While we can offer routine checkups and preventive care to help avoid possible health issues, there is still a chance that at some point your pet may experience an emergency situation requiring first aid. In today's post, our emergency veterinarians in Nashua, NH, share a guide to basic first aid for pets and what to keep in your kit.
Some Helpful Tips For Pet First Aid
It is important to know how to handle a health emergency when it occurs to your pet so that you can stabilize them to get them to an emergency animal hospital in Nashua, NH.
First aid for pets is similar to first aid for a human. Use the “Dr ABCs”
Danger – Keep yourself and others around you safe.
Response – Check if your pet responds to their name or touch.
Airway – Is their airway clear?
Breathing – Are they breathing?
Circulation – Do they have a pulse or heartbeat?
Send – Someone to ask for help!
How to Perform CPR for Pets
The first concern is always whether are they breathing. Brain damage and death happen quickly if they are not breathing. For cats and dogs, the process is similar to the process on humans.
Check if they are breathing and try to find a heartbeat.
If they are not breathing check the air passage is unobstructed.
If there is no heartbeat begin chest compression at around 100 to 120 compression per minute.
Do 30 compressions and give rescue breaths.
Close the pet's mouth and breathe through their nose.
Check every 2 minutes for a heartbeat/independent breathing.
Get your pet to the vet, and keep up CPR on route to the vet or until your pet is breathing on its own.
If your pet starts breathing on their own you should still take them to your nearest 24-hour emergency vet in Nashua, NH.
What to Keep in a First Aid Kit for Pets
Having a pet first aid kit can be very helpful and is not that different from a human first aid kit. Our emergency veterinarians in Nashua, NH, recommend having at least:
- Bandages
- Blunt-ended scissors
- Tweezers
- Wound dressing
- Self-adhesive tape
- Vinyl gloves
- Foil blanket
- Antiseptic wipes
- A blanket to use as a stretcher or to immobilize them.
In Conclusion
- Remember “Dr ABCs”.
- CPR for most pets is like the human version but breathes through their nose.
- Use common sense and best judgment.
- When in doubt, call your Nashua emergency vet clinic.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.