Pet Emergencies & First Aid

American Animal Hospital Association Tips and Treatments

When your pet has an emergency, being prepared is very important.

Before you need it, be sure you know how your veterinarian handles emergencies or where you should go if you have one.

For example, some veterinarians always have someone on call, while others use special emergency hospitals for things that arise after hours. AAHA-accredited hospitals are required to provide 24-hour-a-day emergency care in one way or another.

We cannot stress enough that you SHOULD NOT get on-line during a pet emergency or when your pet is seriously ill.

In an emergency, first aid is not a substitute for veterinary treatment. However, before you are able to get your pet to a veterinarian, knowing some basic first aid can help. Always seek veterinary care following first-aid attempts.
 

BITE WOUNDS

Treatment/Action

Approach the pet carefully to avoid getting bitten. Muzzle the pet. Check the wound for contamination or debris. If significant debris is present, then clean the wound with large amounts of saline or balanced electrolyte solution. If these are not available, then regular water may be used. Wrap large open wounds to keep them clean. Apply pressure to profusely bleeding wounds. Do not use tourniquets. Bite wounds often become infected and need professional care. Wear gloves when possible.

Call veterinarian!

BLEEDING

Treatment/Action

Apply firm, direct pressure over the bleeding area until the bleeding stops. Hold the pressure for at least 10 minutes (continually releasing the pressure to check the wound will hamper the clotting). Avoid bandages that cut off circulation.

Call veterinarian immediately!

BLOAT

What is Bloat?

   Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is also known as "bloat," "stomach torsion," or "twisted stomach." Bloat is an extremely serious condition, and should be considered a life-threatening emergency when it occurs. There are no home remedies for bloat, therefore dog owners must contact their veterinarians immediately if they suspect that their dog has bloat. Dogs can die of bloat within several hours. Even with treatment, as many as 25-33% of dogs with GDV die.

What are the signs?

    The most obvious signs are abdominal distention (swollen belly) and nonproductive vomiting (animal appears to be vomiting, but nothing comes up) and retching. Other signs include restlessness, abdominal pain, and rapid shallow breathing. Profuse salivation may indicate severe pain. If the dog's condition continues to deteriorate, especially if volvulus has occurred, the dog may go into shock and become pale, have a weak pulse, a rapid heart rate, and eventually collapse. A dog with gastric dilatation without volvulus can show all of these signs, but the more severe signs are likely to occur in dogs with both dilatation and volvulus.

Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus) in Dogs- PetEducation.com

Call veterinarian immediately!

BREATHING STOPS- Animal CPR Guide

Treatment/Action

• Check to see if the animal is choking on a foreign object. If an animal is not breathing, place it on a firm surface with its left side up.
• Check for a heartbeat by listening at the area where the elbow touches the chest. If you find a heartbeat but no breathing, close the animal's mouth and breathe directly into its nose-not the mouth-until the chest expands.
• Repeat 12 to 15 times per minute. At the same time, if there is no pulse, apply heart massage. The heart is located in the lower half of the chest, behind the elbow of the front left leg. Place one hand below heart to support the chest. Place other hand over the heart and compress gently.
• Cats and tiny pets receive heart massage by compressing the chest with the thumb and forefingers of one hand. Apply heart massage 80-120 times per minute for larger animals and 100-150 per minute for smaller ones. Alternate heart massage with breathing.

Please note
Even in the hands of well-trained veterinary health professionals, success of resuscitation is very low overall. Success may be slightly higher in the cases of drowning or electrical shock.

Call veterinarian immediately!

BURNS (chemical, electrical, heat - including heating pad)

Treatment/Action

Check for:

• Singed hair
• Blistering
• Swelling
• Redness of skin

Flush the burn immediately with large amounts of cool, running water. Apply an ice pack for 15-20 minutes. Do not place an ice pack directly on the skin. Wrap in a light towel or cover. Large quantities of dry chemicals should be gently brushed off the animal. Water may activate some dry chemicals.

Call veterinarian immediately!

CHOKING- Animal CPR Guide

Treatment/Action

Check for:

• Difficulty breathing
• Excessive pawing at the mouth
• Blue lips and tongue

Be sure to protect yourself as well since the pet will likely be frantic and may be more like to bite. If the pet can still partially
breath, it's best to keep the animal calm and get to a veterinarian
as quickly as possible.

Look into the mouth to see if foreign object in throat is visible.
If you can, clear the airway by removing the object with pliers or tweezers, being careful not to push it farther down the throat.
If it is lodged too deep or if the pet collapses, then place your hands on both sides of the animal's rib cage and apply firm, quick pressure.

Or place the animal on its side and strike the side of the rib cage firmly with the palm of your hand three or four times. Repeat this procedure until the object is dislodged or you arrive at the veterinarian's office.

Call veterinarian immediately!

DIARRHEA

Treatment/Action

Withhold food for 12-24 hours but not water. Sometimes pets who appear to be straining are sore from diarrhea rather than from constipation. Your veterinarian can help you decide which it is and what will help. Trying at-home treatments without knowing the real cause can just make things worse.

Call veterinarian!

EQUIPMENT

Muzzle

Use a strip of soft cloth, rope, necktie, or nylon stocking. Wrap around the nose, under the chin and tie behind the ears.

Care must be taken when handling weak or injured pets. Even normally docile pets will bite when in pain. Allow the pet to pant after handling by loosening or removing the muzzle. Do not use a muzzle in a case of vomiting. Cats and small pets may be difficult to muzzle. A towel placed around the head will help control small pets.

Stretcher

Use a door, board, blanket, or floor mat can be used as a stretcher to transport injured or weak animals.

FRACTURES

Treatment/Action

Pain, inability to use a limb, or limb at odd angle

Muzzle the pet and look for bleeding. If you can control bleeding

without causing more injury, then do so. Watch for signs of shock. DO NOT TRY TO SET THE FRACTURE by pulling or tugging on the limb. Transport the pet to the veterinarian immediately supporting the injured part as best you can.

Call veterinarian immediately!

HEATSTROKE

Treatment/Action

Rapid or difficulty breathing, vomiting, high body temperature, collapse

Place animal in a tub and run cool water over it. Or, gently soak animal with a garden hose or wrap in a cool, wet towel. Do not overcool the animal. Stop cooling when rectal temperature reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit.

Call veterinarian immediately!

POISONING

Treatment/Action

vomiting, convulsions, diarrhea, salivation, weakness, depression, pain

Record what the pet ingested and how much. Immediately call your veterinarian or poison control center. Do not induce vomiting. In case of toxins or chemicals on the skin from oils, paints, insecticides and other contact irritants, request directions on if and how to wash the toxin off.

Call veterinarian!

SEIZURES

Treatment/Action

salivation, loss of control of urine or stool, violent muscle twitching, loss of consciousness

Move pet away from any objects that could be harmful. Use a blanket for padding and protection. Do not put yourself at risk by restraining the pet during the seizure. Time the seizure.

They usually last only 2 to 3 minutes. Afterwards, keep the animal calm and quiet.

Call veterinarian immediately!

SHOCK

Treatment/Action

irregular breathing, dilated pupils

May occur with serious injury or fright. Keep animal gently restrained, quiet and warm with lower body elevated.

Call veterinarian immediately!

VOMITING

Treatment/Action

Withhold food for 12-24 hours. Give ice cubes for two hours after vomiting stops, then slowly increase the amount of water and foods given over a 24-hour period.

Call veterinarian!