Page 17 - Real Rochdale Issue 21 Spring 2024
P. 17
Pet First Aid
As pet owners, we will have likely already, or
will in the future, experience our pets injuring
themselves. This can be a really worrying
experience and can cause us to panic. The two
most important things to remember when
helping your pet are:
• An animal that is scared or in pain may
scratch or bite.
• You cannot help your pet if you get injured,
so make sure it is safe for you to go to your
pet and help.
Bleeding
Small wounds and grazes (not bleeding) - clean ABOUT THE WRITER
the wound by running water over it for as long Gemma Broome recently opened a new
vet practice in Milnrow with her fellow vet,
as your pet will tolerate (up to 10 minutes). You Clare Farnsworth. Between them, they have
can clean the wound with salt water (1 tsp of over 25 years of veterinary experience.
salt to 1 pint of cooled, boiled water). If your
pet is licking/scratching at the wound, then
cover it lightly with a dressing. Bites and stings
Allergic reactions to bites and stings are
Bleeding wounds – check the pet and find the reasonably common in pets, especially dogs.
injury. If you can, without getting hurt, apply Most reactions are minor causing swelling
pressure to the wound using a clean towel or (commonly on the face), redness/rash, itching
dressing. Call your vet immediately and they and lameness if it affects the leg/foot. In severe
will be able to advise you of the next steps. cases, the allergic reaction may cause them to
have difficulty breathing.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke can occur in any animal that gets If you see any signs of breathing changes then
too hot. If you are worried your pet may have you should take your pet to the vets
heatstroke, then follow these steps: immediately, calling ahead if possible. If the
signs are mild, then call your vet for advice as
• Move them indoors or into the shade. they may need medication to prevent the
• Soak them in cool water, water from the tap reaction getting worse and make them more
is fine. Do this slowly so they do not panic comfortable.
and avoid the mouth and nose.
• Lie your pet on a cold, wet towel; do not First Aid Kits
cover them in the wet towel as this will The PDSA website (pdsa.org.uk) has
make them hotter. information about pet first aid kits and there
• Create a breeze – open windows/doors or are many options available. Here is a guide
place a fan near them. on things to keep in a pet first aid kit, but the
• Offer them a drink of water, but do not contents may need to be adjusted depending
force them to drink. on your needs: bandages, blunt-ended scissors,
• Call your vet immediately for advice, they wound wash, cotton wool, tweezers, tick
will likely want you to bring the pet into the tweezers, wound dressing, self-adhesive tape,
clinic. Remember, WET THEN VET. dressings, vinyl gloves, a foil blanket, antiseptic
• Transport the pet in an air-conditioned car. wipes and a blanket to use as a stretcher.
REAL ROCHDALE - SPRING 2024 16 17 REAL ROCHDALE - SPRING 2024
