Module 5: Building a First Aid Kit and Transport Protocol
Safe Transport to the Vet
How you move an injured animal matters just as much as the first aid itself.
✓Transport Guidelines
- Call ahead whenever possible so the clinic can prepare
- Keep the animal as still and calm as possible, and minimize handling of injured areas
- For a suspected spinal injury, use a flat, rigid surface as a stretcher and avoid bending the body
- Secure small animals in a carrier; larger dogs can be moved on a blanket used as a sling by two people
- Keep the animal warm, but not overheated, during transport, especially if in shock
- Continue to monitor breathing and responsiveness throughout the trip
✓Signs of Shock
- Pale gums
- Rapid breathing
- Weakness
- Cold extremities