Pet Instructor Skill Review
Course Content
- Introduction to your Pet First Aid Instructor refresher course
- Course introduction
- Dog First Aid and The Law
- The vet and your role in first aid
- The Role of the Dog First Aider
- When is Veterinary Care Required?
- Keeping your pet safe in an emergency
- Car Accidents
- Car Accidents - Injuries and Treatment
- Pet Proofing your home
- Please rescue my pets stickers
- Hand Hygiene
- Dog Microchipping
- Cat microchipping
- Precautions and Safety
- Pet Anatomy and Physiology
- First Aid Kits and Equipment
- Checking a Pets health
- Initial Assessment
- Checking Your Dog's Health and Finding Out What Is Normal
- Gum Colour
- Collecting a Urine Sample
- How Dogs Show Pain
- How Dogs Show Pain - Vets Comments
- Taking a Pulse
- Taking the Temperature
- Taking the Rectal Temperature
- Vital Signs
- Comprehensive Assessment and Checking Vital Signs Example
- Pet Accidents and First Aid
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - CPR
- Dog CPR Introduction
- Dog CPR Practical Demonstration
- CPR on deep chested dogs
- Small and barrel-chested dog CPR
- Cat CPR
- Near and Secondary Drowning
- Dogs Drowning and Treatment
- Near and Secondary Drowning - vets comments
- How Realistic is Dog CPR - hear what our vet says
- Oxygen and Your Dog
- Administration of Oxygen
- Choking
- Bleeding Control
- Different Conditions you may see
- Breathing and Respiratory Problems
- Loss of Appetite
- Sneezing
- Lethargy
- Urination Problems
- Weakness in Animals
- Weakness and Collapse - additional vets comments
- Hair Loss and Skin Conditions
- Cataracts
- Dehydration in Dogs
- Clinical signs of dehydration in dogs and cats
- Hydration and rehydration in dogs
- Fluid balance in dogs and cats
- Oralade - treating dehydration
- Oralade for cats
- Oralade - The Science
- Injuries
- Suspected fractures
- Types of fractures on animals
- Dog Fractures Treatment
- Spinal injury and moving an injured dog
- Spinal Injuries
- Paw Problems
- Paws and Claws
- Nail and Claw Injuries
- Eye Injuries
- Eye Problems
- Ear Problems
- General Bandaging
- Bandaging the Ear
- Bandaging the Tail and Tail Injuries
- Bandaging the Body
- Fight Wounds
- Puncture Wounds
- Mouth and Dental Problems
- Animal bites and scratches on dogs
- Small Cuts, Scratches and Grazes
- Bandage aftercare
- Stings on animals
- Ibuprofen and pets
- Carbon Monoxide and dogs
- Poisoning
- Vet poison information line
- Inducing Vomiting in a Dog
- Inducing Vomiting - vets comments
- Snake Bites
- Dog Burns
- Chemical Burns
- Electrocution
- Electric Shocks
- Cruciate Ligament
- Falls From Height
- Illness
- Dogs and Illnesses
- Bloat and Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV)
- Why do dogs eat grass
- Why are Onions Toxic to Dogs
- Why is Chocolate Toxic to Dogs
- High Temperatures and Heatstroke
- Hyperthermia - Vets Comments
- Hypothermia Treatment
- Hypothermia - vets comments
- Vomiting in Animals
- Different Types and Causes of Vomiting
- Vomiting - vets comments
- Seizures and Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Allergies in Dogs
- Allergic reactions
- Pancreatitis
- Cushings Disease
- Nose and Respiratory Problems - Vet
- Breathing Difficulties
- Coughing and kennel cough
- Kennel Cough - vets comments
- Diarrhoea in Animals
- Stomach Conditions
- Possible Causes of Blood in Dog Faeces
- Rabies
- Alabama Foot Rot
- Blue Green Algae
- Hip Dysplasia
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Pyometra
- Vestibular Syndrome
- Parasites that affect pets
- Cats
- Different types and sizes of animals
- Summary and Your Practical Session
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Dog Burns
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Pets can very easily get burns. Typical examples could be you got a bonfire and the dog runs out over the ashes or gets burned directly from an open fire, maybe jumps up a cooker, get scolded by hot water. There's lots of different ways of animals getting burned. One typical one with cats can be where someone has got one of these stoves in the lounge. They put the stove in all summer, the cat jumps on it, sits on it, goes to sleep on it because it's nice and cool. being cast iron pulls all the heat out. And the cat comes in, over winter, you have lit it, jumps up there and burns all four paws. So it does happen. And again with burns on pets is different from burns on humans because the pet cannot tell you what's wrong, but also, they have hair, much more hair. So if you have got some of these burns with direct naked flames, it's very easy for the hair to catch fire and a very quickly, you can get a burn from a leg going straight up around the head and burning around the ears and around the respiratory system. So it will depend quite a lot on where the burn is on the animal to how severe it is and how potentially life-threatening is. Now. The other thing is if you've got certain areas of burns around the mouth, the eyes, then this can be a big problem because not