- STAY CALM AND TAKE A DEEP BREATH
- The more frazzled you get, the longer everything takes. Everything will be ok. If not, well at least you did your best. The rest is out of your control.
- It is good to know when to ask for help. If you are alone, try to flag down help while you get to work
- FIRST: Quickly assess the scene and make sure that you, the other rescuers and other drivers are safe
- Before blindly approaching an injured animal, make sure that you are not putting yourself or others in danger.
- For example, If you are near traffic pull over completely, put your hazard lights on, do not run into oncoming traffic.
- The last thing anyone wants is a 6 car pileup or another person getting mowed down while you are trying to help the poor dog. Remember, not looking both ways is what got us into this situation in the first place.
- Put on your hazard lights and encourage others to do the same. Assign one person to alert on-coming traffic and tell people to slow down.</li>
- You may need to call for additional help, search and rescue, or 911 before you can safely approach depending on the circumstances (avalanche, fire, swift water, etc.) Don't turn one emergency into two emergencies.
- Communication:
- In emergency situations, clear communication is extremely important. In the ER we use the method illustrated below called “closed-loop-communication.”
- “Closed loop communication” is a system of communication used in the military and in medical settings to ensure that commands are followed properly and to prevent mistakes. Basically:
- 1) Look the person you are talking to in the eye and say their name (or some other identifying feature: “guy with the beard,” “lady with the braid,””tattoo guy,” whatever.) In emergency situations, if you just randomly shout out orders (like: call 911), there is a good chance nobody will do it.
- 2) Give them a command and ask them a question at the end to confirm that they have heard you. (“I need you to do XYZ. Can you do that? or Do you copy?”
- 3) Insist that the other person repeat back to you the task that has been assigned, that they let you know they actively are doing it and that they alert you when the task has been completed. If it seems like it is taking too long, check back in and ask them what the status is.
- You need to know the location of your nearest veterinary clinic equipped for emergency treatment
- How to approach an injured animal
- Approach the animal slowly and talk in a calm, soothing voice.
- Always muzzle an animal in pain or have someone restrain the head before examining the injured area. This is important even with your own pet as all animals can bite when injured. Place a commercial muzzle or a fabric muzzle (gauze/nylons) before trying to move an injured dog. A cat can be wrapped in a large towel or blanket for transport. Do not place a muzzle on an animal that is having difficulty breathing or vomiting.
- Try to assess the nature of the emergency as quickly as possible. Animals with life threatening emergencies need to be transported to a vet hospital right away. Call a veterinarian as soon as possible and seek professional care for your pet immediately.
- First and foremost, protect yourself! If you become injured it will be harder to help the injured animal. Injured animals often become defensive and may become aggressive.
- Any first aid administered to your pet should be followed by immediate veterinary care. First aid care is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it may save your pet's life until he/she receives veterinary treatments.
- Do not give your pet any medications (Advil, Tylenol, Aspirin, Pepto Bismol, Lomotil, etc) without checking with a veterinarian first. Many human drugs are toxic to animals and could interfere with medications that a veterinarian would use to help your pet
