first aid for animals livestock animals .pptx

first aid

1. For animals First Aid Procedures

2. First aid & Its Purpose First Aid The initial administration of care for an injured animal until more thorough veterinary attention can be sought. Purpose Treating superficial wounds (e.g. scrapes, scratches, minor cuts). Providing appropriate temporary containment until further treatment can be provided (e.g. warmth dark environment, minimal disturbance). Seeking veterinary treatment for major injuries or conditions (e.g. capture myopathy, disease). Euthanasia of animals too seriously injured to recover. Unless there is a strong justification for the value of the individual animal (e.g. threatened species), it may not be in the best welfare interests of the animal to pursue veterinary care

3. Animals requiring first aid may be encountered in a variety of situations, however the same decisions or steps are required to assess the situation and determine the best course of action. The key question is whether the injury/condition can be ameliorated by on the spot or short term (<24 hrs ) first aid treatment and is such that it is unlikely to cause significant ongoing pain and/or compromise the animal’s ability to heal naturally and survive. The decision to treat, seek veterinary/expert care, euthanase , release/leave an animal will depend on a judgement of the likely prognosis of the animal. An animal should only be removed from where it is found if the animal is expected to respond positively to care within 24 hours. The suffering of an animal should not be prolonged if the prognosis is poor.

4. What is first aid? When is first aid administered? Why is first aid important? Who can administer first aid. Does anyone have any previous experience of animal first aid? Introduction

5. What is first aid? “ FIRST AID IS THE IMMEDIATE TREATMENT OF INJURED ANIMALS OR THOSE SUFFERING FROM SUDDEN ILLNESS “ Animal First Aid

6. The aims of first aid are: To preserve life To reduce pain and suffering To prevent the situation deteriorating To promote recovery Why is first aid important? Animal First Aid

7. Before administering first aid, assess the situation for danger to yourself or others. Injured animals are usually in pain and may bite. Make sure that the animal is correctly restrained before handling or lifting. NEVER put yourself or others at risk. Animal First Aid

8. Under the Veterinary Surgeons’ Act, no-one is allowed to practice veterinary surgery unless they are registered in the veterinary surgeons’ register. What is classed as Veterinary Surgery? Veterinary surgery includes the following :– The diagnosis of diseases and injuries including diagnostic tests Giving advice based on such diagnosis The medical and surgical treatment of animals Surgical operations Animal First Aid Limitations of First Aid

9. Don’t panic Maintain the airway Control haemorrhage Contact the veterinary surgeon as soon as possible Animal First Aid Rules of First Aid

10. An emergency can be classified as one of three types: Life-threatening emergencies. These require immediate action by the owner or first aider at home, and the vet and nurse at the surgery. Emergencies requiring prompt attention at the surgery but where life is not immediately threatened. Minor - where telephone advice and first aid enables the owner to keep the animal comfortable until an appointment with a veterinary surgeon Animal First Aid Classification of Emergency

11. LIFE-THREATENING Unconsciousness Conscious collapse with dyspnoea or cyanosis Severe haemorrhage Severe burns Poisoning Snake bites Animal First Aid Examples of different types of Emergency

12. Conscious collapse Dyspnoea Fractures / dislocations Haemorrhage Gaping wounds Severe dysuria Dystocia Animal First Aid Prompt Attention

13. Insect stings Minor wounds (where the haemorrhage is easily controlled by bandaging) Minor burns Abscesses Slight lameness Haematuria Animal First Aid Minor

14. First aid of farm animals In all of these cases a Veterinarian should be consulted immediately. Injured animals must be handled with caution after applying muzzle as they may snap or bite out of fear and pain. Never use human medicine on animals unless recommended by a veterinarian (aspirin can be fatal to cats). First aid treatment is based on three aims i.e. To preserve life To prevent suffering and To prevent the situation deteriorating The four rules of first aid are Don’t panic Maintain the airway Control the hemorrhages Contact the Veterinarian as soon as possible

