Pet First Aid

First Aid and Transport Care for Emergency Situations

Remember that a frightened or painful animal could bite or scratch. Be prepared with a cloth or belt to muzzle a dog (be sure that he can breath easily) or with a large, thick blanket or towel to restrain a small animal. Have a family member or neighbor assist in the transport.

Trauma: Make sure the pet is breathing. Reduce any bleeding with direct pressure. Arterial bleeding (spurting blood) may require a tourniquet. (Tourniquets can be dangerous if left on too long; transport immediately.) Secure the pet in a blanket or towel, if possible, to reduce movement. Transport to hospital immediately.

Choking: Be very careful when attempting to clear airway. Pets will often bite when panicked. The Heimlich Maneuver may work if an item is lodged in windpipe. (Note: coughing and gagging are often confused with choking--a pet which is truly choking will move little or no air at all, and the gum color will be gray or bluish. A pet who experiences periodic episodes of "choking" may be gagging.) Transport to hospital immediately.

Poisoning: Call Poison Control (1-800-342-9293). DO NOT induce vomiting unless instructed to do so. If advised to induce vomiting, give Hydrogen Peroxide until the desired result is achieved. (Start with a few teaspoons for small animals, or a few tablespoons for large dogs.) Some poisons are fatal over time, so immediate treatment is crucial even if pet does not appear sick. Bring the poison label with you if possible and transport to hospital immediately.

Respiratory Distress: If pet is gasping or breathing heavily, remove collars/leads and use minimal restraint during transport. Stay calm since pets can sense and react to our stress. Transport to hospital immediately.

Seizure: Make sure that the pet cannot hurt himself. DO NOT attempt to place anything in his mouth. If poisons such as snail bait have been used recently, bring the box with you to the veterinarian. Bundle the pet in a blanket, and get help to transport the pet in case further seizures occur. Transport to hospital immediately.

Straining to Urinate: Inability to urinate is life-threatening. There is no home aid. Transport to hospital immediately.

Diabetic Insulin Crisis: Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can be characterized by weakness, disorientation, seizures. Place Karo Syrup® on the gums and transport to hospital immediately.

Nonproductive Vomiting or Retching (Especially in large breed dogs): This is the most common sign of a life-threatening condition called "gastric dilitation and volvulus", or "torsion." There is no home aid. Transport to hospital immediately.

Bleeding (Hemorrhaging): For bleeding wounds, apply direct pressure with a thick cloth. If blood soaks through, apply additional cloths (do not remove the original dressing). If blood is spurting from the wound (arterial bleeding), apply a tourniquet above the wound. (Tourniquets are only practical on limbs, and can be dangerous if left on long, so transport immediately.) If the pet is bleeding from the rectum, mouth or other orifice, no home aid is recommended. In all cases, transport to hospital immediately.

Dystocia (Trouble having puppies or kittens): Pregnant pets in labor for more than 2 hours, or actively straining to produce a puppy or kitten for more that 20 minutes with no results, may be experiencing dystocia. Call your veterinarian and prepare to transport. Bring the mother and all puppies/kittens with you to the veterinarian. If possible, keep the family together in a box. If the mother is too large or restless to transport with her young, use a heat source (such as hot water-filled milk jugs) to keep the puppies or kittens warm.

Heatstroke: Heatstroke is characterized by acute collapse, often following heavy activity in hot weather or confinement in a hot space such as a car. Pet's will pant heavily, and the mucous membranes may be brick red. Give the pet a cold water bath or drench with a garden hose and transport to hospital immediately.

First Aid Kit for Pet Owners

Blanket

Thermometer

Sterile 4X4 Gauze Pads

Sterile Dressing (Small, Med, Large)

Roll Gauze

1 and 2 Inch White Tape

Splints

Poison Control Telephone Number

Scissors, Tweezers, Pen Light

Nonstick (Telfa®) Pads

Cloth Strips and Tourniquet

Betadine or Triple Antibiotic Ointment

Instant Cold Packs

Hydrogen Peroxide

Veterinarian's Emergency Phone Number

Glucose Concentrate (Karo Syrup®)