Canine First Aid

Purpose of This Course

The purpose of this course is to learn methods and techniques that may be used
in an emergency and to protect our dog/s from pain, suffering, injury and
disease.

If your dog is showing any signs of distress or you suspect your dog is seriously
ill or injured, contact your veterinarian immediately. The information in this
course is not meant to be a substitute for veterinary care.

Contents

1. Basic health signs

2. Basic Kit
3. Assessment
4. Vital signs
5. Body check
6. GDV/Bloat
7. Eye injuries
8. Shock
9. Anaphylactic shock
10. Insect stings
11. Poisoning
12. Heat stroke
13. Epilepsy
14. Drowning
15. Choking
16. Burns/scalds
17. Bleeding
18. Breaks/sprains
19. RTA
20. Bandaging
21. CPR
Basic Health Signs

 Ears
o Clean and without any brown, green wax or discharge. No redness,
itchiness or offensive smell.
 Eyes
o Eyes should be bright and clear, with no signs of runniness, redness or
soreness. Your dog should not squint or shy away from light.
 Nose
o No crusting, no runny or thickened discharges or bleeding.

 Mouth
o Teeth should be white/cream with no excess thick, brown tartar. Gums a
healthy pink (or black depending on skin pigmentation) and not red,
swollen or bleeding. Look out for reluctance to eat, excess salivation,
clawing at the mouth or bad breath as a sign of mouth problems.

 Skin & Coat

o Your dog's skin can be pink or black depending on the pigments. It
should be free of crusting; itching, scaling, spots, infected or hot and
inflamed areas. The coat should be shiny with no broken hairs, bald
patches or dandruff. No lumps, bumps or tenderness to touch.

 Claws
o These should be smooth and can either be white or black. Nails that are
roughened and flake or break easily may require veterinary attention.
When checking your dog’s nails, don’t forget to check their dew-claws.

 Paws (check pads and between toes)

o No swelling, flaking, cracks, redness or excess heat.

 Digestion
o Keep an eye on your dog's appetite and always know what you are
feeding and what everyone else in the family may be feeding. There
should be no vomiting, reluctance to eat or difficulty experienced when
eating. Stools should be a consistent brown colour of solid texture,
without any straining, blood or mucus (clear jelly) passed.

 Thirst
o f your dog suddenly becomes very thirsty or starts drinking more than
usual without excessive exercise, it can indicate an underlying medical
problem and you should consult your vet.

 Attitude
o Your dog's general attitude can tell you a lot. If you notice the head and
tail are down and he seems quieter, is less playful than usual, skulking in
corners or sometimes appears unusually aggressive for no apparent
reason or you notice any other unusual changes, always ask your vet for
advice.
  Mucous membranes
o Pink = normal
o Pale or blue = Low blood pressure/Hypoxia
(not enough oxygen when breathing)
o Red = High blood pressure/bacterial infection
o Yellow = jaundice (possible liver disease)

 Capillary refill time (CTR)

o This goes hand in hand with mucous membranes.
This is observed by pressing your finger on the surface
of the gum line until there is no color beneath your finger.
When you remove the pressure, the color should resurface
within 1 to 2 seconds. A slow refill can indicate heart disease
or other medical condition which effects blood flow. If your
your dog has an accelerated or reduced refill time, seek
veterinary advice.

Basic Kit

 First aid kit

 Towels
 Muzzle bandages
 Vet wrap
 Slip lead

Vet Wrap

 Vet Wrap is a special elasticated bandaging tape made of natural rubber latex.
 Vet Wrap is self-adhering but won’t stick to hair. Its elasticity allows it to fit
securely without the need for adhesive tape or pins. It also allows the skin to
breath without absorbing moisture, therefore preventing harmful bacteria
growth.
 Vet Wrap can be used to provide support in case of sprains and fractures,
protect wounds and hold sterile dressings in place. It can also be used to inhibit
bleeding by applying pressure through proper padding without interfering with
circulation.

