First Aid Training for Vet Nurse and Vet Techs to help Veterinary Patients

Wound Care

• Assessment:

  • Inspect for size, depth, and contamination.
  • Check for foreign bodies or signs of infection.

• Cleaning:

  • Rinse with clean water or saline.
  • Avoid hydrogen peroxide or alcohol on open wounds.

• Debridement:

  • Remove dead tissue and debris using sterile tools.

• Closure:

  • Minor wounds may heal by primary intention (suturing).
  • Larger wounds may require secondary intention (granulation).

• Dressing:

  • Apply a sterile, non-adherent dressing.
  • Change dressings regularly to prevent infection.

Poisoning Treatment

• Identification:

  • Determine the substance and amount ingested.
  • Gather information on the onset of symptoms and time of exposure.

• Immediate Actions:

  • Do not induce vomiting without veterinary guidance.
  • Administer activated charcoal if advised (binds toxins).

• Supportive Care:

  • Monitor vital signs: heart rate, respiration, temperature.
  • Provide IV fluids if necessary to maintain hydration.

• Antidotes:

  • Administer specific antidotes as recommended (e.g., naloxone for opioids).

CPR Techniques

• Initial Assessment:

  • Check responsiveness and breathing.

• Chest Compressions:

  • For dogs: 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths (using a mask or seal).
  • For cats: Compress with one hand at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.

• Rescue Breaths:

  • Deliver breaths after every 30 compressions.
  • Maintain a tight seal around the mouth/nose to prevent air loss.

• Monitoring:

  • Continuously check for signs of circulation (pulses) and breathing.

Bandaging Methods

• Types of Bandages:

  • Primary (directly on the wound).
  • Secondary (to hold primary in place and absorb exudate).
  • Tertiary (to protect and support the bandage).

• Application:

  • Wrap from the distal to proximal part of the limb.
  • Use even pressure, avoiding constriction.

• Materials:

  • Use sterile gauze, cohesive bandage, and padding materials.
  • Monitor for signs of circulation beyond the bandage (check toes for color and temperature).

Shock Management

• Recognition:

  • Signs: rapid heartbeat, pale gums, weak pulse, rapid breathing, lethargy.

• Immediate Care:

  • Place the animal in a comfortable position (usually lying down).
  • Warm the animal if cold (use blankets, heating pads).

• Fluid Therapy:

  • Administer IV fluids to restore blood volume and circulation.

• Monitoring:

  • Keep track of vital signs and adjust treatments based on the animal's response.

• Veterinary Consultation:

  • Prompt veterinary attention is crucial to diagnose underlying causes and provide advanced care.

Wound Care

• Assess wound size, depth, and any signs of contamination or foreign bodies.
• Clean wounds gently with saline or clean water; avoid hydrogen peroxide or alcohol.
• Debride wounds using sterile tools to remove necrotic tissue and debris.
• Close minor wounds via primary intention (sutures); large wounds may heal by secondary intention (granulation).
• Use sterile, non-adherent dressings and change them regularly to reduce infection risk.

Poisoning Treatment

• Identify the ingested substance and quantity; note onset of symptoms and exposure time.
• Avoid inducing vomiting unless directed by a veterinarian; activated charcoal can be used if recommended.
• Monitor vital signs, including heart rate, respiration, and temperature; IV fluids may be necessary.
• Administer specific antidotes based on the poison, such as naloxone for opioid overdoses.

CPR Techniques

• Begin with an initial assessment to check for responsiveness and normal breathing.
• Perform chest compressions: 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths for dogs; cats require one-handed compressions at 100-120 per minute.
• Deliver rescue breaths after every 30 compressions, ensuring a tight seal to prevent air leaks.
• Continuously monitor for signs of circulation and breathing during CPR.

Bandaging Methods

• Utilize three types of bandages: primary (directly on wound), secondary (holds primary and absorbs exudate), and tertiary (protects the bandage).
• Apply bandages from distal to proximal on the limb with even pressure, avoiding constriction.
• Use sterile materials like gauze, cohesive bandage, and padding; regularly check for circulation by assessing color and temperature of toes.

