Ferret First Aid Information

The following information has been reprinted with kind permission from Oakland Educational Services. Please note that the following is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered as veterinary or medical advice. The information contained in each area is not a full or detailed account of the procedure or relevant factors that may relate to your case -- each is dependent on its own facts. We highly recommend taking an animal first-aid course. If you have a question or concern related to these issues, please contact a veterinarian.

Airway Obstruction (Choking)
     Overview
     Heimlich Manoeuvre
Bleeding and Wounds
     Overview
     External Bleeding
     Internal Bleeding
     Specific Wounds
     Closed Wounds

 

AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION (CHOKING)

OVERVIEW

Complete airway obstruction is rare in small animals but is a serious medical emergency when it does happen. When it occurs, it is usually in kittens, puppies or in some Brachycephalic breeds (those with pushed-in faces) such as boxers, bulldogs or bull terriers. Foreign bodies or wounds in the mouth that do not obstruct the airway are more common.

Causes of Airway Obstruction

Objects such as toys or bones lodged in back of the pharynx or the oesophagus, swelling of the throat due to stings or infection, throat swelling due to allergic reactions in small dogs (10 to 25 lbs), throat spasm in cats due to an allergic reaction to the inhalation or ingestion of an irritant

Signs

  • Difficulty breathing (Sudden onset)
  • Cyanosis (blue lips and tongue)
  • Rubbing face on ground
  • Pawing at mouth
  • Bulging eyes
  • Choking or gagging sound

Actions

This is an emergency! Action must be taken immediately. If airway obstruction is due to a foreign object, it must be cleared immediately. Do not wait for veterinarian assistance.

If the airway obstruction is due to a sting or reaction to an irritant. the animal MUST be transported to the veterinarian immediately because if it stops breathing, artificial respiration will not work due to swollen air passages.

Restrain the animal by wrapping cats and ferrets in a blanket or having another person hold dogs. Open the animal's mouth, pull the tongue forward and inspect the throat. If a foreign object is visible, grasp it with your fingers and remove it. If you are unable to do this, small dogs and cats can be held upside down, holding their thighs just above the knees. Swing the pet back and forth gently several times.

For larger animals, and as an alternative for smaller animals, such as ferrets, perform the Heimlich Manoeuvre (see below).


HEIMLICH MANOEUVRE

This forces air out of the lungs which, in turn, pushes the object out of the throat.

Place the ferret, cat or small dog on its side. Support the spine with one hand and with the other hand, grasp the abdomen just below the ribcage. Gently press in and up with the hand positioned below the ribcage. Repeat until the object comes out or until the animal is transported to the veterinarian.

Note: Be careful not to use too much force because this could cause internal damage.


Place both hands below the ribs of large dogs. Press in and up, being careful not to use too much force. Repeat until the object comes out or until you have transported the animal to the veterinarian.

Important

Any animal who has choked should be checked by a veterinarian as the object may have caused some damage to the airway, which could cause it to swell. Internal damage can also occur with the use of the Heimlich Manoeuvre.

When the object is out, check the animal's airway, breathing and circulation.

Airway

If the airway is clear, an animal will be able to breathe and can bark or miaow. If you're not sure, attempt to breathe in through the animal's nose. If the air goes in and the chest rises, then the airway is clear. If your breath meets resistance, the airway may still be blocked. If this is the case, continue airway skills (Heimlich manoeuvre) and transport the animal to the veterinarian.

Breathing

Is the animal breathing? If not, start artificial respiration and transport the animal to the veterinarian.

Circulation

Does the animal have a heart beat? If not, start CPR and transport the animal to the veterinarian.

 

Important

Do Not: struggle with an uncooperative
       Do: transport the animal to a veterinarian

Do Not: pull at an object that does not come out of the throat easily
       Do: transport the animal to a veterinarian

Do Not: pull out fish hooks or imbedded objects because this will
             cause further injury
       Do: transport the animal to a veterinarian

Do Not: pull on a thread if some of it has been swallowed
             (thread is sharp and will cut like a knife)
       Do: transport the animal to a veterinarian

 

Prevention of Airway Obstruction

Restrict access to toys that can be chewed up easily or that are small enough to lodge in the airway if swallowed.

Make sure food is cut either in large pieces that cannot be swallowed whole or in very small pieces.

Brachycephalic dogs (those with pushed-in faces) may appear to have difficulty breathing. The significance of the difficulty should be chocked by your veterinarian.

(back to top)

 

BLEEDING AND WOUNDS

OVERVIEW

The circulation of blood is a continuous process of moving blood from the heart to all parts of tho body and back again. Blood is pumped from the heart to the lungs to pick up oxygen and back to the heart again to be pumped around the body. Then the blood returns to the heart to start the process over again. The blood vessels are arteries, veins and capillaries.

Arteries carry blood from the heart to all parts of the body. They are under high pressure and if cut, the bleeding will be profuse and will spurt in time with the heart beat.