Assessment
 Is the environment safe for you?
o Electricity
o Slip/trip hazards
o Chemicals
o Traffic
o Dog bite
o Any other hazards?
 Get Help
o Owner
o Passers by
o Emergency vet
Vital Signs

 Check consciousness – followed by…

o A – airway
o B – breathing
o C – Circulation

 Breathing
o 24 to 42 breaths per second
o Count to 10, x by 6

 Pulse/heart rate
o 60 to 160 beats per minute
o Count to 15, x by 4

 Temperature
o 100.5 to 102.5°F

 Capillary refill time

o Apply pressure to the dogs gums and release. Colour should return after
a few seconds. Slow refill time may indicate shock, fast refill may indicate
high blood pressure.
 Hydration
o Pick up the skin between the fingers. It should return to its normal
position quickly. If not, this may indicate dehydration. Also feel the gums,
especially in obese or elderly dogs, as this can effect the elasticity of the
skin. Dry, sticky gums can also indicate dehydration (or heat stroke).

Body Check

 Ears
 Cuts, ear carriage
 Eyes
 Clarity, whiteness, foreign body, debris, scratches
 Nose
 Injury, hemorrhage, discharge
 Mouth
 Teeth, tongue, mucous membranes (feel and colour)
 Pink = normal
 Pale or blue = shock/blood loss
 Red = High blood pressure/heat stroke/poisoning
 Yellow = jaundice (liver damage)

 Head
o Injuries/foreign body/swelling
 Neck
o Injuries, signs of discomfort/tenderness to touch
 Skeletal structure & Skin
o Misshapen bones, lumps/bumps along bone line, tenderness to touch
o Cuts, bruising (or any discolouration), foreign body, signs of irritation
  Limbs (including shoulders/hips)
o Misshapen joints, swelling, heat, tenderness to touch
 Paws (check pads, toes, claws)
o Cuts, tears, foreign body, signs of burning, , tenderness to touch
 Tail
o Misshapenness, slight kinks, tenderness to touch

GDV/Bloat

 GDV (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus), also known as Gastric Torsion, is a life-
threatening condition in which the stomach distends with gas and twists
(torsion). In some cases the stomach merely distends with gas and does not
twist (bloat). It is uncertain exactly what causes GDV to occur, but it is most
commonly seen 2-3 hours following ingestion of a meal, particularly if it follows
strenuous exercise or after drinking a large amount of water.

 What to look for

o Distended abdomen
o Unsuccessful attempts to belch or vomit
o Retching without producing anything
o Weakness
o Excessive salivation
o Shortness of breath
o Cold body temperature
o Pale gums
o Rapid heartbeat
o Collapse

 Treatment
o If your dog shows symptoms of GDV/Bloat call your vet/emergency vet
immediately - timeliness of treatment is paramount!
Prevention is the best course of action.

 Prevention
o Feed your dog several small meals, rather than one or two larger ones,
throughout the day to avoid eating too much or too fast.
o If appropriate (check with your vet), include canned food in your dog’s
diet.
o Maintain your dog’s appropriate weight.
o Avoid feeding your dog from a raised bowl unless advised to do so by
your vet.
o Encourage normal water consumption.
o Limit rigorous exercise before and after meals.
Eye Injuries

 There are four main types of eye trauma:

i) Surface trauma – foreign body on the surface of the eye
ii) Penetrating trauma - penetrate into the eye but not through. There is no exit
wound.
iii) Perforating trauma - has both entrance and exit wounds.
iv) Prolapse of the eye – eye leaves the eye socket

 Treatment

 Surface trauma
o Try to keep the dog calm
o Do not force the eyelid open
o Do not try to remove the object by hand
o Use saline solution to flush out the object (saline does not effect the the
pH balance of the eye)
o In the absence of saline, use cold water
o Flush from the inside outwards
o If the dog shows any signs of irritation, redness or swelling take him to
the vet as soon as possible
 Treatment

 Penetrating/Perforating trauma
o Try to keep the dog calm
o Do not force the eyelid open
o Do not try to remove any foreign body by hand (it may be a protruding
part of the eye itself)
o If the injury is preventing the dog from closing the eye, you will need to
keep it moist with KY jelly or a damp cloth
o Prevent the dog from clawing at it
o Seek emergency veterinary assistance

 Prolapse of the eye

o Keep the eye moist with KY jelly or a damp cloth
o Prevent the dog from clawing at it
o Seek emergency veterinary assistance
o Do not try to replace the eye
Shock

 Shock is a life-threatening medical condition wherein the dog's body has an

inadequate flow of oxygenated blood to the body's tissues, which can cause
major damage to organs. A dog in shock needs to get medical help immediately,
as shock can worsen rapidly and may result in death.