15. The initial checks that must be made are – AIRWAY BREATHING CIRCULATION Animal First Aid Examination of an Injured Animal

16. A IRWAY Check that the airway is clear Pull the tongue forward Remove any collar or harness B REATHING Look and listen If the animal is not breathing, proceed with artificial respiration C IRCULATION Check the heartbeat/pulse Apply regular, intermittent gentle pressure to the chest if you are sure there is no heartbeat Animal First Aid ABC of First Aid

17. As soon as the airway, breathing and circulation have been assessed and any necessary action taken: Control any severe haemorrhage. Pressure can be applied using a bandage, a towel, or even your hand Check the animal’s level of consciousness Treat for shock by keeping the animal warm. This is best done by covering the animal in a blanket to conserve body heat. Animal First Aid ABC of First Aid

18. Any examination should be done methodically in order to ensure that no areas are missed. Examinations usually start at the head. All areas of the body should be checked for any abnormal swelling, haemorrhage, discharge, deformity, fracture, wound or sign of pain should be noted. Animal First Aid Examination of an injured animal

19. Nose - Haemorrhage (epistaxis) and whether is present from one or both nostrils Mouth - Colour of mucous membranes – should be pink - Fractured teeth - Ulcerated tongue or strange odours which could indicate poisoning Eyes - Colour of conjunctival membranes (pink – normal; yellow – jaundice; blue – cyanosis; pale – shock or blood loss; red – toxins, heatstroke) - Any injuries to eyeball or eyelids - Size of pupils Ears – Haemorrhage Skull - Fractures Animal First Aid Examination of an injured animal

20. Limbs - Fractures, deformities, wounds, paralysis, loss of function. Rib cage - Fractured ribs or wounds penetrating chest. Abdomen - Bruising or swelling (could indicate internal bleeding). Spine - Deformities indicating fractures or dislocations. Animal First Aid Examination of an injured animal

21. Pelvis - Fractures, deformities. Perineal region - Haemorrhage from prepuce, vulva or anus which may indicate internal bleeding. Tail - Voluntary movement. General body surface - Matting of the fur which could indicate an underlying wound. Animal First Aid Examination of an injured animal

22. Put any injured animals into the recovery position and contact the veterinary surgery for advice. Lay animal on its right side. This allows access to the left side so that the heartbeat can be palpated and cardiac massage to be performed if necessary. Straighten the head and neck. This opens the airways. Animal First Aid Recovery Position

23. Pull the tongue forward and to one side of the mouth. This again opens the airways and also allows any secretions (vomit, saliva etc) to drain away Remove the collar or harness. This again ensures that the airways aren’t restricted Check the heart and pulse rate. This lets you know if the animal is alive and also whether there are any problems with the circulation. Animal First Aid Recovery Position

24. Check the breathing rate. This lets you know whether the animal is breathing or not, and therefore whether artificial respiration is necessary. Slow or fast breathing rates can also indicate different conditions e.g. fast breathing rate could be due to heat stroke Check for signs of bleeding. This lets you know if there are any serious wounds that need dressings immediately. Bleeding also tells you the animal is alive! Check body temperature. Low temperatures could be due to shock or hypothermia and high temperatures could indicate heat stroke. Animal First Aid

25. Check the state of the limbs. Look for fractures or wounds. Check the level of consciousness. This is done by checking reflexes. Knowing whether an animal is conscious or unconscious is important and will need to be reported to the vet. Check the colour of the membranes. Normal mms are pink. Pale mms can indicate shock or blood loss, blue (cyanotic) mms indicate a problem with getting oxygen, and very red mms can indicate infection Check for signs of unusual odour. Unusual smells can indicate the cause of the collapse – e.g. the smell of pear drops can be a sign of diabetes. A sweet smell could by antifreeze – a poison which is attractive to dogs Animal First Aid

