A pocket guide to small animal

rescues
Extracted
Click to edit
from
Master
bookssubtitle
writtenstyle
by Christopher Norkus, Rebecca
Kirby
& Bruce Fogle

08/12/16
 Treatment should begin at the site of
rescue and continued en-route until
the patient is safely handed over to a
vet to increase the chances of
survival.

Always leave for a rescue with a fully

charged mobile phone. When in
doubt, always seek the vet’s advice.
08/12/16
 Triage

One of the most important skills as a veterinary

technician is the ability to be able to assess / triage
quickly and appropriately.

Failure to triage appropriately may mean life or death

for the patient.

Traffic light system of red, amber and green is a

universally accepted method.

08/12/16
 Telephone Triage Questions

• Name, location and telephone number of

client
• Animal name, age, sex, breed and weight
• Current complaint
• How is the animal breathing?

• What is the color of the gums?

• What is the level of consciousness (LOC)?

• Current rectal temperature? (if able)

• Is the animal able to stand/walk?

08/12/16
Other questions may include:

• Is the animal eating? Is there vomiting, retching,

or diarrhea?
• Is the abdomen distended or painful to the
touch?
• Can the animal urinate? Are the urinations
normal?
• Is there any bleeding? Where and how much?
• How much and when did the animal ingest the
substance?
• How many and how long have the seizures been?
• Has there been any coughing

08/12/16
 Colour Type of injury
Critical – Patient must receive life-saving
Red procedures immediately to ensure survival

Patient should survive as long as simple care is

Amber given within a few hours

Minor injuries. Patient can wait for treatment and

Green still survive

Black
Dead or dying. Patient unlikely to survive
regardless of treatment received

08/12/16
 Triage level acuity systems

Resuscitative Immediately
Cardiac arrest, severe respiratory distress

Emergent 10–45 minutes

Fracture, seizures, urinary obstruction

Urgent 30 minutes–2 hours

Abscess, eye injury, vomiting, diarrhea (no blood)

Semi-urgent 1–2 hours Minor laceration

Routine 4 hours Suture removal

08/12/16
 Canine normal Canine emergency

Heart rate For any size dog:

<30 lbs. 100–140 bpm >160 bpm
30–50 lbs. 80–120 bpm <60 bpm
>50 lbs. 60–80 bpm
Respiration rate >50 bpm or any effort
20–40 bpm

Mucous membrane Mucous membrane

Pink Pink Any color other than pink
Capillary refill Capillary refill
<2 seconds > 3 seconds
Temperature <98°F, >105°F
100–102.9°F

08/12/16
 Feline Normal Feline emergency

HR 140-200 bpm <140 >260 bpm

RR 20-40 /minute >50 /minute or any other effort

Mucosa pink Any color other than pink

Capillary refill < 2 seconds <1 or >3 seconds

Temp 100-102 F <98 F or > 105 F

08/12/16
 If the animal is not breathing, you may
need to perform mouth-to-nose
resuscitation and chest compressions.

To perform mouth-to-nose resuscitation,

close the animal's mouth, place your lips
over the animal's nostrils, and initially give
3 to 4 strong breaths .

If the animal does not start breathing on

its own, breathe for the animal 10 to 12
times per minute. If you cannot detect a
heartbeat, perform 5 chest compressions
to 1 quick breath.

Continue this pattern until the animal

starts breathing on its own, or you get to
veterinary assistance.

08/12/16
 Mouth to nose breathing in 1: 5 ratio

08/12/16
 Management of shock

0.9% Saline (Normal Saline) or Ringer Lactate

Dose 20mls/kg in 10-20 minutes

Please write types of colloids and names used locally

Dose – 10 -20mls/kg

08/12/16
 Choking

Dogs or cats that are choking may cough forcefully, drool,

gag, or paw at their mouth.

They may also hold their mouth open and show signs of
agitation.

If you think the animal is choking, do not stick your fingers

in its mouth because you can easily be bitten or push the
object further in.