 Causes
o Injury
o Body trauma
o Dehydration
o Poisoning
o Heat stroke
o Submersion

 What to look for

o Lethargy/weakness
o Shallow, rapid breathing
o Rapid, weak, difficult to find pulse
o Cold limbs/tail
o Glazed eyes
o Unconsciousness
o Low body temperature
o Gums/mucous membranes
o Early stages – bright red
o mid stages – pale or blue
o Late stages – white or mottled

 Treatment
o Assessment
o ABC?
o CPR?
o Stop/reduce blood loss
o Protect fractures/injured joint
o Prevent loss of body heat
o Position so that the legs are slightly elevated
o Transportation to vet

Anaphylactic Shock

 Anaphylactic shock is a serious allergic reaction to a substance. An anaphylactic

reaction usually happens suddenly, within moments of contact with the allergen.
Many things can cause anaphylaxis in dogs. These can include:
o Medication (including flea and tick preventatives)
o Venomous bites/stings
o Mold
o Pollen
o Food ingredients
  What to look for:
o Diarrhea
o Defecation
o Urination
o Vomiting
o Itchiness
o Development of hives

 Treatment
o Remove the allergen if possible
o Immediately transport your dog to the vet
o If possible, get someone else to drive
o Position so that the legs are slightly elevated
o Loosen the collar
o If the dog feels cold, cover with a blanket
o DO NOT give anything by mouth – including water
o Continuously monitor A, B, C
o If necessary, give CPR

Insect Stings

 Is the sting still in the skin?

o If so, DO NOT REMOVE WITH TWEEZERS as this can inject more venom
into the area
o Gently squeeze the sting out by pushing the flesh around it or remove it
with a hard edge such as a credit card
 Treatment
o Bee – use bicarbonate of soda mixed into a watery paste
o Wasp – use vinegar or lemon juice to relieve the pain
o If swallowed, monitor breathing – be prepared to resuscitate
o Monitor the dog for signs of anaphylactic shock

Poisoning

 Typical poisons around the home and garden

o Chocolate
o Raisins
o Alcohol
o Paracetamol
o Slug/insect killer
o Weed killer
o Cleaning agents/chemicals
o Rat poison
o Motor oil
 Signs
o Vomiting (may include blood)
o Diarrhea
o Increased body temperature
o Restlessness and hyperactivity
o Rapid breathing
o Muscle tension, incoordination
o Increased heart rate
o Weakness
o Seizures
  Actions
o Wear gloves
o Contact your vet immediately
o Take a sample of the poison with you
o Take any wrappers/packaging
o Don’t watch, wait or treat yourself
o If poison or vomit is on your dogs coat, cover to prevent further
poisoning – do not muzzle your dog to prevent licking!
o Do not induce vomiting!

Heat Stroke

 Heat stroke is caused by exposure to extreme heat

o Being left in a hot car
o Over exercise on a hot, sunny day
o Lying in the sun for long periods of time
o Dogs with thick coats and short muzzles/narrow airways are at higher
risk
o Moderate heat stroke is classified as a temperature of over 104°F/40°C
 Severe heat stroke is classified as a temperature of over 106°F/41°C
 Heat stroke can lead to organ failure and death

 What to look for

o Dry, sticky gums
o Excessive panting
o Restlessness
o Excess drooling
o Vomiting
o Loss of consciousness
o Treatment
o Cool the dog down by placing cold, wet towels over them
o Offer the dog cool water to drink
o Call your vet for advice immediately

