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FIRST AID :
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Abscess:
What to Do:
  • Abscesses should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible and within 24 hours.
  • Fluid may normally drain from the site of an abscess. An abscess does not drain through the tube, but rather around the latex tubing. Therefore, it is important for you to clean the area around the drain twice daily with warm water
  • Apply a hot compress to the affected site at least two times daily for 3 to 5 days after the animal leaves the hospital. Wet a clean washcloth with very warm water and place it directly over the affected site, and then apply gentle pressure ideally for 5 to 10 minutes
  • Be sure you and/or other family members wash your hands thoroughly after contacting any fluids draining from the abscess site.
  • Be sure to administer all prescribed medications exactly and completely as detailed by your veterinarian. Some patients may appear to feel better after only a few days of treatment; however, it is crucial for medications to be administered according to schedule to prevent the infection from recurring.
  • Notify your vet doctor should your animal experience any of the following:
    – Increased redness and/or heat from the site of abscess
    – Failure of abscess to heal
    – Worsening of your animal’s general health
    – Loss of apanimalite lasting longer than 24 hours
What NOT to Do:
  • Do not attempt to open the abscess yourself.
  • Do not attempt compressing the wounds of an animal. Your safety is of utmost importance to us. Contact your veterinarian for assistance should this situation arise.
  • Do not apply medicines, potions, or home remedies unless directed by a veterinarian.
Burns :
What to do:
  • Extinguish all flames.
  • Avoid touching any animal that has been electrocuted until the power has been turned off
  • For thermal or electrical burns, immediately apply cool water compresses with a clean cloth to the site of the injury, changing them frequently as necessary to keep the site cool and wet. Continue this for at least 30 minutes
  • Transport your animal to a veterinary facility as soon as possible for further care. Burns can become worse before they get better, and may require several weeks of therapy, multiple surgeries and possibly skin grafting.
What NOT to Do:
  • Do not apply ointments or butter.
  • Do not delay seeking veterinary attention.
  • Do not attempt to remove burned hair or skin yourself.
Wounds
A wound is a break in the skin, usually caused by a sharp object. Wounds are caused accidentally or by parasites and other animals (e.g. fights and bites). When left untreated, the exposed tissues may become infected. Treating a wound involves the following steps:

a. Stop any bleeding.
b. Clip hair or wool way from the edges of the wound.
c. Remove all foreign objects. Wash the wound thoroughly with plenty of clean water (the water should have been boiled, cooled and salt or a mild antiseptic added).
d. Dry the wound with a clean cloth.
e. Put a wound dressing or antibiotic powder on the wound.
f. When there are a lot of flies about, use a wound dressing that repels flies or kills fly eggs and larvae.
g. Encourage wounds to drain and pus to come out by pressure and incision if necessary.
h. If the wound does not heal, becomes black and smells bad, the dead flesh must be cut away. Wash the wound with antiseptic and treat with antibiotic powder.

Fractures:
Fractures (usually to the legs) result from falling into holes, falling over heavy farm implements or jumping over fences. For large, heavy animals or fractures where the bone breaks high up in the leg it is better to slaughter the animal for meat. For young and light animals:

a. Keep the animal quiet and stop it from moving around.
b. Stop any bleeding.
c. If the bone has come through the skin, clean the wound and give local anesthesia by injection.
d. Arrange the leg so that the broken ends of the bone touch in their normal positions as far as possible.
e. Tie a piece of wood (a splint) to the leg to keep the bones in position.
f. Confine the animal to reduce movement during the healing period.

Splints can be also made by dipping strips of cloth in mud and egg white and wrapping around the leg. Cover with a strip of tree bark and a fresh goatskin. As it dries, the splint will harden and shrink, holding the broken bones together. Check every day that the fixing is not too tight. If the leg below the splint is cold or very swollen, loosen the fixing and then tighten again carefully, keeping the leg in the same position. Leave the splint on for at least 10 –14 days for a young animal or 21–28 days for an adult animal.

Snake Bite:
What to Do:
  • Muzzle your animal to avoid being bitten – snakebites can be painful, and your animal may try to protect itself.
  • Immobilize the part of the animal that has been bitten by the snake, if this can be done safely. Try to keep it at or below the level of the heart.
  • Keep the animal calm and immobile.
  • Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.
  • Try to identify the snake if it can be done without risk: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE OR KILL THE SNAKE. It is helpful to identify the type of snake to aid your veterinarian with treatment. Do not bring the snake into the veterinarian’s office – a photograph will do.
What NOT to Do:
  • Do not cut over the fang marks.
  • Do not attempt to capture or kill the snake
  • Do not manipulate the bitten area any more than needed.
  • Do not allow the animal to move about freely.
  • Do not ice pack or tourniquet the area.
  • Do not administer any medications except on a veterinarian's advice.

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Developed by :
Jaspal Singh
(Ex. M.V.Sc Scholar )		  Dr. Pranav Kumar
(Assistant Professor) 		Amandeep Singh
(Final Year B.V.Sc & AH student)
Division of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education
Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, R.S. Pura, SKUAST Jammu