The following situations generally require veterinary attention. These tips are designed to help you stabilize your pet while veterinary help is being sought.

Page Contents:
Click on a topic below for immediate viewing.

Bee/Wasp Sting
Bleeding
Choking
CPR
First Aid Kits
Handling and Transportation
Heat Stroke
Limping
Siezures
Unconciousness
Vital signs
Vomiting

Bleeding
Possible Causes: Car accident, animal fight, fall, severe wound, clotting problem, immune problem, rat poisoning
Note: Some wounds may not bleed but still require veterinary attention. Keep clean and see a veterinarian.

Action Steps:

• Arterial bleeding is an immediately life threatening situation. Arterial blood will be bright red, will bleed in "spurts", will be difficult to stop, and requires immediate veterinary attention.
• For any type of bleeding, place a clean cloth or sterile gauze over the injured area.
• Apply direct pressure for at least 5 to 7 minutes to stop bleeding.

Don't apply a tourniquet unless absolutely necessary.

• Examine vomit for blood or other clues as to cause.
• If poisoning is suspected, bring a sample of the suspected poison, preferably in its original packaging, to the veterinarian.
• Gently press on abdomen to detect any abdominal pain.
• Withold all food and water until a veterinarian has been consulted.

Abdominal pain, enlarged stomach, and nonproductive vomiting or retching are serious signs. Call veterinarian immediately.

Choking
Possible Causes: Foreign object (needle, bone, food, plant material) lodged in throat, esophagus, or teeth; allergic reaction. If possible, do not attempt if animal is trying to bite.

Action Steps

• Gently pull tongue forward and carefully inspect mouth and throat, if possible.
• If a foreign object is spotted, hold the mouth open and attempt to remove it by hand or with tweezers or a pair of small pliers. Take care not to push the object farther down the animal's throat. Do not pull on "objects" that you cannot directly visualize.
• If animal is not breathing, see "CPR".

Seizures
Possible Causes: can be caused by many things such as epilepsy, toxins, metabolic diseases.

Action Steps

• Leave pet alone but block off stairs, sharp furniture, etc.
• If seizure continues for longer than 3-5 min, carefully transport to hospital.
• Call if unsure how to handle.

• Lay animal on side and remove any obstruction in airway (open mouth, pull tongue forward, extend neck and visually inspect).
• If airway is clear, extend neck, hold tongue out of mouth, and close animal's jaws over tongue.
• Holding jaws closed, breathe into both nostrils for 5-6 breaths. If no response, continue artificial respiration (see below). If there is also no pulse, begin cardiac compressions.
• Depress widest part of chest wall 1.5 to 3 inches with one or two hands:
• Dogs over 60lbs(27kg)=60 times per minute
• Animals 11-60lbs(5kg-27kg)=80-100 times per minute
• Animals 5-10lbs(2.3kg-4.5kg)=120-140 times per minute
• For very small animals, 1-5lbs(.4kg-2.3kg), place hands around rib cage and apply cardiac massage
• Continue artificial respiration:
• Dogs over 60lbs(27kg)=12 breaths per minute
• Animals 11-60lbs(5kg-27kg)=16-20 breaths per minute
• Animals less than 10lbs(4.5kg)=30+ breaths per minute

• Normal temperature for dogs and cats is between 101 deg F (38 deg C ) and 103 deg F (39.5 deg C). Abnormal is below 101/38 or above 103/39.5
• Normal heart rates for dogs are 70-160 beats per minute and cats are 160-240 beats per minute
• Normal respiratory rates for dogs are10-30 breaths per minute and 20-30 breaths per minute for cats

How do you check them?

• Use rectal, not oral or ear, thermometers for pets. Newer human digital thermometers are best
• Heart rate can be checked by placing a hand over the animal's chest
• Respiration can be measured by observing the flanks or by holding a wet finger in front of the nostrils
• Measure both rates for 15 seconds and the multiply by four to get the rate per minute. Make sure the animal is in a calm, resting state to get normal rates.

• Don't assume a pet won't bite or scratch. Dogs/cats hit by a car, or that suffered some other type of major trauma, don't know why they are in pain. Even if your dog/cat is sweet-natured, he/she may bite if handled.
• Don't try to comfort an injured pet by hugging it. Don't put your face near its head.
• Muzzle dogs if necessary with gauze, soft towel strips, or stockings. Wrap cats or other small animals in a towel.
• Perform any examinations slowly and gently. Stop if the pet becomes agitated.
• Don't attempt to lift or drag a large injured dog. Improvise a stretcher out of a board, throw rug, child's plastic toboggan, etc.
• Before transport, try to stabilize injuries. Rolled magazines or newspapers can serve as impromptu splints. Pad limb and splint generously with rolled cotton and gauze if on hand, or improvise with suitable pillows, pieces of blanket, towels, etc. Make sure splint immobilizes  joints above and below injury.

Limping
Possible Causes: Broken limb or digit, acute arthritis, injury to footpad, dislocation, sprain, muscle soreness.

Action Steps

• Attempt to localize injury through gentle inspection if possible. If your pet is very painful, do not palpate or manipulate leg.
• Once localized, examine affected area to check for pain, heat, injury, and swelling.
• If a fracture is suspected, gently stabilize limb for transport. See "Handling and Transporting Tips".
• Cover any wounds with a clean cloth. See "Bleeding".

Unconsciousness
Possible Causes: Drowning, electrocution, trauma, drug ingestion, seizure.

Action Steps

• In case of drowning, clear the lungs of fluid. Lift animal's hindquarters high over their head until fluid stops draining.
• In case of electrical shock, DO NOT touch the pet until it is no longer in contact with electricity source.
• In case of airway obstruction, the object will need to be gently removed. See "Choking".
• If animal is not breathing and has no pulse, start CPR. See "CPR".

• Bee stings are acid; neutralize with baking soda.
• Wasp stings are alkaline; neutralize with vinegar or lemon juice.
• Apply cold pack.
• Apply calamine or antihistamine cream.
• In case of severe swelling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, or pale gums, transport to clinic immediately. Animals can have anaphylactic reactions similar to humans.

Heat Stroke
Possible Causes: Excessive heat and/or lack of shade, overexertion, lack of water (animals differ in how much heat they can tolerate; even mildly warm, humid temperatures can stress some pets; short nosed breeds most susceptible).

Action Steps

• Place in cool or shaded area.
• Immediately bathe animal with tepid water (do not leave pet unattended while soaking even if conscious).
• Monitor rectal temperature. When temperature drops to 103 F(39.5 C), dry pet.
• Continue monitoring temperature and transport to clinic.

Do not allow animal to become excessively chilled.

First Aid Kits
We have both 'full' and 'travel' size first aid kits available for purchase. For more details click here.