26. Treating injuries Generally, minor injuries can be treated in the field and the animal released. Major injuries require expert care and the possibility of the animal requiring ongoing care or euthanasia. The following sections outline advice for specific kinds of injuries. To treat minor injuries , field trapping kits should contain basic first aid equipment such as topical antiseptic, swabs/gauze, tweezers, scissors etc. Some knowledge of basic first aid and recommended euthanasia techniques for a variety of animal groups is advised

27. The airway must be checked and clean if necessary. Hemorrhage must be controlled. Fractures should be immobilized with the splints of dressing. If possible wound should be dressed. First aid treatment of open wounds and abrasions Arrest haemorrhage Prevent shock and Prevent sepsis First aid and injured animal

28. Bleeding It is important to stem any bleeding as soon as possible, as blood loss can lead to shock, collapse and death. Bleeding is classified according to which blood vessel is damaged. Arterial blood is bright red in colour and under pressure, so it will spurt from the wound. Venous blood is from the veins, is dark red in colour and flows rather than spurts. Capillary blood is the most common and is slow due to the blood vessels being under low pressure Even when an animal has no obvious wounds it may still be bleeding internally. Internal bleeding can be hard to diagnose. Some signs of internal bleeding include coughing up or vomiting blood, a bloated abdomen, difficulty breathing. If internal bleeding is suspected then the animal is likely to have a poor prognosis if left untreated. External bleeding can be treated by applying direct pressure to the wound until it stops. For severe bleeding, a pressure bandage can be applied, and should the bleeding come through the bandage, another bandage should be applied over the top. Never take the first bandage off. If the animal has lost large amounts of blood it is likely to have a poor prognosis if left untreated. For both internal and external bleeding, a decision to euthanase or seek veterinary care will need to be made.

29. External bleeding Hold a cold water compress against the wound with as much pressure as possible; then apply an absorbent bandage ad repeat if bleeding does not stop. (One can, determine whether the bleeding is form an artery or from a vein. If the blood comes in a pumping way and bright red, then it is from an artery, and you apply the tourniquet above the wound, but if the blood is flowing regularly and is dark red, it is coming from a vein and apply the tourniquet below the wound. For heavy bleeding from the legs, apply a tourniquet releasing every 1 min for a few seconds, and after 10 on completely to see if bleeding has stopped. Tie a cloth above the wound; insert a pencil between the tie and twist to tighten. Internal bleeding Signs: Blood from the mouth or rectum together with vomiting, state of shock, very rapid but weak pulse may be due to internal bleeding. Don’t waste time, take the animal to the veterinarian. Bleeding

30. Wounds Not all wounds will require veterinary treatment. Deciding whether the wound is superficial or deep will determine the appropriate treatment for the wound. Superficial wounds can be cleaned with dilute antiseptic (e.g. Betadine ®) but veterinary care should be sought for deep wounds. Some wounds, although they may be considered in a pet to warrant veterinary care, may in a given wildlife situation need to be weighed against the relative inaccessibility of veterinary care and time frame involved. The severity of the injury will determine the most appropriate course of action. In all cases basic treatment and release as soon as possible is the preferred option however seeking veterinary care or euthanasia should be considered if prognosis with basic treatment is poor

31. Fractures, sprains and strains Fractures are broken bones and they can be open, where the bone is exposed through skin, or closed, where the skin is unbroken. An initial assessment needs to be made to determine if a fracture or dislocation has occurred by feeling for abnormalities and checking for normal range of movement in limbs/pain response etc. Signs that an animal may have a fracture include not using the limb, pain at or near the fracture site, the limb may be deformed or twisted, swelling around the fracture and shock. The prognosis is also dependent on the number of bones involved, if the bone is in one or more pieces, the location of the fracture and the time the fracture spends broken. Open fractures carry a poor prognosis due to the increased chances of infection. Pressure or splints must never be applied to an open fracture, however they should be covered to prevent dirt entering the wound and loss of body fluid.

