Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs

Lesson Plan

SART Training Media

Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs

Emergency FIrst Aid for Cats and DogsLesson Plan

Prepared by: Dr. Amy Stone, Clinical Assistant Professor -- Small Animal Surgery, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine Eric Hallman, Agricultural Safety Specialist, Charles M. Brown, Information and Publications Specialist, Carol J. Lehtola, Associate Professor, Agricultural and Biological Eng. Dept. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

Copyright by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Published April 2008

SART Training Media are available for download from the Florida SART Web site <www.flsart.org>.

Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs • Lesson Plan 3

Contents

About Florida SART 4

Introduction 5

Session Outline 5

Learning Objectives 6

Learning Environment/Aids 6

Before the Workshop 7

Part 1 — Beginning the Workshop 7

Part 2 — Learning Objectives and Importance 8

Part 3 — Survey and Evaluate the Emergency 10

Part 4 — Handling and Transportation 13

Part 5 — Vital Signs of Cats and Dogs 17

Part 6 — First Aid for Cats and Dogs 19

Part 7 — Euthanasia 28

Part 8 — Pets in Disaster 30

Part 9 — Highlight Resources 31

Part 10 — Summary and Wrap-Up 33

Participant Evaluation 35

Pre- and Post Tests and Answer Key 36

PowerPoint Slides — Summary Pages 40

PowerPoint Slides — Handout Pages 57

PowerPoint Slides — Full-Size 91

Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs • Lesson Plan4

About Florida SARTSART is a multiagency coordination group consisting of governmental and private entities dedicated to all-haz-ard disaster preparedness, planning, response, and recovery for the animal and agriculture sectors in the state of Florida.

SART operates at the local level through county SART organizations.

SART utilizes the skills and resources of many agencies, organizations and individuals with its multiagency coordination group structure.

SART supports the county, regional, and state emergency management efforts and incident management teams.

SART Mission

Empower Floridians through training and resource coordination to enhance all-hazard disaster planning and response for animals and agriculture.

SART Goals

• Promote the active engagement of each county coordinator who is responsible for animal and agricultural issues • Provide assistance in the development and writing of county ESF-17 plans • Promote the establishment of a county SART to work as a multiagency coordination group to support emergency management and incident management teams • Provide training for all SART and animal and agriculture personnel • Identify county resources available for an emergency or disaster • Work to comply with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) document


Introduction

This lesson plan, together with a workbook and PowerPoint presentation, form a unit in the SART training series entitled Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs. This unit is one of several in the training module Pets and Disaster. This lesson plan guides the instructor in delivering the educational portion of the workshop. For information on planning, organizing and publicizing the entire training event, consult the Creating a County SART Toolkit. The toolkit and other SART training materials are available on the Florida SART Web site: <www.flsart.org>.

The content of the lesson plan is outlined in the learning objectives outlined on the next page

Throughout the lesson plan, symbols in the margin indicate that a slide in the PowerPoint presentation is available for that section.

Approximately 120 minutes should be allocated for this program.

Session Outline

Part 1 — Beginning the Workshop 5 minutes Part 2 — Learning Objectives and Importance 5 minutes Part 3 — Survey and Evaluate the Emergency 10 minutes Part 4 — Handling and Transportation 15 minutes Part 5 — Vital Signs of Dogs and Cats 15 minutes Part 6 — First Aid for Dogs and Cats 45 minutes Part 7 — Euthanasia 10minutes Part 8 — Pets in Disaster 5 minutes Part 9 — Highlight Resources 5 minutes Part 10 — Summary and Wrap-Up 5 minutes ____________________________________________________________ Total 120 minutes

Subject: The purpose of this unit is to introduce trainees to basic concepts of the main components of emergency first aid for small animals: animal behavior, treatment practices, and emergency management procedures. The top priority in the emergency care of animals is always the safety of human caretakers.

Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs • Lesson Plan

Learning Objectives

At the end of this unit, participants will be able to:

1. Define emergency first aid for cats and dogs.

2. Explain the health and safety priority of personnel.

3 Describe how to survey and evaluate emergency situations.

4. Identify appropriate handling techniques.

5. Explain the vital signs for cats and dogs, and their measurement.

6. Recognize trauma types and the appropriate treatment procedures.

7. Identify key resources available for more information.

Learning Environment/Aids

To complete this lesson plan, you will need:

• The PowerPoint presentation Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs.

• Optional: a companion publication, Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs: Participant Work-book, is available. It contains copies of the PowerPoint slides and resource information

To conduct this training unit, you will need:

• A means to show the PowerPoint presentation: a computer with a projector. (Note: Master black and white copies of the slides are included at the end of this manual for use as a flipbook or, if you prefer, to make transparencies for use with an overhead projector.)

• Sufficient space and seating for all participants

• Optional: Since this unit deals with evidence and chain of custody issues, you may want to include a police officer or attorney as part of your teaching team. This resource person may be helpful in answering some questions that arise during or after the program. You might ask them to co-teach part of the unit, depending on their comfort level and content interests.

Each participant will need:

• A pen or pencil

• Participant workbook or paper for notes

6


Before the WorkshopOn the day of the workshop, check that all equipment needed is in place. Double-check that electronic media works on the equipment you have. Also, make certain that any materials for par-ticipants, such as paper, workbooks and pens/pencils, are available in sufficient numbers.

Part 1: Beginning the Workshop

Time: 5 minutes

Focus: Introducing participants to the concept of emer-gency first aid for cats and dogs

Once all participants have taken their seats and have settled down, welcome them to the Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs workshop. Thank them for attending and congratulate them on taking the time to learn about this impor-tant issue regarding animals during disaster. Remind them that the best way to respond to an emergency situation is to have a foundation of knowledge on which to build.

During this introduction, you may choose to distribute the pre-test included in the manual. Make sure to explain to the participants that the pre-test is only meant to guide them; they will not be graded. Use of pre- and post-tests can help to evaluate how much knowledge participants gain during the session.

You may, depending on the size of the group, also choose to have participants introduce themselves, state their background, and why they are interested in this topic.

SLIDES

1-3


Learning Objectives and Importance

Time: 5 minutes

Focus: Identifying the learning objectives relating to small animal first aid, the need for safety, and how to care for injured cats and dogs.

This lesson plan can be used with agricultural and non-agricultural audi-ences. Review the learning objectives with the participants. At the end of this training session, participants will be able to define emergency first aid for cats and dogs, explain the health and safety priority of personnel, describe how to survey and evaluate emergency situations, identify appropriate han-dling techniques, explain the vital signs for cats and dogs, recognize trauma types and the appropriate treatment procedures, and identify key resources available for more information.

Remind participants that the reason they are attending the workshop is because they realize the value of being prepared by having a disaster plan in place. Part of disaster planning is learning about appropriate issues in order to be able to successfully address them during emergencies. The information that they gain in this workshop will enhance their professional performance.

The primary objective during any emergency is to insure the safety of human responders. This is especially true when working around cats and dogs in times of stress. When assisting these animals during an emergency situation keep in mind the following items:

• Your safety is the highest priority. You may be trying to help animals in need, but you are of no help to them if you yourself become injured or killed. You will detract others from doing their part as well.

• Don’t endanger yourself or others by attempting a complicated rescue mis-sion for animals. Trained responders are properly equipped to deal with many unusual situations.

This unit presentation is intended for a variety of audiences including emer-gency medical professionals, first responders, good Samaritans, and those who may encounter a disaster scene. The advice of a veterinarian is always recommended when dealing with animal first aid.

Part 2:

SLIDE

4

SLIDE

6

SLIDE

5


The highest priority is to avoid injury to yourself. Animals in emergency situ-ations can pose a serious hazard. During these situations they tend to be-come:

• Nervous, anxious, and could possibly be injured.• Unpredictable – these are individual beings and do not think like humans.• Dangerous – they react to their surroundings and events and do not con-

sider your well being in their reaction.

It is important to learn how cats and dogs can physically injure you in order to successfully avoid injuries from these animals. Some might term this the mechanism or vector of the injury.

Dogs can:

• Bite causing a puncture or crushing injury• Scratch causing a skin injury• Cause injuries that lead to bleeding and infection

Cats can:

• Bite causing puncture, bleeding or serious infection• Scratch leading to bleeding and infection• Prove to be very difficult to restrain. They are flexible and often bite or

scratch when threatened

If bitten or scratched by either a cat or dog, contact a medical professional immediately. Certain zoonotic diseases can be transmitted from animal to human through saliva.

SLIDE

7

SLIDES

8-9


Survey and Evaluate the Emergency

Time: 10 minutes

Focus: Evaluating the emergency, including potential hazards, approaching injured animals, emergency triage, and warning signs for cats and dogs

This section will cover various factors that are involved with cats and dogs during emergency including potential hazards, approaching injured animals, emergency triage, and warning signs. It is important to understand these issues so that you can better predict animal needs and behavior during emergencies. Even more critical is that you can safely and accurately work with cats and dogs during these times.

Survey the emergency situation. Remember your safety is key and you should always avoid becoming the victim. In an effort to stay safe, always survey the area for potential hazards that could injure you. These might include:

• Oncoming traffic, especially when dealing with road injured animals.• Downed power lines that may have resulted from damage. These pose a

serious electrical threat.• Hazardous materials.• Dangerous or venomous wildlife. The source of the cat/dog injury may still

be in the area and pose a hazard to yourself.

Survey the emergency victim. If the situation includes injured animals remember that your safety is the top priority.

When approaching an injured dog or cat remember:

• Approach very slowly – avoid sudden movements.• Approach softly in order to avoid upsetting the animal.• If possible, lower your body level so that you are not towering over the injured

animal. Some animals may interpret height imbalances as threat.• Do not make direct eye contact with the animal or stare directly at it.• Watch the animals’ posture and expressions including the face, ears, tail,

fur and body. These can alert you to possible hazards.• Allow the animal to smell the back of your hand. When doing this watch care-

fully for reactions. Avoid quick and/or sudden movements that may startle the animal.

Part 3:

SLIDE

11

SLIDE

10

SLIDES

12-13


SLIDE

14

Emergency triage may be required in some scenarios. Triage can be used in emergencies where multiple animals are injured in order to sort the injured into those who need critical attention and those with less serious injuries. The animal that is most critical but with the best chance of living should be attended to first.

LEARNING ACTIVITY

As an extra classroom activity you may consider including this discussion if time permits. In an effort to put the issue of “triage” into perspective, you can relate the triage of human casualties in scenarios such as earthquake, war zones, large highway automobile pile-ups, or terrorist attack.

Human definition: In advanced triage, doctors may decide that some seriously injured people should not receive advanced care because they are unlikely to survive. Advanced care will be used on patients with less severe injuries. Because treatment is intentionally withheld from patients with certain injuries, advanced triage has ethical implications. It is used to divert scarce resources away from patients with little chance of survival in order to increase the chances of survival of others who are more likely to survive.

In Western Europe, the criterion used for this category of patient is a trauma score of consistently at or below 3. This can be determined by using the Triage Revised Trauma Score (TRTS), a medically validated scoring system incorporated in some triage cards.The use of advanced triage may become necessary when medical profession-als decide that the medical resources available are not sufficient to treat all the people who need help. The treatment being prioritized can include the time spent on medical care, or drugs or other limited resources. This has happened in disasters such as volcanic eruptions, thunderstorms, and rail incidents. In these cases some percentage of patients will die regardless of medical care because of the severity of their injuries. Others would live if given immediate medical care, but would die without it.

In these extreme situations, any medical care given to people who will die anyway can be considered to be care withdrawn from others who might have survived (or perhaps suffered less severe disability from their injuries) had they been treated instead. It becomes the task of the disaster medical authorities to set aside some victims as hopeless, to avoid trying to save one life at the expense of several others. These same rules may need to be applied with large dog and cat emergencies in order to be able to save/treat the largest number possible.

12 Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs • Lesson Plan

When surveying the situation and the animal, there are varying warning signs that can be observed. These signs will help to give us a better understanding of how to proceed.

Warning signs for dogs include:

• Body language

o Growling or barkingo Hair standing up on back or shoulderso Snarlingo Tail may be wagging or tucked under the bodyo Ears straight back

• Submission

o Dog crouches or assumes a submissive posture (laying down with belly exposed)

o Urinationo Lick profuselyo A dog that is fearful yet submissive may bite if you force the situation

Warning signs for cats include:

• Body language of Aggressive/Fearful behavior

o Ears flattenedo Salivating or spittingo Back may be archedo Hair is standing on endo Hissing

SLIDES

15-16


Handling and Transportation

Time: 15 minutes

Focus: Learn about animal handling and transportation including handling techniques, restraints, and transport issues for cats and dogs

This section will cover various factors that are involved with cats and dogs dur-ing emergency including handling techniques, restraints, and transport issues. Even more critical is that you can safely and accurately work with cats and dogs during these times.

How we handle ourselves when handling animals can have a giant effect on cat and dog behavior. We want to be calm, controlled, and exert confidence. Handling techniques are very important to learn and to use with small animals. When handling small animals remember these items:

• Gloves

o Thick gloves may cause a loss of dexterity with small animals. Thin gloves will offer better tactile ability for finer work.

o Latex or vinyl gloves should be worn at all times when handling injured animals

• Leashes

o Should be leather, nylon or canvas. Do not use chain-link.o Make a large loop by passing the “snap connector” end through the loop

of the handle. While standing behind the animal, drop the loop over the neck and tighten.

• Blankets – Cats

o Be aware of the cat’s body position.o Drop the towel while standing well above the cat.o Grasp the scruff of the neck and wrap the towel around the cat’s body.

• Boxes – Cats or small dogs

o Cats will often crawl into them in order to feel safe.o Can use the towel technique once in the box.o This technique will also work for small dogs.

Part 4:

SLIDE

17

SLIDE

18-22


• Muzzles

o Can be useful for controlling the jaws and decreasing the risk of being bitten.

o May be dangerous to the animal if the animal is vomiting, coughing, or having difficulty breathing.

o Use soft nylon or leather as muzzle material.o Muzzles for cats and dogs with short noses arre commercially available.

• Muzzles – Home-made

If needed you can make a muzzle that can be used for dogs with the excep-tion of those with short noses. Look at the series of 5 photographs to dem-onstrate the following 5 steps:

1. Start with 18” of material, such as gauze, stocking, neck-tie, soft rope or a piece of soft cloth.

2. Make the beginnings of a knot into a loop that can be placed over the animal’s nose. Note: Keep enough space between you and the animal’s mouth so that the animal can’t turn and bite you.

3. Tighten the loop down on top of the nose, but not so tight that the animal can’t breathe.

4. Pull the ends of the material down each side of the face, across under the chin and bring the ends back behind the ears.

5. Tie the loose ends back behind the ears.

Note: For short-nosed dogs and cats, after steps 1-5, take one end of the loop and pass it under the nose loop and tie to the other end around the neck to secure onto the nose.

Restraint techniques are an important skill to understand. Working with animals safely is a prime concern during emergency settings. Remember that your safety is paramount and that you cannot help others including animals if you yourself become injured. The next three slides will cover dog and cat techniques.

Dog

• Headlock – Dog standing

o Stand or kneel with your chest at the dog’s side.o Place forearm under the dog’s neck and bring the arm up the other side

of the neck (around the head).o Lock your forearm under your head.o Place the other arm over or under the animal’s belly.

SLIDES

23-25


• Dog lying on their side

o Stand facing the dog with your body beside the dog.o Reach over dog and then back under dog; take hold of legs closest to your

body.o Slowly pull the legs up and around the dog, forcing it to lay on its’ side. As

the animal drops toward the ground, take care not to let the head hit the floor.

o Hold front and hind legs straight out, thus preventing the animal from standing.

o Use forearm closest to animal to push neck to the ground.

Cat

• Cat lying on their side

o The same technique as for the dog with some variation.o Instead of pushing the neck toward the ground with the forearm, grasp

the loose skin behind the neck (the scruff) and hold firmly. This is a primal carrying position for felines and can often relax the animal.

• Sitting position – Scruff of neck

o Grasp and hold firmly a large amount of the scruff of neck.o Using the other hand, hold the cat’s body in a sitting position.

Carrying and transporting small animals will be critical at some point during their treatment. It is important to learn some of the safe methods in which this can be done.

Dogs

• Small dogs (25 lbs and under)

o Dog can be carried in a box or pet carrier.o Alternatively, the dog can be carried in a person’s arms.

1. Cradle the dog with your arms2. Place your hand around the dog’s front legs, with two or three fingers

between the legs3. Hold the legs as you walk4. Keep the injured side against your body

• Large dogs (over 25 lbs)

o Place one arm under or around the neck.o Place the other behind the rear legs or under the belly if you suspect a

hind-limb injury.

SLIDES

26-27


Cats

• Box or pet carrier is the ideal method to transport a cat since they frighten easily. Cats often run away from the treatment.

• Arm carry

o Utilize the same small dog carry above.o Alternatively, grab the scruff and support the cat’s body with your other

hand.

A zoonosis is any infectious disease that is able to be transmitted from other animals, both wild and domestic, to humans or from humans to animals (the latter is sometimes called reverse zoonosis). Examples of more commonly known small animal zoonosis include Ringworm, Scabies, and Rabies. When tending to small animals during emergencies, be mindful of the potential for zoonotic disease transfer. Generally CPR is not likely to cause human infection.

LEARNING ACTIVITY

As an extra classroom activity you may consider including one of these if time permits. A more detailed understanding of animal behavior would be beneficial to anyone that will be working around small animals. A practical hands-on activity illustrating Handling or Restraint Techniques will go a long way in helping participants to understand, remember, and practice the con-cepts learned above.

