Animal Emergency Service - Injury

How to Approach an Injured Animal

Approach the animal slowly while talking in a calm, soothing voice. ALWAYS muzzle an animal in pain or have someone restrain the head before examining the injured area.Try to assess the nature of the emergency as quickly as possible. Call a veterinarian as soon as possible and seek professional care for your pet immediately.

Bite Wounds

Action:
As always, approach the animal slowly. Injured animals often communicate their pain through aggressive or defensive actions, especially after a bite injury. MUZZLE the animal or have someone restrain the head. Examine the entire animal for bleeding, lacerations or pain. Multiple bite wounds can be hard to find under thick coats. If you cannot quickly reach a veterinarian, flush each wound with saline (if not available clean water will do). Wrap large wounds as best as possible, small wounds can be left uncovered. DO NOT use tourniquets to stop bleeding — use firm pressure if needed. Seek veterinary care IMMEDIATELY — bite wounds often need to be flushed extensively, sutured, and/or surgically addressed to help prevent infection.  Wounds that are managed shortly after injury occurs require less intensive care.

Burns

Action:
First aid for chemical, electrical or thermal (heat) burns: Immediately flush the area with cool water for 5 minutes. After flushing, apply a cold compress to the area for 10 to 15 minutes. NEVER apply the ice pack directly to the skin. Wrap the pack in a thin towel or available material. Call a veterinarian immediately and seek professional help and examination. Burns do need to be addressed immediately and can be life threatening when severe.

Cold Emergencies

Signs:
Shivering (excessive, relentless), lethargy, weakness, inability to use limbs.

Action:
Remove your pet from the wind and cold into a warm place. Wrap your pet in warm (woolen) and dry blankets or clothing. DO NOT rub your pet with the blankets, this can damage cold tissue and make frostbite worse.  Try to raise your pet’s body temperature slowly. Hot water bottles (wrapped in towels to avoid direct contact with skin) can be used under the blankets to help increase your pet’s temperature. To take your pet’s temperature, use only an approved rectal thermometer. Normal temperature should be 100 to 102.5 degrees. If an area is discolored (bluish or pale), the body part or skin may have been frozen and is exhibiting signs of frostbite.  Take the animal out of the cold and transport to the nearest veterinary hospital. DO NOT use electric heat in any form!

Fractures

Signs:
Pain, not using a limb, limb looks bent or swollen.

Action:
MUZZLE the animal or have someone restrain the head. Check the limb for open wounds or bleeding. If excessive bleeding, wrap the area with a towel or other available material while trying not to move the limb. DO NOT pull on the limb in an attempt to align the fracture, such action can result in further injury and increased bleeding. Stabilize the limb as best as possible (carry your pet if possible) and seek professional help immediately. DO NOT give any pain medications to your pet (some are toxic to animals) unless instructed to do so by a veterinarian. Avoid wrapping the leg, as it is easy to impede blood circulation.

Insect Bites & Tick Removal

Action: Like people, animals vary in their reactions to insect venom. The response can range from mild irritation to allergic shock. Check the area for any remaining stinger or insect, remove them and cleanse the area with soap and water. Cool wet towels or gauze can be used (for 20 to 30 minutes) to soothe the area. Watch your pet for signs of allergic reaction (see allergy section and follow the instructions if needed). Be particularly mindful of difficulties breathing. When returning from a park or a hike, check thoroughly for ticks by running your fingers through your pet’s entire coat, and inspecting the paws, pads, between toes and inside floppy ears. To remove a tick, use small tweezers to firmly grip the tick's mouth parts as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight outward. Apply an antiseptic to the bitten area. After removing, destroy the tick by immersing it in alcohol. Save the tick, marking the date it was found on the body, in the event that symptoms arise and identification of the tick becomes necessary.

Ticks can transmit diseases to pets and humans that the ticks contract from a previous host. These diseases include Lyme, ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted, however the risk of transmission can be minimized by prompt removal of ticks once detected. In general, while they are capable of transmitting disease, they are usually nothing more than a nuisance.

 
Robyn, Customer
Service Representative

Lacerations

Action:
As always, approach the animal slowly. Injured animals are often aggressive or defensive. MUZZLE the animal or have someone restrain the head. Examine the entire animal for bleeding, lacerations or pain. Multiple lacerations can be hard to find under thick fur. Wrap large lacerations as best as possible, small wounds can be left uncovered. DO NOT use tourniquets to stop bleeding, use firm pressure if needed. Seek veterinary care IMMEDIATELY, lacerations often need to be flushed extensively or sutured to help prevent infection.

Animal Emergency Service, 825 White Spruce Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14623
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