COMMON EMERGENCY STABILIZATION….TRIAGE!!!!

 

The following is a summary of general recommendations that may be used in some of the most common  pet emergencies. This is geared toward the canine emergency, but , most can be used for felines also.

REMEMBER-THIS IS FOR EMERGANCY PUPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT MEANT TO REPLACE TREATMENT BY A LICENSED VETERINARIAN IN ANY WAY.

 

STABLIZE THE PET AND IMMEDIATELY GO TO YOUR VETERINARIAN!!!

 

TRY NOT TO PANIC!-stop and take a breath, and think for a brief second.

 

GET HELP IF POSSIBLE!-use your help for holding, making phone calls, getting the car ready.

 

RESTRAINT-any animal can and will bite if in pain. I don’t care who you are, or how nice your dog is! Protect yourself from being bit, and, your animal from biting itself. Use a muzzle!

                Towels/Blankets-for control of bleeding, wrapping/restraining the pet, moving the pet.

                Gloves-some diseases are zoonotic-protect yourself and others.

 

INSECT BITES/STINGS/ALLERGIC REACTIONS:

                1)Remove stinger if present

                2)Give diphenhydramine (Benadryl 25 mg). 1 tab per 25 pounds, repeat every 8 hours.

                3)Apply cool compress or ice packs for 10-15 minutes. Do not apply ice directly to skin.

 

GI ER’s (Vomiting and Diarrhea):

                1)Withhold food and water for 18-24 hours.

                2)Metronidazole- twice daily for 5 days. Can use in combination with Amoxi twice daily for 5 days.

                3)In a pinch, Pepto Bismol-use caution if pet has liver, kidney issues or is on steroids or NSAIDS.

                4)Gradually reintroduce water, then food.

 

BLOAT/GDV:

                1)Give GasX if you can get it in the dog (no twist present). 1-2 tablets.

                2) Prepare to pass a stomach tube-

                                A)Measure the length from the dogs nose to the last rib, and mark on the tube with a piece of white tape or sharpie. This is so to not insert the tube too far.

                                B)Lube tube with KY Lube.

                                C)Place mouth gag in dog’s mouth.

                                D)Insert tube through the mouth gag and into esophagus-tube should pass relatively easily  if there is not a twist. If there is pressure or resistance-STOP! You may rupture the esophagus.

                                E)Trocar- Last resort effort!  Insert thru the skin, body wall, abdominal cavity, and into  the stomach.  The stomach normally is on the left side, but in a GDV, it may be else where. Stick where it looks bloated. Stick firmly and do not let go of the trocar.  GET TO YOUR VET!!!

 

EYE INJURIES:

                1)Flush eye with eye wash or saline contact solution.

                2)Instill Visine or 3X antibiotic eye ointment in to eye. Do NOT use eye drops or ointment that has hydrocortisone or Dexamethasone.

                3)If bleeding, use soft, eye wash moistened towel or gauze with gentle pressure.

                4)Discourage pawing or rubbing of eye. Place e-collar if needed.

 

MUSCLE SPRAINS/STRAINS/LIMPS:

                1)Crate rest and restrict activity-leash only to pee and poop!

                2)Alternate warm and cool compresses (cool if swelling present).

                3)Massage and do passive physical therapy/range of motion therapy.

                4)Pain control if needed-NSAIDS. In a pinch-Buffered aspirin 1-2 times daily.

                NEVER USE IBPROFEN (Nupren, Midol) ACETOMINAPHINE(Tylenol). 

 

 

 

LACERATIONS/DOG BITES:

                1)Copiously flush wound with sterile water or antiseptic solution. Do NOT flush if wound goes  into the chest cavity or abdominal cavity, just clean around the wound/edges of the wound.                               

                                          A) Recommended antiseptic solutions-          

                                                Diluted Nolvassan - “light ocean blue” in color.

                                                Diluted Iodine- “weak tea” in color.

                2)Bandage/Wrap wound-use nonstick (Telfa Pad) on wound.  Then wrap with rolled gauze and or Vet Wrap, and secure with tape.  Remove bandage if any swelling above or below bandage.

                3)Topical ointments- I like OTC Bactene spray in a pinch. Dogs tend to lick off ointments.

 

 

INFECTED ANAL GLANDS:

                1) Empty anal glands.

                2) Prevent licking or chewing.

                3) Use Cephalexin. Next choice, Clavamox.

 

 

URINARY TRACT INFECTION:

                1) Use Amoxi. Next choice, cephalexin. Next choice, Clavamox.

                2) Seek DVM ASAP.

 

 

TOXIC EXPOSURE:

                1) WEAR GLOVES. WEAR EYE PROTECTION.

                2)If topical-

                                A)Place eye lube or drops of mineral oil in eyes.

                                B)Copiously wash pet with Dawn dish detergent and water.

                3) If ingested-

                                A) you have about a 20 minute window to induce vomiting. Do NOT induce if substance is oil base or sharp.

                                B) Give hydrogen peroxide orally 10-15 mls (1 TBSP) for “adult” size.

                                C) If no vomiting after 10-15 minutes, repeat once.

                                D) If vomiting has been successful, do not feed or water for 4-8 hours.

                                E) If no vomiting, get to your Veterinarian ASAP.

 

 

HYPOGLYCEMIA (LOW BLOOD SUGAR):

                1)Common in young puppies, dogs that have exerted a large amount of energy, or in diabetics that  have received to much insulin.

                2)Smear Karo syrup on the tongue, gums, and inside of cheeks.  If the dog is truly hypoglycemic, the dog should be more alert in a matter of minutes.

 

 

HEAT STROKE (HYPERTHERMIA):

                1) Body temperature of 104+

                2) Move animal to a cool spot, out of the heat/sun.-inside on ceramic or tile floor, on a metal table.

                3) Do NOT dump or immerse dog in cold water!

                4) Start with TEPID water soaked towels placed in the armpits, groin, wipe the inside of the lips and tongue repetitively.

                5) Repetitively pour rubbing alcohol on pads of feet.

                6) After a few minutes of tepid water, switch to cool water, then after a few minutes, use even cooler water to soak towel and wipe in armpits and groin.

                7) Very cold water and ice packs should be avoided as they cause the skin’s blood vessels to vasoconstrict, thus not allowing heat to escape.

                8) As animal cools, do not allow to “tank up” on water- ONLY allow small amounts of tepid water.

 

 

MAJOR FRACTURES-LEGS/HIPS/JAWS:

                1) Get help!…Find your keys, open the car door/van hatch.

                2) MUZZLE THE DOG!….It really hurts!

                3) Stabilize the fracture-

                                A) For jaws- use a muzzle as the splint.

                                B) For Legs- you will need a “splint“-in a pinch-rulers, yardsticks, broom handles, pooper scooper handles, wiffle ball bat, sticks…I know these may sound silly, but this is an EMERGENCY!

                                REMEMBER, you need to immobilize the joint above and below the fracture. Example,  if the knee is fractured, you need to make sure the hip and hock can’t move.

                                                1) Place your “splint” on both sides of the leg by securing with tape, then vet wrap, or just using vet wrap.

                                                Secure snug, but remember, there will be swelling.

                                                2) Place cool compresses on the outside of your splint, over the fracture, securing by a few layers of vet wrap to minimize swelling.

                                                3)Support the dog when moving. Use a towel or sheet as a sling, or use a large sturdy blanket, towel, area rug or tarp to move the dog.  Try to move the dog as little as possible…ideally, just once to the car! (Hence why to have your car doors open!)

                                                4) If  bleeding, open fracture, do NOT give any NSAIDS.