Epilepsy

 Epilepsy is a temporary disturbance to the nervous system caused by excessive

electricity to the brain

 What to look for

o Symptoms can range from a glazed expression to a full convulsion
o Paddling of the limbs
o Snapping of the jaws
o Increased respiratory rate
o Defecation/urination
  Actions
o Move an objects out of the dogs way
o Place a folded towel under the dogs head
o Reduce light and noise stimuli
o Monitor the dogs actions during the seizure
o Measure the length of the seizure and number of seizures
o Allow the dog to come too in his own time and wait for him to approach
you after an attack, as he may be disorientated
o Contact and inform your vet as soon as possible
o Do not restrict the dogs movement during a seizure!

Drowning
 Actions
o Assessment
o Remove the dog from the water
o Vital signs
 Consciousness
 A – Airway
 B – breathing
 C – Circulation

 Treatment
o Supporting the neck, hold the dog with the head lower than the body to
encourage water to drain from the lungs.
o Recovery position
o CPR
o Dry and keep warm

Secondary/Dry Drowning

 Secondary drowning occurs after a dog has been submerged in water. It can take
anything from 24 hours to 3 days before any signs of secondary drowning are
visible.

 What to look for:

o Bluish skin and mucous membranes

o Coughing with clear to frothy red sputum
o Difficulty breathing
o Crackling sound from the chest
o Vomiting
o Semi-conscious to unconscious state
 Your vet can run tests to identify secondary drowning

Choking
 Firstly
o Use both hands to open the mouth, with one hand on the upper jaw and
the other pushing down on the lower.
o Grasping the jaws, press the lips over the dog’s teeth so that they are
between the teeth and your fingers.
o Look inside the mouth and remove the obstruction with your fingers if
you can.
 o If there are two of you one of you should hold your dog's mouth open
and the other look inside.
o If you can’t move the object with your fingers, use a flat spoon handle to
pry it away from the teeth or roof of the mouth.
 Secondly
o Small dog
 Pick him up and hold with his head pointed down. This may
dislodge the object. If not, give him up to 5 sharp blow between
the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
o Large dog
 Place your arm under the dogs abdomen and raise his hind legs
so that his head is pointed down. Give him up to 5 sharp blow
between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
 Lastly
o If nothing else helps and your dog cannot breathe, you might consider
performing the Heimlich maneuver. Only use this if you are certain your
dog is choking on a foreign object, as it can cause additional injury.
 Place your arm around the dog's waist. Ensure that your dog's
head points down.
 Form a fist and bring your other hand around and cover your fist
with it. Your two handed fist should be placed between the dog's
abdomen and its ribcage (the soft spot just under the ribcage).
The size of the dog will affect the exact positioning of your hands.
But if you have a small to medium sized dog, you may want to use
2 fingers with the same amount of force so you do not damage
your dog's ribcage.
 Quickly and firmly give three to five thrusts inwards and
upwards.
 Repeat as often as is necessary to dislodge whatever is blocking
your dog's airway.
 If the dog is lying down, place one hand on the back for support
and use the other hand to squeeze the abdomen upwards and
forwards.

Burns & Scalds

 Burns can be caused by a variety of household items, including electrical
equipment and chemicals. They can cause deep damage and shock, sometimes
days after the accident.
o Burns are primarily caused by one of three things:
 chemicals,
 electricity,
 heat from liquids or hot objects
o It is essential to quickly ascertain the cause of the burn so that it can be
appropriately treated.
o Burns also have varying degrees of severity:
 First-degree, where the skin is burned but still intact.
 Second-degree, were skin is partially burned through
 Third-degree, were skin is fully burned through
 Treatment
o Burns from liquids or hot objects:
 Cool the burned area as quickly and as long as possible. You can
do this with a gentle stream of cool water. The quicker you cool
the area, the less damage will be done.
  Once the area has been flushed with water, apply a cold
compress for twenty minutes - using something like a bag of
frozen vegetables over a non-stick pad. Contact your vet for
advice on further treatment.
o Chemical burns:
 Wearing rubber gloves to avoid being burned, remove any
contaminated collars or harness.
 Flush the affected area with cold water for 20 minutes, making
sure you don’t spread the chemicals and burn other areas.
 Once flushed with water, cover superficial burns with a non-stick
bandage and contact your vet for advice on further treatment.
o Electrical burns:
 Burns from electrical equipment or power cords can be treated
in the same way as liquids or hot objects. However, before
touching the dog or surrounding cables, make sure the electricity
is turned off and unplug the equipment.
o For second-degree and third-degree burns of any kind, where the skin is
either partially or fully burned through:
 Check for signs of shock and treat them as a priority.
 Apply a clean, dry dressing to the burned area. Be careful to
avoid using loose-fibered textiles such as cotton, the threads will
stick to the wound and cause more problems.
 Wrap the dressed area with clean, torn sheets and take the dog to
the vet immediately.

