9920 Highway 90A · Suite 100-C · Sugar Land, Texas 77478 · T: 281.340.8387

GENERAL FIRST AID INFORMATION

BASIC SUPPLIES

Just like humans it is important to have a First aid Kit containing impotent and special supplies for your pet. 

• Gauze pads
• Roll of gauze or bandages
• Roll of cloth
• Digital Thermometer (Rectal)
• Tweezers
• Hydrogen Peroxide  
• Antibiotic Ointment (Neosporin) 
• Cotton swabs
• Instant Cold Pack
• Rags or Rubber Tubing for a Tourniquet
• Animal First Aid Book

Note: You can purchase Pet First Aid Kits at any major pet store.

VITAL STATISTICS

Pulse and Heart Rate (Normal resting rates in beats per minute):

• Cats: 120-180 bpm
• Small dogs: 90-120 bpm
• Medium dogs: 70-110 bpm
• Large dogs: 60-90 bpm

Pulse should be strong, regular and easy to locate.

CHECKING THE PULSE

• The easiest place to locate a pulse is the femoral artery in the groin area. Place your fingers on the inside of the hind leg and slide your hand upward until the back of your fingers touches the abdomen. Gently move your fingers back and forth on the inside of the hind leg until you feel the pulsing blood. Count the number of pulses in 15 seconds and multiply that number by four. This will give you the beats per minute (bpm).

TEMPERATURE

• The normal temperature for dogs and cats is 100-102.5 degrees. Your thermometer should be almost clean when removed. Abnormalities are indicated by blood, diarrhea, or black, tarry stool.

BASIC FIRST AID PROCEDURES

All of the following situations, but not limited to require immediate veterinary care:

• Fractures
  • Muzzle animal.
  • Gently lay animal on a board, wooden door, tarp, etc. padded with blankets.
  • Secure animal to the support.
  • Do not attempt to set the fracture.
  • If a limb is broken, wrap it in cotton padding, then wrap it again with a magazine, rolled newspaper or a towel and two sticks. The splint should extend one joint above the fracture and one joint below. Secure it with tape and make sure blood flow is not constricted.
  • If the spine, ribs, hip, etc. appears injured or broken, gently place the animal on the stretcher and immobilize it if possible.
• Bleeding (external)
  • Muzzle animal.
  • Press thick gauze pad over wound. Hold firmly until clotting occurs.
  • If bleeding is severe, apply a tourniquet between the wound and the heart.
  • Loosen tourniquet for 20 seconds every 15-20 minutes.
  • A tourniquet is dangerous and should only be used in life-threatening hemorrhaging of a limb. It may result in amputation or disability of the limb.
• Bleeding (internal)
  • Symptoms: bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum; coughing blood; blood in urine; pale gums; collapse; rapid or weak pulse.
  • Keep animal as warm and quiet as possible.
• Burns
  • Chemical
    • Muzzle animal.
    • Flush burn immediately with large quantities of cold water.
  • Severe
    • Muzzle animal.
    • Quickly apply ice water compresses to burn.
    • Treat for shock if necessary.
• Shock
  • Symptoms: weak pulse; shallow breathing; nervousness; dazed appearance.
  • Often accompanies severe injury or extreme fright.
  • Keep animal restrained, quiet and warm.
  • If unconscious, keep head level with rest of body.

HANDLING AN INJURED ANIMAL (RESTRAINT METHODS)

Any animal injured or in pain can bite or scratch you. Even the friendliest of pets must be handled with care for the safety of all involved. If you are accidentally bitten or scratched, seek medical attention. Both dog and cat bites can become infected quickly.

If your animal is injured, you must restrain him/her for your safety as well as your pet's. Muzzle your pet to restrain it unless it is unconscious, has difficulty breathing or has a mouth injury.

Dogs (Muzzles)

• Speak and move calmly and quietly.
• Have someone restrain dog with a leash.
• Approach dog from the side and behind its head; do not attempt to put muzzle on from the front.
• Quickly slip a nylon or wire cage muzzle over nose, secure snugly behind ears.
• If a muzzle is not available, you can make one from a strip of gauze, rag, necktie, belt or rope about three feet long.
  • Make a large loop in the center. Quickly slip loop over dog's nose.
  • Bring ends under chin. Tie snugly behind ears.

Cats (Muzzles)

• Speak and move calmly and quietly.
• Have someone restrain the cat by holding the scruff of its neck firmly. This does not hurt the cat; it just prevents him/her from moving.
• Working from behind the cat, quickly slip a nylon muzzle over the cat's face. The muzzle will cover most of his/her face, including the eyes. Secure snugly behind head.
• If you are alone, scruff the cat with one hand and put the muzzle over the cat's face with the other. Slide both hands along muzzle straps and secure behind the head.
• If a muzzle is not available, one can be made with a rag or a strip of gauze. Make sure it is carefully placed around the cat's mouth and securely fastened, as cats can escape from these temporary muzzles.

