Basic First Aid for Animals

BASIC SUPPLIES VITAL STATISTICS
  • Gauze Pads
  • Gauze roll/Bandages
  • Roll of Cloth
  • Thermometer
  • Tweezers
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Q-Tips
  • Instant cold pack
  • Rags/Rubber tubing for tourniquet
  • First Aid
PULSE AND HEART RATES
Normal Resting Rates:

  • Cats 150-200 bpm
  • Small Dogs 901-120 bpm
  • Medium dogs 70-110 bpm
  • Large dogs 60-90 bpm
  • Pulse should be strong, regular and easy to locate.

The easiest place to locate a pulse is the femoral artery in the groin area. Place your fingers on the inside of the hind leg and slide your hand upward until the back of your fingers touches the abdomen. Gently move your fingers back and forth on the inside of the hind leg until you feel the blood pulsing blood. Count the number of pulses in 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4; this will give you the beats per minute (BPM).

TEMPERATURE

Normal temp. for dogs and cats: 100-102.5 degrees

Thermometer should be almost clean when removed, abnormalities are indicated by blood, diarrhea, or black, tarry stool.