phone and may direct you to give your pet Benadryl. (DO NOT give your animal any medication without first consulting your doctor!) Medical attention must be given if swelling/ irritation persists. If you are unsure whether your animal has been stung, some signs may be pain, redness at the sight of the sting, swelling, and pawing at the area. Although heat exhaustion is not as serious as heat stroke, it is still imperative to seek immediate medical care. Signs of heat exhaustion are red mucous membranes (gums), dehydration, shaking, fatigue, and excessive panting. Some dogs that are experiencing heat exhaustion may also experience circulatory collapse, meaning that vital organs are not oxygenated properly. The first step in treatment is to take the dog out of the source of heat, such as remove the animal from direct sunlight, or remove the animal from a hot car, and administer small amounts of water. If the symptoms do not improve, veterinary care is necessary. Heat stroke is a more serious condition and requires immediate medical attention. Like heat exhaustion, signs of heat stroke include panting, heavy breathing, and elevated temperature. In the case of heat exhaustion though, weakness, very dark red mucous membranes, and weakness and disorientation are also present. When rectal temperature is taken, the reading may be as high as 105-106 degrees F. The first step is to get the dog out of the source of heat and start cooling the body. Do not use an ice bath, as hypothermia may result in the body temperature dropping too low. Cool pack may be used, with caution, under the arms, groin, head and neck, but must first be wrapped in towels to not burn the skin. Get your pet to a doctor as soon as possible, as heat stroke can be deadly. Gastric Dilation or Torsion is the enlargement of the stomach to a size beyond the norm, and sometimes results in the actual rotation (torsion) of the stomach. Gastric Dilation or Torsion is also commonly called Bloat. It is most common in large breed dogs with a deep chest cavity, such as Great Danes, German Shepherds, and Dobermans, and is the second leading cause of death in dogs after cancer, because many pet owners do not know about it. There are many signs of stomach torsion that may be confused with symptoms of other ailments. Some of these signs are an unproductive attempt at vomiting, unproductive attempt to defecate, pacing, drooling and a distended abdomen that may feel tight like a drum, and abdominal pain or discomfort. Many times these signs are accompanied by pale gums, anxiety, and just “not acting like his/her normal self”. Bloat is a medical emergency and needs to be treated by a doctor immediately. Treatment often includes surgery to alleviate the gas built up in the stomach and return the stomach to its normal position. A Gastropexy, which is a surgery to “tack” the stomach into place permanently, may be performed to prevent a future reoccurrence. If Gastropexy is not performed, an animal that has had Bloat is 75-80% more likely to have Bloat again. Some ways to help prevent Torsion are: Feed your dog 2-3 times a day instead of once, do not allow exercise 1-2 hours before and after meals, avoid gulping or fast eating, and reduce stress. Another danger to animals, as with humans, is poisoning. It is very important to know what kinds of household items you own that may cause poisoning, and keep them away from pets in a place that is out of reach or can be locked. Some household plants may also be poisonous to domestic animals. Again, some of the symptoms of poisoning include: acting unusual, panting, shivering, heavy breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, irregular/rapid/slow heart rate and convulsions. There are many different types of poisoning that can cause many different effects on your animal. If you believe your animal has ingested poison, contact your veterinarian and/or animal poison control immediately. If you are unsure of the type of poison your animal has ingested, do not induce vomiting, as this is not always the safest solution and may cause further harm. Some common types of poison are: rodenticides, pesticides, antifreeze, chocolate, batteries, household cleaners, house plants, and even garbage. If possible, take a sample of the suspected poison with you to the veterinarian’s office. The following is a list of items and supplies to include in an animal first aid kit that can be purchased at a drug store or medical supply store:
Other items you might want to include, but may have to get from a Veterinarian (also ask for detailed instructions) are:
The author of this article assumes no liability for misdiagnosis. This article is for information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional veterinary attention. In case of emergency, contact the Animal Poison Control Center 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435)
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The animal’s temperature must be taken rectally. First, make sure to use a thermometer specific to your animal’s size. A rectal thermometer may be purchased at a pet supply store or at a pharmacy and come in various sizes. Secondly, sterilize the thermometer before and after each use by cleaning it with rubbing alcohol, but make sure to remove the excess and allow it to dry. Lubricate the thermometer with petroleum jelly, KY, or a similar product. Next, lay your pet either on its side, or have it stand while you gently hold him or her down. Shake the thermometer until it goes down below 100 degrees. Insert the thermometer about 1 inch for a cat or small breed dog, and about ¾ of the way for a larger dog. You may need some assistance, as some animals tend to scratch or bite out of discomfort. Leave the thermometer in for 1-3 minutes. Take the thermometer out and read it. Then again, clean the thermometer with rubbing alcohol. The average temperature is between 100.5 F and 102.5 F for cats and dogs.