32. Cont. Symptoms of sprains and strains are similar to fractures and if in doubt should be treated as closed fractures. A temporary splint and/or bandaging may be applied in the field to stabilise the injury prior to veterinary attention being sought, if the animal will tolerate it with minimal additional stress. If a fracture is suspected then the animal is likely to have a poor prognosis if left untreated. A decision to euthanase or seek veterinary attention will need to be made. It must be kept in mind that healing time for fractures is a minimum of 6 weeks with no guarantee of a full return to the wild

33. Abdominal injuries Abdominal injuries usually result from heavy impacts (e.g. car strike, dog attack). Signs of abdominal injury include shock, pain, vomiting and evidence of injury such as swelling, bruising and protrusion of intestines. If abdominal injuries are suspected then the animal is likely to have a poor prognosis even with treatment. A decision to euthanase or seek veterinary attention will need to be made.

34. Chest injuries Chest injuries can range from mild to life threatening. Signs of chest injuries include pain, increased breathing effort or short rapid breaths, swelling at the site, pale gums. An animal in severe respiratory distress will have an extended head and gasp for air. If chest injuries are suspected then the animal is likely to have a poor prognosis even with treatment. A decision to euthanase or seek veterinary attention will need to be made.

35. Head & spinal injuries Head and spinal injuries can be serious. Signs include unconsciousness, abnormal behaviour , blood or clear fluid coming from the nose or ears and unequal pupil size. If an animal is unconscious it must be placed on its side and the airways kept clear. The head should be slightly lower than the neck and chest to allow any fluid to drain from the mouth. The most common cause of spinal injuries is through collision with a motor vehicle. If spinal injuries are suspected (e.g. weakness in hindquarters, pain, partial or total paralysis) handling must be done very carefully. Euthanasia may be the only option for an animal with spinal injuries. If head or spinal injuries are suspected then the animal is likely to have a poor prognosis if left untreated. A decision to euthanase or seek veterinary attention will need to be made.

36. Eye injuries The eyes are very sensitive and can react negatively to any injury. Foreign objects, smoke and wounds are the common causes of eye injuries and may result in infections to complete blindness. A foreign object in the eye can cause discharge and redness, with the animal rubbing or pawing at the eye. The eye can be opened to examine it, and the foreign material can be washed out with clean water. If this doesn’t work attempts can be made to remove the object if possible, however never try and remove if the object is penetrating the globe. Any attempt to remove any foreign material means other than flushing (using sterile saline or fresh water) in a conscious animal is likely to risk additional injury to the eye. Eye injuries resulting from smoke should be treated by flushing the eyes with water or saline. Wounds to the eyes are more serious than irritation from foreign objects or smoke and can cause bloody discharge or blood in the eye itself. The severity of the injury will determine the most appropriate course of action. In all cases, basic treatment and release as soon as possible is the preferred option however seeking veterinary care or euthanasia should be considered if prognosis with basic treatment is poor.

37. burns Animals with burns require veterinary attention unless the burn is very mild. Without skin, fluid and electrolytes are lost from the animal’s body. When assessing burns on animals the depth (superficial, partial thickness or full thickness), extent (percentage of body burnt) and location of the burn(s) needs to be considered. An animal with burns to over 50% of their body has no positive prognosis and euthanasia is recommended. Cold water or a cold compress (i.e. wet cloth) needs to be applied to the burn without overcooling the animal. The animal may also need to be treated for shock, pain and dehydration. If the burns are not mild and the animal is likely to have a poor prognosis if left untreated, a decision to euthanase or seek veterinary treatment will need to be made

38. Treating conditions

39. Stress Stress is one of the most common factors leading to death and disease in wildlife . Signs of stress include: • trying to attack or escape • reduced activity or listlessness • grinding teeth • licking of forearms/shoulders/chest/hind limbs or flanks The best way to treat stress is by placing the animal in a dark, quiet, warm (but not too warm) environment to allow them to calm down. The use of a pouch/handling bag is recommended where possible for mammals