Shock Management

• Recognize shock symptoms: rapid heartbeat, pale gums, weak pulse, rapid breathing, and lethargy.
• Position the animal comfortably, typically lying down, and warm them if they are cold.
• Administer IV fluids to replenish blood volume and improve circulation.
• Monitor vital signs closely and adjust care based on the animal's response; timely veterinary consultation is essential for advanced treatment.

Clinic Arrival Information

• Location details should be clearly communicated to pet owners.
• Upon arrival, instructions may include waiting in the car and calling for assistance or bringing pets directly to the front door.
• Designated parking areas must be identified for clients.
• Consultation costs should be discussed up front.
• Estimated wait times need to be provided to manage client expectations.

Phone Advice for Common Emergencies

• Respiratory Distress

  • Minimize handling and stress; avoid neck leads that may hinder breathing.
  • Ensure a calm and cool environment; transportation should be quick and safe.

• Toxin Exposure

  • Never advise inducing vomiting outside of a veterinary hospital to prevent complications.
  • Assess the time of toxin exposure to guide treatment.
  • Collect product information to assist the veterinary team.

• Seizures

  • Keep pet owners calm and instruct them to avoid touching the pet's head or mouth to prevent bites.
  • Dimming lights and providing soft bedding can reduce injuries.
  • Wrap animals in a towel or blanket during transport to protect both the pet and owner.

Urinary System Evaluation

• Immediate assessment and treatment for urinary obstructions are critical.
• Signs include frequent litter box visits, straining, inappetence, blood in urine, and unusual vocalization.

Providing First Aid

• Intravenous Access

  • Enables rapid administration of fluids and medications for various emergencies.
  • Allows for pain relief and immediate treatment in critical cases.

• Common veins for IV access should be utilized based on patient condition and ease of placement.

Emergency Oxygen Therapy

• Essential for pets experiencing respiratory distress or other critical conditions.

Control of External Hemorrhage

• Immediate action required to manage severe blood loss through various techniques.

Active Heating and Cooling

• Active Heating

  • Use devices like Bair Huggers and heat mats with caution to prevent burns.
  • Monitor patients closely to avoid overheating.

• Active Cooling

  • Implement cooling measures for hyperthermic patients.

Urethral Obstruction

• Key signs include a painful bladder and altered vital signs like tachycardia or bradycardia.
• Steps on arrival include bladder expression, IV catheter placement, and continuous monitoring.

Seizures

• Clinical signs may vary; observe for paddling, altered mentation, and physical distress.
• Immediate steps include assessment, alerting the vet for anticonvulsants, and IVC placement.

Cane Toad Toxicity

• Signs to look for include hypersalivation, foaming at the mouth, seizures, and altered mentation.
• Common findings during the primary survey may include bright red mucous membranes and tachycardia.

Respiratory Compromise

• Upper airway obstruction leads to inspiratory stridor; lower airway obstruction causes expiratory stridor.
• Signs include labored breathing, diaphragmatic expiratory push, cyanosis, and anxiety.
• Auscultation reveals high-pitched wheezes throughout lung fields.
• Breathing pattern often features a short, sharp inspiratory phase with prolonged exhalation.
• Chronic diseases like asthma or bronchial disorders may contribute to these symptoms.

Pleural Space Disease

• Patients exhibit shortness of breath with shallow breathing, leading to minimal chest movement due to pleural space restriction.
• Abdominal component may arise, resulting in asynchronous breathing patterns.

Combination Dyspnoea

• Can occur at any level of the respiratory tract, indicating a blend of inspiratory and expiratory dyspnoea.
• May follow incidents of trauma (e.g., lung contusions) or conditions like pneumonia post-drowning or paralysis tick.

Auscultation Findings in Dyspnoea

• Common findings include crackling sounds and dull lung sounds, indicating underlying issues.

Emergency Oxygen Therapy

• Essential for managing critically compromised patients, particularly those with severe respiratory distress.

Control of External Haemorrhage

• Implement strategies to clamp gauges, apply pressure dressings, and utilize tourniquets when necessary.

