Domestic Pets

Injury Guide

BURNS

Burns refer to damage to the outer body tissues from direct contact with high temperatures

CAUSES

CONTACT WOTH BOILING WATER, OIL or Other LIQUID: Accidental scalding when saucepans are upset, or the liquid itself is licked

DIRECT CONTACT WITH FLAMES: During fires such as braai or field fires

CONTACT WITH HOT METAL OBJECTS: Most frequent burns are from irons, saucepans, grills and hotplates

WALKING OVER NEWLY TARRED ROADS: Burns can result when the tar is still hot

ASSESSMENT

FACTORS DETERMINING SERIOUSNESS: In order to assess the seriousness of the burn at the time of the accident,take the following factors into consideration

HEAT SOURCE: Burns caused by contact with hot liquid - defined as scalds

And burns from fires, provoke the worst injuries

Boiling oils - being much hotter are more harmful than boiling water

Contact with steam - causes injury to tissues, particularty to the eyes and the outer respiratory passages, since the haircoat gives a good protection over the skin

Hot solid objects - mainly metal, cause severe but more localized burns

LENGTH OF CONTACT: The longer the exposure, the more serious the damage will be It is therefore important to intervene promptly and remove the source of heat instantly

SIZE OF BURNED AREA: If OVER HALF of the body surface is affected the burn is usually fatal

SITE OF BURN: Because of the serious consequences, burns to the head, especially if affecting the eyes and mouth will result in the worst injuries

Similar burns near joints are potentially incapacitating - as the scars may later impair mobility

AGE & STATE OF HEALTH: Young, old or sick animals cannot tolerate the systemic consequences of burns very well

APPEAREANCE OF BURNS: Burns are classified according to the size and depth of the injury

FIRST DEGREE BURNS: There are only a fierce reddening of the skin due to surface blood vessels being dilated by heat

SECOND DEGREE BURNS: In addition to the reddening are marked by the appearance of blisters due to the accumulation of serum from the damaged surface layers of the skin

This type takes longer to heal,because a new skin surface must form

No skin is shed and there is less risk of scars

THIRD DEGREE BURNS: Damage due to third degree burns is such that the complete thickness of the skin and the tissues beneath are destroyed

Later drying and forming crusts

Healing is slow and produces conspicuous scars

SYSTEMIC EFFECTS: The appearance of systemic effects, involving the entire body, depends on how serious and extensive the burns are

Since this is a very painful injury, it usually produces shock several minutes later - with lowered blood pressure and a loss of sensation, which disappears after a few hours

With extensive or third degree burns there is a loss of liquid from the injured area and toxins are formed causing a deterioration in condition, usually two to three days later, which is sometimes fatal

TREATMENT

COOLING: Immediately cool the injured area with cold running water for several minutes

Paws can be put directly under a tap, and other parts of the body can be constinuously sprayed with a shower

It is vital to take action immediately

ICE PACKS: If available - you can apply an ice pack for 10-15 minutes. Extremities can be immersed in a basin containing water and ice cubes

DRY: Dry the part gently by dabbing it and avoid rubbing

OINTMENTS: Do not apply creams,ointments or oils

PROTECTION: Just protect the wound if deep

Use gauze, pieces of cloth (sterile) or clean handkerchiefs (without creases)

Avoid cotton wool

If there are any blisters - do not break them - natural healing will take place underneath

Extensive burns and severe localized burns (2nd / 3rd degree) - need prompt attention from a vet.For treatment both of the affected site and for shock

ELECTRIC BURNS

Electricity though rarely the cause of accidents, does present a risk of danger for animals, especially those that live in the house

CAUSES

LICKING OR BITING ELECTRICAL PLUGS,CABLES OR FLEXES: Contact with electricity usually results from deliberate interference. Most cases are caused by contact through the mouth. The animals most subject to this risk are puppies and kittens because of their inquisitive nature. Before taking one into the household,take care to cover socket outlets if the holes are exposed, and remove or protect hanging flexes

ASSESSMENT

FACTORS DETERMINING SERIOUSNESS: The seriousness of the electrical burn depends on the type of current / the intensity i.e. the voltage and / the lenght of contact

TYPE OF CURRENT: An alternating current is more dangerous than a direct one. The current used for domestic mains is alternating

CURRENT & VOLTAGE: The higher the voltage & current, the worse the shock will be

LENGTH OF CONTACT: Contact for a short time, even with strong currents and high voltage, need not to be fatal, as in the case of electrical shocks. However, muscular spasm caused by the contact, may result in contact being unduly prolonged

INJURIES: Injuries caused by electrical contact look like localized burns at the point of contact and are often deep. Sometimes there is also a burn at the exit point of the current e.g. the extremeties of the limbs

SYSTEMIC EFFECTS: As a direct consequence of the electricity and the pain from such burns, the animal may enter a state of shock

Characterized by lowered blood pressure, numbness or even complete loss of consciousness

The main danger of this type of accident is the cessation of breathing from spasm of the respiratory muscles, the stopping of the heart or an altering of its rhythm

Check at once heartbeat and breathing movements

If the burn is serious and if breathing or heart rate are abnormal -

You must seek the attention of a vet immediately.

If breathing has stopped, begin artificial respiration

TREATMENT

BREAK ELECTRICAL CONTACT: If it has NOT been BROKEN - DO NOT TOUCH the animal but turn the electricity off at the main switch, or try to remove the flex concerned by means of a piece of wood or plastic

LOOK FOR HEARTBEAT:

Ascertain that there are normal heartbeats / breathing movements and a state of consciousness

If everything is normal - check at once for burns at the point of contact

TREATMENT OF BURNS: It is the same as for 'BURNS-Section above'

Including prolonged careful washing with cold water and if available, applying ice to the injured point for at least 10 min

TONGUE: This may not be possible if the burnt part is the tongue

NO BREATHING:In this case,you should check carefully whether there are symptoms of choking, following the root of the tongue becoming swollen

f you find that the heart is beating regularly, the animal shows no signs of breathing normally

You will have to apply artificial respiration IMMEDIATELY

ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION

Keep the animal lying on its side

With its neck stretched out and

Head and nose slightly raised

Air can be introduced by blowing through the nostrils - (usually more successful with dogs)

Holding the mouth shut with one hand -

or through the mouth by keeping the nostrils closed between index finger and thumb- in this case apply your mouth in front and press lips sideways with one hand to avoid air escaping

The amount of air needed, depends on the animal's size

Regulate this by blowing with some force and speed (2-3seconds)

Until the chest wall rises sufficiently (chest fills)

Now release the nostrils and press on the chest to let the air out

Repeat at the rate of 7-10 artificial breathing movements per minute until voluntary breathing reappears

CARDIAC MASSAGE

Sometimes a serious electric shock will stop the heart beating

If this occurs, apply CARDIAC MASSAGE at once to re-start contractions

The animal should be positioned lying on its side

With the neck and head extended to make breathing easier

Pass one hand under its chest and place the other directly above it on the other side of the chest

With cats or small dogs you may need only to apply 2 or 3 fingers instead of the whole palm

Rapidly compress the chest cavity and repeat rhymically 60-100 times a minute

Continue until the heart beats again

and keep checking for some minutes afterwards

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