40. shock Shock is a result of a collapsed circulatory system and can occur due to stress, blood loss, fluid loss, low blood pressure and a damaged heart. Many animals which are badly injured show signs of shock. Signs of shock include rapid pulse or breathing, hypothermia ( eg . mammals may shiver and birds fluff their feathers) and pale/white gums. The signs of shock are not always obvious and can develop over time. An animal in shock is usually still, quiet and cold. Treatment for shock should first aim at reducing stress (e.g. covering the animal’s eyes), stopping any visible signs of bleeding and then making sure the animal is kept warm and quiet. Oral fluids should not be given to animals in shock. Once the animal has been warmed up, warm fluids can be given.

41. hypothermia Hypothermia is caused by a lowering of the body temperature. Signs of hypothermia include cold skin, lethargy, bradycardia (slow heart rate). The animal needs to be gradually warmed with a constant artificial heat source such as body contact in a handling bag (if no other heat source available), heat lamp or a hot water bottle. It is preferable that the heat source comes from outside of the holding container and directed at one end so the animal can move closer to or away from the heat source. If the heat source is inside the holding container is must be padded or shielded to avoid the animal burning itself. Care must be taken not to have any electrical connections or wiring within reach of the animal. Heat can be lethal so place a small dish of water (that cannot be tipped over by the animal) near the heat source. Always keep a very close watch as overheating is a danger. Once the animal has been warmed to its normal body temperature, high energy fluids can be offered

42. dehydration Dehydration is the excessive loss of fluid from the body. It can be life threatening as it can prevent every system in the body of an animal from functioning properly. To check for signs of dehydration, in mammals, pinch the skin of the animal to check for elasticity. Generally tenting of the skin will occur in a dehydrated animal (skin will have a loss of elasticity and won’t bounce back when you pinch it). Sunken or dry eyes, a glazed look and dry tacky gums are also signs of dehydration. It is important not to offer fluid therapy to an animal until it is warm and its condition has stabilised . The best way to offer fluids (e.g. water or Lectade ®) to an animal is by placing a shallow container of water in with them as long as they cannot tip it and get wet. If they are unable to drink by themselves you can wet your fingers and touch the animals mouth, this usually results in a swallow response. NEVER pour water down an animal’s throat.

43. Larger animals can go a bit longer without fluids, but smaller marsupials and birds require fluids sooner. Native animals require special food and the wrong food can give them diarrhoea which can lead rapidly to dehydration (e.g. native animals should not be given cows milk). Birds have a high metabolic rate and deteriorate rapidly. If you are unable to get the bird to a rehabilitator straight away then the most important requirement is warmth and fluid. If you have an electrolyte solution (such as Spark ®, Hartmanns ®), then make this up and offer it to the bird. Birds have an airway in their throat, so never attempt to pour fluid down a bird's throat as you will drown them. The severity of dehydration will determine the most appropriate course of action. In all cases, basic treatment and release as soon as possible is the preferred option however seeking veterinary care or euthanasia should be considered if the prognosis is poor.

44. hyperthermia Severe changes (renal failure, hypotensive shock, coma and death) can develop rapidly with hyperthermia. Signs of hyperthermia include: rapid panting holding of wings away from the body hypersalivation licking of forearms/shoulders/chest/hind limbs or flanks (or dried saliva in those same areas) congested mucous membranes tachycardia (rapid heart rate) diarrhoea dehydration . The animal must be placed in a cool quiet environment, gradually reducing the body temperature with water and wet towels and cool circulating air.

