I have seen much more serious gashes and injuries to river otters than this. They just have to continue going about their daily lives, which requires swimming in salt water. Otters, seals, and sea lions that get injured by boat strikes or get tangled in fishing gear are mostly too difficult to catch, transport, and treat their injuries. Deer that often get hit by vehicles get no help whatever. If badly injured all they can do is limp away to die. If they are injured and still on the highway they will be shot by wildlife officers or police officers to put them out of their misery.
Along the central California coast, we have several first aid organizations. When we see a seal, sea lion, or sea otter on the beach, which usually means it is sick or injured, we can call Marine Mammal Rescue. They will try to send folks (mostly volunteers, as I understand it) to pick up the animal and take it back to a facility where they try to rehabilitate it. Similarly, for seabirds we can call Native Animal Rescue.
