First Aid Tips

Severe Bleeding: Apply pressure with cloth, bandage, or your hand. Call your veterinarian immediately.
Choking: Try to remove the object from the animal's throat, especially if the animal is unconscious. You may use a Heimlich maneuver but be gentle as too forceful squeezing may cause internal injuries.
Vomiting: Do not give food for 12-24 hours. Give ice chips for two hours after vomiting stops. Then slowly increase the amount of food and water given over a 24-hour period. Call your veterinarian, especially if no response to treatment or if accompanied by diarrhea, fever (normal temp for a dog is 100 F - 102.5 F) listlessness, pain or any other signs of illness. If vomiting is continuous (3-6 times) call immediately.
Diarrhea: Do not give food for 12-24 hours. Save sample of stool in refrigerator for testing. Call your veterinarian.
Fractures: Signs of a bone fracture include inability to stand on leg, limping, intense pain, and bone appearing to bend where it should not. What you should do: 1) Muzzle and control any bleeding. 2) Check for any signs of shock, such as, weak pulse, pale gums, irregular breathing, dilated pupils, unconsciousness. If shock does occur, keep your animal gently restrained, quiet and warm with head elevated. 3) DO NOT TRY TO RESET. Transport the animal to a veterinarian immediately using a stretcher (a door board, blanket, or floor mat).

Heat Stroke: Signs of heat stroke include: loud panting, bright red gums, dizziness or coma, depression, weakness, frightened or staring expression. Owners should bring their pet's temperature down by soaking them with cold water and covering them with cold wet towels, if possible, before rushing to the hospital.

How to take your Pet's Pulse:
1) Find a watch with a second hand
2) Find the pulse or heartbeat by placing your hands on both sides of the chest cavity (just behind the elbows).
3) Count the beats for 15 seconds, then multiply by 4. This gives you the number of beats per minute.
NOTE: It is very difficult to find a heart rate on cats.
If you suspect that anything is wrong, seek immediate veterinary attention.

Feline Urological Syndrome (FUS) - Cats straining to urinate
This is a disease of cats characterized by the formation of crystals or stones in the bladder which can cause obstruction of the urinary tract. Both males and females can develop problems, although males are more commonly affected. Signs of FUS include: urination in places other than the litter box, increased licking of the genital area, straining to urinate, frequent attempts to urinate, crying, "yowling", or blood in the urine. These cats should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Seek immediate veterinary attention if you see any of the following signs:
Abnormal Heart Rate
Collapse
Coughing
Difficulty Breathing
Dilated Pupils
Lethargy/Weakness
Loss of Appetite
Pain
Pale Gums
Restlessness and Panting
Unproductive Retching
Vomiting
Any sudden change in behavior

IF YOUR PET HAS SWALLOWED SOMETHING POTENTIALLY HARMFUL OR POISONOUS,

PLEASE CALL:

PET POISON HELPLINE AT 1-800-213-6680 www. petpoisonhelpline.com

or

ANIMAL POISON HOTLINE AT 1-888-232-8870