Instead, you can try to dislodge the object by thumping the

animal between the shoulder blades or by applying several
quick, squeezing compressions on both sides of the
ribcage.
08/12/16
08/12/16
08/12/16
08/12/16
08/12/16
08/12/16
08/12/16
08/12/16
Making splints for fractures
The idea is to immobilise the fracture site before
transfer. Use any material available like
newspapers, magazines, rolled cardboard, garden
sticks etc.

Roll the material around the fracture site and tape.

Cover joints above and below fracture site.

Splint should be tight enough not to slip off but

also not tight enough to cut off circulation
If bone visible, place clean pad over it and splint.
No ointment required.
08/12/16
 Strangulation

Dogs or cats that have neck or

throat injuries caused by
strangulation, such as hanging by
their collar, should be taken to the
veterinarian immediately. Remove
the collar and use a makeshift
harness from rope or an extra
leash to control the animal

08/12/16
 Small Volume Resuscitation
in head injury, kidney and
heart failure

• Isotonic crystalloids:
10–15 mL/kg for dogs rapidly
5–10 mL/kg for cats rapidly

• Colloids (e.g., hetastarch):

5 mL/kg in dogs over 5–15
minutes
2.5 mL/kg in cats over 5–15
minutes

• 7% hypertonic saline
4 mL/kg IV in cats over 5 minutes
08/12/16
4 mL/kg IV in dogs over 5 minutes
Heat stroke is another emergency.

Normal rectal temperature for cats and dogs is about 101.5°F to

102°F (38.6°C to 38.9°C).

Signs of heat stroke include skin that is hot to the touch,

vomiting, drooling, rapid panting, distress, loss of coordination,
collapse, and unconsciousness.

Remove the animal from the heat. Use cold water, ice packs, or
wet towels to cool the head and body.

Offer small amounts of water after the pet has begun to cool
down. Do not immerse the animal in cold water.
08/12/16
 Bleeding requires immediate first aid.

Press down firmly on the bleeding area with your fingers or

the palm of your hand, and then apply a firm, but not tight,
bandage.

Any long pieces of fabric or gauze can be used. Often

washcloths and hand towels are enough when applied with
mild pressure.

If the original bandage becomes soaked with blood, do not

remove it; simply place additional material on top and
continue to apply pressure. These bandages can be secured
in place using duct or packaging tape.

08/12/16
 Burns can be difficult to evaluate
because the fur makes it hard to
examine the injury. Large deep
burns, chemical burns, and
electrical burns need immediate
attention, as do burns involving the
airway or face. Use cold water on
the affected area, and cover the
burn with a nonstick dressing.

08/12/16
 Do not remove foreign objects
that have penetrated the skull,
chest, or abdomen. Prevent the
object from moving or penetrating
further. If an arrow has penetrated
the abdomen, do not let the shaft
of the arrow move during
transport. It may be necessary to
stabilize the shaft of the arrow just
outside the body and, holding it
firmly, cut the shaft off.

08/12/16
 Poisoning
Rat poison
Antidote vitamin K1 (phytonadione)2.5-5mg/kg SQ,
followed by 2.5-5mg/kg PO 14-21 days

Bleach and cleaners

Oral administration of milk or water to dilute bleach
Emesis and lavage contraindicated

Cholecalciferol rat poison

Furosemide 4-5mg/kg iv q 12hrs followed by 2-3mg/ kg PO q
12hrs

08/12/16
 Activated charcoal is effective in reducing the
effect of most poisons

It should only be administered in conscious

animals

Any other common poisons and their

treatment?

08/12/16
Ethylene Glycol (antifreeze)
Common poison in cats
Fomepizole is the antidote

Lead poisoning from old batteries, lubricants, linoleum, old

paint – antidote EDTA 25mg/kg SC q 4hours or 50mg/kg q2h

08/12/16
 Moving an Injured Animal

When moving or transporting an injured animal, minimize

motion of its head, neck, and spine. A flat, firm surface of
wood, cardboard, or thick fabric can be used to provide
support.

If the animal acts confused or disoriented after trauma,

keep the head level or slightly elevated during transport.
Avoid any jerking or thrashing motions, and prevent
anything from pushing on the neck or jugular veins.

Placing cats in boxes can minimize stress during transport.

The box should have holes large enough so that you can see
the cat.
08/12/16
 Please suggest important medications and their doses

08/12/16