Veins carry blood from all parts of the body back to the heart. They are under low pressure and if cut will tend to flow evenly and the blood will be darker than the bright red of arterial bleeding.

Capillaries are microscopic vessels located in the body tissues. They have thin walls and it is here that the exchange of oxygen, nutrients and wastes takes place between the blood and body tissues.

 

EXTERNAL BLEEDING

External, or visible, bleeding usually occurs through a break in the skin. Bleeding from minor cuts and wounds will stop within a few minutes. Severe bleeding will need immediate first aid and, if not treated, can lead to shock. and eventually, death of the animal.

First Aid

Restrain the animal to avoid excitement and increased bleeding.

Apply direct pressure to the wound using a sterile or clean gauze, sanitary napkin or cloth.

Secure this firmly with a gauze, cloth or triangular bandage. Tie it in place over the bleeding point for extra pressure.

If bleeding continues, reinforce the dressing. Do not undo the first dressing because this will only aggravate the bleeding.

Transport the animal to the veterinarian.

Note: Bleeding from an ear, foot pad, tail or penis can result in fatal hemorrhaging. Immediate first aid and early veterinarian assistance are essential.

Tail


Secure bandaged tail to the animal to prevent further bleeding

Ear

An animal will shake its head when it has a cut ear, which will prevent the normal clotting of blood. To control this, the head must be bandaged and secured with tape or a nylon or sock with the bottom cut out.

Footpad

A bleeding footpad should have a firm pressure pad applied.

Penis

Bleeding from the penis can be slowed and controlled by the use of cold compresses. If there is a female in heat present, it will result in the male having an erection which will cause uncontrollable bleeding. To deal with this situation, simply remove the male from the area and transport him to the veterinarian.

Remember:

If there is external blooding, the full extent of the damage may not be visible to you. Even if your pet appears to be in good condition, it should be taken to the veterinarian for further examination. If you put it off, there may be a hidden injury that could cause the animal's condition to become critical in the next few days. The wound may also become infected.

(back to top)

 

INTERNAL BLEEDING

Internal bleeding can be either concealed or visible. With concealed internal bleeding the animal is bleeding into a body cavity, such as the chest or abdomen, that has no natural opening.

With visible internal bleeding, the animal is bleeding into a body cavity but the blood comes to the outside through openings such as the ears, nose and mouth.

Signs

  • History of trauma, such as an automobile accident
  • Signs of shock
  • Visible bleeding from ears, nose and mouth
  • Coughing up bright red, frothy blood vomiting bright red or brownish red
  • Distress and pain
  • Elevated pulse

Actions

  • Restrain as appropriate.
  • Treat for shock.
  • Access immediate veterinary assistance.
  • Give nothing to eat or drink.

(back to top)

 

SPECIFIC WOUNDS

Impaled objects (the object is still in the wound)

  • Restrain as appropriate.
  • Do not remove because this will cause further injury.
  • Apply a ring bandage or build pads up around object.
  • Secure ring bandage or pads in place.
  • Transport at once to a veterinarian.

Sucking chest wound

This occurs when an object has penetrated the chest cavity and air enters the chest around the lungs. The animal will be in a lot of distress and will have great difficulty breathing, and there will be an audible "sucking" noise as the air goes in and out. An animal with a sucking chest wound will go into shock quickly.

Actions

  • Restrain as appropriate.
  • Apply plastic directly over the wound.
  • If no plastic is available, use a cloth or dressing.
  • Apply pressure until sucking noise stops.
  • Secure dressing in place with bandages, tape or your hand.
  • Treat animal for shock.
  • Transport at once to a veterinarian

Crushed Chest

This should be suspected when there has been severe trauma, such as when the animal has been involved in a motor vehicle accident.

Signs

  • Breathing abnormally
  • Elbows sticking out when the animal is standing
  • Stretching out neck
  • Pain, distress

Actions

  • Restrain as appropriate.
  • Transport at once to a veterinarian.
  • Raise head to help keep airway clear.
  • Treat for shock

Remember

Any wound will cause a certain amount of pain.
Animals in pain react unpredictably.
Animals will limp if a leg is affected.
There will be apparent excessive licking of any open wound.

(back to top)

 

CLOSED WOUNDS

Not all wounds show bleeding and broken skin. A closed wound can be caused by a blow from a blunt object. A cat bitten in a fight may not have an apparent broken area of skin as bite wounds close very quickly. Do not assume that because there is no broken skin with bleeding that the animal does not need attention. In a biting scenario, there is a great danger of infection that can lead your pet into a critical situation. There may also be other internal damage that is not apparent to you.

Signs

  • Limping
  • Pain, distress
  • Swelling
  • Heat in affected area
  • Scratching around area

Actions

  • Bathe area in cold water.
  • Apply an ice pack.
  • Clean any scratched area with a mild disinfectant.
  • Transport to your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Note: All minor wounds should be checked by a veterinarian within 24 hours. All serious wounds should have veterinary attention immediately.

(back to top)