45. Capture myopathy Capture myopathy is a condition associated with the capture and handling of many species of mammals and birds that results in degeneration of skeletal and/or cardiac muscle. All ages and sexes are susceptible. The condition can result in sudden death but death may occur weeks after capture as a result of complications including abnormalities to posture and gait and increased susceptibility to predation. Signs and symptoms include a drooping head and neck, laboured breathing, tremors, lethargy and lack of coordination or paralysis and collapse. Prevention of the condition through efforts to minimise stress and especially hyperthermia in animals is better than treatment options. Treatment is usually prolonged and for anything but the mildest of cases prognosis for recovery is poor. If you suspect an animal has capture myopathy, keep the animal calm, quiet and resting. Do not chase the animal, approach quietly and if possible plan for two or more people to assist in the capture. If capture myopathy is suspected and the animal is likely to have a poor prognosis if left untreated, a decision to euthanase or seek veterinary care will need to be made. Early diagnosis and treatment will make a successful recovery more likely

46. concussion If an animal appears concussed (e.g. from hitting side of net, or flying into car window), it should be placed in a dark environment (do not provide extra heat) and rechecked in 2-4 hours to reassess the situation (e.g. its ability to fly). It is recommended that animals suffering concussion should not be released until after 24 hours to allow for complete recovery

47. Cold compresses should be applied immediately to cause vasoconstriction in the damaged area. Firm bandaging will increases the back pressure, control haemorrhage and limit swelling. Haematomas (Blood clot) Bandage the affected area firmly as soon as possible, apply firm pressure with a cold compress if bandaging is impractical. Once the area is swollen, surgical intervention may be necessary to drain the blood clot eg . Haematoma of the earflap. Heat burns and scald Cool the damaged area as quickly as possible. Keep the patient warm, once the initial cooling treatment is complete. Dress the wound. Splinting to limit movement if necessary. Preparing intravenous drips. Treatment of contusion

48. Epistaxis (Bleeding from the nose) Cold compresses applied externally to the nose will help to control the haemorrhage , reduce soft tissue swelling and alleviate pain Lungs Rest is essential and the animal be allowed to assume the position which it find most comfortable. Artificial respiration It should be applied immediately after animal has stopped breathing. Mouth-to-mouth respiration : Clear the animal’s mouth from any foreign objects, hold it close and blow into its nostrils, 12-15 times/minute. Wait and repeat as long as necessary. Birth If it is born with the membrane around it still intact and the mother does not remove them do quickly. If a bowl of warm water and then in cold water (head above water), or hold it by its hind legs and swing slightly for a few seconds, or apply artificial respiration. Then give it back to the mother to lick it. Cont…

49. Parasitic load Parasites are generally not emergency situations but can significantly hinder an animal’s ability to recover. A sign that an animal may have internal parasites is that it is extremely skinny. If it is suspected that an animal has a parasite burden care must be taken to avoid zoonotic diseases. Unless the animal is a particularly valuable individual (e.g. part of a small reintroduced population or remnant threatened species), treatment should not be given as it is not warranted and may be a sign of poor genetics. If the animal is severely debilitated, then euthanasia should be considered for welfare reasons. Fleas, lice and mites can be treated with a topical insecticide (such as those containing selamectin ) and ticks and maggots removed with tweezers, however if an animal is infested with maggots and they have invaded the body cavity, euthanasia is recommended.

50. Infectious diseases If an animal is known to be infected with an infectious disease that cannot be successfully treated ( Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, Australian Bat Lyssavirus ) it should be euthanased . Refer to Minimising Disease Risk in Wildlife Management: Standard Operating Procedures for fauna translocation, monitoring and euthanasia in the field . Care must be taken to avoid zoonotic disease

51. Other first aid situations

52. Venomous bites and stings Bites and stings can be dangerous to an animal if they are allergic to the venom injected. Signs of bites or stings can include drooling, vomiting, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, convulsions etc. Pressure immobilisation is used for snake and spider bites. Cold compress can be applied to other bites and stings, however unless threatening the animal’s ability to breath or you suspect bite/sting from a venomous animal, treat for shock and reassess regularly before release. If you suspect a venomous snake or spider bite then the animal is likely to have a poor prognosis if left untreated. A decision will need to be made to euthanase or seek veterinary treatment.