One activity would be to bring a cat into the classroom (preferably one that is well mannered). Proper handling techniques can be demonstrated to the class. The approach to the animal, body language, and handling can be dem-onstrated. The towel method of wrapping is an excellent technique to show the class, including the scruff carry.

A second option for an additional hands-on demonstration would be to arrange for a dog handling activity. If facilities allow for a safe demonstration, you may want to consider having a trained dog handler demonstrate the principles of animal restraint and leash with a live animal. Additionally the Home-Made Muzzle can be demonstrated so that participants can fully comprehend the soft cloth technique. The presence of a live animal in a visual and hands-on activity will further reinforce the educational value of this unit. Participants will better understand and retain the knowledge that they learned.

SLIDE

28


Vital Signs of Dogs and Cats

Time: 15 minutes

Focus: Examine the vital signs of dogs and cats during emergency including normal signs, heart rate, breathing rate, body temperature, mucous mem-brane color and hydration

This section will cover the vital signs of dogs and cats during emergency includ-ing normal vital signs, heart rate, breathing rate, body temperature, mucous membrane color and hydration. It is important to understand these issues so that you can better predict first aid needs during emergencies.

The next 11 slides will relate to vital signs.

Normal vital signs are used as a basis or base line, to judge when an animal is deviating from the norm. One of the key indicators is the heart rate. We need to learn how to assess the heart rate and what techniques work best with small animals.

Heart Rates and Pulses:

• Heartbeat can be felt on the left side of the chest just behind the bend in the left elbow.

o If you place your hand over this area, you should be able to feel and count heartbeats.

• Femoral or inner thigh pulse

o Place two fingers as high as possible on the inside of either back leg (use light touch).

o Feel for pulse in middle of leg about half way between front and back of leg (there is a small recess where the blood vessels run).

• Just below the wrist – carpus

o Locate the area just above middle pad on underside of either front paw.o Lightly place middle and index fingers at this point and feel for pulse.

• Just below the ankle – hock

o Locate the area just above middle pad on underside of either rear paw.o Lightly place middle and index fingers at this point and feel for pulse.

SLIDE

29

Part 5:

SLIDES

30-33


• Normal Heart Rates – The chart on slide #33 clearly illustrates the different heart rate ranges for varying sized dogs and cats.

o Dog

1. Small – 100-160 beats/minute2. Medium – 60-100 beats/minute3. Puppy – 120-160 beats/minute

o Cat – 160-220 beats/minute

Breathing rates for dogs and cats vary. A normal range for dogs is 10-30 breaths/minute while cats respire at 20-30 breaths/minute. Under extreme conditions dogs can breathe at up to 200 breaths/minute, while cats can go up to 300 pants/minute.

Panting should not normally occur with a cat. If this is noticed start to worry!

Body temperatures should remain within a normal range for healthy, non-stressed animals. Techniques for determining this temperature include the following:

1. Use a pediatric rectal or digital thermometer.2. Lubricate the thermometer with a water based lubricant or petroleum jelly.3. Normal body temperatures include:

a. Dogs: 100.0°F – 102.8°Fb. Cats: 100.5°F – 102.5°Fc. Temperatures under 100°F and over 104°F should be considered an

emergency.

Mucous membrane color can be used to help assess the current condition of the dog or cat. The photo in slide #38 illustrates the mucous membrane of the oral tissue. Looking at the color of the oral tissues is a good way to determine if the animal is getting enough oxygen. If the dog tissue is pigmented, you can use the membranes in the lower eyelid by gently pulling it down. The normal color is pink! Blue, pale, yellow, brick red or brown mucous membranes is an emergency!

The capillary refill time is the time that it takes for the gums to return to their normal pink color after you press them. As you press, the membrane should turn white, then it should only take 1-2 seconds for pink color to return. This is a good way to assess the circulation. If capillary refill time is more than 3 seconds, it is an emergency!

SLIDES

34-35

SLIDES

38-39

SLIDES

36-37


Hydration is the process of providing an adequate amount of water to the body tissues. The following steps can be used to determine if the animal is hydrated or dehydrated:

• Pull up on the skin at the back of the animal’s neck.• It should go back into place immediately (1-2 seconds).• If not the animal is likely dehydrated.

SLIDE

40

First Aid for Cats and Dogs

Time: 45 minutes

Focus: Learn the first aid actions for cats and dogs cover-ing the entire spectrum of first aid management of cats and dogs during emergency. These include recognition, CPR, breathing, circulation, bleeding, choking, fractures, wounds, eyes, foreign objects, heat and toxins

This section will cover many factors that are involved with the first aid actions for cats and dogs covering the entire spectrum of first aid management of cats and dogs during emergency. It is important to understand these issues so that you can better react to small animal needs and treatments during emergencies.

Note: The next 43 slides will relate to first aid actions. These slides contain excellent pictures that help to highlight the first aid issue being demonstrat-ed. Instructors are encouraged to make use of these photographs during the presentation. Draw the discussion points to the illustration so that partici-pants can best see and hear the presentation.

Recognizing the emergency at hand and surveying the emergency victim are core competencies involved in the response and eventual treatment. Emer-gencies that you may encounter could include:

• Trauma (falls, hit by vehicle, gunshot, other punctures/cuts)• Difficulty breathing• Seizures

SLIDE

41

Part 6:

SLIDES

42-45


• Excessive bleeding (cannot be stopped by applying pressure)• Snake bites• Heat stroke or hypothermia• Poisoning• Shock• Burns• Drowning• Unconsciousness• Others

Surveying the emergency victim can follow the “ABC’s of CPR”

ABCs of CPR

Airway Is there an open airway? Breathing Is the animal breathing? Circulation Is there a heartbeat and a pulse?

Also include the following four in your survey:

1. Mucous Membrane Color?2. Capillary Refill Time?3. Any evidence of bleeding?4. Animal’s level of consciousness?

CPR or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is a method to treat an animal that is not breathing and/or has no heartbeat. It involves rescue breathing (mouth-to-nose resuscitation) and chest compressions. The ABC’s or basic principles (Airway, Breathing and Circulation) must be followed.

Warning: CPR does not always work even when performed by an experienced veterinarian. If your attempt fails, know that you did everything that you could to save an animal’s life.

Breathing – It is imperative that the animal be able to breathe. All mammals need oxygen in order to survive, and when it is blocked or not available, the animal will not live long.

Establish an Airway by performing the following steps:

1. Check to see if the throat and mouth are clear of foreign objects.2. To clear the airway, gently tilt the head back and extend the neck.3. Pull the tongue between the front teeth.

SLIDE

46

SLIDES

47-52


4. Use your finger to remove any material or liquid from the airway.

Note: Do not put your finger into the mouth of a conscious animal. You will be bitten!

If the animal is breathing, let them continue on their own. If not, then do the following:

1. Medium and large dogs (over 30 pounds): seal animal’s mouth and lips by placing your hands around its lips. See photos in slide #50.

o Gently hold the muzzle closed

2. Cats and small dogs (under 30 pounds): your mouth will seal the mouth and lips -- no need to seal with hands. See photos in slide #51.

3. Place your mouth over the animal’s nose and forcefully exhale.

o Give 4-5 breaths rapidly, then check if animal is breathing.o Continue up to 20 minutes. After each breathing session, check if the

animal can breathe without assistance.

Breathing Rates for CPR

Small dog or cat 20 – 30 breaths per minute Medium or large dog 20 breaths per minute

Note: If you have access to oxygen for a distressed animal then use it instead.

Circulation is required to distribute the blood supply throughout the body. As the blood circulates it carries oxygen and vital nutrients throughout the circu-lation system.

If there is no pulse or no detectable heartbeat in the animal then perform chest compressions. The following instructions should be used. (See photos in slide #54 and #56.)

• Lay animal on its right side.• Kneel next to the animal with chest facing you.• Place palm of one of your hands over animal’s ribs at point where elbow

touches chest.• Place other hand around back of and underneath animal.• Compress chest ½ - 1 inch (elbows should be locked).• Alternate with breaths.

o 5 compressions for each breath and check for a pulse.

SLIDES

53-57


o If more than one person, each take a position and alternate at 3 com-pressions for each breath, then check for pulse.

Cardiac compressions can be made following the above instructions and should be altered depending on the size of the animal. The following break-downs can be used with dogs of varying sizes:

• Medium to Large Dogs (30–90 pounds)

o Stand or kneel with the animal’s back towards you.o Extend arms at the elbows and cup your hands over each other.o Compress the chest at the point where the left elbow lies when pulled

back to the chest.o Compress about 1-3 inches with each compression.

• Alternate with breathing

o If alone, do 5 compressions for each breath, then check for pulse.o If two people, perform 2 – 3 compressions for each breath, then check

for a pulse.

• Giant Dogs (Over 90 pounds)

o Use the same technique for medium to large dogs.o If alone, do 10 compressions for each breath, then check for a pulse.o If two people, do 6 compressions for each breath, then check for a

pulse.

Note: Do not assume there is no heart rate or pulse because an animal is not breathing. Always check for a heartbeat before starting chest compres-sions.

Shock results from decreased blood and oxygen flow to tissues and organs. Symptoms can include the following:

• Increased heart rate• Pulse may be bounding or, in later stages, weak• Increased respiratory rate• Delayed capillary refill time• Decreased body temperature/cool feet• If in septic shock (infection), temperature may be elevated• Weakness• Disorientation• Rescue workers must focus on stopping bleeding, warming the animal and

the ABC’s

SLIDES

58-59


Terminal Shock or End Stage Shock is when the body can no longer compen-sate for decreased oxygen and blood to vital organs.

• Cardiac arrest is likely to occur soon – take the following actions:

o Assess ABC’s of CPRo Control the bleedingo Warm the animalo Elevate hind-end slightly (unless broken back is suspected)

Bleeding can be a life threatening situation for any animal. When this issue is discovered, the following five steps should be initiated:

1. Check ABC’s of CPR2. Apply direct pressure with gauze or cloth3. Add more cloth if material gets soaked4. Do not wipe5. Secure with tape

Bleeding pressure points can be used to prevent further bleeding if conven-tional techniques have failed. Pressure points are areas from where the blood vessels travel. Apply firm and even pressure to appropriate pressure points. The chart on slide #61 illustrates the bleeding site versus the pressure point that controls it:

Site of Bleeding Pressure Point

Forearm Armpit Hind Limb Inner thigh Head Lower Jaw – Place 3 fingers at base of lower jaw on the same side as injury and below where bleeding is occurring Neck Groove next to windpipe - Place 3 fingers in groove next to windpipe (round & hard) on side of neck where bleeding is occurring

When using pressure points, you must release pressure every 10 minutes (for a few seconds), as this prevents permanent damage to limb. When using head and neck pressure points, take care not to obstruct breathing.

Choking can occur quite frequently with small animals. Be prepared to treat this common occurrence which can many times be easily remedied. The fol-

SLIDES

60-62

SLIDES

63-64


lowing steps should be used:

1. Open animal’s mouth and sweep from side to side to see if object can be dislodged.

2. If animal is small enough, suspend animal by the hips with head hanging down. (See illustrations on slide #64).

3. If animal is bigger, place your arms around animal’s waist.4. Close your hands together to make a fist just behind first rib.5. Compress the abdomen by pushing up 5 times.

a. Alternate with performing 5 breaths (any air around the object is better than none).

6. As a last resort, administer a sharp blow to the back between the shoulder blades.

a. Then repeat abdominal compressions.

Fractures can manifest themselves by lameness, swelling, and abnormal limb position. Occasionally they will illustrate themselves with bruising or protrud-ing bones. Splinting guidelines can help to insure proper treatment.

• If a piece of bone is sticking out of the wound, wash the area with water or saline solution. Loosely place a dressing over the wound and wrap with tape.

• If the animal can’t be kept completely still for transport, a splint may be ap-plied by the following:

o Place a rigid structure along each side of the fractured limb (rolled pa-per, stick, pen, etc).

o Hold with tape in multiple locations, but do not wrap too tightly.

• Splinting should always include the joints below and above the fracture site. Otherwise, the splint can cause more harm than good.

• If animal is struggling or you can transport it in a box or carrier, do not at-tempt to splint. Splinting can worsen a fracture.

Puncture wounds and lacerations are common injuries to dogs and cats. First aid measures should include the following:

1. Remove foreign object2. Wash area with salinea. Add one teaspoon of salt to a quart of warm water3. Dry foot4. Bandage5. Check ABC’s of CPR6. Check for shock

SLIDES

65-69

SLIDES

70-71


7. Apply sterile lube to keep hair out of wound8. Clip hair around wound areaa. Clippers or razor blade9. Flush with saline10. Apply a bandage

Drowning has its own unique first aid actions.

1. Check ABC’s of CPR.2. For unconscious animals, hold the animal upside down and allow water to

come out airway (nose or mouth).3. CPR as needed.4. Treat for shock (keep quiet and warm).

These two slides illustrate actual eye injuries of a foreign object and an eye out of the socket.

• Foreign Objects in the Eye:

o Swelling, squinting, pawing or obvious objecto Gently wash the eye with large amounts of tap water or sterile eye washo Inspect closely to confirm that all of the object has been removed

• Eye out of Socket:

o Flush with sterile eyewasho Cover the eye with a moistened gauzeo Blind the opposite eyeo Do not put a leash around the animal’s necko Get veterinary attention as quickly as possible

Embedded foreign bodies can make their way into cats and dogs during di-sasters. It is important to know how these should be treated in first aid so as not to make the injury worse.

Do Not Remove Embedded Foreign Bodies!

1. Roll up gauze or other material that can be used to stabilize the object in place

2. Use tape or an object that fits over the foreign body to make a brace to hold foreign body still

3. If the object is long, make it shorter without removing it4. Get veterinary assistance as soon as possible

Embedded Fish Hooks

1. Do not pull or cut the line!

SLIDE

72

SLIDES

73-74

SLIDES

75-76


2. Push the hook through the exit wound3. Cut the barb off using a wire cutter4. Pull the hook out from the direction that it entered the skin5. Treat the resulting puncture like a wound

Heat comes from both internal (metabolic) and external sources. Metabolic heat is generated all of the time. Approximately 50% of metabolic heat is generated directly from what is eaten. Additional metabolic heat is generated when an animal exercises. This metabolic heat is dissipated in most species through sweating, although dogs use panting as the main avenue for heat dissipation. Severe heat stress is characterized by body temperatures well above the normal range.Heat Stroke symptoms include:

• Collapse• Vomiting or bloody diarrhea• Excessive salivation• Increased heart rate• Fast or difficult breathing• Red mucous membranes• Capillary refill time may be prolonged or very quick• Body temperature 104°F or aboveSolutions to heat stroke include:• Move to cool or shaded area• Soak in or with cool (not iced) water• Place towels around neck, head, abdomen and feet• Discontinue cooling once the temperature reaches 103°F

Snake Bite is common for dogs and cats living in snake infested areas. Even in relative low snake density areas, disasters (such as hurricanes, floods, etc) can drive snakes into areas that they normally do not inhabit. During these times, snake encounters could be more likely to happen to small animals. If a dog or cat is bitten by a snake follow these guidelines:

1. ABC’s of CPR/Check for shock2. Keep as still and calm as possible (carry the animal)3. Do not cut wound or suck venom4. Do not apply ice or a tourniquet5. Seek medical attention as soon as possible

Toxin Ingestion may come in various forms. Liquids, chemicals, and items that are eaten, may all play a role in toxic contamination. Look for these signs and think about the solutions:

SLIDES

77-78

SLIDE

79

SLIDES

80-83


• Signs of potential toxin ingestion

o Vomiting or diarrhea.o Seizures or abnormal mental state (hyper excitable, depressed).o Excessive salivation.o Ulcers in mouth.o Bleeding from mouth or any body cavity.

• Seizures

o Animals may have seizures from toxin ingestion or other causes.o Protect from harm due to surroundings.o Do not put hand in the mouth or try to pull on the tongue

• Toxin Ingestion

o Check the ABC’s of CPR.o Check the mucous membrane color, capillary refill time, animal’s mental

state.o Check the surroundings for possible poison or toxin.o If possible, call the National Animal Poison Control Center 1-800-548-

2423 or 1-900-680-0000.

Burns can result from fire, chemical, or electrical disasters. Cats and dogs can be adversely affected by these emergencies and may need specialized treatment. Look for and do the following:

• Check for shock• Flush chemical burns profusely with water• Apply cool water or cool compresses to burned area• Apply sterile nonstick dressing• Do not immerse in water or ice!• Do not apply butter or ointment!

Emergency Triage – Just as was covered in Slide #14 in Part 3: Survey and Evaluate the Emergency, we need to keep in mind that “When presented with the situation, the animal that is most critical but the best chance of living should be attended to first”.

SLIDE

84

SLIDE

85


Euthanasia

Time: 10 minutes

Focus: Learn about the issues surrounding euthanasia including decision making, humane consider-ations, procedures, and Florida laws

This section will cover the issues surrounding euthanasia including decision making, humane considerations, procedures, and Florida laws. It is important to understand these issues so that you can better serve animals in distress during emergencies.

The next 6 slides deal with Euthanasia.

All animal owners, farmers, ranchers, and veterinarians would prefer to use treatment options in order to save/heal an animal. Under certain severe condi-tions the nature of the injury or disease to the animal will be terminal eventually and it is more humane to destroy the animal versus having it suffer a long and protracted death. Euthanasia is defined as the action of killing the animal for reasons considered to be merciful.