only you would have to deal with the burn, but also, they might be having trouble with actually breathing. The other thing can be if there's a maybe a house fire or something like that. They've inhaled hot smoke. What this can do, is the same way as it happens with humans, they inhale it and actually burn into the respiratory tract which will cause swelling, restricts the airways, and also restricts the efficiency of it, and then that can cause some respiratory problems. So if you do get into these environments sometimes CPR is necessary. You hear quite a lot of stories about firemen bringing dogs or cats out of a burning home and they're not breathing. This is where CPR can be really, really useful. Sometimes the fire service will also use supplementary oxygen as well just to be able to give better oxygen to the animal and hopefully revive it. So bringing that back a little bit just to dealing with burns on the first aid side. Number one, always, you must wear gloves when you're dealing with any burn. Now, we haven't really spoken in other modules about getting wounds infected and things like that. But burns are really important that we do ensure that we have our gloves on because we do not want to introduce any other bacteria over it. If the layers of skin have been removed, the body has got now no defense against if infection. It depends how many layers of three key layers of the skin have burned, but it will be a major infection risk. So other things we can do, you could use standard cling film over a burn. What with that is, it gives it a plastic layer, but what you would never want to do is wrap it around the dog's leg, because with burns, it causes swelling. If you swell up and then it's got cling film on it, that can be a problem. So just apply it over in layers if you do have the burn. But the very first thing you want to do with any burn is cool it. Now, a dog this size, if it's got a burn, is in pain, you are going to have to try and get it out and hose it down. And some dogs just hate water, others dogs love it. But if you imagine it was an autumn day and you got the bonfire problem, then you have got to also worry about cooling the dog down too much and then hypothermia can be a problem. So, try.. If it's just one leg, try and just cool that down. And we say with running water but running water could be a bucket of water and a cup, and you just pour it over and the water goes back into the bucket. But then keep getting that fresh as well because you want to try and make sure that you keep it cool. Because eventually, that water is going to start warming up. But where possible, for smaller animals or even medium sized dogs, you might even pick them up, put them into the sink and clean water straight out the taps. They are not going to like it, but this so important. You might have burned yourself on the cooker and you run your finger under tap for 20 seconds or so, and then you walk back across the kitchen it hurts again. That's because you haven't fully cooled it. Once we have done that then you can put the cling film on or we can put on a burn dressing, which we will have a look at in a minute. Some things you do not do, we do not want to put things like lard and butter. It is a bit of an old wives tale from years and years ago. My grandmother always used to say about putting butter on a burn. The problem with putting butter on a burn is it will actually make things worse. So, no oils, no creams and no ointments. So, make sure you cool it and then you can look at putting on a burns dressing. The most important thing, if you have got a dog with a bad burn, you must get it to the vet. But what we are doing now is trying to look at some products that we should put on to cool that burn and also leave on maybe while we're there transferring him to the vets. Now when the dogs or any animal has got a burn, then it's going to also have problems with infection, which is why we said earlier about using cling film. But there are also different dressings you can get, and this is a standard human-type burns kit. In here, we have got different things. We have a spray. With this, you can actually put the burns fluid straight over the burn and it will help to cool. It's very quick cooling action. We've also got sachets which have got the cooling gel in them. So smaller burns, you can just put these directly over the burn. And then we have these, which are normal burns dressings. Now, a typical one with a pet may be a burn dressing like this. But maybe you're out and about and you need to put a burn dressing on, but you haven't access to water. This is where these are really good. To open them, there is a little nick there, so just tear that open. So once you have opened the dressing up, then you can just pull it out, and the dressing itself is wet and is like a foam type substance, so you can apply that directly over the burn. Do not just put it on the burn, but make sure it's big enough to go over the outside. If you've got a very small