Bleeding
 Bleeds
o With any bleeding injury, the main purpose of first aid is to prevent
excessive blood loss, which can lead to shock.
o As little as 2 teaspoons of blood per pound of body weight can result in
shock.
o There are two types of bleed:
 Arterial – bright red & spraying
 Vein/small vessel – burgundy & seeping
 Treatment
o Direct pressure on a wound is the most preferable way to stop bleeding.
o Gently press a pad of clean cloth or gauze over the bleeding area, this will
absorb the blood and allow a clot to form.
o If blood soaks through, do not remove the pad as this will disrupt the
clot.
o Add additional layers of cloth and continue the direct pressure more
evenly.
o If you don’t have cloth or gauze, you can apply pressure with a bare hand
or finger.
o Once bleeding is under control, the compress can be bandaged in place
and the dog can be transported to a vet.
o If a severely bleeding wound is on a limb, and there is no evidence of a
broken bone, gently elevate the limb so that the wound is above the level
of the heart.
o Direct pressure of the wound must be continued in addition to
elevation.
o Elevation uses the force of gravity to help reduce blood pressure in the
injured area, slowing the bleeding.
  Arterial pressure
o In extreme cases where bleeding continues after you have used direct
pressure and elevation and the dog is at high risk of bleeding to death,
you can use your finger or thumb to place pressure over the main artery
to the wound. In this case, the dog must not be moved and an emergency
vet must be called.

Breaks/Sprains
 Breaks
o Fractures are typically classified as either “open” or “closed.” An open
fracture occurs when the skin over the fracture is open and the bone is
exposed, while with closed fractures, the skin over the affected area
remains intact.
 What to look for
o A broken bone sticking out through the dog's skin is an obvious indicator
of a fracture, but any sign of pain or discomfort such as limping or
whining are strong signs that something is wrong.

 Treatment
o Muzzle the dog, if necessary, then gently slide a clean towel under the
broken limb. If the broken part of the bone is visible through an opening
(an “open” fracture), cover the exposed part with a sterile, nonstick,
absorbent pad. Do not apply antiseptic or ointment.
o If the break is “closed,” the gauze is not needed. Wrap the joint above and
below the fracture for additional support.
o In both cases, support the broken limb with a folded towel. Bandaging
will help prevent damage to nerves, vessels, and other tissues until a
veterinarian can treat the break. Once the limb is secure lift the dog and
transport him immediately to the vet, keeping him warm to prevent
shock.
 Ribs
o If you notice that the chest is bulging, wrap it tight enough to cover the
bulge. If the bulge is firm, it’s probably the end of a broken rib. If it is soft,
it could mean the lung is punctured. If the dog emits a sucking sound, the
chest cavity has been breached, which requires immediate veterinary
assistance.
 Sprains
o During running, playing or a sporting activity your dog can injure or tear
a ligament causing a sprain.
 What to look for
o Limping, swelling, inflammation and/or heat in the damaged area.
  Treatment
o Apply ice onto the affected area immediately to help reduce swelling and
keep further damage to a minimum. Apply the ice for 20 minutes, then
remove the ice for 20 minutes, and then apply ice again for 20 minutes.
Bandage the ice onto the affected area if necessary.
o The dog should rest for at least 48 hours after the injury — no running or
playing, just short walks for toilet breaks.
o If your dog doesn’t bear some weight on the leg within an hour or two or
is still limping after 48 hours, seek advice from your vet.