General issues to consider include:

• Pain and stress of the animal• Likelihood of recovery• Diagnostic information• Welfare of the animal, humane considerations• Sustained injuries may necessitate humane euthanasia• Best performed by a veterinarian or under veterinary guidance• Veterinary assistance may not be available during large scale emergency

– therefore very important to understand issues involved

Important considerations include:

• When euthanasia is necessary, always minimize animal distress as much as possible

• For animals who are accustomed to human contact, the presence of humans may be reassuring

1. Penetrating captive bolt may be preferred2. Exsanguination in unconscious animals may be preferred

Part 7:

SLIDE

86

SLIDES

87-92


• For wildlife, human contact causes fear and greater distress

1. Gunshot may be preferred2. Gunshot permits the least amount of human contact

Aesthetic concerns of euthanasia:

• Despite being humane, both captive bolt and gunshot are aesthetically dis-pleasing procedures

• Involuntary movement of the animal will most likely occur after the procedure. Some issues include:

1. “Kill the head, the body dies slowly” – Temple Grandin2. Exsanguination (the draining of blood) requires several minutes and is

visually uncomfortable to observe.

• These procedures should be conducted away from the public view, especially since many will not fully understand the principles of euthanasia.

Death should be confirmed by the evaluation of the following physical parameters over a period of several minutes:

• Lack of a heartbeat – a pulse is normally not present in these circumstanc-es

• Lack of respiration – breathing may be erratic in an unconscious animal• Lack of a corneal reflex• Lack of movement over a period of several hours – rigor mortis should set

in

Unacceptable methods of euthanasia include the following which are forbidden under Florida law (Florida Statutes 828.12):

• Manually applied blunt trauma to the head, such as a large hammer• Injection of any chemical substance not labeled for use for euthanasia. (This

is where the services of a licensed veterinarian can be crucial.)• Injection of air into a vein• Electrocution, as with 120 or 220 volt electrical power.

In general euthanasia is a difficult decision, and a complicated action that may be required in severe circumstances. It is one that is difficult for animal owners to accept and often harder for the general public who only sees the final out-come. The proper understanding and mental preparation for this critical issue is vitally important. It is hoped by all involved that euthanasia of small animals will never have to be carried out. We must keep in mind that our work is done in the best interest of the animals, and we must realize that in certain severe cases, euthanasia is more humane for the suffering animal than all other options.


Pets in Disaster

Time: 5 minutes

Focus: Identify where to take pets during a disaster, how to create a first aid kit, and reliable pet identifica-tion

This section will identify where to take pets during a disaster, how to create a first aid kit, and reliable pet identification. It is important to learn these issues so that you can be better prepared for emergencies, direct pet owners during emergencies, and locate missing pets after a disaster.

Where can pets go during an emergency? There are many shelters located across Florida. Florida Pet Friendly.com lists shelters (by county) where people can stay with their pets if they must evacuate their area. Requirements for each shelter are also listed. The website can be found at the following URL:

http://floridapetfriendly.com/shelters.htm

First Aid kits for pets should be made up in advance of an emergency. A good list of supplies can be found at the following URL:

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/fstaidk.html

Pet Identification can be a major factor in reuniting lost pets with their owners. During emergencies, many pets get displaced/separated from their owners. Many times they are sadly never reunited. A simple and very effective precaution is called “microchipping”, where a small electronic microchip is placed under the skin of the pet. This technology is considered the best way to help reunite displaced animals with their owners.

Part 8:

SLIDE

93

SLIDES

94-96


Highlight Resources

Time: 5 minutes

Focus: Identify key resources that participants can easily access for additional information

The following sources of information, including agencies, may be helpful.

• The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), established in 1863, is a not-for-profit association representing more than 76,000 veterinarians working in private and corporate practice, government, industry, academia, and uniformed services. Information on animal welfare and euthanasia can be found at: http://www.avma.org/issues/default.asp

• Animal Management in Disasters. Health, Sebastian E. Ph.D., DVM., Mosby, Inc, 1999.

• Disaster Planning Tips for Pets, Livestock and Wildlife. Federal Emergency Management Agency publication, June 2002.

• Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) is a collaborative multi-state effort by Extension Services across the country to improve the delivery of services to citizens affected by disasters. This site serves primarily Extension agents and educators by providing them access to resources on disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery that will enhance their short- and long-term programming efforts.

• Florida Agricultural Law Enforcement. The Office of Agricultural Law Enforce-ment is dedicated to protecting Florida’s agriculture and its consumers through professional law enforcement. http://www.fl-aglaw.com/

• Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). http://www.doacs.state.fl.us

• Florida Animal Disease Control http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai/adc/adc_main.shtml

• Florida Dept. of Community Affairs, Div. of Emergency Management. http://www.floridadisaster.org

• Florida Pet Friendly: Florida emergency shelters where you can stay with your pet if you must evacuate from your home during hurricanes or disasters. http://www.floridapetfriendly.com/pet-friendly-hurricane-shelters.htm

• Guidelines for the Development of a Local Animal Care Plan in Emergen-cies, Disasters, and Evacuations. Heath, Sebastian E. Ph.D. D.V.M., Purdue University, School of Veterinary Medicine.

Part 9:


• Homeland Security http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm • Humane Society of United States (HSUS), Cat First Aid Kit: http://www.hsus.

org/pets/pet_care/cat_care/keys_to_a_healthy_cat/your_cats_firstaid_kit.html

• National Agricultural Safety Database (NASD), The information contained in NASD was contributed by safety professionals and organizations from across the nation and provides a national resource for the dissemination of informa-tion. http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/

o Animal Handling Safety http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d001801-d001900/d001823/d001823.html

o Fleas http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d001201-d001300/d001253/d001253.html

o Preparing to Evacuate Your Farm, Safety Measures When Flooding is Ex-pected

http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d001401-d001500/d001487/d001487.html

o Things to Know about Pet Grooming and Pesticides http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000901-d001000/d000986/d000986.html

• Pet First Aid Kit – list of supplies can be found at the dog owners website: http://www.canismajor.com/dog/fstaidk.html

• State Veterinarian Office contact information for each state. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/official.html

• United States Dept. of Agriculture (USDA). http://www.usda.gov

• University of Florida Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension publication resource (EDIS) offers many fact sheets for veterinary and animal health issues. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/Departement_Veterinary_Medicine

• University of Florida IFAS Extension Disaster Handbook. http://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu

• USDA–APHIS Veterinary Services publication, “Animal Health Hazards of Concern During Natural Disasters”(Feb. 2002). This publication aims to “de-scribe some of the natural disasters that have occurred in the U.S. during recent years and to review some infectious and noninfectious hazards that are perceived to be related directly to natural disasters.” http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/EmergingAnimalHealthIssues_files/hazards.PDF

• World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). http://oie.int


Summary and Wrap-Up

Time: 5 minutes

Focus: Review the learning objectives that have been accomplished and encourage a commitment to SART

You and your audience have had a busy and educational two hours, but it is almost over. Prior to answering general questions, provide a summary to the participants of what they have just learned.

In Summary, let us keep in mind the basic principles that we have learned:

1. In an emergency, your safety is of the utmost importance.2. Prevention and preparation are the keys.3. Providing animals with adequate shelter, water, and food is critical in the

immediate aftermath of an emergency.4. Treating injured animals may not be feasible without help from trained pro-

fessionals.

It is recommended that you summarize the 7 learning objectives that were covered during the unit. Go over each and make sure that the participants understand each of the objectives. If not, briefly cover the important points for that objective.

1. Define emergency first aid for cats and dogs2. Explain the health and safety priority of personnel3. Describe how to survey and evaluate emergency situations4. Identify appropriate handling techniques5. Explain the vital signs for cats and dogs, and their measurement6. Recognize trauma types and the appropriate treatment procedures7. Identify key resources available for more information

Thank the audience for their attention and participation. Congratulate them for their commitment to the SART endeavor and on their desire to be part of the solution.

At this point in the program, you may choose to have the participants take the Post-Test provided in the resources section of this Lesson Plan. Remember to review the answers to the test questions after all participants have completed the test. It may be most beneficial to review these as a group in order to maxi-

Part 10:

SLIDE

97

SLIDE

97


mize the educational component.

A content specific Evaluation is provided in the Resources section of this Lesson Plan. The generic Evaluation available in the Toolkit for Planning a Community Based SART Training Event can be utilized as well. As the presenter, you should decide which evaluation best meets the needs of your program. Please have the participants complete an evaluation at the conclusion of this unit. Encour-age participants to be as honest and forthright as possible as it helps you, the presenter, make adjustments to future presentations.


Participant’s Evaluation of Emergency First Aid for Cats and DogsPlease circle the number that best expresses your opinions about the following statements.

1. The training unit’s format was appropriate.

2. The information presented was useful to me.

3. The time it took to complete this unit was acceptable.

4. The PowerPoint slides accurately presented the information.

5. I can explain the health and safety priority for personnel.

6. I can describe how to survey and evaluate emergency situations.

7. I can identify appropriate handling techniques.

8. I can explain the vital signs for cats and dogs and their measurement.

9. I can recognize trauma types and the appropriate treatments.

10. I can define emergency first aid for cats and dogs.

11. We welcome your comments about this program:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please use the back of this sheet for any further comments.

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

FULLY FULLYDISAGREE DISAGREE NEUTRAL AGREE AGREE


Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs Participant Pre-Test

This pre-test is intended to gauge the level of knowledge that you have before participating in the Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs. Please answer all of the following questions to the best of your ability.

1. Whose safety is of the highest importance during an emergency? Circle one.

2. When surveying an emergency situation involving a dog, name two “body language” warning signs that dogs may exhibit showing that the dog could be dangerous.

_____________________ _____________________

3. ______________________ can be useful for controlling the jaws and decreasing the risk of being bitten.

4. Breathing rates for cats and dogs vary. A panting cat is a happy cat. True or False.

5. What organization keeps information listings for pet emergency shelters across Florida?

____________________________________________

6. What are the ABCs of CPR? Circle three.

7. _____________________ is the action of killing an animal for reasons considered to be merciful, and may be the most humane alternative when dealing with seriously ill or injured animals.

8. Name two unacceptable methods of euthanasia that are prohibited by Florida State law.

___________________________________ _________________________________

9. _____________________ should be consutled before issuing any drugs/medications to injured or sick animals.

10. _____________________ can manifest themselves by lameness, swelling, and abnormal limb position. Occasionally, they will illustrate themselves with bruising or protruding bones.

Airway Beats Breathing Circulation Counting

Dog Cat Human caretaker Reptiles

37Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs • Lesson Plan

Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs Participant Post-Test

This post-test is intended to gauge the level of knowledge that you have before participating in the Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs. Please answer all of the following questions to the best of your ability.

1. Whose safety is of the highest importance during an emergency? Circle one.

2. When surveying an emergency situation involving a dog, name two “body language” warning signs that dogs may exhibit showing that the dog could be dangerous.

_____________________ _____________________

3. ______________________ can be useful for controlling the jaws and decreasing the risk of being bitten.

4. Breathing rates for cats and dogs vary. A panting cat is a happy cat. True or False.

5. What organization keeps information listings for pet emergency shelters across Florida?

____________________________________________

6. What are the ABCs of CPR? Circle three.

7. _____________________ is the action of killing an animal for reasons considered to be merciful, and may be the most humane alternative when dealing with seriously ill or injured animals.

8. Name two unacceptable methods of euthanasia that are prohibited by Florida State law.

___________________________________ _________________________________

9. _____________________ should be consutled before issuing any drugs/medications to injured or sick animals.

10. _____________________ can manifest themselves by lameness, swelling, and abnormal limb position. Occasionally, they will illustrate themselves with bruising or protruding bones.

Airway Beats Breathing Circulation Counting

Dog Cat Human caretaker Reptiles


Answer Key to Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs Pre- and Post-Tests

1. Your safety is the most important. The primary objective during any emergency is to insure the safety of human responders. This is especially true when working around cats and dogs in times of stress. You may be trying to help animals in need, but you are of no help to them if you yourself become injured or killed.

2. When surveying the situation and the animal, there are varying warning signs that can be observed. These signs will help to give us a better understanding of how to proceed.

Warning signs for dogs include:

• Body language

o Growling or barking o Hair standing up on back or shoulders o Snarling o Tail may be wagging or tucked under the body o Ears straight back

• Submission

o Dog crouches or assumes a submissive posture (laying down with belly exposed) o Urination o Lick profusely o A dog that is fearful yet submissive may bite if you force the situation

3. Muzzles can be useful for controlling the jaws and decreasing the risk of being bitten.

4. Breathing rates for dogs and cats vary. A normal range for dogs is 10-30 breaths/min-ute while cats respire at 20-30 breaths/minute. Under extreme conditions dogs can breathe at up to 200 breaths/minute, while cats can go up to 300 pants/minute. Pant-ing should not normally occur with a cat. If this is noticed start to worry!

5. Where can pets go during an emergency? There are many shelters located across Flor-ida. Florida Pet Friendly.com lists shelters (by county) where people can stay with their pets if they must evacuate their area. Requirements for each shelter are also listed. The Web site can be found at the following URL: http://floridapetfriendly.com/shelters.htm


6. Surveying the emergency victim can follow the “ABC’s of CPR”:

ABCs of CPR

Airway Is there an open airway? Breathing Is the animal breathing? Circulation Is there a heartbeat and a pulse?

7. Euthanasia is the action of killing the animal for reasons considered to be merciful, and may be the most humane alternative when dealing with seriously ill or injured animals.

8. Unacceptable methods of euthanasia include the following which are forbidden under Florida law (Florida Statutes 828.12): Manually applied blunt trauma to the head, such as a large hammer, Injection of any chemical substance not labeled for use for euthana-sia, Injection of air into a vein, Electrocution, as with 120 or 220 volt electrical power.

9. A veterinarian should be consulted before issuing any drugs/medications to injured or sick animals. Most drugs can only be given by prescription, and others are restricted for administration by veterinarians only.

10. Fractures can manifest themselves by lameness, swelling, and abnormal limb position. Occasionally they will illustrate themselves with bruising or protruding bones.

5

Primary Objective

• When assisting dogs and cats during an emergency situation– Your safety is ultimately the highest priority!!!– Do not endanger yourself or fellow first

responders to attempt heroic rescue measures for animals

State Agricultural Response Team 6

This Presentation is Intended for…

• Good Samaritans• Emergency Medical

Professionals• First Responders• No Matter the level of

experience, remember to seek veterinary advicewhenever possible!

State Agricultural Response Team

4

Learning Objectives

After completing this training activity, participants should:• Describe ways to practice Priority #1 – Prevent Injury to

Yourself• Understand the stages of rendering treatment that

represent best practice, including:– Describe how to survey and evaluate the emergency situation– List appropriate handling techniques– List vital signs of dogs and cats and how they are measured– List and recognize types of trauma– Recognize which first aid procedures are appropriate to type of

trauma

State Agricultural Response Team3



Prepared by

Amy StoneClinical Assistant Professor – Small Animal Surgery

Department of Small Animal Clinical SciencesUniversity of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine / IFAS

2

Pets and Disaster


S A R T logo

PowerPoint SlidesSlides 1-6


11

Survey the Emergency Situation

• Avoid becoming a victim; always survey for potential hazards– Oncoming traffic – Downed power lines– Hazardous materials– Dangerous or venomous

wildlife


Survey the Emergency Victim

• Approaching an Injured Dog or Cat– Approach very slowly– Approach softly as to avoid

startling the animal– Lower your body so that you are

not towering over them -- standing at full height could be interpreted as a threat

– Do not make direct eye contact with the animal or stare directly


10



Avoiding Injury to Yourself

• Cats– Can bite causing puncture, bleeding and serious

infection– Scratch leading to bleeding and infection– They are very flexible and can be difficult to

restrain without getting scratched or bitten


– If you are scratched or bitten by a cat, contact a medical professional immediately!

8


• Dogs– Can bite causing

crushing injury– Can scratch causing

skin injury– Both bites and

scratches can lead to bleeding and infection


Priority #1 -- Avoid Injury to Yourself

• Animals in emergency situations– Nervous, anxious,

possibly injured– Unpredictable– Dangerous!!!




17



Handling Techniques

• Gloves– Thick gloves may cause a loss of dexterity with small

animals– Latex or vinyl gloves should be worn at all times when

handling injured animals

• Dogs: Leashes (leather, nylon or canvas -- no chain-link)– Make a large loop by passing the end you normally

connect to the collar through the hole in the handle– Standing just behind the animal or to the side, drop the

loop over the neck and tightenState Agricultural Response Team

16

Warning Signs -- Cats

• Body Language Signs (Aggressive/Fearful)– Ears flattened– Salivating or spitting– Back may be arched– Hair is standing on end– Hissing


Warning Signs -- Dogs

• Body Language Signs– Growling– Hair standing up (back, shoulders)– Snarling– Tail may be wagging or tucked under the body– Ears straight back

• Submission– Dog crouches and assumes submissive posture (lays

down with belly exposed), may urinate or lick profusely – A fearfully submissive dog can become a biting dog if

you force the situationState Agricultural Response Team

14

Emergency Triage

• When presented with the situation, the animal that is most critical but with the best chance of living should be attended to first


Critical injuryPoor chance

InjuryPoor chance

Critical injuryGood chance

InjuryGood chance

C h a n c e o f s u r v I v a l

S e

v e

r i t

y o

f i

n j

u r y

13


• Keep an eye on the animal’s posture and expressions– Face, ears, tail, fur and body

• Allow the animal to smell the back of your hand– WATCH for reactions carefully– Never make quick or sudden movements




23

Restraint Techniques -- Dog

• Headlock -- Dog Standing– Stand or kneel with your chest at dog’s side

– Place forearm under the dog’s neck and bring the arm up the other side of the neck (around the head)

– Lock your forearm under your head

– Place the other arm over or under the animal’s belly



• Lying on their side – Stand with your body beside

dog, facing dog– Reach over dog and then back

under dog; take hold of legs closest to your body


– Slowly pull the legs up and around the dog, forcing to lay on its side. As the animal drops toward the ground, take care not to let the head hit the floor

– Hold front and hind legs straight out, thus preventing animal from standing

– Use forearm closest to animal to push neck to the ground

22

Making a Home-Made Muzzle

3. Tighten the loop down on top of the nose, but not so tight that the animal can’t breath

4. Pull the ends of the material down each side of the face, cross under the chin and bring the ends back behind the ears

5. Tie the lose ends back behind the earsNote: For short-nosed dogs and cats, after steps 1-5, take one end of the loop and

pass it under the nose loop and tie to the other end around the neck to secure onto the nose



If needed you can make a muzzle that can be used for dogs with the exception of those with short noses.

