When you pet has an emergency, being prepared is very important. We cannot stress enough that you SHOULD NOT GET ON-LINE during a pet emergency or when you pet is seriously ill. We cannot help you in those situations. Only your veterinarian can help you at these times.
To help you plan ahead for anything that might come up, here are some tips on helping your pet when he or she needs it. The first step is to ask how your veterinarian handles emergencies or where you should go if you have one.
BITE WOUNDS Treatment/Action
Approach the pet carefully to avoid getting bitten. Muzzle the animal, but do not make breathing difficult. Clean the wound with large amounts of water. 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.
Call your veterinarian.
BLEEDING Treatment/Action
Apply firm, direct pressure over the bleeding area until the bleeding stops. Avoid bandages that cut off circulation.
Call your veterinarian immediately.
PET STOPS BREATHING Treatment/Action (CPR or artificial respiration)
Check to see if the animal is choking on a foreign object (see CHOKING). If the animal is not breathing, place it on a firm surface with its left side up. Check for a pulse by placing your ear to the chest and listening for a heartbeat. To locate the optimal spot, gently bend your pet’s elbow just until it touches the ribs-this is the best place for detecting heart sounds. If you find a pulse but no breathing, close the animal’s mouth and breathe directly into its nose-not 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 left front leg. Place one hand under the animal to support the chest and place the other hand over the heart. Compress the chest gently. Cats and tiny pets may receive heart massage by compressing the chest between the thumb and forefingers of one hand. Apply heart massage 60 times per minute, once every second, and alternate with breathing.
Call you veterinarian immediately! No not delay! Consider learning these techniques before you need to use them.
BURNS (chemical, electrical, heat-including heating pad) Treatment/Action
Flush the burn area immediately with large amounts of cold water. Apply an ice pack for 15 to 20 minutes. Do not place an ice pack directly on the skin-wrap in a light towel or cover.
Call your veterinarian immediately.
CHOKING (difficulty breathing, excessive pawing at mouth, blue lips and tongue) Treatment/Action
Look into the mouth to see if a foreign object is visible and remove the object with tweezers or pliers to clear the airway. Be careful not to push the object farther down the throat. If the object remains lodged, place your hands on both sides of the animal’s rib cage and apply firm, quick pressure to expel it from the throat. 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 either procedure until the object is dislodged.
Call your veterinarian immediately, even if you are able to remove the object. Do not delay!
HEAT STROKE (rapid or difficult breathing, vomiting, collapse, high temperature, glazed stare) Treatment/Action
Place the animal in a tub of tepid water, not cold, which can cause shock. Gently soaking with a garden hose or wrapping in a wet towel also helps. Do not immerse the animal’s head in water.
Call your veterinarian immediately. Do not delay!
POISONING Treatment/Action
Record what the pet ingested and how much if known. Call your veterinarian or poison control center immediately. Do not induce vomiting. In case of skin poisoning, wash with mild soap and flush well with water.
Call your veterinarian immediately. Do not delay!
VOMITING Treatment/Action
Withhold food for 12-24 hours. After vomiting stops, give ice cubes for two hours, then slowly increase the amount of water and foods given over a 24-hour period.
Call your veterinarian.
DIARRHEA Treatment/Action
Withhold food for 24 hours but not water. Give ice cubes.
Call your veterinarian.