What is First Aid?
First aid is the immediate care given to a pet who has been injured or is suddenly taken ill.You must have a First Aid Kit pack (adhesive tape,scissors - cotton balls and pledgets,blanket with heat,eye wash, isopropyl alcohol 3% hydrogen peroxide ........) in case of emergencies, the following tips can help to save your pet in case of an accident or illness :
1-Diarrhea and Vomiting
*What to Do ?
- Remove all food and water.
- Check for signs of dehydration.
- If the diarrhea and/or vomiting continues or the cat acts ill, seek veterinary attention. Diarrhea and vomiting can quickly lead to serious fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance, especially in the very young and the very old.
- If no vomiting occurs for 6 to 8 hours, begin to give small amounts of clear liquids (water, Gatorade, Pedialyte, or other electrolyte solution) frequently. A rule of thumb is to give 1 teaspoon per pound of body weight every 2 or 3 hours throughout the day and night.
- Isolate the sick cat from other pets.
*What NOT to Do?
- Do not medicate your cat without talking to your veterinarian.
- Do not allow the feline to eat or drink anything until there has been no vomiting for 6 to 8 hours.
Vomiting and diarrhea are associated with a host of problems which are referred to collectively as gastroenteritis. Some cases are quite severe (e.g., poisoning), and some are not (e.g., dietary indiscretion). If fever is present, infection may be a cause. Most infections which cause diarrhea and vomiting are contagious, so it is wise to assume that other pets might be vulnerable if they are exposed.
If your pet is not feeling well and has vomiting and/or diarrhea, he should see a veternarian.
2-Dehydration
Excess loss of water from the body or inappropriate intake of water into the body.
*What to Do
- If moderate or severe, seek veterinary attention.
- If mild, give frequent, small amounts of water by mouth.
- Move the cat to a cool (not cold) environment to help reduce panting.
*What NOT to Do
- Do not allow your cat to have immediate free access to water or other liquid.
- Do not feed him any dry food.
Dehydration often accompanies vomiting, diarrhea, hypothermia, fever, no access to water, and other conditions. It can be detected by several tests:
-Mouth: Are the tongue and gums moist or dry? If they are dry, the cat may be dehydrated. Is the saliva thick or ropy? Normally, saliva is quite watery and hardly noticeable.
-Eyes: Are they normal, or do they sink into the sockets? Sunken or dry eyes may indicate dehydration, and warrant veterinary attention.
-Skin: Do the skin turgor test outlined in the Physical Exam Checklist. If the skin is slow to return to position, the animal is at least 5% dehydrated. If the skin does not return fully to its position, the animal is 10% to 12% dehydrated and is likely in critical condition.
3-Burns
Any injury of tissue caused by heat, flame, chemicals, or electricity.
*What to Do
- Extinguish all flames.
- For thermal or electrical burns, immediately apply cold water compresses to the site of the injury, changing them frequently as necessary to keep the site cool and wet. Continue this for at least 30 minutes.
- Transport your cat to a veterinary facility as soon as possible.
*What NOT to Do
- Do not apply ointments.
- Do not delay seeking veterinary attention.
- Do not attempt to remove burned hair or skin yourself.
4-Bee Stings /Insect Bites
Any insect or spider can cause problems if they bite or sting your pet. A bite or sting
causes swelling, redness, and itching. Certain stings can cause your pet to "faint" or cause an alarming swelling in the face.
*What to Do:
- If the stinger can be found, pull it out with tweezers by grasping the stinger itself, located below the venom sac. If the sting just happened, don't put pressure on the venom sac, as that would "inject" more of the venom into the pet.
- Apply cool compresses to the area.
- To help neutralize some of the acidic venom, apply a paste mixture of baking soda and water to the sting area.
*What NOT to Do:
- Do not administer any medications without first contacting your veterinarian. Bear in mind the veterinarian will likely need to examine your pet before recommending medications.
5-Bleeding
Pets often suffer blood loss as a result of trauma. If bleeding is severe or continuous, the
animal may lose enough blood to cause shock (loss of as little as 2 teaspoons per pound of
body weight may cause shock). Emergencies may arise that require the owner to control
the bleeding, even if it is just during transport of the animal to the veterinary facility. Cat owners should know how to stop hemorrhage (bleeding) if their pet is injured.
