First aid for a bleeding animal

1. Establish where the bleeding is coming from.
2. Apply firm pressure to the area with a clean cloth or towel where it is safe to do so.
3. Apply a bandage (see our bandaging guide) to the area if possible (unless the wound is around the neck).

First aid for an animal with a burn

1. Move your pet away from the cause of the burn.
2. Apply cold water (ideally running water) to the affected area for a minimum of 5 minutes.
3. DO NOT apply any creams or ointments until you have spoken to a vet.
4. Extensive burns can cause loss of fluid and be prone to infection. Keep the area clean and you may need to apply dressings.

First aid for a pet having seizures or loss of conciousness

1. Remain calm and quiet.
2. Do not try and restrain your pet.
3. Remove any objects from the immediate area to prevent injury.
4. If they are fitting, reduce all noise and light in the area to reduce stimulation.
5. If they have muscle tremors, keep them cool – open a window or use a quiet fan.
6. Make notes of the time, number of seizures or feinting episodes, how long each one lasted and what occurred (did your pet lose consciousness / paddle their legs / salivate / twitch etc).
7. If safe to do so, check the colour of their gums to see if they are red, pink, pale, bluish, yellow or brown.

First aid for pets with suspected broken bones

1. Avoid touching the area.
2. Be careful when moving your pet – you can try putting a towel under the belly to help them walk with an injured leg.
3. Do not try and apply a bandage or splint, or any cream or ointment.
4. Call your vet for advice and to request an appointment.

First aid for a pet who has had a bee/wasp sting

1. Apply cool water or ice to the area if possible.
2. Bee stings are barbed and usually left in the skin; try to remove the sting by scraping rather than pulling to avoid releasing more toxin.
3. Give calm, quiet reassurance.
4. Monitor for swelling, especially inside the mouth or around the neck.
5. Speak to a vet before giving any medication.

First aid for a pet who has suffered electrocution

1. Turn off the power source before approaching or use a dry, non-metallic/conducting pole to distance your pet from the electrical source.
2. Check your pet is breathing and conscious – if they are not call a vet immediately.
3. Check your pet for burns; these may be delayed and appear after several days. Treat as burns above.
4. Keep your pet warm.

First aid if your pet is choking

1. If it is safe to do so, check if there is something obvious in their mouth or throat.
2. Check the colour of their gums – if they are pale or bluish call the vet immediately.
3. Remain as calm as possible and keep your pet calm.
4. If you try to remove an object use extreme caution to avoid getting bitten. It can be very easy to accidentally push the object further in and damage the delicate tissues of the throat.
5. If you cannot easily remove the object place your pet on their side, place both hands on your pets ribs cage and push quickly and firmly with the flat of your hand three to four times – you are trying to push air out of the lungs to dislodge the stuck object.

First aid for animals involved in a Road Traffic Accident

1. Stay calm and move the animal to a safe place when it is safe to do so.
2. Move slowly and avoid sudden movements.
3. Use a blanket to help pick up an animal which is injured, to avoid getting scratched or bitten if they are in pain.
4. If possible, apply a lead for control and consider using muzzle before moving a dog.
5. Assess for any bleeding.
6. Keep them warm.
7. Always consult a veterinary surgeon – even if no external injuries can be seen.

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How do you know when to call a vet to a horse wound?

1. Any wound or injury that makes your horse lame or sore
2. Puncture wounds (as there can be significant unseen damage beneath the skin)
3. Wounds that expose any tissue underneath the skin
4. Wounds that still have something in them (e.g. dirt, nails, splinters – do not attempt to remove)
5. Injury to the eye or eyelids
6. Injuries that may interfere with tack
7. Horse kick injuries
8. Wounds that have made the surrounding area feel hot to the touch
9. Wounds that have visible discharge, particularly if smelly
10. Wounds that are close to or over the joint
11. When healing is delayed or ‘proud flesh’ appears
12. If a horse is not up-to-date with their tetanus vaccination

How to apply basic wound first aid to horse wounds

1. Consider clipping – You might decide to trim the area around the wound, especially if your horse has a thick winter coat. This can help to see the area more easily and monitor the wound progression, but is not essential. Take care to avoid getting hairs in the wound as this can cause irritation and infection. Only do this step if your horse is used to clippers and unlikely to react.
2. Clean the wound – It is best to use some lukewarm saline solution to clean the wound to remove any contamination. You can make this yourself using boiled water that has been left to cool and adding table salt. If this isn’t an option then potable water from a hose is the next best option.
3. Reassess – Once you can see the wound more clearly, reassess whether there are any signs of concern. If it is deeper than you first thought, or fits into any of the above criteria then be sure to seek veterinary advice. If you identify any ‘foreign bodies’ such as nails or wood, do not remove these yourself as this could cause damage to underlying structures.
4. Apply antiseptic – Keep a suitable antiseptic in your first aid box to apply to minor wounds. We recommend discussing this with your vet as some antiseptics can be very stringent on skin which may irritate and cause further damage. Omnimatrix is a skin cream that is suitable for all stages of healing and is naturally antiseptic. It can be applied twice daily to the affected area. We recommend using gloves to apply any ointments so that you avoid directly touching the wound in case of infection.
5. Apply a dressing – Only apply a dressing if you are confident in doing so, and the wound is not close to a mobile area such as a joint. A sterile, non-adhesive dressing is best and should be applied with firm, but not excessive pressure (as this can cause further damage). Dressings should be changed regularly so that changes in the wound can be monitored.
6. Monitor progress – If the wound is not healing, your horse becomes sore, or there are any signs of infections or other concerns then call your vet for advice.

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