1. Start with 18” of material, such as gauze, stocking, neck-tie, soft rope or a piece of soft cloth

2. Make the beginnings of a knot into a loop that can be placed over the animal’s nose

Note: Keep enough space between you and animal’s mouth so that the animal can’t turn and bite you.


20

Handling Techniques -- Muzzles

• May be dangerous to muzzle these situations:– Vomiting– Coughing– Having difficulty breathing


• Muzzles may be necessary to treat injured animals– Use soft nylon or leather– There are pre-made muzzles for cats and dogs with

short noses19

Handling Techniques

• Cats: Towels or Blankets– Be aware of cat’s position at

all times– Drop towel while standing

well over cat – Grasp scruff of neck and

wrap towel around cat’s body


•Cats or Small Dogs: Boxes-- Cats will often crawl into them for comfort-- Then you can use the towel technique -- This may also work for small dogs



29



Normal Vital Signs

• Heart Rates and Pulses– Heartbeat can be felt on the left side of the chest just

behind the bend in the left elbow– If you place your hand over this area, you should be

able to feel and count heartbeats


28

Zoonoses

• Zoonoses are diseases of animals transmissible to humans– Ringworm– Scabies– Rabies

• Be mindful of these while aiding animals in emergency situations

• In general, CPR is not likely to cause human illness


Carrying and Transporting -- Cat

•Box or carrier– Ideal way to transport a cat

They frighten easily and may jump away from you

•Arms– Use the small dog technique– Alternatively, grab the scruff

and support the cat’s body with your other hand


26

Carrying and Transporting -- Dog

• Small (less than 25 pounds)– Dog can be carried in box or carrier– Alternatively, the dog can be carried in a person’s arms

• Cradle the dog with your arms• Place your hand around the dog’s front legs, with two or three

fingers between the legs• Hold the legs as you walk• Keep the injured side against your body

• Large (25 pounds or more)– Place one arm under or around the neck– Place the other behind the rear legs or under the belly if

you suspect a hind-limb injuryState Agricultural Response Team25

Restraint Techniques -- Cat

• Lying on their side– The same technique as for the dog with some variation– Instead of pushing the neck toward the ground with the

forearm, grasp the loose skin behind the neck (the scruff) and hold firmly

W arn ing : S o me cats are better m an aged w ith m inim al restra int. T he y can actually becom e ha rder to ha ndle if restra in ed.State Agricultural Response Team

• Scruff in a sitting position– Grasp and hold firmly a large amount

of the scruff– Using the other hand, hold the cat’s

body in a sitting position





35

Panting

W o rry if a ca t is panting !!


Body Temperature


• Use a pediatric rectal or digital thermometer

• Lubricate the thermometer with a water-based lubricant or petroleum jelly

34

Breathing Rate

• Dogs– 10-30 breaths/minute– Up to 200 pants per minute

• Cats– 20-30 breaths/minute– Up to 300 pants per minute


Normal Heart Rate


Dog

Cat

Small, miniature, or toy breed (30 pounds or less)

Medium to large breed (over 30 pounds)

100 - 160 bpm

60 - 100 bpm

120 - 160 bpm

160 - 220 bpm

* bpm – beats per minute

Puppy(until one year old)

32

Normal Vital Signs

•Just below the wrist (carpus) – Locate the area just above middle

pad on underside of either front paw– Lightly place middle and index

fingers at this point and feel for pulse

•Just below the ankle (hock)– Locate the area just above middle

pad on underside of either rear paw– Lightly place middle and index



Normal Vital Signs

• Heart Rates and Pulses: Femoral or inner thigh pulse– Place two fingers as high as

possible on the inside of either back leg (use light touch)

– Feel for pulse in middle of leg about half way between front and back of leg (there is a small recess where the blood vessels run)


41

First Aid for Dogs and Cats


• Trauma (Falls, hit by vehicle, gun shot, other punctures/cuts)

• Difficulty breathing• Seizures• Excessive bleeding (cannot be

stopped by applying pressure)• Snake bites• Heat stroke or hypothermia• Poisoning• Shock• Burns• Drowning• Unconsciousness• Others

Recognizing an Emergency


40

Hydration

Pull up on the skin at the back of the animal’s neck

It should go back into place immediately (1-2 seconds)

If not the animal is likely dehydrated.


Capillary Refill Time

• This is the time that it takes for the gums to return to their normal pink color after you press them

• As you press, the membrane should turn white

• Then it should only take 1-2 seconds for pink color to return

• This is a good way to assess circulation

• If capillary refill time is more than 3 seconds, it is an emergency


38

Mucous Membrane Color

• Looking at the color of the oral tissues is a good way to determine if the animal is getting oxygen

• If the dog is pigmented, you can use the membranes in the lower eyelid by gently pulling it down

• The normal color is pink!• Blue, pale, yellow, brick red or

brown mucous membranes is an emergency


Body Temperature

Normal body temperatures are:

Dogs 100.0 - 102.8 °FCats 100.5 - 102.5 °F

Temperatures under 100°F and over 104°F should be considered an emergency






47

Establish an Airway

• Check to see if the throat and mouth are clear of foreign objects

• To clear the airway, gently tilt the head back and extend the neck

• Pull the tongue between the front teeth

• Use your finger to remove any material or liquid from the airway

Do not put your finger into the mouth of a conscious animal; you will be bitten


Establish an Airway


46

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

• Method to treat an animal that is not breathing and/or has no heartbeat

• It involves rescue breathing (mouth-to-nose resuscitation) and chest compressions

• The ABC’s or basic principles (airway, breathing and circulation) must be followed




• Mucous Membrane Color ?

• Capillary Refill Time ?

• Any evidence of bleeding ?

• Animal’s level of consciousness ?


44




ABCs of CPR

Airway Is there an open airway?

Breathing Is the animal breathing?

Circulation Is there a heartbeat and a pulse?


53

Circulation – Small Dog or Cat

If no pulse or no detectable heartbeat, perform chest compressions

•Lay animal on its right side•Kneel next to animal with chest facing you•Place palm of one of your hands over animal’s ribs at point

where elbow touches chest•Place other hand around back of and underneath animal•Compress chest ½ - 1 inch (elbows should be locked)•Alternate with breaths

– 5 compressions for each breath and check for a pulse– If more than one person, each take a position and alternate at 3

compressions for each breath, then check for pulseState Agricultural Response Team 54

Cardiac Compressions


52

Breathing Rates

Use the following breathing rates:

Small dog or cat: 20 – 30 breaths per minuteMedium or large dog: 20 breaths per minute

Note: If you have access to oxygen for a distressed animal,use it.


Artificial Breathing


Artificial breathing for small dogs and cats

50



Artificial breathing for medium or large dogs

49

Breathing

• If the animal is breathing, let them continue on their own. If not, then do the following:– Medium and large dogs (over 30 pounds): seal animal’s

mouth and lips by placing your hands around its lips• Gently hold the muzzle closed

– Cats and small dogs (under 30 pounds): your mouth will seal the mouth and lips -- no need to seal with hands

– Place your mouth over the animal’s nose and forcefully exhale• Give 4-5 breaths rapidly, then check if animal is breathing• Continue up to 20 minutes. After each breathing session, check

if the animal can breath without assistanceState Agricultural Response Team





59

End Stage/Terminal Shock

• When the body can no longer compensate for decreased oxygen and blood to vital organs

• Cardiac arrest likely to occur soon– Assess ABC’s of CPR– Control bleeding– Warm animal– Elevate hind end slightly

(unless broken back is suspected)


Bleeding

• Check ABC’s of CPR

• Apply direct pressure with gauze or cloth

• Add more cloth if material gets soaked

• Do not wipe

• Secure with tape


58

Shock

Shock results from decreased blood and oxygen flow to tissues and organs. Symptoms include:

• Increased heart rate– Pulse may be bounding or, in later stages, weak

• Increased respiratory rate• Delayed capillary refill time• Decreased body temperature/cool feet

– If in septic shock (infection), temperature may be elevated• Weakness• Disorientation• Rescue workers must focus on stopping bleeding, warming

the animal and the ABC’sState Agricultural Response Team57


• Giant Dogs (Over 90 pounds)– Use the same technique for medium to large dogs– If alone, do 10 compressions for each breath, then check

for a pulse– If two people, do 6 compressions for each breath, then

check for a pulse

Note: Do not assume there is no heart rate or pulse because an animal is not breathing. Always check for a heartbeatbefore starting chest compressions.


56




• Medium to Large Dogs (30 – 90 pounds)– Stand or kneel with the animal’s back towards you– Extend arms at the elbows and cup your hands over

each other– Compress the chest at the point where the left elbow

lies when pulled back to the chest– Compress about 1-3 inches with each compression

• Alternate with breathing– If alone, do 5 compressions for each breath, then check

for pulse– If two people, perform 2 – 3 compressions for each

breath, then check for a pulseState Agricultural Response Team

65

Fractures

• Lameness• Swelling• Abnormal limb

position• +/- bruising• +/- protruding bone


Fractures

• If a piece of bone is sticking out, wash the area with water or saline– Loosely place a dressing over the wound and

wrap with tape• If the animal can’t be kept completely still for

transport, a splint may be applied– Place a rigid structure along each side of the

fractured limb (rolled paper, stick, pen, etc)– Hold with tape in multiple locations, but do not

wrap too tightly


64

Choking


Choking

• Open animal’s mouth and sweep from side to side to see if object can be dislodged

• If animal is small enough, suspend animal by the hips with head hanging down

• If animal is bigger, place your arms around animal’s waist• Close your hands together to make a fist just behind first rib• Compress the abdomen by pushing up 5 times

– Alternate with performing 5 breaths (any air around the object is better than none)

• As a last resort, administer a sharp blow to the back between the shoulder blades– Then repeat abdominal compressions


62

Bleeding Points

• When using pressure points, you must release pressure every 10 minutes (for a few seconds)– Prevents permanent

damage to limb

• When using head and neck pressure points, take care not to obstruct breathing


Bleeding Pressure Points

Place three fingers at the base of the lower jaw on the same side and below where bleeding is occurring


Site of bleeding

Forearm

Hind limb

Head

Neck

Pressure point

Armpit

Inner thigh

Lower jaw

Groove next to windpipePlace three fingers in groove next to wind pipe (round and hard) on side of neck where bleeding is occurring

If previous techniques are not working, use bleeding pressure point technique•Pressure points are areas from where the blood vessels travel•Apply firm and even pressure to appropriate pressure points





71

Wound and Lacerations

• Check ABC’s of CPR• Check for shock• Apply sterile lube

– To keep hair out of wound• Clip hair around wound

area– Clippers or razor blade

• Flush with saline• Apply a bandage


Near Drowning

• Check ABC’s of CPR• For unconscious animals,

hold the animal upside down and allow water to come out airway (nose or mouth)

• CPR as needed• Treat for shock (keep quiet

and warm)


70

Puncture Wound and Lacerations

• Remove foreign object• Wash area with saline

– Add one teaspoon of salt to a quart of warm water

• Dry foot• Bandage


Fractures

If animal is struggling or you can transport it in a box or carrier, do not attempt to splint. Splinting can worsen a fracture.


68

Fractures


Fractures

Splinting should always include the joints below and above the fracture site. Otherwise, the splint can cause more harm.


77

Heat Stroke

• Collapse• Vomiting or bloody diarrhea• Excessive salivation• Increased heart rate• Fast or difficult breathing• Red mucous membranes• Capillary refill time may be

prolonged or very quick• Body temperature 104°F or

above


Heat Stroke

• Move to cool or shaded area

• Soak in or with cool (Not iced) water

• Place towels around neck, head, abdomen and feet

• Discontinue cooling once the temperature reaches 103°F


76

Foreign Bodies — Fish hooks

Do not pull or cut the line!• Push the hook through the

exit wound

• Cut the barb off using a wire cutter

• Pull the hook out from the direction that it entered the skin

• Treat the resulting puncture like a wound


Embedded Foreign Bodies

DO NOT REMOVE IMPALED FOREIGN BODIES

•Roll up gauze or other material that can be used to stabilize the object in place

•Use tape or an object that fits over the foreign body to make a brace to hold foreign body still

•If the object is long, make it shorter without removing it

•Get veterinary assistance as soon as possible


74

Eye Out of Socket

• Flush with sterile eyewash

• Cover the eye with a moistened gauze

• Blind the opposite eye

• Do not put a leash around the animal’s neck

• Get veterinary attention as quickly as possible


Eye Injury

Foreign Objects in the Eye• Swelling, squinting, pawing

or obvious object• Gently wash the eye with

large amounts of tap water or sterile eye wash

• Inspect closely to confirm that all of the object has been removed






83

Toxin Ingestion

If advised to induce vomiting, give household (3%) hydrogen peroxide orally (animals only!)

•1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight

•This can be repeated every 10-20 minutes for 3 – 4 doses

•Ipecac should not be used in dogs or cats


Burns

• Check for shock• Flush chemical burns

profusely with water• Apply cool water or cool

compresses to burned area• Apply sterile nonstick dressing• Do not immerse in water or

ice!• Do not apply butter or

ointment!


82

Toxin Ingestion

• Check the ABC’s of CPR• Check the mucous membrane color,

capillary refill time, animal’s mental state• Check the surroundings for possible poison

or toxin• If possible, call the National Animal Poison

Control Center 1-800-548-2423 or 1-900-680-0000


Seizures

• Animals may have seizures from toxin ingestion or other causes

• Protect from harm due to surroundings

• Do not put hand in the mouth or try to pull on the tongue


80

Toxin Ingestion

Signs of potential toxin ingestion

• Vomiting or diarrhea• Seizures or abnormal mental

state (hyperexcitable, depressed)

• Excessive salivation• Ulcers in mouth• Bleeding from mouth or any

body cavity

C at Fanciers ’ Ass ociation: C F A Health C om m ittee


Snake Bite

• ABC’s of CPR/Check for shock

• Keep as still and calm as possible (carry the animal)

• Do not cut wound or suck venom

• Do not apply ice or a tourniquet

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible


89

Important Considerations

• When euthanasia is necessary, always minimize animal distress as much as possible– The presence of humans may be reassuring for animals

accustomed to human contact (penetrating captive bolt (dogs)/exsanguination in unconscious animals may be preferred)

– For wildlife, human contact causes fear and greater distress (gunshot may be preferred -- gunshot permits the least amount of human contact)


Aesthetic Concerns

Humane Euthanasia by Gunshot or Penetrating Captive Bolt

• Despite being humane, both are aesthetically displeasing procedures– Involuntary movement will occur – Exsanguination requires several minutes and is visually

uncomfortable to observe

• These procedures should be conducted out of the public view


88

Euthanasia

• In some cases, sustained injuries may necessitate humane euthanasia

• Best performed by a veterinarian or under veterinary guidance

• However, such assistance may not be readily available -- The person performing a physical method of euthanasia must be well trained for each technique that may be usedwww.avma.org/issues/animal


Treatment or Euthanasia

• Criteria to be included in the decision making should include– Pain and distress of the animal– Likelihood of recovery– Diagnostic information– Welfare for the animal, humane considerations


86

Euthanasia


Remember Emergency Triage

When presented with the situation, the animal that is most critical but with the best chance of living should be attended to first






95

Pet Disaster First Aid Kit

• Establish a disaster first aid kit before the need arises http://www.canismajor.com/dog/fstaidk.html


Pet Identification

• Microchipping is the best way to reunite animals with their owners after a disaster situation

Peachtree Corners Animal Newsletter


94

Where can pets go?

• Florida Pet Friendly.comhttp://floridapetfriendly.com/shelters.htm

– Lists shelters (by county) where people can stay with their pets if they must evacuate

– Requirements for each shelter are also listed


Pets in Disasters


92

Unacceptable Methods of Euthanasia

• The following are forbidden under Florida Law 828.12

– Manually applied blunt trauma to the head such as a large hammer

– Injection of any chemical substance not labeled for use as a euthanasia agent

– Injection of air into a vein

– Electrocution


Confirmation of Death

• Death should be confirmed by evaluation of the following physical parameters over a period of several minutes– Lack of heartbeat

• A pulse is normally not present under such circumstances

– Lack of respiration• These may be erratic in an unconscious animal

– Lack of blink reflex– Lack of movement over a period of several hours

• The presence of “rigor mortis”


99

Thank You!SART Training Media

98

References and Helpful Resources

• HSUS Pet First Aid. Bobbie Mammato, DVM,MPH. 1997• Small Animal First Aid Presentation, Bay Area Animal

Response Team. May-li Cuypers, DVM, DACVIM. 2007


Closing Thoughts

• In an emergency, your safety is of the utmost importance

• Prevention and preparation are key • Providing animals with adequate shelter, water,

and food is critical in the immediate aftermath of an emergency

• Treating injured animals may not be feasible without help from trained professionals





PowerPoint Slides — Handout Pages

The Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs Power-Point slides are reproduced on the following pages at reduced size with space for participant notes.