Techniques to Stop External Bleeding:
The following techniques are listed in order of preference:
- Direct Pressure
Gently press a compress (a pad of clean cloth or gauze) over the bleeding absorbing the
blood and allowing 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 bandage
material which frees the hands of the first provider for other emergency actions. In the
absence of a compress, a bare hand or finger can be used.
Direct pressure on a wound is the most preferable way to stop bleeding.
- Elevation
If there is a severely bleeding wound 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 wound to heart are possible. Direct pressure with compresses
should also be maintained to maximize the use 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 following the use of direct pressure and elevation, finger or
thumb pressure over the main artery to the wound is needed. Apply pressure to the
femoral artery in the groin 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.
Pressure Above and Below the Bleeding Wound This can also be used in conjunction
with direct pressure. Pressure above the wound will help control arterial bleeding. Pressure
below the wound will help control bleeding from veins.
- Tourniquet
Use of a tourniquet is dangerous and it should be used only for a severe, life-threatening
hemorrhage in a limb (leg or tail) not expected to be saved. A wide (2-inch or more) piece
of cloth should be used to wrap around the limb twice and tied into a knot. A short stick or
similar object is then tied 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 make a
written note of the time it was applied. Loosen the tourniquet for 15 to 20 seconds every
20 minutes. Remember this is dangerous and will likely result in disability or amputation.
Use of a tourniquet should only be employed as a last-resort, life-saving measure!
6-Abscess
A localized accumulation of pus, usually caused by an infection introduced from an animal
bite or other penetrating wound. It may appear as a painful swelling or, if it has ruptured,
as a draining wound.
*What to Do ?
- If it has ruptured, clean the wound with soap (not detergent) and water. Rinse well and pat dry. Repeat several times a day.
- If there is swelling, apply warm, moist compresses for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat 3 or 4 times daily.
- Abscesses should be examined by a veterinarian within 24 hours.
What NOT to Do ?
- Do not attempt to open the abscess yourself.
- Do not apply medicines, potions, or home remedies unless directed to by a veterinarian.
Abscesses are a frequent problem in cats, especially unneutered males who get into
territorial or breeding disputes.
During these disputes, the cat may receive a bite or a scratch. If the wound becomes
infected, an abscess may form within a day or two. Neutering your male cat will reduce his
"need" to fight. Without the influence of male hormones he will mark out a much smaller
territory and will be less likely to engage in fights over a female.
7-Electrocution
In order to avoid injury to yourself, it is imperative that you do not touch the pet until the
electrical source has been turned off or moved.
*What to Do
- Unplug the electrical cord or shut off the electricity.
- If this is not possible, use a dry wooden broom or other non-conductive object to move the pet away from the source of the electricity.
- Check for breathing and pulse. Begin CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) if necessary.
- If the pet is breathing, check its mouth for burns. Apply cool compresses to burns.
- Cover the pet with a blanket to prevent heat loss.
- Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.
*What NOT to Do
- Do not fail to get the pet examined even though she seems perfectly normal after being separated from the source of electricity.
- Do not give any medications or liquids unless instructed to by a veterinarian.
Any animal that has suffered electrocution should be taken to a veterinarian, even if there
are no apparent complications. Electrocution is a life-threatening emergency. It may cause
abnormal electrical activity of the heart or a build-up of fluid in the lungs which could be
fatal hours after the shock.
8-Eye Injuries
Any condition that causes your pet to squint or protect his eye; any suspected trauma to
the eye; any abnormal appearance of the eyeball; any time the eyelid cannot cover the
eyeball, these are potential emergencies and veterinary attention should be sought
immediately.
*What to Do ?
- If the eye has been dislocated from the socket (proptosis) or the lids cannot close over the eyeball, keep the eyeball moist with contact lens wetting solution, K-Y jelly, water, or moist compresses. An old home remedy that works is keeping the eye moist with pure honey.
- If an irritating chemical or other product accidentally gets into the eye, flush it with running water, or water (or saline) squeezed from a compress or a sponge for a minimum of 15 minutes. (Saline: dissolve 2 teaspoons of table salt in I quart of water)
- Always seek veterinary attention immediately. Eyes are quite fragile and just a few minutes could mean the difference between sight and blindness.
*What NOT to Do ?
- Do not attempt to treat the eyes, or remove a foreign object, yourself.
- Do not try to push a proptosed eyeball back into the socket. This must be done under anesthesia so as not to cause damage to the eyeball's interior.
We hope that these tips may help cat owners to keep their cats safe and healthy
