Archive for the First Aid Category

Dogs: Basic first aid for wounds

On June 28, 2013 / Dogs Only, First Aid

Superficial wounds — grazes, shallow cuts etc — can usually be initially treated at home. If you can’t stem the bleeding, can see bone or soft tissue, or suspect a broken bone or internal injuries, you should call the hospital…

Cats: Symptoms needing emergency care

On July 25, 2012 / Cats Only, Emergency, First Aid, poison, Poisons & Toxins

Open wounds, serious burns, broken bones and trauma are the most obvious symptoms that require visits to the animal hospital . If your cat has been hit by a car or in a fight with another animal, or been involved in any other kind of accident or trauma, unless the wounds are clearly minor you should seek emergency veterinary treatment as quickly as possible.

Cats: Basic first aid for wounds

On July 25, 2012 / Cats, Cats Only, First Aid

Cats can suffer a variety of wounds, the result of accidents, fights with other cats or from dog attacks. If your feline furrball is involved in an incident that leaves her with visible wounds — cuts, puncture wounds, lacerations, torn ears or tail damage — you will need to judge the severity of the wounds and decide if they are serious enough to need treatment by a vet or if they can be initially treated at home.

Horses: When to call the emergency vet

On September 13, 2011 / emerg-horses, Emergency, Equine Only, First Aid, Horses, Poisons & Toxins

Deciding what constitutes an emergency and when the vet needs to be called in can be a difficult decision for the horse owner. Despite their size and power horses can be fairly delicate. They can often pull up lame, suffer cuts and bruises and experience mild fever and reduced appetite. In a large percentage of cases these are not true emergencies, but they are always an anxious time for the horse owner.

Horses: Basic first aid for wounds

On September 13, 2011 / emerg-horses, Emergency, Equine Only, First Aid, Horses, poison, Poisons & Toxins

Horses are prone to injury. Whether it’s a knock going over a jump, a nasty cut from tangling with barbed wire fences or some sharp machinery in the paddock, or a kick from another horse, open wounds and bruising are something most horse owners will face at one time or another.

First aid for common emergencies

On June 26, 2011 / First Aid

From heatstroke to seizures, here are some things you can do to assist a pet in crisis and to help it during transport to the hospital…

Poisons: Emergency first aid

On May 27, 2011 / Emergency, First Aid, poison, Poisons & Toxins

Poisoning cases need immediate veterinary treatment. If this is not possible there are some basic first aid treatments, but you should only attempt them if you know what was ingested, and/or when your pet came in contact with it…

Emergency home visits...

From our base in Porepunkah, Alpine Animal Doctors offers emergency after-hours treatment, where appropriate, at your home or farm in an area bounded by Mudgegonga to the north, Myrtleford and Nug Nug to the west/north west and Harrietville to the south. Please be aware that house-calls attract additional fees.

If you can get your sick pet to our hospital safely and promptly we can provide emergency treatment 24/7 no matter where you live.

If you are located outside of our home visit area and cannot bring your pet to the hospital please call your nearest emergency vet.

Is it an emergency?

Not every sign of unusual symptoms will require emergency treatment. If you are uncertain what's wrong the articles linked below offer some general advice on how to recognise symptoms requiring emergency treatment, and some tips on performing simple first aid.

But remember, if the symptoms are severe, unusual or you are uncertain — call the hospital.

Treatment at home in an emergency should never be a substitute for expert veterinary care. However, in some situations you may have no alternative but to try to help a sick or injured animal and, properly carried out — preferably after veterinary advice — emergency animal first aid may save your pet's life.