(Also included in the participant workbook for Evidence Collection and Chain of Custody Issues, available on the SART Web site:

<www.flsart.org>

3



Prepared by

Amy StoneClinical Assistant Professor – Small Animal Surgery

Department of Small Animal Clinical SciencesUniversity of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine / IFAS

2

Pets and Disaster


S A R T logo

Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs1

Slides 1-3

6

This Presentation is Intended for…

• Good Samaritans• Emergency Medical

Professionals• First Responders• No Matter the level of

experience, remember to seek veterinary advicewhenever possible!


5

Primary Objective

• When assisting dogs and cats during an emergency situation– Your safety is ultimately the highest priority!!!– Do not endanger yourself or fellow first

responders to attempt heroic rescue measures for animals


4

Learning Objectives

After completing this training activity, participants should:• Describe ways to practice Priority #1 – Prevent Injury to

Yourself• Understand the stages of rendering treatment that

represent best practice, including:– Describe how to survey and evaluate the emergency situation– List appropriate handling techniques– List vital signs of dogs and cats and how they are measured– List and recognize types of trauma– Recognize which first aid procedures are appropriate to type of

trauma


Slides 4-6

Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs 2

9


• Cats– Can bite causing puncture, bleeding and serious

infection– Scratch leading to bleeding and infection– They are very flexible and can be difficult to

restrain without getting scratched or bitten


– If you are scratched or bitten by a cat, contact a medical professional immediately!

8


• Dogs– Can bite causing

crushing injury– Can scratch causing

skin injury– Both bites and

scratches can lead to bleeding and infection


7

Priority #1 -- Avoid Injury to Yourself

• Animals in emergency situations– Nervous, anxious,

possibly injured– Unpredictable– Dangerous!!!


Slides 7-9


12


• Approaching an Injured Dog or Cat– Approach very slowly– Approach softly as to avoid

startling the animal– Lower your body so that you are

not towering over them -- standing at full height could be interpreted as a threat

– Do not make direct eye contact with the animal or stare directly


11

Survey the Emergency Situation

• Avoid becoming a victim; always survey for potential hazards– Oncoming traffic – Downed power lines– Hazardous materials– Dangerous or venomous

wildlife


10




Slides 10-12

4

15

Warning Signs -- Dogs

• Body Language Signs– Growling– Hair standing up (back, shoulders)– Snarling– Tail may be wagging or tucked under the body– Ears straight back

• Submission– Dog crouches and assumes submissive posture (lays

down with belly exposed), may urinate or lick profusely – A fearfully submissive dog can become a biting dog if

you force the situationState Agricultural Response Team

14

Emergency Triage

• When presented with the situation, the animal that is most critical but with the best chance of living should be attended to first


Critical injuryPoor chance

InjuryPoor chance

Critical injuryGood chance

InjuryGood chance

C h a n c e o f s u r v I v a l

S e

v e

r i t

y o

f i

n j

u r y

13


• Keep an eye on the animal’s posture and expressions– Face, ears, tail, fur and body

• Allow the animal to smell the back of your hand– WATCH for reactions carefully– Never make quick or sudden movements


Slides 13-15


18

Handling Techniques

• Gloves– Thick gloves may cause a loss of dexterity with small

animals– Latex or vinyl gloves should be worn at all times when

handling injured animals

• Dogs: Leashes (leather, nylon or canvas -- no chain-link)– Make a large loop by passing the end you normally

connect to the collar through the hole in the handle– Standing just behind the animal or to the side, drop the

loop over the neck and tightenState Agricultural Response Team

17



16

Warning Signs -- Cats

• Body Language Signs (Aggressive/Fearful)– Ears flattened– Salivating or spitting– Back may be arched– Hair is standing on end– Hissing


Slides 16-18


21


If needed you can make a muzzle that can be used for dogs with the exception of those with short noses.

1. Start with 18” of material, such as gauze, stocking, neck-tie, soft rope or a piece of soft cloth

2. Make the beginnings of a knot into a loop that can be placed over the animal’s nose

Note: Keep enough space between you and animal’s mouth so that the animal can’t turn and bite you.


20

Handling Techniques -- Muzzles

• May be dangerous to muzzle these situations:– Vomiting– Coughing– Having difficulty breathing


• Muzzles may be necessary to treat injured animals– Use soft nylon or leather– There are pre-made muzzles for cats and dogs with

short noses

19

Handling Techniques

• Cats: Towels or Blankets– Be aware of cat’s position at

all times– Drop towel while standing

well over cat – Grasp scruff of neck and

wrap towel around cat’s body


•Cats or Small Dogs: Boxes-- Cats will often crawl into them for comfort-- Then you can use the towel technique -- This may also work for small dogs

Slides 19-21


24


• Lying on their side – Stand with your body beside

dog, facing dog– Reach over dog and then back

under dog; take hold of legs closest to your body


– Slowly pull the legs up and around the dog, forcing to lay on its side. As the animal drops toward the ground, take care not to let the head hit the floor

– Hold front and hind legs straight out, thus preventing animal from standing

– Use forearm closest to animal to push neck to the ground

23


• Headlock -- Dog Standing– Stand or kneel with your chest at dog’s side

– Place forearm under the dog’s neck and bring the arm up the other side of the neck (around the head)

– Lock your forearm under your head

– Place the other arm over or under the animal’s belly


22


3. Tighten the loop down on top of the nose, but not so tight that the animal can’t breath

4. Pull the ends of the material down each side of the face, cross under the chin and bring the ends back behind the ears

5. Tie the lose ends back behind the earsNote: For short-nosed dogs and cats, after steps 1-5, take one end of the loop and

pass it under the nose loop and tie to the other end around the neck to secure onto the nose


Slides 22-24


27

Carrying and Transporting -- Cat

•Box or carrier– Ideal way to transport a cat

They frighten easily and may jump away from you

•Arms– Use the small dog technique– Alternatively, grab the scruff

and support the cat’s body with your other hand


26

Carrying and Transporting -- Dog

• Small (less than 25 pounds)– Dog can be carried in box or carrier– Alternatively, the dog can be carried in a person’s arms

• Cradle the dog with your arms• Place your hand around the dog’s front legs, with two or three

fingers between the legs• Hold the legs as you walk• Keep the injured side against your body

• Large (25 pounds or more)– Place one arm under or around the neck– Place the other behind the rear legs or under the belly if

you suspect a hind-limb injuryState Agricultural Response Team

25

Restraint Techniques -- Cat

• Lying on their side– The same technique as for the dog with some variation– Instead of pushing the neck toward the ground with the

forearm, grasp the loose skin behind the neck (the scruff) and hold firmly

W arn ing : S o me cats are better m an aged w ith m inim al restra int. T he y can actually becom e ha rder to ha ndle if restra in ed.State Agricultural Response Team

• Scruff in a sitting position– Grasp and hold firmly a large amount

of the scruff– Using the other hand, hold the cat’s

body in a sitting position

Slides 25-27


30

Normal Vital Signs

• Heart Rates and Pulses– Heartbeat can be felt on the left side of the chest just

behind the bend in the left elbow– If you place your hand over this area, you should be

able to feel and count heartbeats


29



28

Zoonoses

• Zoonoses are diseases of animals transmissible to humans– Ringworm– Scabies– Rabies

• Be mindful of these while aiding animals in emergency situations

• In general, CPR is not likely to cause human illness


Slides 28-30


33

Normal Heart Rate


Dog

Cat

Small, miniature, or toy breed (30 pounds or less)

Medium to large breed (over 30 pounds)

100 - 160 bpm

60 - 100 bpm

120 - 160 bpm

160 - 220 bpm

* bpm – beats per minute

Puppy(until one year old)

32

Normal Vital Signs

•Just below the wrist (carpus) – Locate the area just above middle

pad on underside of either front paw– Lightly place middle and index


•Just below the ankle (hock)– Locate the area just above middle

pad on underside of either rear paw– Lightly place middle and index



31

Normal Vital Signs

• Heart Rates and Pulses: Femoral or inner thigh pulse– Place two fingers as high as

possible on the inside of either back leg (use light touch)

– Feel for pulse in middle of leg about half way between front and back of leg (there is a small recess where the blood vessels run)


Slides 31-33


36

Body Temperature


• Use a pediatric rectal or digital thermometer

• Lubricate the thermometer with a water-based lubricant or petroleum jelly

35

Panting

W o rry if a ca t is panting !!


34

Breathing Rate

• Dogs– 10-30 breaths/minute– Up to 200 pants per minute

• Cats– 20-30 breaths/minute– Up to 300 pants per minute


Slides 34-36


39

Capillary Refill Time

• This is the time that it takes for the gums to return to their normal pink color after you press them

• As you press, the membrane should turn white

• Then it should only take 1-2 seconds for pink color to return

• This is a good way to assess circulation

• If capillary refill time is more than 3 seconds, it is an emergency


38

Mucous Membrane Color

• Looking at the color of the oral tissues is a good way to determine if the animal is getting oxygen

• If the dog is pigmented, you can use the membranes in the lower eyelid by gently pulling it down

• The normal color is pink!• Blue, pale, yellow, brick red or

brown mucous membranes is an emergency


37

Body Temperature

Normal body temperatures are:

Dogs 100.0 - 102.8 °FCats 100.5 - 102.5 °F

Temperatures under 100°F and over 104°F should be considered an emergency


Slides 37-39


42

• Trauma (Falls, hit by vehicle, gun shot, other punctures/cuts)

• Difficulty breathing• Seizures• Excessive bleeding (cannot be

stopped by applying pressure)• Snake bites• Heat stroke or hypothermia• Poisoning• Shock• Burns• Drowning• Unconsciousness• Others

Recognizing an Emergency


41

First Aid for Dogs and Cats


40

Hydration

Pull up on the skin at the back of the animal’s neck

It should go back into place immediately (1-2 seconds)

If not the animal is likely dehydrated.


Slides 40-42


45


• Mucous Membrane Color ?

• Capillary Refill Time ?

• Any evidence of bleeding ?

• Animal’s level of consciousness ?


44



43


ABCs of CPR

Airway Is there an open airway?

Breathing Is the animal breathing?

Circulation Is there a heartbeat and a pulse?


Slides 43-45


48

Establish an Airway


47

Establish an Airway

• Check to see if the throat and mouth are clear of foreign objects

• To clear the airway, gently tilt the head back and extend the neck

• Pull the tongue between the front teeth

• Use your finger to remove any material or liquid from the airway

Do not put your finger into the mouth of a conscious animal; you will be bitten


46

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

• Method to treat an animal that is not breathing and/or has no heartbeat

• It involves rescue breathing (mouth-to-nose resuscitation) and chest compressions

• The ABC’s or basic principles (airway, breathing and circulation) must be followed



Slides 46-48


51



Artificial breathing for small dogs and cats

50



Artificial breathing for medium or large dogs

49

Breathing

• If the animal is breathing, let them continue on their own. If not, then do the following:– Medium and large dogs (over 30 pounds): seal animal’s

mouth and lips by placing your hands around its lips• Gently hold the muzzle closed

– Cats and small dogs (under 30 pounds): your mouth will seal the mouth and lips -- no need to seal with hands

– Place your mouth over the animal’s nose and forcefully exhale• Give 4-5 breaths rapidly, then check if animal is breathing• Continue up to 20 minutes. After each breathing session, check

if the animal can breath without assistanceState Agricultural Response Team

Slides 49-51


54



53

Circulation – Small Dog or Cat

If no pulse or no detectable heartbeat, perform chest compressions

•Lay animal on its right side•Kneel next to animal with chest facing you•Place palm of one of your hands over animal’s ribs at point

where elbow touches chest•Place other hand around back of and underneath animal•Compress chest ½ - 1 inch (elbows should be locked)•Alternate with breaths

– 5 compressions for each breath and check for a pulse– If more than one person, each take a position and alternate at 3

compressions for each breath, then check for pulseState Agricultural Response Team

52

Breathing Rates

Use the following breathing rates:

Small dog or cat: 20 – 30 breaths per minuteMedium or large dog: 20 breaths per minute

Note: If you have access to oxygen for a distressed animal,use it.


Slides 52-54


57


• Giant Dogs (Over 90 pounds)– Use the same technique for medium to large dogs– If alone, do 10 compressions for each breath, then check

for a pulse– If two people, do 6 compressions for each breath, then

check for a pulse

Note: Do not assume there is no heart rate or pulse because an animal is not breathing. Always check for a heartbeatbefore starting chest compressions.


56



55


• Medium to Large Dogs (30 – 90 pounds)– Stand or kneel with the animal’s back towards you– Extend arms at the elbows and cup your hands over

each other– Compress the chest at the point where the left elbow

lies when pulled back to the chest– Compress about 1-3 inches with each compression

• Alternate with breathing– If alone, do 5 compressions for each breath, then check

for pulse– If two people, perform 2 – 3 compressions for each

breath, then check for a pulseState Agricultural Response Team

Slides 55-57


60

Bleeding

• Check ABC’s of CPR

• Apply direct pressure with gauze or cloth

• Add more cloth if material gets soaked

• Do not wipe

• Secure with tape


59

End Stage/Terminal Shock

• When the body can no longer compensate for decreased oxygen and blood to vital organs

• Cardiac arrest likely to occur soon– Assess ABC’s of CPR– Control bleeding– Warm animal– Elevate hind end slightly

(unless broken back is suspected)


58

Shock

Shock results from decreased blood and oxygen flow to tissues and organs. Symptoms include:

• Increased heart rate– Pulse may be bounding or, in later stages, weak

• Increased respiratory rate• Delayed capillary refill time• Decreased body temperature/cool feet

– If in septic shock (infection), temperature may be elevated• Weakness• Disorientation• Rescue workers must focus on stopping bleeding, warming

the animal and the ABC’sState Agricultural Response Team

Slides 58-60


63

Choking

• Open animal’s mouth and sweep from side to side to see if object can be dislodged

• If animal is small enough, suspend animal by the hips with head hanging down

• If animal is bigger, place your arms around animal’s waist• Close your hands together to make a fist just behind first rib• Compress the abdomen by pushing up 5 times

– Alternate with performing 5 breaths (any air around the object is better than none)

• As a last resort, administer a sharp blow to the back between the shoulder blades– Then repeat abdominal compressions


62

Bleeding Points

• When using pressure points, you must release pressure every 10 minutes (for a few seconds)– Prevents permanent

damage to limb

• When using head and neck pressure points, take care not to obstruct breathing


61

Bleeding Pressure Points

Place three fingers at the base of the lower jaw on the same side and below where bleeding is occurring


Site of bleeding

Forearm

Hind limb

Head

Neck

Pressure point

Armpit

Inner thigh

Lower jaw

Groove next to windpipePlace three fingers in groove next to wind pipe (round and hard) on side of neck where bleeding is occurring

If previous techniques are not working, use bleeding pressure point technique•Pressure points are areas from where the blood vessels travel•Apply firm and even pressure to appropriate pressure points

Slides 61-63


66

Fractures

• If a piece of bone is sticking out, wash the area with water or saline– Loosely place a dressing over the wound and

wrap with tape• If the animal can’t be kept completely still for

transport, a splint may be applied– Place a rigid structure along each side of the

fractured limb (rolled paper, stick, pen, etc)– Hold with tape in multiple locations, but do not

wrap too tightly


65

Fractures

• Lameness• Swelling• Abnormal limb

position• +/- bruising• +/- protruding bone


64

Choking


Slides 64-66


69

Fractures

If animal is struggling or you can transport it in a box or carrier, do not attempt to splint. Splinting can worsen a fracture.


68

Fractures


67

Fractures

Splinting should always include the joints below and above the fracture site. Otherwise, the splint can cause more harm.