53. Car strike Kangaroos, wallabies, possums, bandicoots, reptiles and birds are often found injured beside the road. Injury can vary from shock, fractures to internal bleeding. The severity of the injury will determine the most appropriate course of action. In all cases basic treatment and release is the preferred option however seeking veterinary care or euthanasia should be considered if prognosis is poor

54. Dog/cat attacks Cats often prey on smaller mammals, reptiles and birds. Dogs usually attack larger animals such as possums, wallabies, bandicoots, birds and bobtails. Both dogs and cats have a lot of bacteria in their mouth and it is typical for infections to result from bite wounds. Any open wounds should be lightly covered to prevent fly strike. The severity of the injury will determine the most appropriate course of action. If the prognosis is poor a decision will need to be made to euthanase or seek veterinary treatment.

55. poisoning occurs through ingestion of the poison (e.g. Ratsack ®), or by eating prey that has been poisoned. Insectivorous mammals may be affected by insecticidal poisons. Signs that an animal has been poisoned include: • Vomiting • Salivation • muscle tremors • unco -ordination • convulsions • paralysis • coma • death. If you suspect poisoning then the animal is likely to have a poor prognosis if left untreated. A decision will need to be made to euthanase or seek veterinary attention. The Poisons Information Helpline can be contacted for more advice.

56. Oil contamination Animals contaminated with oil will require treatment in order to survive. It is most commonly a problem for sea birds and seals following an oil spill. Oil destroys the water proofing and insulation of feathers and fur and therefore means that the animal cannot effectively forage for food or maintain a suitable body temperature . Firstly wipe the mouth, nose and eyes clean and wrap the animal’s body leaving the head clear to prevent further ingestion of oil. Animals need to be re-hydrated and stabilised prior to washing which is a traumatic and stressful procedure and should be done by an experienced rehabilitator where possible. To remove the oil, gently wash the animal in mild dishwashing liquid and warm water and rinse thoroughly. The animal must be kept warm whilst drying. The severity of the contamination will determine the most appropriate course of action. In all cases basic treatment and release as soon as possible is the preferred option. However , seeking veterinary attention or euthanasia should be considered if prognosis is poor with basic or no treatment .

57. Mass casualties When large numbers of animals require first aid (e.g. oil spills, cetacean stranding, bushfire etc.) it is critical to triage them. Human resources should be allocated to the animals that have the best chance of survival. Effective triage avoids prolonged suffering in animals that require immediate euthanasia . When mass casualties are found immediately contact WILDCARE.

58. Bloat (Accumulation of gas in the stomach) Signs Sudden swelling and hardening of the abdomen in the flank with excessive passing of gas, obvious pain, happens mainly to large breeds when they are too active just after a large meal and needs immediately veterinary care. Broken back signs The cat or dogs unable to move its hind legs and feel pain below the affected portion of the back (no response if you pin the toe firmly). Don’t move the animal, just keep it warm until the veterinarian arrives. Broken bones Touch or move a broken bone as little as possible. Keep the animal warm and comfortable. Bloat

59. Choking If foreign object is stuck in the throat, try to get it out with your fingers or a long spoon. Hold the tongue down with a handkerchief if necessary. If the cat or dog becomes unconscious, clear the throat and give artificial respiration. Drowning Take the animal pour of the water quickly. If it is unconscious, lay it on its side and open its mouth, tongue out, and check that nothing is obstructing the windpipe. If the animal still doesn’t breath, administer artificial respiration. Electric shock Do not touch the animal before you have switched off the electricity. If you are unable to turn the electricity off, push the cat or dog away from the electric flex. If it doesn’t region consciousness, administer artificial respiration. Choking, drowning and electric shock

