First Aid & Emergency Response Flashcards

A dog slips off a grooming table and lands on its side, then cannot get up. What injury should the groomer suspect FIRST?

Answer: Spinal injury

Inability to rise after a fall from height raises immediate concern for spinal injury; the dog should be kept still and veterinary care sought immediately.

What is the correct rate of chest compressions for CPR on a medium-sized dog?

Answer: 100–120 compressions per minute

Current RECOVER guidelines recommend 100–120 chest compressions per minute for dogs of all sizes.

A dog's eye is accidentally poked with a grooming comb and the eye appears to be partially out of the socket (prolapsed). What should the groomer do?

Answer: Cover the eye loosely with a clean, moist cloth and transport to an emergency vet immediately

A prolapsed eye is a veterinary emergency; keep the tissue moist with a clean, wet cloth and get to an emergency clinic immediately without attempting repositioning.

A groomer notices a dog is pawing at its mouth, drooling heavily, and making choking sounds. The most likely cause and correct action is:

Answer: Foreign object obstruction; perform a modified Heimlich maneuver or back blows appropriate for the dog's size

Pawing at the mouth with choking sounds strongly suggests an airway obstruction; appropriate manual techniques (back blows or abdominal thrusts) may be life-saving.

When performing rescue breathing on a dog, the groomer should breathe into:

Answer: Both the mouth and nose simultaneously (mouth-to-snout)

For dogs, rescue breaths are delivered mouth-to-snout — the groomer covers the dog's nose with their mouth to deliver air into both nostrils simultaneously.

Which of the following substances should NEVER be used to clean an open wound on a pet in a grooming setting?

Answer: Hydrogen peroxide or alcohol

Hydrogen peroxide and alcohol damage tissue cells and delay healing; only saline, clean water, or vet-approved antiseptics should contact open wounds.

A client's dog is diabetic and becomes weak, wobbly, and disoriented during its groom appointment. The groomer suspects hypoglycemia. The BEST immediate action is:

Answer: Rub a small amount of corn syrup or honey on the dog's gums and contact the owner and vet immediately

Rubbing a sugar source on the gums provides a rapid glucose boost; the owner and vet must be contacted immediately for a diabetic pet showing hypoglycemic symptoms.