Slides 67-69


72

Near Drowning

• Check ABC’s of CPR• For unconscious animals,

hold the animal upside down and allow water to come out airway (nose or mouth)

• CPR as needed• Treat for shock (keep quiet

and warm)


71

Wound and Lacerations

• Check ABC’s of CPR• Check for shock• Apply sterile lube

– To keep hair out of wound• Clip hair around wound

area– Clippers or razor blade

• Flush with saline• Apply a bandage


70

Puncture Wound and Lacerations

• Remove foreign object• Wash area with saline

– Add one teaspoon of salt to a quart of warm water

• Dry foot• Bandage


Slides 70-72


75

Embedded Foreign Bodies

DO NOT REMOVE IMPALED FOREIGN BODIES

•Roll up gauze or other material that can be used to stabilize the object in place

•Use tape or an object that fits over the foreign body to make a brace to hold foreign body still

•If the object is long, make it shorter without removing it

•Get veterinary assistance as soon as possible


74

Eye Out of Socket

• Flush with sterile eyewash

• Cover the eye with a moistened gauze

• Blind the opposite eye

• Do not put a leash around the animal’s neck

• Get veterinary attention as quickly as possible


73

Eye Injury

Foreign Objects in the Eye• Swelling, squinting, pawing

or obvious object• Gently wash the eye with

large amounts of tap water or sterile eye wash

• Inspect closely to confirm that all of the object has been removed


Slides 73-75


78

Heat Stroke

• Move to cool or shaded area

• Soak in or with cool (Not iced) water

• Place towels around neck, head, abdomen and feet

• Discontinue cooling once the temperature reaches 103°F


77

Heat Stroke

• Collapse• Vomiting or bloody diarrhea• Excessive salivation• Increased heart rate• Fast or difficult breathing• Red mucous membranes• Capillary refill time may be

prolonged or very quick• Body temperature 104°F or

above


76

Foreign Bodies — Fish hooks

Do not pull or cut the line!• Push the hook through the

exit wound

• Cut the barb off using a wire cutter

• Pull the hook out from the direction that it entered the skin

• Treat the resulting puncture like a wound


Slides 76-78


81

Seizures

• Animals may have seizures from toxin ingestion or other causes

• Protect from harm due to surroundings

• Do not put hand in the mouth or try to pull on the tongue


80

Toxin Ingestion

Signs of potential toxin ingestion

• Vomiting or diarrhea• Seizures or abnormal mental

state (hyperexcitable, depressed)

• Excessive salivation• Ulcers in mouth• Bleeding from mouth or any

body cavity

C at Fanciers ’ Ass ociation: C F A Health C om m ittee


79

Snake Bite

• ABC’s of CPR/Check for shock

• Keep as still and calm as possible (carry the animal)

• Do not cut wound or suck venom

• Do not apply ice or a tourniquet

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible


Slides 79-81


84

Burns

• Check for shock• Flush chemical burns

profusely with water• Apply cool water or cool

compresses to burned area• Apply sterile nonstick dressing• Do not immerse in water or

ice!• Do not apply butter or

ointment!


83

Toxin Ingestion

If advised to induce vomiting, give household (3%) hydrogen peroxide orally (animals only!)

•1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight

•This can be repeated every 10-20 minutes for 3 – 4 doses

•Ipecac should not be used in dogs or cats


82

Toxin Ingestion

• Check the ABC’s of CPR• Check the mucous membrane color,

capillary refill time, animal’s mental state• Check the surroundings for possible poison

or toxin• If possible, call the National Animal Poison

Control Center 1-800-548-2423 or 1-900-680-0000


Slides 82-84


87

Treatment or Euthanasia

• Criteria to be included in the decision making should include– Pain and distress of the animal– Likelihood of recovery– Diagnostic information– Welfare for the animal, humane considerations


86

Euthanasia


85

Remember Emergency Triage

When presented with the situation, the animal that is most critical but with the best chance of living should be attended to first


Slides 85-87


90

Aesthetic Concerns

Humane Euthanasia by Gunshot or Penetrating Captive Bolt

• Despite being humane, both are aesthetically displeasing procedures– Involuntary movement will occur – Exsanguination requires several minutes and is visually

uncomfortable to observe

• These procedures should be conducted out of the public view


89

Important Considerations

• When euthanasia is necessary, always minimize animal distress as much as possible– The presence of humans may be reassuring for animals

accustomed to human contact (penetrating captive bolt (dogs)/exsanguination in unconscious animals may be preferred)

– For wildlife, human contact causes fear and greater distress (gunshot may be preferred -- gunshot permits the least amount of human contact)


88

Euthanasia

• In some cases, sustained injuries may necessitate humane euthanasia

• Best performed by a veterinarian or under veterinary guidance

• However, such assistance may not be readily available -- The person performing a physical method of euthanasia must be well trained for each technique that may be usedwww.avma.org/issues/animal


Slides 88-90


93

Pets in Disasters


92

Unacceptable Methods of Euthanasia

• The following are forbidden under Florida Law 828.12

– Manually applied blunt trauma to the head such as a large hammer

– Injection of any chemical substance not labeled for use as a euthanasia agent

– Injection of air into a vein

– Electrocution


91

Confirmation of Death

• Death should be confirmed by evaluation of the following physical parameters over a period of several minutes– Lack of heartbeat

• A pulse is normally not present under such circumstances

– Lack of respiration• These may be erratic in an unconscious animal

– Lack of blink reflex– Lack of movement over a period of several hours

• The presence of “rigor mortis”


Slides 91-93


96

Pet Identification

• Microchipping is the best way to reunite animals with their owners after a disaster situation

Peachtree Corners Animal Newsletter


95

Pet Disaster First Aid Kit

• Establish a disaster first aid kit before the need arises http://www.canismajor.com/dog/fstaidk.html


94

Where can pets go?

• Florida Pet Friendly.comhttp://floridapetfriendly.com/shelters.htm

– Lists shelters (by county) where people can stay with their pets if they must evacuate

– Requirements for each shelter are also listed


Slides 94-96


33 Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs

99

Thank You!SART Training Media

98

References and Helpful Resources

• HSUS Pet First Aid. Bobbie Mammato, DVM,MPH. 1997• Small Animal First Aid Presentation, Bay Area Animal

Response Team. May-li Cuypers, DVM, DACVIM. 2007


97

Closing Thoughts

• In an emergency, your safety is of the utmost importance

• Prevention and preparation are key • Providing animals with adequate shelter, water,

and food is critical in the immediate aftermath of an emergency

• Treating injured animals may not be feasible without help from trained professionals


Slides 97-99

PowerPoint Slides

The Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs PowerPoint slides are reproduced full-size on the following pages. You can use these pages as a display or photocopy them onto plastic overhead sheets for use with an overhead pro-jector.

Color versions of these slides can be download-ed at the SART Web site:

<www.flsart.org>.

91Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs

1

2

Pets

and

Dis

aste

r

Emer

genc

y Fi

rst A

id

for C

ats

and

Dog

s

3

Emer

genc

y Fi

rst A

id f

or C

ats

and

Dog

s

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

Prep

ared

by

Amy

Ston

eCl

inic

al A

ssis

tant

Pro

fess

or –

Smal

l Ani

mal

Sur

gery

Dep

artm

ent o

f Sm

all A

nim

al C

linic

al S

cien

ces

Univ

ersi

ty o

f Flo

rida,

Col

lege

of V

eter

inar

y M

edic

ine

/ IF

AS

4

Lear

ning

Obj

ecti

ves

Afte

r com

plet

ing

this

trai

ning

act

ivity

, par

ticip

ants

sho

uld:

•D

escr

ibe

way

s to

pra

ctic

e Pr

iorit

y #1

–P

reve

nt In

jury

to

Your

self

•Un

ders

tand

the

stag

es o

f ren

derin

g tr

eatm

ent t

hat

repr

esen

t bes

t pra

ctic

e, in

clud

ing:

–D

escr

ibe

how

to s

urve

y an

d ev

alua

te th

e em

erge

ncy

situ

atio

n–

List

app

ropr

iate

han

dlin

g te

chni

ques

–Li

st v

ital s

igns

of d

ogs

and

cats

and

how

they

are

mea

sure

d–

List

and

reco

gniz

e ty

pes

of tr

aum

a–

Rec

ogni

ze w

hich

firs

t aid

pro

cedu

res

are

appr

opria

te to

type

of

trau

ma

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

5

Pri

mar

y O

bjec

tive

•W

hen

assi

stin

g do

gs a

nd c

ats

durin

g an

em

erge

ncy

situ

atio

n–

Your

saf

ety

is u

ltim

atel

y th

e hi

ghes

t prio

rity!

!!–

Do

not e

ndan

ger y

ours

elf o

r fel

low

firs

t re

spon

ders

to a

ttem

pt h

eroi

c re

scue

mea

sure

s fo

r ani

mal

s

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

6

This

Pre

sent

atio

n is

Inte

nded

for

…

•G

ood

Sam

arita

ns•

Emer

genc

y M

edic

al

Prof

essi

onal

s•

Firs

t Res

pond

ers

•N

o M

atte

r the

leve

l of

expe

rienc

e, re

mem

ber t

o se

ek v

eter

inar

y ad

vice

whe

neve

r pos

sibl

e!

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

7

Pri

orit

y #1

--A

void

Inju

ry to

You

rsel

f

•An

imal

s in

em

erge

ncy

situ

atio

ns–

Ner

vous

, anx

ious

, po

ssib

ly in

jure

d–

Unpr

edic

tabl

e–

Dan

gero

us!!!

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

8

Avoi

ding

Inju

ry to

You

rsel

f

•D

ogs

–Ca

n bi

te c

ausi

ng

crus

hing

inju

ry–

Can

scra

tch

caus

ing

skin

inju

ry–

Both

bite

s an

d sc

ratc

hes

can

lead

to

ble

edin

g an

d in

fect

ion

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

9

Avoi

ding

Inju

ry to

You

rsel

f

•Ca

ts–

Can

bite

cau

sing

pun

ctur

e, b

leed

ing

and

serio

us

infe

ctio

n–

Scra

tch

lead

ing

to b

leed

ing

and

infe

ctio

n–

They

are

ver

y fle

xibl

e an

d ca

n be

diff

icul

t to

rest

rain

with

out g

ettin

g sc

ratc

hed

or b

itten

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

–If

you

are

scra

tche

d or

bi

tten

by

a ca

t, co

ntac

t a

med

ical

pro

fess

iona

l im

med

iate

ly!

10

Surv

ey a

nd E

valu

ate

the

Emer

genc

y

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

11

Surv

ey th

e Em

erge

ncy

Situ

atio

n

•Av

oid

beco

min

g a

vict

im; a

lway

s su

rvey

for

pote

ntia

l haz

ards

–O

ncom

ing

traf

fic

–D

owne

d po

wer

line

s–

Haz

ardo

us m

ater

ials

–D

ange

rous

or v

enom

ous

wild

life

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

12

Surv

ey th

e Em

erge

ncy

Vic

tim

•Ap

proa

chin

g an

Inju

red

Dog

or

Cat

–Ap

proa

ch v

ery

slow

ly–

Appr

oach

sof

tly a

s to

avo

id

star

tling

the

anim

al–

Low

er y

our b

ody

so th

at y

ou a

re

not t

ower

ing

over

them

--st

andi

ng

at fu

ll he

ight

cou

ld b

e in

terp

rete

d as

a th

reat

–D

o no

t mak

e di

rect

eye

con

tact

w

ith th

e an

imal

or s

tare

dire

ctly

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

13

Surv

ey th

e Em

erge

ncy

Vic

tim

•Ke

ep a

n ey

e on

the

anim

al’s

pos

ture

and

ex

pres

sion

s–

Face

, ear

s, ta

il, fu

r and

bod

y

•Al

low

the

anim

al to

sm

ell t

he b

ack

of y

our

hand

–W

ATCH

for r

eact

ions

car

eful

ly–

Nev

er m

ake

quic

k or

sud

den

mov

emen

ts

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

14

Emer

genc

y Tr

iage

•W

hen

pres

ente

d w

ith th

e si

tuat

ion,

the

anim

al th

at is

mos

t crit

ical

but

with

the

best

ch

ance

of l

ivin

g sh

ould

be

atte

nded

to fi

rst

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

Crit

ical

inju

ryPo

or c

hanc

e

Inju

ryPo

or c

hanc

e

Crit

ical

inju

ryG

ood

chan

ce

Inju

ryG

ood

chan

ceC

h a

n c

e o

f s

u r

v I v

a l

S e v e r i t y o f i n j u r y

15

War

ning

Sig

ns --

Dog

s

•Bo

dy L

angu

age

Sign

s–

Gro

wlin

g–

Hai

r sta

ndin

g up

(bac

k, s

houl

ders

)–

Snar

ling

–Ta

il m

ay b

e w

aggi

ng o

r tuc

ked

unde

r the

bod

y–

Ears

str

aigh

t bac

k

•Su

bmis

sion

–D

og c

rouc

hes

and

assu

mes

sub

mis

sive

pos

ture

(lay

s do

wn

with

bel

ly e

xpos

ed),

may

urin

ate

or li

ck p

rofu

sely

–

A fe

arfu

lly s

ubm

issi

ve d

og c

an b

ecom

e a

bitin

g do

g if

you

forc

e th

e si

tuat

ion

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

16

War

ning

Sig

ns --

Cats

•Bo

dy L

angu

age

Sign

s (A

ggre

ssiv

e/Fe

arfu

l)–

Ears

flat

tene

d–

Saliv

atin

g or

spi

ttin

g–

Back

may

be

arch

ed–

Hai

r is

stan

ding

on

end

–H

issi

ng

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

17

Han

dlin

g an

d Tr

ansp

orta

tion

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

18

Han

dlin

g Te

chni

ques

•G

love

s–

Thic

k gl

oves

may

cau

se a

loss

of d

exte

rity

with

sm

all

anim

als

–La

tex

or v

inyl

glo

ves

shou

ld b

e w

orn

at a

ll tim

es w

hen

hand

ling

inju

red

anim

als

•D

ogs:

Lea

shes

(lea

ther

, nyl

on o

r can

vas

--no

ch

ain-

link)

–M

ake

a la

rge

loop

by

pass

ing

the

end

you

norm

ally

co

nnec

t to

the

colla

r thr

ough

the

hole

in th

e ha

ndle

–St

andi

ng ju

st b

ehin

d th

e an

imal

or t

o th

e si

de, d

rop

the

loop

ove

r the

nec

k an

d tig

hten

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

19

Han

dlin

g Te

chni

ques

•Ca

ts: T

owel

s or

Bla

nket

s–

Be a

war

e of

cat

’s p

ositi

on a

t al

l tim

es–

Dro

p to

wel

whi

le s

tand

ing

wel

l ove

r cat

–

Gra

sp s

cruf

f of n

eck

and

wra

p to

wel

aro

und

cat’s

bod

y

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

•Ca

ts o

r Sm

all D

ogs:

Box

es--

Cats

will

ofte

n cr

awl i

nto

them

for c

omfo

rt--

Then

you

can

use

the

tow

el te

chni

que

--Th

is m

ay a

lso

wor

k fo

r sm

all d

ogs

20

Han

dlin

g Te

chni

ques

--M

uzzl

es

•M

ay b

e da

nger

ous

to

muz

zle

thes

e si

tuat

ions

:–

Vom

iting

–Co

ughi

ng–

Hav

ing

diffi

culty

bre

athi

ng

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

•M

uzzl

es m

ay b

e ne

cess

ary

to tr

eat i

njur

ed

anim

als

–Us

e so

ft ny

lon

or le

athe

r–

Ther

e ar

e pr

e-m

ade

muz

zles

for c

ats

and

dogs

with

sh

ort n

oses

21

Mak

ing

a H

ome-

Mad

e M

uzzl

e

If ne

eded

you

can

mak

e a

muz

zle

that

can

be

used

for d

ogs

with

the

exce

ptio

n of

thos

e w

ith s

hort

nos

es.

1.St

art w

ith 1

8”of

mat

eria

l, su

ch a

s ga

uze,

st

ocki

ng, n

eck-

tie, s

oft r

ope

or a

pie

ce o

f so

ft c

loth

2.M

ake

the

begi

nnin

gs o

f a k

not i

nto

a lo

op

that

can

be

plac

ed o

ver t

he a

nim

al’s

nos

eN

ote:

Kee

p en

ough

spa

ce b

etw

een

you

and

anim

al’s

mou

th s

o th

at th

e an

imal

can

’t tu

rn a

nd b

ite y

ou.

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

22

Mak

ing

a H

ome-

Mad

e M

uzzl

e

3.Ti

ghte

n th

e lo

op d

own

on to

p of

the

nose

, but

not

so

tight

that

the

anim

al c

an’t

brea

th4.