Cats (Body Restraint)

• Most cats can be restrained by holding the scruff of the neck.
• The "Cat Sack" can be used for fractious or very frightened cats. Slip sack over cat from tail to head, zip up appropriate zippers.
• Wrap cat in a towel, making, sure his/her front legs are covered and against the body.
• Gloves are not recommended for handling cats. They reduce the handler's dexterity and can easily be penetrated by a cat's teeth.

Birds (Restraint)

• Carefully wrap bird in towel, gently folding his/her wings against the body. Keep your hands out of the way of the beak.
• Gloves are not recommended for bigger birds. They reduce the handler's dexterity and strong beaks can easily penetrate them.

Small Mammals and Reptiles (Restraint)

• Wrap the animal in a towel or rag, gently folding his/her legs against the body.

This material produced by the Palo Alto Humane Society in conjunction with the American Red Cross Northern California Disaster Preparedness Network

PETS AND DISASTER—BE PREPARED

As with any situation readiness is key to your and your pats safety during a disaster, here are some helpful safety tips.

Be Prepared with a Disaster Plan

The best way to protect your family from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan must include your pets. Being prepared can save their lives.

Different disasters require different responses. But whether the disaster is a hurricane or a hazardous spill, you may have to evacuate your home.

If you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them, too. Leaving them behind, even if you try to create a safe place, is likely to result in their being injured, lost, or worse. So prepare now.

Have a Safe Place to Take Your Pets

Red Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets because of states' health and safety regulations and other considerations. Service animals that assist people with disabilities are the only exception. It may be difficult, if not impossible, to find shelter for your animals in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead. Do not wait until disaster strikes to do your research.

• Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size and species. Ask if "no pet" policies could be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of "pet friendly" places, including phone numbers, with your other disaster information and supplies. If you have notice of an impending disaster, call ahead for reservations.
• Ask friends, relatives or others outside the affected area whether they could shelter your animals. If you have more than one pet, they may be more comfortable if kept together, but be prepared to house them separately.
• Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers.
• Ask local animal shelters if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets in a disaster. They may be overburdened caring for the animals they already have as well as those displaced by a disaster, so this should be your last resort.

Assemble a Portable Pet Disaster Supplies Kit

Whether you are away from home for a day or a week, you'll need essential supplies. Keep items in an accessible place and store them in sturdy containers that can be carried easily (duffel bags, covered trash containers). Your pet disaster supplies kit should include:

• Medications and medical records (stored in a waterproof container) and a first aid kit.
• Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that your animals can't escape.
• Current photos of your pets in case they get lost.
• Food, potable water, bowls, cat litter and pan, and can opener.
• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets.
• Pet beds and toys, if easily transportable.

Know What To Do as a Disaster Approaches

• Often, warnings are issued hours, even days, in advance. At the first hint of disaster, act to protect your pet.
• Call ahead to confirm emergency shelter arrangements for you and your pets.
• Check to be sure your pet disaster supplies are ready to take at a moment's notice.
• Bring all pets into the house so that you won't have to search for them if you have to leave in a hurry.
• Make sure all dogs and cats are wearing collars and securely fastened, up-to-date identification. Attach the phone number and address of your temporary shelter, if you know it, or of a friend or relative outside the disaster area. You can buy temporary tags or put adhesive tape on the back of your pet's ID tag, adding information with an indelible pen.

You may not be home when the evacuation order comes. Find out if a trusted neighbor would be willing to take your pets and meet you at a prearranged location. This person should be comfortable with your pets, know where your animals are likely to be, know where your pet disaster supplies kit is kept and have a key to your home. If you use a petsitting service, they may be available to help, but discuss the possibility well in advance.

Planning and preparation will enable you to evacuate with your pets quickly and safely. But bear in mind that animals react differently under stress. Outside your home and in the car, keep dogs securely leashed. Transport cats in carriers. Don't leave animals unattended anywhere, as they can run off. The most trustworthy pets may panic, hide, try to escape or even bite or scratch. When you return home, give your pets time to settle back into their routines. Consult your veterinarian if any behavioral problems persist.

A FINAL WORD

If you must evacuate, do not leave your animals behind. Take them to a prearranged safe location if they cannot stay with your during the evacuation period. Remember, pets are not allowed in Red Cross shelters. If there is a possibility that disaster may strike while you are out of the house, there are precautions you can take to increase your pets' chances of survival, but they are not a substitute for evacuating with your pets. For more information, contact The Humane Society of the United States.

In a statement of understanding, The American Red Cross recognizes The Humane Society of the United States as the nation's largest animal protection organization responsible for the safety and well-being of animals, including disaster relief. The American Red Cross is committed to transforming the caring and concern of the American people into immediate action.

This material produced by the Palo Alto Humane Society in conjunction with the American Red Cross Northern California Disaster Preparedness Network