Expert Insights: Essential Pet First Aid Tips from Veterinarian Dr. Courtney van der Merwe

• What are the most common situations where pet first aid is necessary, and how can owners recognize them?
• What essential items should every pet owner have in a first aid kit for their pets?
• How important is it for pet owners to have a basic understanding of pet anatomy when administering first aid?
• What steps should pet owners take in case of common emergencies?
• How can pet owners stay calm and focused during an emergency to ensure their pet receives the best care?
• Are there any resources or courses you would recommend for pet owners who want to learn about pet first aid

Administering pet first aid can be a critical skill for pet owners, providing vital support in emergencies before professional veterinary care is available. In this expert interview with Dr Courtney van der Merwe, we explore common situations requiring pet first aid, essential items for a pet first aid kit, and practical steps pet owners can take in various emergencies. Dr. van der Merwe, a veterinarian at Panorama Veterinary Clinic, shares her insights and valuable advice to help pet owners be better prepared for unexpected situations.

What are the most common situations where pet first aid is necessary, and how can owners recognize them?

Owner applied first aid should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care, rather, it should be thought of as a means of ‘buying time’ until veterinary care is available. Situations in which owners can assist their pets include:

• Bleeding: Bleeding that hasn’t stopped within a couple of minutes.
• Heat stroke: which may be recognized by excessive panting, dry or sticky gums, abnormal gum colour, restlessness and/or lethargy 
• Toxin exposure: Depending on the toxin, various signs may be seen – ranging from salivation to vomiting and diarrhoea, or even muscle tremors and seizures  

In the above situations, pet first aid can be valuable; there are situations where every second counts and owners should immediately rush to the nearest veterinary clinic. Some examples include: labored breathing (particularly if it is not hot or the patient has not been active), pale gums (may indicate internal bleeding), sudden collapse, straining to urinate with no urine being passed, or an abdomen that is suddenly distended (particularly if accompanied by panting and attempts to vomit) may indicate a twisted gut.

What essential items should every pet owner have in a first aid kit for their pets?

• Saline wound flush
• Swabs
• Eye rinse 
• Adhesive tape 
• Gauze roll
• Gauze pads 
• K-Y jelly 
• Styptic powder or corn starch – only for broken nails – should not be used in other wounds 
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Thermometer
• Syringe for flushing wounds (without a needle)
• Disposable gloves
• Clean towel 
• Flashlight
• Extra lead and collar
• Muzzle
• Collapsable water bowl
• Battery powered clippers
• Booklet with basic first aid techniques 

How important is it for pet owners to have a basic understanding of pet anatomy when administering first aid?

A detailed understanding of general pet anatomy is not vital, but rather, it is important that a pet owner knows what is ‘abnormal’ for their pet. The first step in being able to recognize abnormal is to have a good idea of what normal is. By knowing what your pet’s normal breathing pattern, gait/ movement and gum colour look like, you will be able to identify situations in which medical intervention is required more quickly. 

What steps should pet owners take in case of common emergencies?

Wounds 

Bleeding can be stopped by applying firm pressure to the affected area for a couple of minutes. If the bleeding continues despite this, a temporary bandage can be placed whilst the pet is taken to a vet hospital. The bandage/ wound covering serves a secondary function in reducing the degree of contamination/ dirt in the wound that could lead to infection down the line. Bandages that have been applied at home can easily be too tight and cut off circulation – they should thus always be considered temporary and checked by a veterinary professional. 

If a pet has been exposed to any form of toxin or poison, the owner should immediately take steps to reduce the degree of contact – this can be done by washing a pet to prevent further skin absorption, rinsing the eyes to reduce the contact time or removing the pet from the situation to stop further ingestion. Noting the time of exposure, the name of the toxin (ideally a photo of the label/ package insert) and the approximate quantity that the pet was exposed to, can greatly assist the veterinary team in providing approximate treatment. 

Heat stroke 

Immediately move your pet to a cool, well-ventilated environment and offer water. You can start to bring your dog’s temperature down by wetting them with tepid or cool (not ice cold) water, focusing on the abdomen, feet and armpits. Running water is preferred over wet towels as a towel can further trap heat. Cooling is more effective when combined with moving air (e.g. fan, air conditioner). Heat stroke can be fatal, therefore once cooling methods have been initiated, you should seek immediate veterinary care. 

Seizures

There are no at home medications that can be given for a first-time seizure. If this situation arises, owners should not try to touch or move the animal, unless they are at risk of injuring themselves (for example by falling into a body of water, knocking their heads or falling down stairs). Seizures generally only last a few minutes and are followed by a period of disorientation. Though they require medical intervention, they are (for the most part) not considered an emergency – owners can therefore monitor their pets, taking care to minimize external stimulation (noise/ light) during the seizure, and take them to vet once it has passed. If the seizure continues for more than 5 minutes however, it would be best to seek veterinary care immediately. 

How can pet owners stay calm and focused during an emergency to ensure their pet receives the best care?

Ensuring a safe environment for everyone (both two and four-legged) is an important step in keeping any emergency situation under control. This can be done in several ways:

• Ensure the animal is restrained by having someone hold its leash. A frightened or injured animal might become confused and try to run away, potentially causing further harm.
• Ask yourself, is there a risk of further injury in the current environment? Is the surrounding environment safe or do you need to move? For example, are they out of the way of traffic (in the event your pet is hit by a car) or further danger?
• Prioritize your safety. Even the most loving animal can bite when scared or in pain. Learning to properly place a muzzle or create one from soft strapping can protect you and enable you to assist the animal more effectively. Remember, you cannot help them if you are injured. Use a muzzle only if the animal is not vomiting or having difficulty breathing.
• A quiet environment reduces stress for both the animal and the person providing aid. Covering a pet’s eyes with a blanket or piece of cloth may help to reduce stress. 

Are there any resources or courses you would recommend for pet owners who want to learn about pet first aid

Though any information is empowering, I recommend in-person workshops over online courses. This will give you the opportunity to practice the skills that you have learnt under the guidance of a professional. Speak to your vet about this—some veterinary practices host pet first aid workshops, or they might be able to advise someone in your area that does so.

It is important to regularly practice the skills that you have learnt – not only will this make you more confident if the situation arises, but it will also make your pet more accustomed to being handled (whether it be taking a temperature, applying a bandage or putting in eye drops), further reducing the stress of the emergency situation for both of you. 

It is advised that you keep a reference booklet in your first aid kit – even the most even-tempered person can become overwhelmed when faced with a stressful situation. 

General do’s and dont’s

• Always have the details of the nearest available emergency vet. This is particularly important if you are travelling and are unfamiliar with the area.
• Keep a medical summary of your pet (including medical conditions and current medications). It can be difficult to recall all details during stressful situations, but it may affect how your vet is able to proceed with treatment.
• Call you’re vet whilst on the way to them – this will allow them to prepare for the incoming emergency. 
• Don’t administer any medication – human medications can be highly toxic to both dogs and cats and can further compromise the health of your pet. Even if the medication has been specifically prescribed for your pet, check with your vet clinic first to find out if it is appropriate in that specific instance – it may interact with or affect the medication that your vet is able to administer.