Pull

the

ends

of t

he m

ater

ial d

own

each

sid

e of

the

face

, cro

ss u

nder

th

e ch

in a

nd b

ring

the

ends

bac

k be

hind

the

ears

5.Ti

e th

e lo

se e

nds

back

beh

ind

the

ears

Not

e: F

or s

hort

-nos

ed d

ogs

and

cats

, aft

er s

teps

1-5

, tak

e on

e en

d of

the

loop

and

pa

ss it

und

er th

e no

se lo

op a

nd ti

e to

the

othe

r end

aro

und

the

neck

to s

ecur

e on

to th

e no

se

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

23

Res

trai

nt T

echn

ique

s --

Dog

•H

eadl

ock

--D

og S

tand

ing

–St

and

or k

neel

with

you

r che

st a

t dog

’s s

ide

–Pl

ace

fore

arm

und

er th

e do

g’s

neck

and

brin

g th

e ar

m u

p th

e ot

her s

ide

of th

e ne

ck (a

roun

d th

e he

ad)

–Lo

ck y

our f

orea

rm u

nder

you

r hea

d

–Pl

ace

the

othe

r arm

ove

r or u

nder

the

anim

al’s

bel

ly

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

24

Res

trai

nt T

echn

ique

s --

Dog

•Ly

ing

on th

eir s

ide

–St

and

with

you

r bod

y be

side

do

g, fa

cing

dog

–R

each

ove

r dog

and

then

bac

k un

der d

og; t

ake

hold

of l

egs

clos

est t

o yo

ur b

ody

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

–Sl

owly

pul

l the

legs

up

and

arou

nd th

e do

g, fo

rcin

g to

lay

on it

s si

de. A

s th

e an

imal

dro

ps to

war

d th

e gr

ound

, tak

e ca

re n

ot to

let t

he h

ead

hit t

he fl

oor

–H

old

fron

t and

hin

d le

gs s

trai

ght o

ut, t

hus

prev

entin

g

anim

al fr

om s

tand

ing

–Us

e fo

rear

m c

lose

st to

ani

mal

to p

ush

neck

to th

e gr

ound

25

Res

trai

nt T

echn

ique

s --

Cat

•Ly

ing

on th

eir s

ide

–Th

e sa

me

tech

niqu

e as

for t

he d

og w

ith s

ome

varia

tion

–In

stea

d of

pus

hing

the

neck

tow

ard

the

grou

nd w

ith th

e fo

rear

m, g

rasp

the

loos

e sk

in b

ehin

d th

e ne

ck (t

he s

cruf

f) an

d ho

ld fi

rmly

War

ning

:Som

e ca

ts a

re b

ette

r man

aged

with

min

imal

rest

rain

t. T

hey

can

actu

ally

bec

ome

hard

er to

han

dle

if re

stra

ined

.St

ate

Agri

cult

ural

Res

pons

e Te

am

•Sc

ruff

in a

sitt

ing

posi

tion

–G

rasp

and

hol

d fir

mly

a la

rge

amou

nt

of th

e sc

ruff

–Us

ing

the

othe

r han

d, h

old

the

cat’s

bo

dy in

a s

ittin

g po

sitio

n

26

Carr

ying

and

Tra

nspo

rtin

g --

Dog

•Sm

all (

less

than

25

poun

ds)

–D

og c

an b

e ca

rrie

d in

box

or c

arrie

r–

Alte

rnat

ivel

y, th

e do

g ca

n be

car

ried

in a

per

son’

s ar

ms

•Cr

adle

the

dog

with

you

r arm

s•

Plac

e yo

ur h

and

arou

nd th

e do

g’s

fron

t leg

s, w

ith tw

o or

thre

e fin

gers

bet

wee

n th

e le

gs•

Hol

d th

e le

gs a

s yo

u w

alk

•Ke

ep th

e in

jure

d si

de a

gain

st y

our b

ody

•La

rge

(25

poun

ds o

r mor

e)–

Plac

e on

e ar

m u

nder

or a

roun

d th

e ne

ck–

Plac

e th

e ot

her b

ehin

d th

e re

ar le

gs o

r und

er th

e be

lly if

yo

u su

spec

t a h

ind-

limb

inju

rySt

ate

Agri

cult

ural

Res

pons

e Te

am

27

Carr

ying

and

Tra

nspo

rtin

g --

Cat

•Bo

x or

car

rier

–Id

eal w

ay to

tran

spor

t a c

at

They

frig

hten

eas

ily a

nd m

ay

jum

p aw

ay fr

om y

ou

•Ar

ms

–Us

e th

e sm

all d

og te

chni

que

–A

ltern

ativ

ely,

gra

b th

e sc

ruff

and

supp

ort t

he c

at’s

bod

y w

ith y

our o

ther

han

d

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

28

Zoon

oses

•Zo

onos

es a

re d

isea

ses

of

anim

als

tran

smis

sibl

e to

hu

man

s–

Rin

gwor

m–

Scab

ies

–R

abie

s

•Be

min

dful

of t

hese

whi

le

aidi

ng a

nim

als

in

emer

genc

y si

tuat

ions

•In

gen

eral

, CPR

is n

ot li

kely

to

cau

se h

uman

illn

ess

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

29

Vit

al S

igns

of

Dog

s an

d Ca

ts

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

30

Nor

mal

Vit

al S

igns

•H

eart

Rat

es a

nd P

ulse

s–

Hea

rtbe

at c

an b

e fe

lt on

the

left

side

of t

he c

hest

just

be

hind

the

bend

in th

e le

ft el

bow

–If

you

plac

e yo

ur h

and

over

this

are

a, y

ou s

houl

d be

ab

le to

feel

and

cou

nt h

eart

beat

s

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

31

Nor

mal

Vit

al S

igns

•He

art R

ates

and

Pul

ses:

Fe

mor

al o

r inn

er th

igh

puls

e–

Plac

e tw

o fin

gers

as

high

as

poss

ible

on

the

insi

de o

f ei

ther

bac

k le

g (u

se li

ght

touc

h)–

Feel

for p

ulse

in m

iddl

e of

leg

abou

t hal

f way

bet

wee

n fro

nt

and

back

of l

eg (t

here

is a

sm

all r

eces

s w

here

the

bloo

d ve

ssel

s ru

n)St

ate

Agri

cult

ural

Res

pons

e Te

am

32

Nor

mal

Vit

al S

igns

•Ju

st b

elow

the

wris

t (ca

rpus

) –

Loca

te th

e ar

ea ju

st a

bove

mid

dle

pad

on u

nder

side

of e

ither

fron

t paw

–Li

ghtly

pla

ce m

iddl

e an

d in

dex

finge

rs a

t thi

s po

int a

nd fe

el fo

r pul

se

•Ju

st b

elow

the

ankl

e (h

ock)

–Lo

cate

the

area

just

abo

ve m

iddl

e pa

d on

und

ersi

de o

f eith

er re

ar p

aw–

Ligh

tly p

lace

mid

dle

and

inde

x fin

gers

at t

his

poin

t and

feel

for p

ulse

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

33

Nor

mal

Hea

rt R

ate

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

Dog

Cat

Smal

l, m

inia

ture

, or t

oy

bree

d (3

0 po

unds

or l

ess)

Med

ium

to la

rge

bree

d (o

ver 3

0 po

unds

)

100

-160

bpm

60 -

100

bpm

120

-160

bpm

160

-220

bpm

* bp

m–

beat

s pe

r min

ute

Pupp

y(u

ntil

one

year

old

)

34

Bre

athi

ng R

ate

•D

ogs

–10

-30

brea

ths/

min

ute

–Up

to 2

00 p

ants

per

min

ute

•Ca

ts–

20-3

0 br

eath

s/m

inut

e–

Up to

300

pan

ts p

er m

inut

e

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

35

Pan

ting Wor

ryif

a ca

t is

pant

ing!

!

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

36

Bod

y Te

mpe

ratu

re

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

•Us

e a

pedi

atric

rect

al o

r di

gita

l the

rmom

eter

•Lu

bric

ate

the

ther

mom

eter

with

a

wat

er-b

ased

lubr

ican

t or

petr

oleu

m je

lly

37

Bod

y Te

mpe

ratu

re

Nor

mal

bod

y te

mpe

ratu

res

are:

Dog

s10

0.0

-102

.8 °F

Cats

100.

5 -1

02.5

°F

Tem

pera

ture

s un

der 1

00°F

and

over

104

°Fsh

ould

be

con

side

red

an e

mer

genc

y

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

38

Muc

ous

Mem

bran

e Co

lor

•Lo

okin

g at

the

colo

r of t

he o

ral

tissu

es is

a g

ood

way

to

dete

rmin

e if

the

anim

al is

ge

ttin

g ox

ygen

•If

the

dog

is p

igm

ente

d, y

ou

can

use

the

mem

bran

es in

the

low

er e

yelid

by

gent

ly p

ullin

g it

dow

n•

The

norm

al c

olor

is p

ink!

•Bl

ue, p

ale,

yel

low

, bric

k re

d or

br

own

muc

ous

mem

bran

es is

an

em

erge

ncy

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

39

Capi

llary

Ref

ill T

ime

•Th

is is

the

time

that

it ta

kes

for

the

gum

s to

retu

rn to

thei

r no

rmal

pin

k co

lor a

fter

you

pr

ess

them

•

As y

ou p

ress

, the

mem

bran

e sh

ould

turn

whi

te•

Then

it s

houl

d on

ly ta

ke 1

-2

seco

nds

for p

ink

colo

r to

retu

rn•

This

is a

goo

d w

ay to

ass

ess

circ

ulat

ion

•If

capi

llary

refil

l tim

e is

mor

e th

an 3

sec

onds

, it i

s an

em

erge

ncy

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

40

Hyd

rati

on

Pull

up o

n th

e sk

in a

t th

e ba

ck o

f the

an

imal

’s n

eck

It sh

ould

go

back

into

pl

ace

imm

edia

tely

(1

-2 s

econ

ds)

If no

t the

ani

mal

is

likel

y de

hydr

ated

.

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

41

Firs

t Aid

for

Dog

s an

d Ca

ts

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

42

•Tr

aum

a (F

alls

, hit

by v

ehic

le,

gun

shot

, oth

er p

unct

ures

/cut

s)•

Diff

icul

ty b

reat

hing

•Se

izur

es•

Exce

ssiv

e bl

eedi

ng (c

anno

t be

stop

ped

by a

pply

ing

pres

sure

)•

Snak

e bi

tes

•H

eat s

trok

e or

hyp

othe

rmia

•Po

ison

ing

•Sh

ock

•Bu

rns

•D

row

ning

•Un

cons

ciou

snes

s•

Oth

ersRec

ogni

zing

an

Emer

genc

y

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

43

Surv

ey th

e Em

erge

ncy

Vic

tim

ABCs

of C

PR

Airw

ay

Is th

ere

an o

pen

airw

ay?

Brea

thin

g Is

the

anim

al b

reat

hing

?

Circ

ulat

ion

Is th

ere

a he

artb

eat a

nd a

pul

se?

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

44

Surv

ey th

e Em

erge

ncy

Vic

tim

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

45

Surv

ey th

e Em

erge

ncy

Vic

tim

•M

ucou

s M

embr

ane

Colo

r ?

•Ca

pilla

ry R

efill

Tim

e ?

•An

y ev

iden

ce o

f bl

eedi

ng ?

•An

imal

’s le

vel o

f co

nsci

ousn

ess

?

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

46

Card

iopu

lmon

ary

Res

usci

tati

on

•M

etho

d to

trea

t an

anim

al th

at is

not

bre

athi

ng

and/

or h

as n

o he

artb

eat

•It

invo

lves

resc

ue b

reat

hing

(mou

th-to

-nos

e re

susc

itatio

n) a

ndch

est c

ompr

essi

ons

•Th

e AB

C’s

or b

asic

prin

cipl

es (a

irway

, bre

athi

ng

and

circ

ulat

ion)

mus

t be

follo

wed

War

ning

: CPR

doe

s no

t alw

ays

wor

k ev

en w

hen

perf

orm

ed b

y an

exp

erie

nced

vet

erin

aria

n. I

f yo

ur a

ttem

pt fa

ils, k

now

that

you

did

eve

ryth

ing

that

you

cou

ld to

sav

e an

ani

mal

’s li

fe.

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

47

Esta

blis

h an

Air

way

•Ch

eck

to s

ee if

the

thro

at a

nd

mou

th a

re c

lear

of f

orei

gn

obje

cts

•To

cle

ar th

e ai

rway

, gen

tly ti

lt th

e he

ad b

ack

and

exte

nd th

e ne

ck•

Pull

the

tong

ue b

etw

een

the

fron

t tee

th•

Use

your

fing

er to

rem

ove

any

mat

eria

l or l

iqui

d fro

m th

e ai

rway

Do

not p

ut y

our f

inge

r int

o th

e m

outh

of a

con

scio

us a

nim

al; y

ouw

illbe

bitt

en

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

48

Esta

blis

h an

Air

way

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

49

Bre

athi

ng

•If

the

anim

al is

bre

athi

ng, l

et th

em c

ontin

ue o

n th

eir o

wn.

If n

ot, t

hen

do th

e fo

llow

ing:

–M

ediu

m a

nd la

rge

dogs

(ove

r 30

poun

ds):

seal

ani

mal

’s

mou

th a

nd li

ps b

y pl

acin

g yo

ur h

ands

aro

und

its li

ps•

Gen

tly h

old

the

muz

zle

clos

ed

–Ca

ts a

nd s

mal

l dog

s (u

nder

30

poun

ds):

your

mou

th w

ill

seal

the

mou

th a

nd li

ps --

no n

eed

to s

eal w

ith h

ands

–Pl

ace

your

mou

th o

ver t

he a

nim

al’s

nos

e an

d fo

rcef

ully

ex

hale

•G

ive

4-5

brea

ths

rapi

dly,

then

che

ck if

ani

mal

is b

reat

hing

•Co

ntin

ue u

p to

20

min

utes

. Aft

er e

ach

brea

thin

g se

ssio

n, c

heck

if

the

anim

al c

an b

reat

h w

ithou

t ass

ista

nce

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

50

Art

ific

ial B

reat

hing

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

Artif

icia

l bre

athi

ng fo

r m

ediu

m o

r lar

ge d

ogs

51

Art

ific

ial B

reat

hing

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

Artif

icia

l bre

athi

ng fo

r sm

all d

ogs

and

cats

52

Bre

athi

ng R

ates

Use

the

follo

win

g br

eath

ing

rate

s:

Smal

l dog

or c

at:

20 –

30 b

reat

hs p

er m

inut

eM

ediu

m o

r lar

ge d

og:

20 b

reat

hs p

er m

inut

e

Not

e:If

you

have

acc

ess

to o

xyge

n fo

r a d

istr

esse

d an

imal

,us

e it.

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

53

Circ

ulat

ion

–Sm

all D

og o

r Cat

If no

pul

se o

r no

dete

ctab

le h

eart

beat

, per

form

che

st

com

pres

sion

s•

Lay

anim

al o

n its

righ

t sid

e•

Knee

l nex

t to

anim

al w

ith c

hest

faci

ng y

ou•

Plac

e pa

lm o

f one

of y

our h

ands

ove

r ani

mal

’s ri

bs a

t poi

nt

whe

re e

lbow

touc

hes

ches

t•

Plac

e ot

her h

and

arou

nd b

ack

of a

nd u

nder

neat

h an

imal

•Co

mpr

ess

ches

t ½-1

inch

(elb

ows

shou

ld b

e lo

cked

)•

Alte

rnat

e w

ith b

reat

hs–

5 co

mpr

essi

ons

for e

ach

brea

th a

nd c

heck

for a

pul

se–

If m

ore

than

one

per

son,

eac

h ta

ke a

pos

ition

and

alte

rnat

e at

3co

mpr

essi

ons

for e

ach

brea

th, t

hen

chec

k fo

r pul

seSt

ate

Agri

cult

ural

Res

pons

e Te

am

54

Card

iac

Com

pres

sion

s

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

55

Card

iac

Com

pres

sion

s

•M

ediu

m to

Lar

ge D

ogs

(30

–90

pou

nds)

–St

and

or k

neel

with

the

anim

al’s

bac

k to

war

ds y

ou–

Exte

nd a

rms

at th

e el

bow

s an

d cu

p yo

ur h

ands

ove

r ea

ch o

ther

–Co

mpr

ess

the

ches

t at t

he p

oint

whe

re th

e le

ft el

bow

lie

s w

hen

pulle

d ba

ck to

the

ches

t–

Com

pres

s ab

out 1

-3 in

ches

with

eac

h co

mpr

essi

on•

Alte

rnat

e w

ith b

reat

hing

–If

alon

e, d

o 5

com

pres

sion

s fo

r eac

h br

eath

, the

n ch

eck

for p

ulse

–If

two

peop

le, p

erfo

rm 2

–3

com

pres

sion

s fo

r eac

h br

eath

, the

n ch

eck

for a

pul

seSt

ate

Agri

cult

ural

Res

pons

e Te

am

56

Card

iac

Com

pres

sion

s

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

57

Card

iac

Com

pres

sion

s

•G

iant

Dog

s (O

ver 9

0 po

unds

)–

Use

the

sam

e te

chni

que

for m

ediu

m to

larg

e do

gs–

If al

one,

do

10 c

ompr

essi

ons

for e

ach

brea

th, t

hen

chec

k fo

r a p

ulse

–If

two

peop

le, d

o 6

com

pres

sion

s fo

r eac

h br

eath

, the

n ch

eck

for a

pul

se

Not

e: D

o no

t ass

ume

ther

e is

no

hear

t rat

e or

pul

se b

ecau

se

an a

nim

al is

not

bre

athi

ng.

Alw

ays

chec

k fo

r a h

eart

beat

befo

re s

tart

ing

ches

t com

pres

sion

s.

