Injuries/Accidents

5.3.1 Injuries/Accidents In the case of most serious injuries and accidents, first aid should consist of the following:

Check if the animal is breathing. Pull the animals head up or back to "straighten" the wind pipe and open the airways as wide as possible. If there is fluid or blood in the airways, small animals can be held upside down to allow the fluid to drain. If the animal is not breathing, give artificial respiration by pushing on the chest 10-20 times per minute. For small animals and newborn babies, artificial respiration can be given by covering the nose and breathing into the mouth about 10 times per minute. Stop serious bleeding. Use any of the following measures: Apply pressure directly to the wound itself with a clean piece of cloth or a tight bandage; or apply pressure to the major blood vessel which supplies blood to the injured area. When the serious bleeding has stopped, thoroughly clean and care for the wound, and give antibiotics.
	Apply a tourniquet. If blood is spurting or pulsating with great force from a wound, it is likely that an artery is cut. If the wound is on a limb, a tourniquet, which is simply a rope or thin strip of cloth, can be tied tightly around a limb above the wound (i.e. somewhere between the wound and the heart). It stops blood flow to the area and allows a clot to form. A tourniquet should be released every 20 minutes to check for bleeding and to allow some blood to flow into the area.	Apply a tourniquet. If blood is spurting or pulsating with great force from a wound, it is likely that an artery is cut. If the wound is on a limb, a tourniquet, which is simply a rope or thin strip of cloth, can be tied tightly around a limb above the wound (i.e. somewhere between the wound and the heart). It stops blood flow to the area and allows a clot to form. A tourniquet should be released every 20 minutes to check for bleeding and to allow some blood to flow into the area.
For hard tissue like horns and hooves, apply potassium permanganate crystals (if available) with a damp piece of cloth.	For hard tissue like horns and hooves, apply potassium permanganate crystals (if available) with a damp piece of cloth.
For bleeding horns, one can tie (temporarily) a tight band around the base of the horn to block some of the blood vessels going into the horn. Likewise, for castration wounds in calves, sheep, and goats that continue to bleed hours after the castration is done, one can tie a tight band temporarily around the base of the scrotum (the sac of skin that held the testicles).	For bleeding horns, one can tie (temporarily) a tight band around the base of the horn to block some of the blood vessels going into the horn. Likewise, for castration wounds in calves, sheep, and goats that continue to bleed hours after the castration is done, one can tie a tight band temporarily around the base of the scrotum (the sac of skin that held the testicles).
A red hot piece of iron or metal can also be used to cauterize bleeding arteries on horns, hooves and castration wounds, although care should be taken to avoid burning surrounding tissue.	A red hot piece of iron or metal can also be used to cauterize bleeding arteries on horns, hooves and castration wounds, although care should be taken to avoid burning surrounding tissue.
Keep the animal warm, dry and comfortable.	Keep the animal warm, dry and comfortable.
Protect the animal from extreme heat, cold, sun and wind.	Protect the animal from extreme heat, cold, sun and wind.
Do not move the animal until it is stable.	Do not move the animal until it is stable.
Check for fractures. If a lower leg fracture is present, apply a splint before moving the animal. See page 233. It may also be necessary to relieve pain with aspirin or another pain killer. The animal can be moved when its condition is stable.	Check for fractures. If a lower leg fracture is present, apply a splint before moving the animal. See page 233. It may also be necessary to relieve pain with aspirin or another pain killer. The animal can be moved when its condition is stable.
Transport an animal as comfortably and quietly as possible to prevent it from struggling and injuring itself more. For example, do not carry the animal upside-down or on its back! A large animal can be carried by placing strong pieces of wood underneath the animal's belly and having several people lift the end of the boards.	Transport an animal as comfortably and quietly as possible to prevent it from struggling and injuring itself more. For example, do not carry the animal upside-down or on its back! A large animal can be carried by placing strong pieces of wood underneath the animal's belly and having several people lift the end of the boards.
Offer water to the animal.	Offer water to the animal.
As soon as it can drink, offer water to the animal. However, do not force it to drink if it cannot swallow.	As soon as it can drink, offer water to the animal. However, do not force it to drink if it cannot swallow.