RTA
 Assessment
o Is the environment safe for you?
 Get Help
o Owner
o Passers by
o Emergency vet
o Emergency services
 Treatment
o Vital signs
o Body check
 Be prepared for:
o Muzzle bandaging
o Shock
o Wounds, burns, bleeds
o Breaks/sprains
o CPR

Muzzle Bandage
 Standard muzzle bandage

 Short muzzle bandage

Bandaging
 Limb
o Clean and disinfect the wound.
o Place a pad on the affected area.
o Layer vet wrap/gauze bandage over the pad, leaving one-third of the
bandage exposed with each wrap.
o Place two fingers under the bandaging, testing for proper pressure.

 Ear
o Clean and disinfect the wound.
o Place a pad on the affected ear.
o Wrap long strips of vet wrap/gauze around the head and over the ears
(but not the eyes), as directed above.
 Tail
o Clean and disinfect the wound.
o Place a pad on the affected area.
o Layer vet wrap/gauze bandage over the pad, leaving one-third of the
bandage exposed with each wrap.
o Use additional vet wrap/bandage to secure the tail against the dog's side
(only if wagging is likely to cause to possible re-injury).

CPR
 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, or CPR, is a combination of chest compression
and artificial respiration. It is used when the dog is not breathing and
unresponsive.
 Before performing this procedure please keep in mind that Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation is hazardous and can cause physical complications or fatal damage
if performed on a healthy dog. It should only be performed when necessary.

 Before you perform CPR:

o Get into position
 Assessment
 The dog must be on his right side (heart is on the left)
 Kneel behind the dog
 Check consciousness…
o Is the dog conscious – check for a reaction?
 Speak to the dog in a raised voice
 Gently shake the dogs body
 Gently pinch between the dogs toes
 Check breathing…
o Is the dog breathing?
 Wet your right ear and place it close to the dogs nose and looking
along the chest line (this will enable you to feel, hear and seeing
whether or not the dog is breathing). Check for approximately 10
seconds

o There is no need to check for a pulse/heart beat

 The chances of causing harm by pressing on their chest are slim
to none, even if the heart is working normally.
 Studies have also shown that even if a person manages to locate
the correct spot for detecting a pulse, there is a high chance that
the pulse they may detect is their own, especially considering
heightened stress levels.
 It is better to perform a few unnecessary chest compressions for
a beating heart, rather than withhold chest compressions and
circulation while you search for a pulse.

o Artificial Respiration
 Ensure that the dogs airway is clear
 Check the mouth and nose, remove any debris
 Pull the dogs tongue forward to avoid obstruction
 Move the head back until the neck is straight (do not tilt the dogs
head to far back)
 Close the mouth so the the muzzle is air tight
 Breath into the nose (nose and mouth for small dogs) until the
chest expands, this is a ‘rescue breath’
 Move your mouth away and let the chest deflate naturally
 Perform four rescue breaths

o Heart massage
 Place the heel of one hand over the dogs heart
 Place the other hand on top of the first and link your fingers
 Perform 15 ‘chest compressions’ by pressing downwards with
swift, firm movements
 Continue CPR at 15 compressions to 1 breath
 Continue to check for breathing and pulse throughout
 If the dog starts to breath – STOP!

o If the dog shows signs of response and you want to check for a pulse:
 Move the dogs left foreleg back to find the approximate location
of the heat
 Place two fingers at the top of the dogs inner thigh (femoral
artery)
 Place your right ear to the dogs heart
 This will allow you to listen and feel to a pulse/heart beat
Animal Welfare Act 2006
 The Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes owners and keepers responsible for
ensuring that the welfare needs of their animals are met.

o These include the need:

 for a suitable environment (place to live)
 for a suitable diet
 to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
 to be housed with or apart from other animals (if applicable)
 to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease