First Aid Notes

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First Aid

Tools and Equipment

First aid is the initial care or treatment of sick or injured animals before the complete medical evaluation and treatment. First aid can include tending to wounds, dealing with shock or internal hemorrhages, respiratory distress, and more. Below are several pieces of veterinary equipment that could be used in a first-aid situation.

Check Your Understanding

Practice identifying pieces of first aid-related equipment by matching each image to its name.

Alternative Activity

General First Aid Information

A small pug wearing a grey sweater is facing the right. In veterinary medicine, there are a few circumstances that would require first aid. These include shock, external wounds, pain and bone fractures, respiratory distress, and colic (horses). There are potentially other ailments that may require first aid but are less common and more easily treated by owners, such as bloat in cattle.

Requires First Aid

Read through each section to learn more about the different circumstances that would require first aid.

Bandages

Bandages are not uncommon for first aid and after-treatment care in the animal world. Bandages can apply pressure, encourage healing, restrict movement, keep a wound sterile, keep medication on a wound, and more. Any part of the body, in theory, can be bandaged. However, as with humans, a bandage will only stay as long as the animal allows it to do so. The most commonly bandaged areas are the limbs of an animal.

When it comes to bandages, there are essential two types: a wound bandage and a pressure bandage. Pressure bandages are temporary bandages used to apply direct pressure to a wound to control bleeding, minimize swelling, and restrict movement. A typical wound bandage is made up of a layer of padding and an external layer (usually of a vetrap material) that holds the wound dressing.

Pressure Bandages

A pressure bandage can be applied with roll gauze, Elasticon, or a cotton-type bandage. To apply a pressure bandage, follow these steps:

Remove as much excess blood and fluid from the wound as possible.
Cover and apply direct pressure to the wound.
Wrap the bandage around the portion of the limb under or above the wound a few times to anchor it.
Gradually cover the wound and the areas above and under it by wrapping the bandage around the limb and overlapping by 50 percent.
With the bandage directly above the wound, twist the roll 180 degrees and wrap it around the limb.
Do this several times, then maintain wrapping the bandage as normal.

Wound Bandages

Before applying a wound bandage, the wound should be properly cleaned. To properly clean and bandage a wound, follow these steps:

Flush the wound by applying saline or a wound-care product such as Vetericyn.
Apply a topical antibiotic to the wound.
Apply a cotton layer to absorb any excess fluids.
1. Overlap layers by 50 percent.
Apply a gauze layer.
1. Overlay layers by 50 percent.
2. Ensure that this layer is not too tight.
Apply a Vet Wrap or another self-adhering material to secure the bandage.

Applying a Wound Bandage Video

Watch this video from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for a more in-depth look at applying a wound bandage.

Sutures - Interrupted and Continuous

Sutures are used to close wounds or cuts made in surgeries. A technician or assistant does not typically perform sutures. Instead, the veterinarian would be the person to apply sutures to a patient. There are two main types of sutures: continuous and interrupted sutures. Interrupted sutures are single stitches evenly spaced along a wound, while continuous sutures are formed when the suture thread is threaded through the tissue without cutting in between passes.

A simple interrupted suture.

Click the arrows below to advance through the slides to learn about suturing.

Sutures - Alternate Format

Lesson Review

Lesson Summary

First aid is a critical component in any veterinary practice. Proper first aid can potentially make the difference between a patient living or dying. Knowledge of equipment, diagnoses, and common first aid skills is critical to anyone working in the veterinary industry.

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