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

58

Shoc

k

Shoc

k re

sults

from

dec

reas

ed b

lood

and

oxy

gen

flow

to ti

ssue

s an

d or

gans

. Sym

ptom

s in

clud

e:•

Incr

ease

d he

art r

ate

–Pu

lse

may

be

boun

ding

or,

in la

ter s

tage

s, w

eak

•In

crea

sed

resp

irato

ry ra

te•

Del

ayed

cap

illar

y re

fill t

ime

•D

ecre

ased

bod

y te

mpe

ratu

re/c

ool f

eet

–If

in s

eptic

sho

ck (i

nfec

tion)

, tem

pera

ture

may

be

elev

ated

•W

eakn

ess

•D

isor

ient

atio

n•

Res

cue

wor

kers

mus

t foc

us o

n st

oppi

ng b

leed

ing,

war

min

g th

e an

imal

and

the

ABC’

sSt

ate

Agri

cult

ural

Res

pons

e Te

am

59

End

Stag

e/Te

rmin

al S

hock

•W

hen

the

body

can

no

long

er c

ompe

nsat

e fo

r de

crea

sed

oxyg

en a

nd b

lood

to

vita

l org

ans

•Ca

rdia

c ar

rest

like

ly to

occ

ur

soon

–As

sess

ABC

’s o

f CPR

–Co

ntro

l ble

edin

g–

War

m a

nim

al–

Elev

ate

hind

end

slig

htly

(u

nles

s br

oken

bac

k is

su

spec

ted)

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

60

Ble

edin

g

•Ch

eck

ABC’

s of

CPR

•Ap

ply

dire

ct p

ress

ure

with

gau

ze o

r clo

th

•Ad

d m

ore

clot

h if

m

ater

ial g

ets

soak

ed

•D

o no

t wip

e

•Se

cure

with

tape

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

61

Ble

edin

g P

ress

ure

Poi

nts

Plac

e th

ree

finge

rs a

t the

bas

e of

th

e lo

wer

jaw

on

the

sam

e si

de a

nd

belo

w w

here

ble

edin

g is

occ

urrin

g

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

TeamSi

te o

f ble

edin

g

Fore

arm

Hin

d lim

b

Hea

d

Nec

k

Pres

sure

poi

nt

Arm

pit

Inne

r thi

gh

Low

er ja

w

Gro

ove

next

to w

indp

ipe

Plac

e th

ree

finge

rs in

gro

ove

next

to

win

d pi

pe (r

ound

and

har

d) o

n si

de

of n

eck

whe

re b

leed

ing

is o

ccur

ring

If pr

evio

us

tech

niqu

es a

re

not w

orki

ng,

use

blee

ding

pr

essu

re p

oint

te

chni

que

•Pr

essu

re p

oint

s ar

e ar

eas

from

w

here

the

bloo

d ve

ssel

s tr

avel

•Ap

ply

firm

and

ev

en p

ress

ure

to

appr

opria

te

pres

sure

poi

nts

62

Ble

edin

g P

oint

s

•W

hen

usin

g pr

essu

re

poin

ts, y

ou m

ust r

elea

se

pres

sure

eve

ry 1

0 m

inut

es

(for a

few

sec

onds

)–

Prev

ents

per

man

ent

dam

age

to li

mb

•W

hen

usin

g he

ad a

nd

neck

pre

ssur

e po

ints

, tak

e ca

re n

ot to

obs

truc

t br

eath

ing

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

63

Cho

king

•O

pen

anim

al’s

mou

th a

nd s

wee

p fro

m s

ide

to s

ide

to s

ee if

ob

ject

can

be

disl

odge

d•

If an

imal

is s

mal

l eno

ugh,

sus

pend

ani

mal

by

the

hips

with

he

ad h

angi

ng d

own

•If

anim

al is

big

ger,

plac

e yo

ur a

rms

arou

nd a

nim

al’s

wai

st•

Clos

e yo

ur h

ands

toge

ther

to m

ake

a fis

t jus

t beh

ind

first

rib

•Co

mpr

ess

the

abdo

men

by

push

ing

up 5

tim

es–

Alte

rnat

e w

ith p

erfo

rmin

g 5

brea

ths

(any

air

arou

nd th

e ob

ject

is

bett

er th

an n

one)

•As

a la

st re

sort

, adm

inis

ter a

sha

rp b

low

to th

e ba

ck

betw

een

the

shou

lder

bla

des

–Th

en re

peat

abd

omin

al c

ompr

essi

ons

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

64

Cho

king

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

65

Frac

ture

s

•La

men

ess

•Sw

ellin

g•

Abno

rmal

lim

b po

sitio

n•

+/-b

ruis

ing

•+/

-pro

trud

ing

bone

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

66

Frac

ture

s

•If

a pi

ece

of b

one

is s

ticki

ng o

ut, w

ash

the

area

with

wat

er o

r sal

ine

–Lo

osel

y pl

ace

a dr

essi

ng o

ver t

he w

ound

and

w

rap

with

tape

•If

the

anim

al c

an’t

be k

ept c

ompl

etel

y st

ill fo

r tr

ansp

ort,

a sp

lint m

ay b

e ap

plie

d–

Plac

e a

rigid

str

uctu

re a

long

eac

h si

de o

f the

fr

actu

red

limb

(rolle

d pa

per,

stic

k, p

en, e

tc)

–H

old

with

tape

in m

ultip

le lo

catio

ns, b

ut d

o no

t w

rap

too

tight

ly

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

67

Frac

ture

s

Splin

ting

shou

ld a

lway

s in

clud

e th

e jo

ints

bel

ow

and

abov

e th

e fr

actu

re s

ite.

Oth

erw

ise,

the

splin

t ca

n ca

use

mor

e ha

rm.

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

68

Frac

ture

s

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

69

Frac

ture

s

If an

imal

is s

trug

glin

g or

you

can

tran

spor

t it i

n a

box

or c

arrie

r, do

not

att

empt

to s

plin

t. Sp

lintin

g ca

n w

orse

n a

frac

ture

. St

ate

Agri

cult

ural

Res

pons

e Te

am

70

Pun

ctur

e W

ound

and

Lac

erat

ions

•R

emov

e fo

reig

n ob

ject

•W

ash

area

with

sal

ine

–Ad

d on

e te

aspo

on o

f sal

t to

a q

uart

of w

arm

wat

er

•D

ry fo

ot•

Band

age

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

71

Wou

nd a

nd L

acer

atio

ns

•Ch

eck

ABC’

s of

CPR

•Ch

eck

for s

hock

•Ap

ply

ster

ile lu

be–

To k

eep

hair

out o

f wou

nd•

Clip

hai

r aro

und

wou

nd

area –Cl

ippe

rs o

r raz

or b

lade

•Fl

ush

with

sal

ine

•Ap

ply

a ba

ndag

e

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

72

Nea

r D

row

ning

•Ch

eck

ABC’

s of

CPR

•Fo

r unc

onsc

ious

ani

mal

s,

hold

the

anim

al u

psid

e do

wn

and

allo

w w

ater

to

com

e ou

t airw

ay (n

ose

or

mou

th)

•CP

R a

s ne

eded

•Tr

eat f

or s

hock

(kee

p qu

iet

and

war

m)

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

73

Eye

Inju

ry

Fore

ign

Obj

ects

in th

e Ey

e•

Swel

ling,

squ

intin

g, p

awin

g or

obv

ious

obj

ect

•G

ently

was

h th

e ey

e w

ith

larg

e am

ount

s of

tap

wat

er

or s

teril

e ey

e w

ash

•In

spec

t clo

sely

to c

onfir

m

that

all

of th

e ob

ject

has

be

en re

mov

ed

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

74

Eye

Out

of

Sock

et

•Fl

ush

with

ste

rile

eyew

ash

•Co

ver t

he e

ye w

ith a

m

oist

ened

gau

ze

•Bl

ind

the

oppo

site

eye

•D

o no

t put

a le

ash

arou

nd

the

anim

al’s

nec

k

•G

et v

eter

inar

y at

tent

ion

as

quic

kly

as p

ossi

ble

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

75

Embe

dded

For

eign

Bod

ies

DO

NO

T R

EMO

VE IM

PALE

D

FOR

EIG

N B

ODIE

S•

Rol

l up

gauz

e or

oth

er m

ater

ial

that

can

be

used

to s

tabi

lize

the

obje

ct in

pla

ce•

Use

tape

or a

n ob

ject

that

fits

ov

er th

e fo

reig

n bo

dy to

mak

e a

brac

e to

hol

d fo

reig

n bo

dy s

till

•If

the

obje

ct is

long

, mak

e it

shor

ter w

ithou

t rem

ovin

g it

•G

et v

eter

inar

y as

sist

ance

as

soon

as

poss

ible

St

ate

Agri

cult

ural

Res

pons

e Te

am

76

Fore

ign

Bod

ies

—Fi

sh h

ooks

Do

not p

ull o

r cut

the

line!

•Pu

sh th

e ho

ok th

roug

h th

e ex

it w

ound

•Cu

t the

bar

b of

f usi

ng a

w

ire c

utte

r

•Pu

ll th

e ho

ok o

ut fr

om th

e di

rect

ion

that

it e

nter

ed th

e sk

in

•Tr

eat t

he re

sulti

ng p

unct

ure

like

a w

ound

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

77

Hea

t Str

oke

•Co

llaps

e•

Vom

iting

or b

lood

y di

arrh

ea•

Exce

ssiv

e sa

livat

ion

•In

crea

sed

hear

t rat

e•

Fast

or d

iffic

ult b

reat

hing

•R

ed m

ucou

s m

embr

anes

•Ca

pilla

ry re

fill t

ime

may

be

prol

onge

d or

ver

y qu

ick

•Bo

dy te

mpe

ratu

re 1

04°F

or

abov

e

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

78

Hea

t Str

oke

•M

ove

to c

ool o

r sha

ded

area

•So

ak in

or w

ith c

ool (

Not

ic

ed)w

ater

•Pl

ace

tow

els

arou

nd n

eck,

he

ad, a

bdom

en a

nd fe

et•

Dis

cont

inue

coo

ling

once

th

e te

mpe

ratu

re re

ache

s 10

3°F

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

79

Snak

e B

ite

•AB

C’s

of C

PR/C

heck

for

shoc

k•

Keep

as

still

and

cal

m a

s po

ssib

le (c

arry

the

anim

al)

•D

o no

t cut

wou

nd o

r suc

k ve

nom

•D

o no

t app

ly ic

e or

a

tour

niqu

et•

Seek

med

ical

atte

ntio

n as

so

on a

s po

ssib

leSt

ate

Agri

cult

ural

Res

pons

e Te

am

80

Toxi

n In

gest

ion

Sign

s of

pot

entia

l tox

in

inge

stio

n•

Vom

iting

or d

iarr

hea

•Se

izur

es o

r abn

orm

al m

enta

l st

ate

(hyp

erex

cita

ble,

de

pres

sed)

•Ex

cess

ive

saliv

atio

n•

Ulce

rs in

mou

th•

Blee

ding

from

mou

th o

r any

bo

dy c

avity

Cat

Fan

cier

s’As

socia

tion:

CFA

Hea

lth C

omm

ittee

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

81

Seiz

ures

•An

imal

s m

ay h

ave

seiz

ures

from

toxi

n in

gest

ion

or o

ther

cau

ses

•Pr

otec

t fro

m h

arm

due

to

surr

ound

ings

•D

o no

t put

han

d in

the

mou

th o

r try

to p

ull o

n th

e to

ngue

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

82

Toxi

n In

gest

ion

•Ch

eck

the

ABC’

s of

CPR

•Ch

eck

the

muc

ous

mem

bran

e co

lor,

capi

llary

refil

l tim

e, a

nim

al’s

men

tal s

tate

•Ch

eck

the

surr

ound

ings

for p

ossi

ble

pois

on

or to

xin

•If

poss

ible

, cal

l the

Nat

iona

l Ani

mal

Poi

son

Cont

rol C

ente

r 1-8

00-5

48-2

423

or 1

-900

-68

0-00

00

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

83

Toxi

n In

gest

ion

If ad

vise

d to

indu

ce

vom

iting

, giv

e ho

useh

old

(3%

) hyd

roge

n pe

roxi

de

oral

ly (a

nim

als

only

!)•

1 te

aspo

on p

er 1

0 po

unds

of

body

wei

ght

•Th

is c

an b

e re

peat

ed e

very

10-

20 m

inut

es fo

r 3 –

4 do

ses

•Ip

ecac

sho

uld

not b

e us

ed in

do

gs o

r cat

s

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

84

Bur

ns

•Ch

eck

for s

hock

•Fl

ush

chem

ical

bur

ns

prof

usel

y w

ith w

ater

•Ap

ply

cool

wat

er o

r coo

l co

mpr

esse

s to

bur

ned

area

•Ap

ply

ster

ile n

onst

ick

dres

sing

•D

o no

t im

mer

se in

wat

er o

r ic

e!•

Do

not a

pply

but

ter o

r oi

ntm

ent!

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

85

Rem

embe

r Em

erge

ncy

Tria

ge

Whe

n pr

esen

ted

with

the

situ

atio

n, th

e an

imal

that

is

mos

t crit

ical

but w

ith th

e be

st

chan

ceof

livi

ng s

houl

d be

at

tend

ed to

firs

t

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

86

Euth

anas

ia

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

87

Trea

tmen

t or E

utha

nasi

a

•Cr

iteria

to b

e in

clud

ed in

the

deci

sion

m

akin

g sh

ould

incl

ude

–Pa

in a

nd d

istr

ess

of th

e an

imal

–Li

kelih

ood

of re

cove

ry–

Dia

gnos

tic in

form

atio

n–

Wel

fare

for t

he a

nim

al, h

uman

e co

nsid

erat

ions

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

88

Euth

anas

ia

•In

som

e ca

ses,

sus

tain

ed in

jurie

s m

ay n

eces

sita

te

hum

ane

euth

anas

ia•

Best

per

form

ed b

y a

vete

rinar

ian

or u

nder

ve

terin

ary

guid

ance

•H

owev

er, s

uch

assi

stan

ce m

ay n

ot b

e re

adily

av

aila

ble

--Th

e pe

rson

per

form

ing

a ph

ysic

al

met

hod

of e

utha

nasi

a m

ust b

e w

ell t

rain

ed fo

r ea

ch te

chni

que

that

may

be

used

ww

w.a

vma.

org/

issu

es/a

nim

al

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

89

Impo

rtan

t Con

side

rati

ons

•W

hen

euth

anas

ia is

nec

essa

ry, a

lway

s m

inim

ize

anim

al d

istr

ess

as m

uch

as p

ossi

ble

–Th

e pr

esen

ce o

f hum

ans

may

be

reas

surin

g fo

r ani

mal

s ac

cust

omed

to h

uman

con

tact

(pen

etra

ting

capt

ive

bolt

(dog

s)/e

xsan

guin

atio

n in

unc

onsc

ious

ani

mal

s m

ay b

e pr

efer

red)

–Fo

r wild

life,

hum

an c

onta

ct c

ause

s fe

ar a

nd g

reat

er

dist

ress

(gun

shot

may

be

pref

erre

d --

guns

hot p

erm

its

the

leas

t am

ount

of h

uman

con

tact

)

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

90

Aes

thet

ic C

once

rns

Hum

ane

Euth

anas

ia b

y Gu

nsho

t or P

enet

ratin

g Ca

ptiv

e Bo

lt

•D

espi

te b

eing

hum

ane,

bot

h ar

e ae

sthe

tical

ly d

ispl

easi

ng

proc

edur

es–

Invo

lunt

ary

mov

emen

t will

occ

ur

–Ex

sang

uina

tion

requ

ires

seve

ral m

inut

es a

nd is

vis

ually

un

com

fort

able

to o

bser

ve

•Th

ese

proc

edur

es s

houl

d be

con

duct

ed o

ut o

f the

pub

lic

view

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

91

Conf

irm

atio

n of

Dea

th

•D

eath

sho

uld

be c

onfir

med

by

eval

uatio

n of

the

follo

win

g ph

ysic

al p

aram

eter

s ov

er a

per

iod

of

seve

ral m

inut

es–

Lack

of h

eart

beat

•A

puls

e is

nor

mal

ly n

ot p

rese

nt u

nder

suc

h ci

rcum

stan

ces

–La

ck o

f res

pira

tion

•Th

ese

may

be

erra

tic in

an

unco

nsci

ous

anim

al

–La

ck o

f blin

k re

flex

–La

ck o

f mov

emen

t ove

r a p

erio

d of

sev

eral

hou

rs•

The

pres

ence

of “

rigor

mor

tis”

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

92

Una

ccep

tabl

e M

etho

ds o

f Eut

hana

sia

•Th

e fo

llow

ing

are

forb

idde

n un

der F

lorid

a La

w

828.

12

–M

anua

lly a

pplie

d bl

unt t

raum

a to

the

head

suc

h as

a

larg

e ha

mm

er

–In

ject

ion

of a

ny c

hem

ical

sub

stan

ce n

ot la

bele

d fo

r use

as

a e

utha

nasi

a ag

ent

–In

ject

ion

of a

ir in

to a

vei

n

–El

ectr

ocut

ion

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

93

Pet

s in

Dis

aste

rs

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

94

Whe

re c

an p

ets

go?

•Fl

orid

a Pe

t Frie

ndly

.com

http

://f

lorid

apet

frie

ndly

.com

/she

lters

.htm

–Li

sts

shel

ters

(by

coun

ty)

whe

re p

eopl

e ca

n st

ay w

ith

thei

r pet

s if

they

mus

t ev

acua

te–

Req

uire

men

ts fo

r eac

h sh

elte

r are

als

o lis

ted

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

95

Pet

Dis

aste

r Fi

rst A

id K

it

•Es

tabl

ish

a di

sast

er fi

rst a

id k

it be

fore

the

need

aris

es

http

://w

ww

.can

ism

ajor

.com

/dog

/fst

aidk

.htm

l

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

96

Pet

Iden

tifi

cati

on

•M

icro

chip

ping

is th

e be

st w

ay to

reun

ite

anim

als

with

thei

r ow

ners

aft

er a

dis

aste

r si

tuat

ion

Peac

htre

e Co

rner

s An

imal

New

slet

ter

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

97

Clos

ing

Thou

ghts

•In

an

emer

genc

y, y

our s

afet

y is

of t

he u

tmos

t im

port

ance

•Pr

even

tion

and

prep

arat

ion

are

key

•Pr

ovid

ing

anim

als

with

ade

quat

e sh

elte

r, w

ater

, an

d fo

od is

crit

ical

in th

e im

med

iate

aft

erm

ath

of

an e

mer

genc

y•

Trea

ting

inju

red

anim

als

may

not

be

feas

ible

w

ithou

t hel

p fr

om tr

aine

d pr

ofes

sion

als

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

98

Ref

eren

ces

and

Hel

pful

Res

ourc

es

•H

SUS

Pet F

irst A

id. B

obbi

e M

amm

ato,

DVM

,MPH

. 199

7•

Smal

l Ani

mal

Firs

t Aid

Pre

sent

atio

n, B

ay A

rea

Anim

al

Res

pons

e Te

am. M

ay-li

Cuyp

ers,

DVM

, DA

CVIM

. 200

7

Stat

e Ag

ricu

ltur

al R

espo

nse

Team

99

Than

k Yo

u!SA

RT

Trai

ning

Med

ia

Documents

Emergency First Aid for Cats and Dogs