Primeiros socorros em cães e gatos: abordagens emergenciais na clínica de pequenos animais

Abstract

This undergraduate thesis addresses the main protocols and procedures used in first aid for dogs and cats in small animal practice, emphasizing the importance of rapid and standardized emergency care. The study was divided into two parts: a supervised internship report carried out at the Pet Vida Veterinary Clinic in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, and a literature review on emergency approaches in veterinary medicine. During the internship, clinical and emergency consultations, surgical procedures, hospitalizations, laboratory exams, and routine hospital activities were monitored, providing extensive practical experience in companion animal medicine. The collected data demonstrated a high frequency of clinical cases related to gastroenteritis, dermatopathies, and parasitic diseases, as well as a large number of surgical procedures, especially neutering surgeries. The literature review highlighted the relevance of rapid primary assessment through the ABCDE trauma protocol, including airway management, ventilation, circulatory control, neurological assessment, and complete patient exposure. Topics such as shock fluid therapy, intraosseous access, oxygen therapy, orotracheal intubation, and cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation (CPCR), based on the RECOVER 2024 Guidelines, were also discussed. The results demonstrate that the correct application of emergency protocols significantly increases survival rates in critical patients, reduces complications, and improves clinical prognosis. It is concluded that continuous training of veterinary teams, combined with owner education and standardized procedures, is essential to promote efficient, safe, and humane emergency care in small animal veterinary medicine.