Active Heating/Cooling

Active Heating

• Use of Bair Hugger, heat mats, warmed IV fluids, and blankets to prevent hypothermia.
• Caution needed with heat mats to avoid burns; a barrier (towel/blanket) should be used between the mat and patient.

Active Cooling

• Implement water baths (not cold) and fans to manage hyperthermia.

Analgesia

• Provide appropriate pain relief for patients in distress.

Toxin Decontamination

• Various methods such as emesis, oral lavage, gastric lavage, and enemas are used to eliminate toxins.

Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV)

Common Clinical Signs

• Signs can include pacing, a bloated abdomen (tympanic sound on percussion), hypersalivation, unproductive vomiting, and collapse.

Primary Survey Findings

• May reveal tachycardia, dyspnoea, poor peripheral pulses, tympanic abdomen, pale mucous membranes, and prolonged capillary refill time (CRT).

Management Steps

• Continuous monitoring, pain relief, oxygen therapy, intravenous catheter placement, fluid therapy, and preparation for abdominal radiographs.
• Decompression options include trocharisation, stomach tube placement, and surgical decompression depending on severity.

Urethral Obstruction

Common Clinical Signs

• Frequent urination attempts, straining to urinate, inappetence, blood in urine, and vocalizations indicating distress are common.

Primary Survey Findings

• A painful, firm bladder may indicate obstruction; tachycardia and signs of bradycardia indicate potential hypoxic events.

Management Steps

• Gentle bladder expression, IV catheter placement, pain relief, blood analysis, and preparation for urinary catheterisation.

Seizures

Common Clinical Signs

• Symptoms may include paddling, altered mentation, twitching, urination/defecation, circling, and possible jaw chomping.

Primary Survey Findings

• Noteworthy signs include altered mentation, hypersalivation, tachycardia, bounding pulses, injected mucous membranes, and hyperthermia due to muscle activity.

Management Steps

• Require quick assessment and immediate veterinary attention for anticonvulsant administration, oxygen support, and cooling if necessary.

Cane Toad Toxicity

Common Clinical Signs

• Hypersalivation, facial/mouth scratching, foaming at the mouth, seizures, and collapse are key indicators.

Primary Survey Findings

• Mucous membranes exhibit bright redness from irritation, along with tachycardia, bounding pulses, hyperthermia, altered mentation, and generalized muscle tremors.

Learning Outcomes

• Ability to effectively triage emergency patients for appropriate care.
• Recognize and understand both normal and abnormal vital signs.
• Competent communication skills for engaging with clients in emergencies.
• Knowledge in preparing clinics for potential emergencies.
• Proficiency in conducting Primary and Secondary Surveys for patient triage.
• Capability to perform initial life-saving interventions.
• Awareness of common emergency presentations in veterinary practice.

Triage Process

• Triage evaluates and categorizes patients based on severity and urgency of their conditions.
• Begins with client communication upon calling the veterinary hospital.
• Continues with patient assessment in the waiting room and during examination.

Vital Signs

• Vital signs help differentiate normal parameters from abnormal, aiding in diagnosis and treatment.
• Important for both in-clinic evaluations and for information relayed from clients over the phone.
• Accuracy in client-provided vital signs is crucial; they may be stressed and misinterpret conditions.

Normal Vital Signs

• Canine Normal Ranges:

  • Heart/Pulse Rate: 70 – 140 BPM
  • Respiration Rate: 10 – 30 BPM
  • Body Temperature: 38.3 - 39.2°C
  • Mucous Membranes: Pink
  • Capillary Refill Time: Typically less than 2 seconds

• Feline Normal Ranges:

  • Heart/Pulse Rate: 160 – 200 BPM
  • Respiration Rate: 20 – 30 BPM
  • Body Temperature: 38.2 - 38.6°C
  • Mucous Membranes: Pink (often lighter shade than in dogs)
  • Capillary Refill Time: Typically less than 2 seconds

Importance of Vital Signs

• Differentiating normal from abnormal vital signs is key for accurate diagnosis.
• Knowledge of normal ranges aids in making appropriate interventions and decision-making during emergencies.