60. Fits : Signs Screaming, salivation uncontrolled movement, falling, foaming from the mouth. Darken the room and left the animal get over it. To catch cat in this stage, throw a blanket over it and grab it. Heat stroke Never leave your pet in the car parked in the sun. If you see an animal locked in a car obviously in serious distress, try to contact the owner of the car and relive the pet from distress. Move it to a cool place and give small amounts of water frequently. Cool it by applying a cold wet towel on its body, mainly on the head and chest. Mix a spoonful of glucose (or sugar) into the drinking water. Hypothermia An animal left in the extreme cold can have its body temperature drop dangerously low. Cover it, let it build up its own body heat, and never give any alcohol. Cont…

61. Injuries to abdomen Touch the wound as little as possible. Clean the wound by pouring clean (boiled and cooled) water gently over the wound. If portions of the intestines push out gently push them back through the wound, and bandage. Treat for shock if necessary. Middle ear infection Sign of an acute form: head constantly held on one side, loss of balance. This is very serious go immediately to the veterinarian. Milk fever Occurs mainly in bitches that just had large litters, usually about 5-6 weeks after birth Signs: Restlessness, rapid breathing, loss of coordination, high temperature. Orphaned kittens and puppies up to 4 weeks, and then every 2 hours using dropper or feeding bottle). If they develop diarrhea, give warm boiled water with a pinch of glucose instead of the milk supplement. Between 5-8 weeks start with soft solid food 3 times daily. Cont…

62. Poisoning signs Convulsions, loss of coordination, salivation, muscular twitches, diarrhoea , vomiting, pain shortness of breath, trembling. If you are sure that your animal has not eaten anything corrosive (acid, lead, etc) and is not in shock or unconscious, induce vomiting within an hour by force feeding 1-3 spoonfuls of table salt (depending on size of animal). Road accident Remove the injured cat or dog from the street by lifting it carefully without twisting the body or applying pressure on it. If there are indications that the back is broken, do not move the animal at all. Lie it on its side, make sure that nothing is obstructing breathing and keep its mouth open. Shock (Collapse) Signs: Head should be lower than the body to allow blood to reach the brain. Keep the animal warm by wrapping it in a blanket and keep it as quiet as possible until the veterinarian arrives. If necessary, a maintain breathing manually by laying it on its side and applying pressure to the same side for more than 10-15 min. Cont…

63. Snake bites If the animal is bitten by a poisonous snake, induce bleeding at the site and keep it warm and calm until you can get it to the veterinarian. If you are sure the bite is by a non-poisonous snake, reduce swelling by applying ice packs. Sprains and strains Signs: swelling around joints or muscles. Apply alternating hot and cold compresses over the swelling until it goes down. Swelling Swelling in the throat or on the tongue is dangerous because it obstructs breathing. Vomiting If your pet drinks excessively and vomits at the same, time, take its water away and bring it most urgently to the veterinarian. Cont…

64. Wounds First control the bleeding, then wash gently with soap and warm water. Bandage the wound firmly, but not so tightly as to stop circulation, and stick the bandage end with a tape rather than using a pin. Prolapse of the rectum This condition involves a protrusion of the rectum through anal opening. Moisten and lubricate the prolapsed tissue with warm normal saline solution. This will help to rehydrate the mucosa, followed by liquid paraffin to lubricate the tissue and prevent from drying out again. Reduce the prolapsed mass by gentle pressure. Analgesic, suppository may be inserted to prevent further straining. Patient will have to be kept under constant observation. Cont…

65. Which items should a first aid kit contain? Bandages Roll of adhesive bandage (e.g. elastoplast) OR cohesive bandage (sticks to itself but not to fur e.g. Vet Wrap) 2 x rolls of white open-weave/conforming Tweezers to remove thorns etc Sterile eye wash bottle Roll of cotton wool Sterile wound dressings Animal First Aid First Aid Kit

66. Swabs Antiseptic wash e.g. Hibiscrub Round-ended scissors Salt – to clean wounds mix 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 pint of water Cotton wool Thermometer & lubricant Sticky tape Address and telephone number of veterinary practice Animal First Aid First Aid Kit

67. For larger animals it is also useful to have : Access to a rug or blanket that can be used as a stretcher Animal First Aid First Aid Kit