burn, and the dressing is this size, you can also just fold it in half and then lay it over the burn. Now, just with this laying on my fingers now, I can feel it is cold. It does pull it through. It is not actually cold, it is just the fact it is a wet dressing that is very good at drawing the heat out of the burn and cooling it. Once you've cooled a burn, then also these sorts of dressings and also the cling film would help very well, as you keep the air away from it, and also you can be reducing pain. Burns are very, very painful, as you know yourself, but something like this will also help reduce the pain. You just need to have a really good look around the burn, because you might see a very bad burnt area, and you may see that in different ways. You have superficial burns, which are just sort of red, partial-thickness burns which have got blistering on them and full thickness, which goes straight through. And they are more of a black, a very dark red color. You can obviously see it's very bad. You may also see on an animal, quite a larger area where the hairs burnt but that hasn't actually damage the skin. So, try and concentrate where the burn actually is to put these dressings on. So these depict the sizes on them. We put links to all these products on the download area and the shop on our website. But finally, it is just worth mentioning, chemical burns. Now, chemicals can be poisonous to dogs and cats, however, they can also cause problems when they get onto their skin. So, make sure that you keep chemicals locked away. If you do find animals got chemical on it for any reason, you need to wash it off. Make sure when you're washing it off, the chemical is going away from the animal. So, for example, it's got chemical one side of its face, make sure that the runoff when you're washing it does not go on to the other side of the face. And also, with chemicals, make sure that you are not getting that chemical anywhere near their mouth, and then they could lick the wound and things like that, and actually cause more problems. So, chemical burns are a problem. The only other type of burn that can be a problem with some breeds of dogs is actually sunburn. You would not think it, but some dogs can get sunburn if they have not got much hair on them. So, number one, back to same as humans, is prevention is better than cure. But if you do have problems, then you can use these dressings or there are special ointments that you can actually put on dogs if they are prone to getting sunburn.
Dealing with Burns in Pets: First Aid and Treatment
Common Causes of Burns in Pets
Understanding the Various Scenarios
Pets can easily suffer from burns due to various situations such as contact with bonfires, open flames, hot cookers, or scalding water. Cats, for example, may get burned when resting on stoves, especially during the winter months when stoves are lit.
Unique Challenges of Pet Burns
Recognizing the Differences from Human Burns
Burns in pets pose distinct challenges. Unlike humans, pets cannot communicate their pain or discomfort. Additionally, their fur can easily catch fire, exacerbating the injuries. Severity and potential life-threatening risks vary depending on the location of the burn on the pet's body.
Specific Health Risks from Burns
Potential Complications and Health Issues
Burns around sensitive areas like the mouth and eyes can be particularly problematic, potentially obstructing the pet's breathing. Inhalation of hot smoke in the event of a house fire can also lead to respiratory issues. CPR may be necessary in these situations, similar to what firefighters do when rescuing pets.
First Aid for Pet Burns
Immediate Steps to Take
When dealing with pet burns, it's essential to prioritise personal safety and avoid introducing infections. Always wear gloves when handling burns to prevent contamination. Cooling the burn is the first crucial step, following the same principle as for humans, which involves using running water for at least 20 minutes. If possible, focus on the specific burn area to prevent hypothermia.
Applying Dressings and Products
Choosing the Right Burn Treatment
After cooling the burn, applying appropriate dressings or products is essential. Do not use oils, creams, or ointments. Cling film can be used, or specialized burn dressings are available for pets. These dressings help keep the area clean and reduce pain. Be cautious with swelling and avoid wrapping too tightly.
Chemical Burns and Sunburn
Additional Considerations
Besides thermal burns, chemical burns from toxic substances can harm pets. Wash off chemicals while ensuring they don't spread to unaffected areas. Some breeds are also susceptible to sunburn, so take precautions, and use protective ointments when necessary.
Prevention and Conclusion
Keeping Pets Safe from Burns
Preventing burns is always better than dealing with them. Ensure chemicals are safely stored, and protect pets from sun exposure. If accidents happen, immediate first aid and vet assistance are crucial.
