How to help when your pet has a wound..

First Aid for Wounds

Wounds can happen in lots of different ways, from a bite wound to a piece of glass on the beach or a stick in the garden.

However it happens, it can be scary if your pets is injured.

Staying calm will help your pet feel less worried.

– Small wounds can be cleaned with cooled boiled water or sterile saline from your first aid kit and kept clean and dry.

Monitor for infection.

If your pet has a larger wound or is bleeding then they may be weak or lying down. Cover the wound, then cover your pet with a blanket.

Keep them warm and calm while you transport them to the vet.

– Contaminated or dirty wounds can be flushed with cooled boiled water or saline from your first aid kit.

If the wound is bleeding heavily or you are worried about your pet, then cover the wound and take your pet directly to the vet.

Never try and remove anything that may be stuck in a wound such as glass or sticks.

Cover the wound if possible and take your pet to the vet.

– If a wound is bleeding, gaping open, or your pet is licking the wound then it may help to cover it with a bandage.

Always check that the bandage is not too tight by placing two fingers between the bandage and your pet’s
skin.

SMALL WOUNDS……such as scrapes and grazes can be treated at home by keeping them clean and dry.

Most should heal in a week or so.

BIGGER WOUNDS……may need to be cleaned and stitched.

Keep the wound as clean a possible and take your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

DIRTY WOUNDS……such as bites or cuts from wood ,metal or rocks may also need extensive cleaning and
antibiotics.

Take your pet to the vet ASAP.

How to…STOP the bleeding

Put pressure on it.

For small cuts and wounds that are not deep, a bit of pressure for a minute or two will often stop the bleeding.

Use a clean dressing or a clean piece of cloth.

Wear gloves!

KEEP the pressure on it.

Larger or deeper wounds may need longer pressure.

Hold the dressing or cloth in place.

See your vet ASAP.

Place a tourniquet.

Bleeding from a wound on a leg may be stopped by placing a tourniquet ABOVE the wound.

Use a length of cloth, a belt or tights if you don’t have a tourniquet.

See your vet immediately.

What about infection?

Even with cleaning and antibiotics, some wounds will become infected

Signs of infection include:

– Swelling around the wound

– The wound or dressing is wet with discharge

– A wound that was healing becomes more painful or swollen.

– The skin around the wound may be warm or red

– Your pet may be poorly: reduced appetite, sleeping more, worrying at the wound.

If you suspect that your pet’s wound may be infected, even if he is on antibiotics then contact
your vet. Your pet may need further treatment.

TOP TIPS FROM A VET

– Stay calm

– Use pressure or a tourniquet to stop bleeding.

– Keep your pet calm and warm and take them for treatment.

– Never remove anything from a wound.

If in doubt, don’t waste time cleaning and bandaging a wound: take your pet to the vet.

HOW TO… BUILD A FIRST AID KIT FOR YOUR PET

Keep a first aid kit at home, and take one with you when you’re out and about with your pet.

Here’s some things to include…

– Clean bandages and dressings

– Dressing tape

– Cotton wool

– Blunt ended scissors

– Gloves

– Tweezers

– Tourniquet

– Saline for flushing wounds

– Tick hook

– Blanket (can be used as a stretcher, too!)